Youth Ministry Maverick: Hosted by Jeff Harding

This special episode was unexpected, yet necessary to be included amidst the current conversations and reactions regarding the two reports that were just released: The State of Theology (Ligonier Ministries & LifeWay Research) and Modeling the Future of Religion in America (Pew Research Center). What's the bottom line? The country is steadily becoming less Christian, which isn't that surprising. What IS surprising AND disturbing is that almost half or more of U.S. evangelicals don't know or hold to our basic theological truths. How does this affect your students and ministry?

In this final episode of the semester, Ashley Bohinc from Orange joins Jeff to discuss what middle school ministry is about to look like with Gen Alpha - primarily with their decentralized connection and diverse family orientation. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about a new landscape of youth ministry! Check out the latest from Orange Students here. Connect with Ashley on Instagram here. 

Jeff gives a personal update about his life and ministry, and how it will affect the return date of the podcast in 2022.

Technology has caused the generational divides to become more akin to massive canyons, especially between the two ends of the generational spectrum. But it isn't just use of technology that has sparked the rise in tension and hostility...it's also the fruit of our discipleship efforts coming home to roost. As a pastor in a college town, Dr. Sharon Hodde Miller joins Jeff to discuss what she sees as signs and signals of where Christians are stepping up to encourage others, and how we should properly understand our contribution toward what we see today. Visit her website to find out more about her ministry here.  Visit her church's website here.

When we encourage our students to engage with others about Jesus, are we expecting them to simply persuade their friends that they need Christ...or are we also teaching them how to have healthy dialogue? If everyone is made in the image of God, whether or not they have trusted Christ, they are valuable people who deserve our love, care, and attention. Also, there are always deep-rooted reasons and experiences we don't have that have helped that person form their perspective; therefore, we always have much to learn from others. Corey Nathan joins Jeff to talk about his conversion story, and how he came to develop the open forum of dialogue known as the "Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other" podcast. Subscribe to the TP&R podcast here. Access Corey's LinkedIn profile here.

In the second and final episode of our week focusing on deconstruction, Tim Whitaker joins Jeff to talk about this new community on the rise. They also discuss how to engage well with people going through deconstruction, his faith being bolstered in the midst of it, and some concepts he thinks need to be established in the evangelical church. Click here to access TNE's Instagram. Click here to listen and subscribe to TNE podcast.

This is the first of our two-episode focus on deconstruction, a term and concept that is vastly shaping how Christians will interact with and develop their faith for decades to come. Kate Boyd joins Jeff to talk about the root of deconstruction, where we see evidence of it in Scripture, and how many elements of it are actually helpful for our students and their faith. Click here to watch it on YouTube. Click here to access Kate's website. Click here to listen and subscribe to Kate's podcast, Happy & Holy.

Whether you find yourself with a new class of students, at a new church, or in a new city, awareness and sociocultural context are key elements to having adaptable and sustainable ministry. Steve Cullum joins Jeff to talk about the varying ministry contexts and geographic locations where he has served, and why it's important to get ahead regarding preparation for the benefit of our students. Click here to access Steve's website. Click here to listen and subscribe to Steve's podcast, The Student Ministry Podcast.

Prayer. We want our students to appreciate it, engage in it, and consider it the best arrow in their Christian life quiver to depend on in good times and hard times. How can we help give our students structure for having a long-term prayer focus at the place they spend most of their waking time at...school? Olivia Williamson joins Jeff to talk about how Claim Your Campus has been making big waves on school campuses, and how we can guide students to join the movement. Click here to access their website. Click here to download their mobile app. Click here to watch the video Olivia mentioned.

As youth pastors, we need to make sure our volunteer leaders are trained...but the most important parts in that "training" include being supported, encouraged, resourced, heard, and seen. Youth ministry veteran and podcaster, Kristen Lascola, joins Jeff to talk about some solid approaches and characteristics for building up our volunteers. Click here to subscribe to Kristen's podcast, Ministry Coach. Click here to follow Kristen on Instagram. Click here to follow Kristen on Twitter. Click here to e-mail Kristen.

Without being aware of specific stats, it's fair to say that a large amount of youth workers are single. A single youth worker, depending on their personal and church cultural expectations, could have one of many different perspectives on what being single means for the short-term and long-term. Angie Woods joins Jeff to discuss why single people are vital in their ministry, in the kingdom, and why they aren't "less than" without a spouse. Click here to get Angie's free resource, "5 Mistakes Single Women Make and How To Avoid Them."

