Podcasts about youth ministries

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Your Christmas party is rapidly approaching and you've got a budget of zero dollars. Every list online is the same white elephant and wrapping-paper-mummy nonsense you ran in 2019. These ten game ideas need nothing but stuff already in your building — welcome to the best 10 Christmas games for youth group Christmas Parties!

New Creation Kids: A Principle-Led, Bible-Centered Children's Ministry CurriculumMeaghan Turner chats with Youthworks children's ministry advisors Annemarie Rivers and Cam Harte about New Creation Kids, a new three-year, subscription-based curriculum. It's been intentionally created to align with Youthworks 7 principles for effective youth and children's ministry with the key focus being on Bible-centered relational ministry, partnering with the home and training leaders effectively. Have a listen to found out how! Launches online Nov 2, 2026 at newcreationkids.org with samples available now.00:00 Cold Open Mixup01:09 Why Create Curriculum02:27 What New Creation Kids Is03:14 Principle Led Bible Centred and Relational 06:58 Partnering With Parents09:53 Leader Training12:29 Podcast And Minister Support15:10 Not Plug And Play17:09 Getting Started Online Platform19:19 Unit Structure And Planning21:08 Bible Reading Cards NIV23:44 Weekly Program Flow26:58 Visual Aids Library27:34 Apply Head Heart Hands29:03 Discussion Questions Toolkit30:39 Support And Training31:52 Curriculum Purpose33:26 Favorite Units Preview35:26 Three Year Scope42:12 Trust And Review43:53 Churches Teaching Together46:58 Access And Launch49:21 International Use50:21 Final Wrap Up

If you've ever wondered why students stop inviting friends to youth group or why your regulars start drifting away from youth ministry, the answer is often simpler than a new game night or a better message. Students are looking for a youth ministry that feels built for them and for their friends, not an insider club they feel they can't invite anyone to. In this episode, we talk through five core needs we see again and again in healthy, growing student ministry, and we challenge you with one question: does your youth group actually offer these things right now? If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share this with a youth pastor friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more pastors can find the help they need.===========Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions!===========You may also enjoy these episodes:Youth Room Tour: https://youtu.be/LFfWFZ5_fsc(#040) How to Start a Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry(#064) What's the BIG DEAL About SMALL GROUPS in Youth Ministry?(#052) Small Group Leader Training for Youth Ministry(#160) Youth Pastors: Are You Challenging Your Youth Group Enough?(#156) How to Minister to the 4 Different Types of Students in Youth Ministry=======We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need.If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com!If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach=========

Send us Fan MailYouth ministry can feel like a holy adrenaline rush. Packed rooms. Camp. Baptisms. Students responding to the gospel. The next Wednesday night is always coming.But what happens when you start needing the ministry as much as the ministry needs you?Dane Leake joins Zac for an unusually honest conversation about burnout, mental health, identity, and the hidden cost of chasing the next ministry high.Dane shares the story of his 2023 collapse, years of overwork, lack of sleep, caffeine, unprocessed grief, and tying too much of his identity to ministry outcomes eventually caught up with him. After camp, his body and mind effectively shut down. What followed included hospitalization, stepping away from a ministry he loved, and a long season of rebuilding his life.But this isn't just an episode about burnout. It's about learning another way to lead.Zac and Dane talk about the dopamine cycle built into ministry, the warning signs Dane wishes he'd noticed earlier, why a bad Wednesday can ruin your entire week, and the danger of confusing ministry success with personal worth.They also get intensely practical about what changed: real Sabbath, honest friendships, clear personal values, slower rhythms, letting go of outcomes, and learning to lead from conviction rather than KPIs.And the conversation eventually turns toward our students: if we're trying to disciple an anxious, screen-saturated generation, maybe our ministries can't simply offer them another adrenaline hit.This one is for the youth minister who loves ministry—but is beginning to wonder what ministry is doing to them.In this episode:• Why youth ministry can become emotionally addictive• The warning signs of burnout we tend to rationalize• Dane's 2023 mental health crisis and road toward recovery• Why your identity cannot rise and fall with Wednesday night• Sabbath as structure, delight, and resistance• Conviction vs. outcomes in ministry leadership• Why ministers need people who can see the “storm conditions” before the storm• Programming for an anxious generation without manufacturing emotional response• How to work hard without losing your soulYouth minister, you don't walk alone.YMB isn't just a podcast. It's a place to belong. Join a community of folks that share your calling.Support the showJoin the community!

