Youth Ministry Podcast

After 104 episodes, it's time for the Youth Ministry Podcast to release its Greatest Hits album. Today, Jake and Erik discuss their favorite episodes from the past two years and say "farewell" (for now) to this podcasting endeavor.

They say hindsight is 20/20. Today Jake and Erik look through the lens of their combined 30 years experience and ruminate on what they would've told their younger selves when they were starting out in youth ministry. Also, Jake asks listeners for some help.

You have a lot to think about as a youth minister, and most of it is related to what's in front of your face every day: registration forms, staff meetings, lesson planning, receipts, and the clogged sink in the youth room. Who has time to consider things like user experience and graphic design? YOU, that's who! Today Jake and Erik offer some suggestions for how to step away from the daily grind and design meaningful ministry moments at your church.

Departing from a congregation is almost never easy, and yet most ministry professionals will say “goodbye” to several churches during their career. In this episode, Jake and Erik discuss ways to leave a church with grace for yourself and grace for your congregation.

Teens spend an average of nine hours online each day. Social media is ubiquitous. Young people and figuring out their online and in-person identities on the fly every day. How can the church support young people and their parents as they encounter the complicated and wonderful world of social media? In this episode Jake and Erik talk about their recent interactions with parents and teens on the topic of social media and offer suggestions for how to facilitate these conversations at your church.

Live, from Sparkhouse Headquarters in Minneapolis, MN – it’s the 100th episode of the Youth Ministry Podcast! In this very special episode, Erik and Jake are joined by members of the Sparkhouse team to give you a look behind the scenes of the ministry of publishing. Plus they’ll give you a recap of all the shenanigans that took place during their outrageous lock-in.

Youth ministry isn’t something you do alone. Not only do you have leaders in your congregation to support you, but you can partner with other church youth groups for all kinds of activities. Jake and Erik discuss their experiences with shared ministry events and offer suggestions for things to consider when planning these outings, retreats, and trips.

If you’re around young people, you’ve probably heard of TikTok. In a little more than a year since it was launched, TikTok has become one of the fastest growing and most popular apps in the world. Today Jake and Erik discuss the ways youth are interacting with this video app. Then they bring on their resident expert, Erik’s teenage daughter Anna, to answer their questions and to set her father straight on a few things.

Jake and Erik took a road trip to Sparkhouse HQ to prepare for the 100th Episode Spectacular. In today’s episode they rehash what they discussed in the car, including; establishing healthy boundaries with youth, what to do when holidays conflict with church programming, and when to perform background checks for mentors.

Youth Ministry is an ever-changing vocation. It’s important for adults to learn new ways of teaching, relating, and leading young people. There are countless ways to develop new skills for ministry—events, conferences, conventions, books, coaching, consultants, and cohorts—but which ones are right for you? In this episode Jake and Erik discuss the anatomy of a great professional development experience and offer some questions to ask before attending your next continuing education event.

Youth ministers like to think of ourselves as a lot of things—mentors, spiritual leaders, teachers, event planners, etc. It can be tough to consider that we need to be disciplinarians at times. Jake and Erik discuss the topic of classroom management and offer some tips for how to effectively (and graciously) curtail unhelpful student behavior.

It’s time, once again, for Jake and Erik to open up the ministry mailbag and discuss the topics you’ve suggested. Today they chat about social anxiety, parent motivation, and how to relate to the tough, perhaps bothersome kid who always shows up at youth group.

The more Bible study changes, the more it stays the same. Or does it? For a few thousand years faithful people have been studying Scripture. There are many different ways to approach this important task, but often times youth ministers feel ill-equipped to lead these conversations. Jake and Erik offer their thoughts on ways to do Bible study, but only after Jake recommends a video and Erik dives into some listener feedback.

Youth Ministry often occurs in the everyday tasks of studying, teaching, leading, and relating. Every once in a while it’s good to step away from reality and imagine a different way of doing ministry. In this episode Jake and Erik ask each other some hypothetical questions about programming, facilities, and money—and one of them considers joining a monastery.

Parents and children are getting ready to head back to school. The church program year is also starting to ramp up, which means sending out schedules, training volunteers, while preparing all the great lesson and activities. Jake and Erik check in regarding their thoughts around the back-to-school season and discuss an important article about 21st century parenting.

Why do bad things happen to people? Where is God in the midst of difficult times? How do youth ministers grieve along side people who are suffering…or are suffering themselves? Pastor Mike Stavlund joins Erik and Jake to discuss these and other profundities of pastoral care.

The ELCA held Churchwide Assembly this week. Erik had an opportunity to speak with some of the youth voting members about their hopes for the future. They have some important things to say to pastors and youth ministers about what it's like to be a young leader in the church. Enjoy listening to their perspective!

Church camp provides a special opportunity for young people to grow in faith, meet new people, and learn about themselves. It’s also a place where the next generation of church leaders will discover their calling in ministry. Jake and Erik wash off the bug spray and check in from Lutheran Lakeside Camp to discuss the ways congregations can make outdoor ministry an important part of their program.