For our latest resource review, Jeff talks with youth pastor and author, Mike Haynes, about his G Shades curriculum and philosophy. Check out his website to see more and get a free sample! https://www.gshades.org/ You can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram: https://twitter.com/MikeEHaynes https://www.instagram.com/mikeehaynes/

Making solid investment in future generations means that we need to make a solid investment in the leaders of those generations. What does that look like right now in the realms of high education? What should we be excited about, and what are important things to take note of regarding these young leaders? Jeff talks with Chris Talbot from Welch College about what he is seeing not only in the classroom, but also in the local church as a youth pastor. Click here to buy his book, Remodeling Youth Ministry. Click here to follow Chris on Twitter. Click here to check out Welch College.

Jeff stated in the first episode (and in many that followed) how his underlying ministry philosophy is emphasizing the need to ask better questions, and not settle for easy answers. How can we use that inquisitive approach to develop and train our leaders? Jeff gives several examples that can immediately help your leadership and their investment.

How can we use our new COVID ministry landscape as leverage to reach and invest in the next generation? Jordan Biere from Alpha USA joins Jeff for the first episode of Season 2 to talk about some studies, some things to be aware of, and why we should be excited about Gen Z. Click here to access Alpha USA's website. Click here to access Alpha USA's Instagram. Click here to access Jordan's Instagram. Click here to watch this episode on YouTube.

After a 60-episode inaugural season...we're back for more! Check out the trailer for our second season, which includes a sneak peak at new YouTube elements we're adding. New guests, new topics, and new resources...all which will hopefully make for better investment in the next generation. We can't wait to get this train moving again. See you Tuesday!

For the 60th episode, and last one before a summer break, Jeff debuted YMM's first-ever video interview with his good buddy and returning guest, Jeremy Carlton (from Episode 21). Jeremy heads up Shepherd at Home, a non-profit organization with a goal of sharing practical tools for building stronger families. This was a joint episode for YMM and Shepherd at Home, so Jeff and Jeremy trade off questions about at-home dynamics and youth ministry. Watch it here on YouTube! Check out Jeremy's Youtube and Facebook for Shepherd at Home here.

No one would argue that teaching apologetics to our students isn't important. However, most youth workers teach students to approach apologetics solely from the standpoint of logical/rational argument. Moreover, they would probably ask, "what other way is there?" Jeff's brother, Ryan, an experienced youth worker and student of apologetics, talks with Jeff about apologetics through the lens of how we were created, remember things, and interact with history: narrative and story. The discussion is largely a review of Narrative Apologetics by British theologian, scholar, and apologist, Dr. Alister McGrath. Click here to visit Ryan's blog.

Many of us associate humor and hilarity with youth ministry, but sadly, many do not associate those with ministry because of hurtful experiences. Scripture often links laughter with joy and celebration, and it can certainly be used as a ministry tool. Comedian Bob Smiley talks with Jeff about his journey in the comedy world, some bizarre things people have hired him to do, why it's good for us to poke fun at ourselves, and how we can use comedy to both lighten and enlighten others. Click here to check out Bob's website.

When talking to our students about marriage, we tend to emphasize the concept of unity and the reality of living together as "one flesh." That is certainly needed and appropriate. However, during the season of engagement, the couple tends to be treated as if they are already united in that manner. The reality is that they are not, and the flood of emotions combined with the shock of multiple decisions needing to be made can not only be overwhelming...but lonely as well. Wedding planner consultant and educator, Amber Anderson, talks with Jeff about this overlooked season of relationships that can cause long-term detriment to mental and emotional health if it's handled poorly. Click here to learn about Amber's business, workshops, podcast, and more.

  Those who grow up in the church and go on to serve as youth workers will inevitably think about the discipleship experience they had as a teenager (or the lack thereof). Moreover, the number of youth workers without a church background, let alone seminary training, is steadily growing. How can we set youth workers up to provide a solid path of discipleship while emphasizing the relational connection with students? Local youth pastor, Cameron Sparks, joins Jeff to discuss how we can make that a reality.   Access Cameron's youth ministry Instagram here, and the sermons he has preached on his church website here.  

You name a book, conference, or TED Talk about leadership, and someone in ministry will know exactly what you're talking about. We strive to continue our development as good leaders for the sake of our students and peers investing with us. So what is the best way to lead? As a well-known leadership expert, seasoned CEO, and Chairman of the Board for Orange, Joel Manby lends his perspective and experience to talk about how Scripture provides the most powerful blueprint for solid leadership. You can buy the latest edition of Joel's book here, and access his website here.

We tend to focus solely on spiritual aspects of our youth ministry when assessing its health. Those aspects are certainly important, but practically speaking in terms of daily life, the mental and emotional aspects are just as important. How prepared is the average youth worker to handle and accept the various conditions some students have as they walk through our church doors? Cassidy Ford, a business franchising expert who grew up with Jeff in youth ministry, talks about her own experience of mental health in the church and how she currently promotes self-advocacy in the marketplace. Click here to access Cassidy's LinkedIn profile, and here to listen to her podcast on Spotify.