Blake Vajgrt, Parish Catechist at St. Peter, shares a reflection on how God is the great King above all Gods (Ps 95:3) and how give up our rights to let other things reign in our lives instead of him with the high school students gathered at LNK Youth Ministry's Blaze Night on Wednesday, Sept. 24. LNK is a citywide youth ministry group that minsters from the Catholic tradition. You can sign up to stay up to date here: LNK Youth Ministry. You can find the website here: www.lnkym.org.

Blake Vajgrt, Parish Catechist at St. Peter, shares a reflection introduces this year's Blaze theme, Praise, with the high school students gathered at LNK Youth Ministry's Blaze Night on Wednesday, Sept. 9. LNK is a citywide youth ministry group that minsters from the Catholic tradition. You can sign up to stay up to date here: LNK Youth Ministry.

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes these words: "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with all knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." One of the greatest needs in the church, home, and youth ministries today is the need to teach our kids to become wise and discerning. On this episode of Youth Culture Matters, we're talking about a helpful tool that can be used over and over again as we endeavor to train our kids to discern truth from error as they grow up in a media saturated world.

Bailey and Karla Bradshaw are youth pastors in Harrison, Arkansas. Today we talk about what God is doing in the lives of young people here in America. Bailey believes that the key to reaching this generation is through the supernatural. 

In this special Youth Ministry Unscripted Series looking at the past 25 years of youth ministry and the future 25 years of youth ministry, Cameron and Danny sit down with Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and Professor of Youth and Family at Fuller Theological Seminary. They discuss Dr. Powell's assessment on the past and future of youth ministry, including Fuller Youth Institute's new research on Generation Alpha. Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), the founder of the TENx10 Collaboration, the Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, and serves as a faculty member at Fuller Seminary. Prior to that, Kara was an Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry and Practical Theology at Azusa Pacific University. She completed her PhD in Practical Theology from Fuller Seminary with a focus on Pastoral Role Expectations in 2000, an MDiv from Bethel Theological Seminary in 1994, and a BA in human biology, graduating with Honors from Stanford University in 1991.Podcasts - Youth Ministry Through the Years Ask Rooted: How Do You Shift to Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry? The FYI on Gen Alpha: New Research and… | Fuller Youth Institute Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcastsRegister for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Download Free Youth Group and Parent Resources on our website Web: http://TeenQuest.org Phone: (814) 444 - 9500

Teaching in youth ministry can be a weekly pressure cooker - junior high attention spans, high school skepticism, limited prep time, and the real weight of opening the Bible and preaching responsibly. In this episode, we're sharing 11 books that have genuinely sharpened how we teach & preach in student ministry, especially when we need clarity, better structure, and illustrations that actually help students understand.  Besides giving you a list of 11 books, we break down why each one individually will make your teaching vastly better!If you're ready for stronger youth sermons and healthier youth ministry rhythms, listen now, subscribe, share this with a youth ministry friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more youth pastors can find it.==========

Probably the most impressive feature of sidekick overall is in this final category. This is the feature that made me say: "Our Pastoral Care Increased 100-fold" after we began using it. Which one is it? Let's find out! SEASONAL SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1470781?view=expanded SIDEKICK ACCESS: https://www.sidekick.tv SHOW NOTES Shownotes & Transcripts https://www.hybridministry.xyz/219 [FREE] HYBRID STRATEGY GUIDE https://www.patreon.com/posts/complete-guide-142500019?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