Ministry doesn’t happen in a cultural vacuum. Every day we are surrounded by people, art, and media which can inform our work with young people. For this reason, Erik and Jake are once again doing a Pop Culture Crossover. This time, they discuss the remake of Disney’s “The Lion King” and its implications for youth ministry.

In the previous episode, Erik shared stories of how he discerned a call in youth ministry. This week, it’s Jake’s turn.

“You’re in ministry? Interesting! How did you get started?” People often wonder how and why someone would enter into the vocation of ministry. Some ministers can identify a major milestone which pointed them on their career path. (See: Luther, Martin) For others, the discernment came with slightly less fanfare. In this episode Jake interviews Erik about his ministry origin story and invites listeners to reflect on how they got involved in ministry as well.

Youth trips and retreats are special times for young people and adults to connect with one another and with their faith. A great adult chaperone can make a huge impact on the overall success of the trip. How do you go about selecting and training the right adults for this mountaintop experience? Erik and Jake have some thoughts!

Youth ministry rarely happens without the support of volunteers.  Your ability to equip these volunteers will profoundly impact young people for the rest of their lives. No pressure, right? Fortunately, Jake and Erik are here to offer their insights on how to recruit, train, and retain the adults who participate in your ministry.

Everyone feels a little nervous energy before a big event. Youth ministers are no exception. It may look like we thrive on chaotic events, meaningful service projects, and severe sleep deprivation – but there are a lot of logistics that go into preparing for these experiences. Sometimes the details of a big event are still in flux days (or hours) before go-time. In this episode Jake and Erik discuss the ways they’re getting their mind, body, and spirit ready for upcoming events. And one of us forgets how to spell the other guy’s name.

Vacation Bible School is one of the most high-profile events of summertime ministry. It’s an opportunity for the church to connect with young families and teach Bible stories in fun and creative ways. What does VBS Week mean for youth ministers? How might churches modify their VBS experiences to better meet the needs of the community? In this episode Jake and Erik take a deep dive into all things VBS and figure out how long this cultural phenomenon has been around.

Summer is here, which means Jake and Erik have a little extra time to read and reflect. In this episode they discuss an article called, “The Dark Forest Theory of the Internet” and its implications for youth workers. They also suggest some ways to assess the recently concluded program year.

Jake and Erik have been in youth ministry for a while—more than 25 years between them. In that time they’ve developed some habits, mindsets, and practices which have enhanced their professional experience. In this episode they offer ten pro tips for people in all stages of life and ministry.

There are more than 2 million mobile apps available to the public. Many of these can be used to make your ministry life easier and more efficient. But how do you know which ones to use or how to use them? Jake and Erik (to be honest, mostly Jake) discuss some of their favorite apps and offer some practical tips for how to use these apps to enhance your ministry.

Summer is only a few weeks away. For many youth ministers, summer means Mission Trips. No matter if this is your first or twenty-first trip, you have a lot to keep in mind before, during, and after this experience. Jake and Erik offer their insights on effective pre-trip communication, engaged leadership during the mission trip, and healthy recuperating after you come home.

Being in ministry often means accompanying people during difficult times in their lives. It’s an honor to be invited into these circumstances because it means you’ve earned the trust of the people in your community. But not everyone in ministry is sufficiently trained to handle all pastoral care circumstances. Jake and Erik discuss the joys and challenges of this kind of ministry, how to maintain integrity and healthy boundaries, and when it’s time to reach out for extra help.

Youth Ministry is important, difficult work. It’s easy to get so focused on daily tasks that you forget the ways you make a difference. This week, Jake and Erik invite you to take a deep breath and reflect on the moments your ministry inspires and encourages people.

Committees can be a burden and a blessing for people in ministry. Ideally, they provide accountability, support, and inspiration for staff and programs. But sometimes they feel obligatory and directionless. In this episode Jake and Erik draw on their experiences and offer some best practices for healthy youth committees.

Communication is a crucial element in any relationship, especially among church workers and congregation members. But how can youth ministers effectively communicate with all the people about all the things? Which forms of media are best suited for which events? How to strategies change depending on the audience? How often should you be reaching out? Jake and Erik offer their thoughts on some of their communication successes and failures. (And they crown a Youth Ministry Madness winner!)

The next several weeks are filled with “lasts” for high school seniors – exams, performances, dances, parties, and commencement. These are exciting and time-consuming experiences for your teens. How can you stay connected with kids who are busy doing important activities outside of church? Jake and Erik offer some ideas for how the church can come along side graduates and their parents to nurture them through these special moments.

The fastest growing religious group in America is called “The Nones” – people who self-identify as having no religious affiliation. The Nones are now the same size as Evangelicals and Catholics and twice the size of Mainline Christians. What does this mean for people in youth ministry? Jake and Erik offer their thoughts about ways to faithfully nurture young people’s faith in this current context.

These next few months can be incredibly busy and stressful for youth ministers. It’s important to take care of yourself as you prepare for Holy Week, wrap up the program year, and coordinate all the special summer events. Join Jake and Erik for a conversation about the benefits of self-care, what it is (and isn’t), and how you can begin to establish helpful habits in your daily life.