The arrival of COVID has accelerated the presence of online ministry, which was already growing exponentially. Whether it's social media, personal invitations, small groups, or live streaming, having a green digital thumb is now almost essential. But are we using it in the best ways? Trusted church communication expert, Seth Muse, joins Jeff to talk about how many of us are missing digital opportunities to communicate well. Check out how Seth's team can help you & your ministry with communication here, and his personal website (blogs, podcast, etc.) here. If you're down for some indie rock, check out Seth and Jeff's old group album on Spotify or Apple Music!

We consistently guide our students in living out their identity in Christ. However, the pressure they feel of wanting to fit in, find the best school, choose the best career, and make their parents happy is also consistent. It can seem like the spiritual and practical aspects of life choices are mutually exclusive...but are they? Ali Gentry joins Jeff to discuss her own story, and what students need to see and hear from leaders as they seek the abundant life Jesus said he came to give. Click here to visit Ali's website, and here for her church's website.

One common question youth pastors and workers ask students is, “Where do you see God at work in your life?” When answering that question, we hope that students are not only seeing God work, but also how their life story is developing. Esteemed research professor and author, Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, joins Jeff to discuss the power of story. They talk about why reading classical literature can help our view of Scripture, and why it’s so important to listen to the stories of others.

The analog world is all but in the rear-view mirror, and it means that our children and teenagers now have brains literally developing in a new way. The main results are what we see now with dependence on devices, addiction to porn, and a completely new social paradigm. Chris Kaspar, founder of Techless and creator of the Wisephone, talks with Jeff about how we help the next generation start off on the foot of discernment when it comes to phones.

We aim to partner with parents. We hope to teach and show students wisdom and discernment as they move toward high school graduation and entering college/career life. We try to teach stewardship. So, why haven't we made concerted efforts to jointly exercise all three of those elements in a streamlined way? Hannah Moore, CFP, CFT joins Jeff to discuss how we can help parents and students have intentional conversations about financial independence by tempering expectations and demonstrating wise choices. If we truly want to invest in the next generation, we need to be wholistic and not myopic. Click here to access Hannah's website, and see what resources she has to offer as learning tools or consulting.

This is the final installment of our 11-episode series. Ainsley and Danielle join Jeff to discuss what they took away from the nine interviews, some Enneagram elements that weren't able to be discussed in them because of time, and Phase 2 of the project. Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment. Click here to access Ainsley's website. Click here to access Danielle's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Danielle Allen co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 9 guest, Joanna Capps. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 8 or a wing 1.  Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment. Click here to access Danielle's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Danielle Allen co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 8 guest, Cassi Cox. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 7 or a wing 9.  Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment. Click here to access Danielle's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Ainsley B co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 7 guest, Zac Workun. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 6 or a wing 8.  Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment. Click here to access Ainsley's website. Click here to see more about Youth Ministry Booster, which Zac helps oversee.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Ainsley B co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 6 guest, Addison Herritage. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 5 or a wing 7.  Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment. Click here to access Ainsley's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Danielle Allen co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 5 guest, Dr. Andrew Root. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 4 or a wing 6. Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment.Click here to access Danielle's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Danielle Allen co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 4 guest, Kelsie Furgason Crawley. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 3 or a wing 4. Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment.Click here to access Danielle's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Ainsley B co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 3 guest, Daniel Maddry. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 2 or a wing 4. Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment.Click here to access Ainsley's website.Click here to access Daniel's primary business, Youth Pastor Co.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Ainsley B co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 2 guest, Liz Dolan. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 1 or a wing 3. Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment.Click here to access Ainsley's website.

For this episode of The Youth Worker Enneagram Project, Ainsley B co-hosts as the Enneagram Coach to discuss what working in youth ministry looks like with our Enneagram 1 guest, Dan Martin. They talk about strengths along with areas of need and focus, and conclude by highlighting the effects of a wing 9 or a wing 2. Click here to take a free Enneagram assessment.Click here to access Ainsley's website.

This is the first episode of our eleven-episode series on how youth ministry workers can capitalize on their Enneagram classifications for the sake of their personal lives and ministry. For this intro episode, Jeff is joined by the two Enneagram coaches that will take turns co-hosting during this series - Ainsley and Danielle. After getting to know the coaches, the three of them discuss the origins of the Enneagram, what all of the numbers mean, and how this tool can be helpful for those investing in the next generation.