We all desire the church to be a safe place, where people with trauma know what it is to love and be loved (Matt. 22). In this workshop, we will explore the need for our youth ministries to become trauma-informed so that we may disciple students holistically and prevent further harm. We will discuss what trauma is, how the hope we have in Jesus speaks directly to any past, and when to seek a counseling referral.Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she's taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she's the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog.Resources: Matthew 22Helping Teenagers Process Graphic Violence: An Interview with Counselors Rahab Marshall and Gordon Bals - Rooted Ministry On Handling Crisis in Your Youth Ministry - PodcastsCreating a Child Protection Policy for Your Church - Rooted Ministry Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates. Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Pizza and Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the importance of including families in the sacramental preparation for confirmation. They explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when engaging parents in the process, emphasizing the need for effective communication, relationship building, and creating meaningful experiences. The conversation highlights the transformative power of family involvement in faith formation and the role of parents as primary catechists.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Confirmation and Family Involvement03:01 The Role of Parents in Confirmation Preparation06:01 Building Relationships with Parents08:53 Flexibility and Communication with Parents12:06 Creating Meaningful Experiences for Families14:52 Feedback and Continuous Improvement17:45 Transformative Power of Family EngagementLinks"Partner with Parents - Pt. 1" https://www.buzzsprout.com/697273/episodes/17729095"Partner with Parents - Pt. 2" https://www.buzzsprout.com/697273/episodes/17888031"Partner with Parents - Pt. 3" https://www.buzzsprout.com/697273/episodes/17965402pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

Al James speaks with Katie Stringer, a high school SRE teacher and Inner West coordinator, about why SRE matters and how to grow it across schools and year groups. Katie describes coordinating a diverse volunteer team to provide SRE classes, seminars, and lunchtime groups, driven by a conviction that every student should have access to the stories of Jesus and the Bible within the curriculum. They discuss practical growth strategies: regularly asking “How can we get more SRE?”, partnering with local churches and the regional SRE advisor, delivering excellent lessons using the Think Faith curriculum, building consistent coverage through teams with teachers and helpers, and using “novelty” via Easter/Christmas (and other) seminars to raise SRE's profile. They also cover addressing common issues like irregular timetabling below the 1,200-minute minimum and low attendance of students on the roll by working with principals to align with school procedures.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:40 Katie Role and Vision02:47 Why SRE Matters04:46 Katie Journey Into SRE07:55 Meet the Volunteer Team11:58 Growing SRE Big Picture13:32 From Zero to One17:10 Why Year 11 and 1220:11 Expand to Nearby Schools22:17 Local Context Advantage22:55 Excellent Bible Curriculum23:59 Consistency Game Time Mindset25:55 Why Four Touchpoints Matter29:02 Teamwork Teacher And Helper33:22 Recruitment Pipeline Capacity35:32 Novelty Christmas Easter Seminars42:36 Fixing Minutes And Attendance45:57 Team Sport Final EncouragementConnect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠effectiveministrypodcast@youthworks.net

Cory O'Hara welcomes Bryan and Kendall Howard to The Vue for a Q&A about their lives, testimonies, and calling to ministry. Get to know the Howards as they begin serving Bellevue's college ministry, and hear Bryan reflect on the mercy of Jesus in 1 Timothy 1:15–16.