Spring is finally here, so it’s time for Erik and Jake to spring open the ministry mailbag and answer questions from you, the listener. Topics discussed include retreats, vocation, and innovation fatigue. Also, be sure to join in the fun and fill out your Youth Ministry Madness bracket.

It’s March, and that can only mean one thing. (Nope, not Lent.) Time for March Madness, baby! Sparkhouse is once again bringing you Youth Ministry Madness, a bracket-style game where you pick your favorite youth ministry clichés, leader tips, challenges, and oops. In today’s episode Erik and Jake go through each region, discuss the matchups, and make their predictions. You can participate in Youth Ministry Madness by going to go.wearesparkhouse.org/youthministrymadness

Like it or not, fundraisers are a regular part of youth ministry. This week Jake and Erik discuss their favorite way to generate money for youth trips: auctions. You’ll hear lots of practical advice about how to plan, promote, and implement this all-church fundraising event.

One of the best ways to connect with young people is to meet them in a public place like a coffee shop or bakery. Why is this approach to ministry so important? How do you go about having meaningful and grace-filled conversations with young people? And most important of all—who’s buying? Jake and Erik address these questions and more, but first they discuss a recent article about kids who are inheriting a pre-existing online identity.

We’ve all had days when ministry programs don’t go according to plan. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, too few students show up, too many students show up, or maybe you didn’t have enough time to adequately prepare. This is why it’s important to have an imaginary "Youth Ministry Fanny Pack" with some no-prep, timeless tools at your disposal. In this episode Jake and Erik discuss the games, movies, and Bible study techniques they utilize when they’re in a pinch. Jake also offers insights on ways to create and organize your own youth ministry “pan-pan” list.

Liturgy gets a reputation for being archaic and boring, especially among young people. Church has a long history of creating traditions, rituals, and spiritual practices. Is there a place for such things in youth group? What could that look like? Jake and Erik discuss ways liturgy principles can create meaningful youth ministry experiences. They also circle back to last week’s conversation about love and discuss some recent news articles about purity culture.

Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s time to talk about love in youth group. What are some of the best (and worst) ways to tackle this topic? How can you include all the kids in this conversation, not just the ones interested in dating or romance? Grab your favorite translation of 1 Corinthians 13 and join Erik and Jake for a discussion that’s all about love.

For many church workers, winter brings two things: nasty weather and continuing education events. This week, Jake and Erik discuss both of these topics—Jake’s experience at the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s 2019 Extravaganza event and the recent stretch of bad weather across the country. They also reflect on establishing appropriate boundaries in youth ministry and how to employ humor (or not) in youth group.

Ministry doesn’t happen in a cultural vacuum. Every day we are surrounded by people, art, and media which can inform our work with young people. For this reason, Erik and Jake are trying out an every-once-in-a-while episode format called Pop Culture Crossover. This week they identify six insights for ministry in the documentary, “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.” You don’t need to have seen the movie to follow along with the conversation, and you just might find yourself singing along more than once.

Young people aren’t just the church’s future, they are the church’s present. Congregations can benefit from the passionate enthusiasm youth have to offer. But not every church is nimble enough to enact the kind of speedy changes young people demand. How can youth ministers empower young people to lead? What are some ways congregations can be open to the ideas offered by their young members? Erik and Jake consider these questions and offer their thoughts on how youth can make their voices heard by church leaders.

Public opinion of clergy has plummeted in recent years. Fewer than 40% of Americans believe pastors are honest or have high ethical standards. What does that mean for youth ministers? How can you earn the trust of your students, parents, staff, and church members? Erik and Jake (after some hand-wringing about the state of the church) offer several ways you can convey honesty and integrity in your ministry.   Nurses Again Outpace Other Professions for Honesty, Ethics   Religion Considered Important to 72% of Americans   Youth Ministry Podcast: Child Safety Policies

Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Baccalaureate…the church performs many important rituals for young people. But what about the person who isn’t ready at the same time as their peers? How can youth ministers celebrate meaningful milestones while remaining flexible? Jake and Erik talk about ways they practice sacred traditions in their congregations. They also have a few ideas for moving milestones out of the church and into the home, neighborhood, and school.

It’s time to make New Year’s Resolutions. What are your goals for 2019, and what are the odds you’ll keep these in the forefront of your thoughts for more than a few weeks? In this episode you’ll hear Jake and Erik talk about their personal and professional aspirations for the coming year. They’ll offer ways to make reasonable resolutions and suggest strategies for avoiding the mid-February flameout.

As the year draws to a close, it’s time for Erik and Jake to look back at some of the more indelible moments from 2018.  How have their experiences on summer youth trips continued to bear fruit into the winter months? What are the ways popular culture influenced their youth ministry? Which apps, websites, podcasts, and books helped them connect with kids? And, is Fortnite going away anytime soon?  (Spoiler: no, it’s not.)

In the pantheon of Christmas songs, one song rises above all other songs. In this episode, Erik and Jake take a deep dive into the carol “O Holy Night.” Prepare to immerse yourselves into a wellspring of knowledge about the greatest Christmas song of all time. You can also check out Erik’s Christmas music playlist at https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/christmas-music-playlist-all.