For the final installment of this series on connecting with parents, Jeff talks about the importance of employing long-term strategy to secure a solid system of interaction. Our culture mirrors these younger generations in prioritizing immediate satisfaction and vain accomplishment over quality development, which requires patience and failure. We need to be distinct from those practices, and establish good habits to set us, parents, and our students up well for how we can grow in faith and discipleship together. 

This special bonus episode features prominent Bible teacher, author, preacher, and podcaster, Kat Armstrong. Kat joins Jeff to discuss her latest book, The In-Between Place: Where Jesus Changes Your Story. The book contains Kat's personal experiences with hardship, questions, and seeing how Jesus meets us where we are - all of which is drawn from the captivating story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4. Click here to buy Kat's book on Amazon.Click here to access Kat's website.Click here to access Kat's podcast.Follow Kat on Instagram here, or Twitter here.

We discussed the reasons and importance of connecting well with parents in the first episode of the series. Jeff continues in this episode by talking about methods of solid communication with parents in a culture where the options are perhaps too plentiful.

Most in youth ministry generally acknowledge the importance and priority of parents, and how they have more time and influence than we ever could. But what does that look like practically? How do we intentionally craft our ministry vision and structure to demonstrate that? Jeff talks through some of that in this first of a three episode series on connecting with parents.

Happy 2021, YMM fam! Jeff shares some exciting elements coming to the podcast over the next several months. The centerpiece is a huge announcement about something no other youth ministry podcast - and perhaps any ministry podcast - has ever attempted! Don't miss the details!

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that 2020 has been the catalyst for several paradigmatic shifts in our world, our culture, our politics, and our ministry. For this year in review episode, Jeff goes through five things that will change how we teach and invest in students moving forward.

While this year has brought forth many wretched things, Jeff is grateful that this podcast brought some refreshing levity when it started in April. This compilation and reflection certainly doesn't contain all of his favorite moments, as that would be much too long! So, why not go with a holy number? Here are seven of Jeff's favorite podcast episodes/moments from 2020. 

Typically, we all approach Advent in a similar way each year. We go through the birth story, highlight the four themes, and discuss how to personify them in the new year. But after enduring 2020, there's a better approach we can take with Advent that can set a new template for how we recognize Advent for years to come. Jeff talks about using the themes of Advent as a lens to reflect on this tumultuous year, and why it's up to us - not circumstances - to set the tone for 2021.

What comes to mind when someone says the word sexuality? Disgust? Confusion? Anger? Discomfort? The evangelical approach to sexuality has hardly included anything resolving dialogue, and as a key part of being made in God's image, sexuality deserves rich dialogue. Our understanding of it also needs to adapt in a world where the subject has taken on a lot of nuance. Dr. Sandra Glahn and Dr. Gary Barnes from Dallas Theological Seminary discuss the topic with Jeff via their new book. This great discussion is a preview regarding one of the most important books ever written on understanding and expressing healthy Christian sexuality - that's no exaggeration, but perhaps an understatement. Don't miss out on hearing this conversation or purchasing the book!You can get the book here, access Dr. Glahn's website here, and look up more about both of their publications, podcasts, and chapel sermons on the seminary's website here.

There's usually just one thing in mind when we talk to students about their peers who belong to other faiths/religions: conversion. Conversion is the general desire we have for those we interact with who are not yet in Christ. However, what about a relationship? How can caring for someone beyond giving a gospel presentation give students affirmation of their faith while also creating more opportunities to share it? Keith Hileman joins Jeff to discuss an organization of interfaith dialogue he helped create, and why we in youth ministry should broaden our context of evangelism.Here is Keith's chapel message on FFG he gave at Dallas Theological Seminary.Here is the website and the Facebook page for Friends For Good, the aforementioned interfaith group.

We aim to mentor and disciple students in our ministries, but they need others to fill that role as well - both now and later in life. Moreover, we as "spiritual authorities" also need to be mentored. Many recognize this, but few know how to fulfill this need. Courtney Lowman from The Journey Of Ruth Podcast joins Jeff to talk about the importance of mentors and discipling for the individual believer and the Church overall.Click here to access Courtney's mentor discovery worksheet.

We're not just supposed to teach and hang out with our students. We're supposed to help them pursue what God has for them, which could be a call to ministry. "I can't do it...I can't afford it...I'm not qualified....The Bible says I'm not allowed," are things we might hear from the ladies in our ministries. Regardless of complementarian/egalitarian stance, how can we help them step out in faith and use their position and abilities for God's glory and helping others? Rebecca Carrell from KCBI joins Jeff to discuss her own journey, and how she would approach it as a teenager trying to find her path.Click here to check out Rebecca's morning radio show, and here for her website.