What do kids really need from a mentor?In this episode, Zach sits down with Dr. Anthony Bradley to talk about fatherlessness, mentoring, and the kind of relationships that help kids grow into healthy adults.Dr. Anthony Bradley has spent nearly three decades studying boys, fathers, families, and human flourishing. He's written more than a dozen books, taught at the university level for decades, holds a PhD from Westminster Theological Seminary, and has been featured on CNN, Fox News, NPR, and C-SPAN. He is one of the leading Christian voices helping us understand what boys need from fathers, mentors, churches, and communities.Dr. Bradley challenges the idea that mentoring is primarily about giving advice, teaching lessons, or correcting behavior. Kids need adults who show up, spend time with them, listen, and genuinely enjoy being around them. Great mentors become the people kids know they can turn to when life gets hard.In this conversation:What fatherlessness can do to a childWhy boys need healthy men in their livesWhy presence often matters more than another lessonWhat it means to be a “warm” mentorWhy kids need to know that you actually like themHow listening builds trustWhy mentors should resist becoming drill sergeantsHow everyday experiences teach perseverance, failure, character, and lifeWhy the best mentors become trusted people kids can turn toHow healthy adults can help surround kids with the relationships they need to thriveDr. Anthony Bradley also unpacks the devastating data on father absence—suicide, homelessness, dropout rates, violence—and why ordinary men showing up with presence can rewrite a child's future. Through Bradley's own story of mentoring a drug-selling teen named JJ over two decades (from Denny's dinners to a transformed life as a husband, father, and leader), they reveal that mentoring isn't about being Superman; it's about consistent relationship, unconditional acceptance, and surrounding kids with a tribe of caring adults in the name of Jesus–Dr. Anthony Bradley has a brand-new book coming out called The Fatherhood Effect. It takes a hard look at what happens to kids, families, churches, and communities when fathers are absent, disengaged, or disconnected from their children, and what we can actually do about it. Anthony brings together research on fatherlessness, attachment, warmth, and the incredible influence fathers have on their kids, along with practical ways we can help fathers become more present and connected. If you care about mentoring, fatherhood, or helping the next generation thrive, I think you're going to want this one. The Fatherhood Effect releases November 17 and is available for preorder now on Amazon.You can learn more about him below:https://anthonybbradley.substack.com/--If this podcast has encouraged or equipped you, would you take 30 seconds to leave a 5-star rating? On Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom of the You Can Mentor page and click “Write a Review.” On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the settings wheel, and hit “Rate Show.” It helps us reach more mentors like you.--Want to go deeper?• Join our National Christian Mentoring Network• Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop• Check out our annual Mentoring Leadership Summit + other mentoring eventsYou can find everything at www.youcanmentor.com or follow us on instagram @youcanmentor--If you want to become a better mentor or build a stronger mentoring organization, check out the You Can Mentor book library. We've written resources on building trust, showing up consistently, understanding kids from hard places, partnering with families, sharing your faith, handling difficult situations, and leading with humility. Books like:You Can MentorThe Youth Mentoring Playbook Volumes 1,2,and 3Tell Me About Your FatherThese books were written to give mentors and mentoring leaders practical tools they can actually use. You can find all of our books and resources at You Can Mentor or find them on Amazon. 

The fastest way to burn out as a new youth pastor is trying to create everything from scratch: games, graphics, sermons, small group questions, student leadership training, and a communication system that parents will actually use. Don't wear yourself thin!  Use time saving resources to help you in student ministry!  In this episode, we're laying out five must-have youth ministry resources that can save you hours every week, especially in a small church or low-budget setting.Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions!Resources Mentioned in this Episode:➡️ Download Youth Ministry (DYM)  https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/➡️ Life.Church https://open.life.church/categories/315-youth➡️ YouVersion Bible App https://www.youversion.com/bible-app➡️ Discord (Internal) https://discord.com/download➡️ Band App (External) https://www.band.us/about/intro➡️ Student Leadership Journey https://studentleadershipjourney.com/➡️ Coleader https://www.coleader.co/➡️ G Shades https://youthministrycurriculum.com/

Now that we're wrapped up "Returning Legends" and "Staples" it's time to explore the fun side of sidekick. Some of these features, I truly believe, are some of the greatest youth ministry game innovations that I've ever seen in my career as a youth pastor! SEASONAL SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1470781?view=expanded SIDEKICK ACCESS: https://www.sidekick.tv SHOW NOTES Shownotes & Transcripts https://www.hybridministry.xyz/218 [FREE] HYBRID STRATEGY GUIDE https://www.patreon.com/posts/complete-guide-142500019?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

In today's episode, Annie Darby, co-director of high school ministry, interviews a recent graduate from the LMPC youth program. Cullie reflects on her 4 years of involvement in the high school ministry and describes the specific impact of the youth group, and her small group in particular, on her spiritual and personal growth through high school. Host: Annie DarbySpecial Guest: Cullie CapecchiProducer: Ben WingardMusic arranged by David Henry and performed by David Henry and Hannah Lutz.To contact Pillar & Ground or to submit a question that you would like to hear addressed on a future episode, please email podcast@lmpc.org.  

Send us Fan MailWhat if the school year ahead is more than just another year to get through? High School Director Ava Parks looks back at Youth Encounter Weekend and the “Hero's Journey” that challenged students to embrace God's call, walk through life in Christian community, and trust the story He is writing through every season.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Looking for Student Leadership Curriculum?  We've just launched our own called "Student Leadership Journey!"  Grab yours here: Student Leadership Journey.  *** If your youth ministry is small, “student leadership team” can sound like something for bigger churches with bigger budgets and a bigger youth group. We see it the opposite way. A small youth group is the perfect opportunity for building a healthy core of students who serve, grow, and set the tone the second a new kid walks through the door. When the culture is concentrated, it is instantly noticeable, for better or worse, and that is why a student leadership team can become your biggest lever for youth ministry health.We get practical about the fear almost every youth pastor has: “What if everyone applies?” We also talk about how to keep leadership from becoming a carbon copy of youth group by making it a different tempo with a clear focus on biblical leadership, character, and real responsibility. Along the way, we share hands-on coaching ideas, from assigning roles that fit students' gifts to giving simple weekly challenges that train students to notice and include first time visitors.Then we dig into the “close vs closed” tension that shows up fast in smaller ministries. We lay out how to build a core that is genuinely close without feeling cliquey, and we give concrete ways to train students to welcome first-time visitors. You will also walk away with a list of serving roles inside the church and service projects outside the church that work especially well with a small, mobile student leadership team.This Fall, we are teaming up with Onward Leadership for a Fall Cohort!!!  If you are interested in joining or simply looking for more information, please visit: www.onwardleader.comIf you are ready to build a student leadership team that fuels real discipleship and sustainable growth, listen now, then subscribe, share this with another youth pastor, and leave a quick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more leaders can find it. =======You may also enjoy these episodes:(#040) How to Start a Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry(#254) 5 Secrets to Creating a Strong Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry!(#253) 3 Ways to Encourage Your Youth Group to Join Your Student Leadership Team(#203) Create a Student Leadership Team that Your Youth Group WANTS to Be a Part Of!(#304) 5 Mistakes that Youth Pastors Make With Student Leadership TeamsNavigating the Cliques in Youth Ministry Student Leadership Teams=======We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need.If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com!If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach=========

In this episode we're ranking the staples of sidekick. Now, don't go to sleep on this, because these staples are what makes "sidekick" be able to be your full presentation software. It's no longer another software's little brother, this is able to function as your entire church software for an entire youth ministry program, and I'm giving you the honest breakdown! Welcome everybody, to the Hybrid Ministry Show SEASONAL SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1470781?view=expanded SIDEKICK ACCESS: https://www.sidekick.tv SHOW NOTES Shownotes & Transcripts https://www.hybridministry.xyz/217 [FREE] HYBRID STRATEGY GUIDE https://www.patreon.com/posts/complete-guide-142500019?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

In this episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts discuss the significance of Confirmation sponsors in the Catholic Church, exploring their roles, responsibilities, and best practices for selecting and engaging with them. They emphasize the importance of building meaningful relationships between sponsors and candidates, ensuring that sponsors are not just chosen out of obligation, but are individuals who can genuinely support and inspire the candidates in their faith journey. The conversation also touches on the guidelines set by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the need for effective communication and preparation for both sponsors and candidates leading up to the Confirmation liturgy. Listen now!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Confirmation and Sponsors05:06 Understanding the Role of Confirmation Sponsors08:35 Best Practices for Choosing Sponsors13:40 Building Relationships with Sponsors20:11 Conclusion and Next StepsLinks"Confirmation Series: Elements of Confirmation Prep" episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697273/episodes/19659190pizzasidehugs@gmail.com

Sunday Evening, August 30, 2026Given by Clay Anderson | Pastor of Youth Ministry, Christ Covenant ChurchWorship by FaithHeidelberg Catechism—Lord's Day 35Watch on YouTubeDownload our mobile app

What if the hardest conversations you have with your mentee could actually become some of the most important moments in your relationship? In this episode of You Can Mentor, Zach and Derrick unpack the power of building trust, creating a safe environment, and earning the right to speak truth—even when that truth is difficult to hear. Discover how to have hard conversations with love, wisdom, courage, and the fruit of the Spirit while calling the people you mentor toward the person God created them to be. If this podcast has encouraged or equipped you, would you take 30 seconds to leave a 5-star rating? On Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom of the You Can Mentor page and click “Write a Review.” On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the settings wheel, and hit “Rate Show.” It helps us reach more mentors like you.Want to go deeper?• Join our Learning Lab for mentoring resources and community• Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop• Come to our annual You Can Mentor GatheringYou can find everything at www.youcanmentor.com or follow us on instagram @youcanmentor

This Fall, we are teaming up with Onward Leadership for a Fall Cohort!!!  If you are interested in joining or simply looking for more information, please visit: www.onwardleader.com  In this episode, we break down five “leadership superpowers” that help youth pastors and youth ministry leaders stay in the game for the long haul without losing joy.  Youth ministry leadership is not about finding the perfect church setup. It is about becoming the kind of leader who can thrive in reality with thick skin and a tender heart, focused on the mission even when criticism, low encouragement or even church politics show up. If you are ready for healthier church leadership and a more sustainable student ministry, join us and then share your biggest takeaway.  Subscribe, share this with a youth pastor friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more leaders can find the help they need.

I tried every sidekick feature, and I'm giving you the honest low-down. Each week we'll be ranking and ultimately crowning a favorite from 4 categories, and this week the category is: “Returning Legends.” Welcome everybody, to the Hybrid Ministry Show SEASONAL SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1470781?view=expanded SIDEKICK ACCESS: https://www.sidekick.tv SHOW NOTES Shownotes & Transcripts https://www.hybridministry.xyz/216 [FREE] HYBRID STRATEGY GUIDE https://www.patreon.com/posts/complete-guide-142500019?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

When Alhana was last on Chip Lunch five years ago, she had just started full-time at JB Hi-Fi and was finding her feet. A lot has happened since then.In those five years: she stepped into a management role too early and burnt out, spent eighteen months largely absent from the Saturday night community she loved, got diagnosed with PMOS, PMDD and chronic nerve pain from shingles at twenty-five (the old person's disease) changed degrees multiple times, and eventually, on something close to a whim, applied for a Bachelor of Social Work at Wollongong. Got an offer four days later. Started studying. Six months in and it was the first time she wasn't sick of itThrough all of it, God kept showing up in ways Alhana is only now able to see clearly. A management conversation that became the catalyst to step back. A month of Monday-to-Friday shifts that got her back to church on Saturday nights. A new person sitting alone at a table who needed someone to make her feel welcome, which turned out to be exactly what Alhana needed too.Alhana talks about the stubbornness that kept her away from community longer than she should have been, the pride woven through her work ethic that she's still untangling, the gift of finally being vulnerable, with people and with God, and why going through the fire, while awful, has made her better at everything she actually cares about.She's still a little bit on fire, she says. But she's coming through.

Straight Bible continues the Sermon on the Mount series with a special hybrid episode featuring Zack Killey of The Berean Files. The conversation begins with Matthew 6:19–24 as the intended Biblical framework and briefly raises the subject of the evil eye, but quickly develops into a much wider discussion about Christian discipleship, the modern church system, house churches, spiritual discernment, prayer, miracles, and what it actually means to follow Jesus.Zack shares his personal Christian testimony, including growing up in church, falling into a destructive lifestyle, touring in a rock band, and experiencing a vivid dream involving Tiamat that ultimately pushed him back toward Scripture and ministry. That journey leads into Revelation 17–19, Babylon, the command to “come out of her,” and Zack's eventual decision to enter church ministry.From there, the conversation examines the American church growth model, 501(c)(3) church culture, mega churches, youth ministry, Vacation Bible School, church membership, pastoral leadership, and whether the modern Sunday-centered model actually resembles the church described in Scripture. Zack, Raven, Top, and Matt discuss house churches, shared leadership, spiritual gifts, the Great Commission, relational discipleship, and why Christian ministry should extend far beyond a weekly church service.The episode also explores church hurt, religious systems, interacting with unbelievers, “people of peace,” the way Jesus ministered among sinners, authentic preaching, the Holy Spirit, and the role of prayer. Zack recounts a dramatic story involving his friend Tony's heart failure and unexpected recovery, leading into a larger discussion about medical diagnoses, faith, spoken words, and a story previously shared by Dr. Jerry Marzinsky.The final portion moves into horror movies, paranormal experiences, spiritual discernment, haunted houses, identity, LARP culture, and what it means for every Christian to live as a witness and part of a royal priesthood of believers.What do you believe the Biblical church should actually look like? Let us know in the comments.► Subscribe for more Biblical analysis, Christian worldview discussions, and conspiracy research through a Biblical lens.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere podcasts are available.The Berean Files — Zack KilleyYouTube: youtube.com/@thebereanfilesInstagram: instagram.com/bereanfilesApple Podcasts: The Berean Files on Apple PodcastsSpreaker: The Berean Files on Spreaker00:00 Intro & Studio Audio Issues04:59 Sermon on the Mount Episode 2205:44 Zack Killey's Christian Background10:00 College Rebellion, Rock Band & Rock Bottom14:04 House Fire and a Life Reset16:44 The Dream That Changed Zack's Direction20:39 Tiamat, Babylon & a Call to Tell People About Jesus22:24 Revelation, Babylon & “Come Out of Her”29:49 Entering Church Ministry32:44 The Church Growth Model & 501(c)(3) Concerns40:11 Youth Ministry, VBS & Spiritual Maturity50:39 Mega Churches, Small Churches & the Future58:47 House Churches & Shared Spiritual Gifts67:29 The Evil Eye Is Raised73:09 Church Hurt & Idolizing Christian Leaders76:23 Church Politics and Personal Burnout84:10 Generosity, Small Groups & Home Discipleship87:51 The Great Commission and Everyday Mission90:01 House Churches vs American Church Culture94:54 What Biblical Discipleship Actually Requires95:52 Conspiracy Camp & Training Home Bible Studies100:40 People of Peace, Nonbelievers & Evangelism105:34 Jesus Among Sinners & the “Pastor Voice”111:38 Finney, Prayer & the Holy Spirit in Preaching113:06 A Miracle Story About Tony's Heart Failure121:36 Jerry Marzinsky, Diagnoses & Spiritual Agreement125:42 Horror Movies, Fear & Spiritual Discernment130:00 Haunted Houses, LARP Culture & Identity140:40 What Does It Mean to “Witness”?141:42 Ministry, Saints & the Royal Priesthood145:53 Zack Killey & The Berean FilesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nephilim-death-squad--6389018/support.☠️ Nephilim Death Squad — New episodes 5x/week.Join our Patreon for early access, bonus shows & the private Telegram hive.Subscribe on YouTube & Rumble, follow @NephilimDSquad on X/Instagram, grab merch at toplobsta.com. Questions/bookings: chroniclesnds@gmail.com — Stay dangerous.

Send us Fan MailLooking for Student Leadership Curriculum?  We've just launched our own called "Student Leadership Journey!"  Grab yours here: Student Leadership Journey.  *** A youth ministry's student leadership team can become the engine that changes the entire youth group culture...but it can also quietly derail your student ministry if not handled correctly.  In this episode, we're discussing five common mistakes youth pastors make when they launch or rebuild their student leadership team and how to avoid these costly pitfalls.  We explain how to actively coach a culture of hospitality, inclusion, and humility, plus what we actually teach when we blend Scripture with leadership development.This Fall, we are teaming up with Onward Leadership for a Fall Cohort!!!  If you are interested in joining or simply looking for more information, please visit: www.onwardleader.comSubscribe, share this with a youth pastor or youth leader friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!=======You may also enjoy these episodes:(#040) How to Start a Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry(#254) 5 Secrets to Creating a Strong Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry!(#253) 3 Ways to Encourage Your Youth Group to Join Your Student Leadership Team(#203) Create a Student Leadership Team that Your Youth Group WANTS to Be a Part Of!Navigating the Cliques in Youth Ministry Student Leadership Teams=======We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need.If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com!If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach=========

Send us Fan Mail“We're good, just busy” might be the most common sentence in American family life, and it's reshaping what people can realistically say yes to. It's become the default answer for families, pastors, and church leaders. And when everyone feels stretched thin, youth ministry can easily respond by either adding more programming or blaming sports, school, and extracurricular activities for stealing students away.But what if that's not the whole story?Maybe youth ministry doesn't need more things on the calendar. Maybe the things already on the calendar need to matter more.In this episode, Zac Workun and Chad Higgins explore the difference between being busy and being intentional.Families demonstrate all the time that they're willing to make significant commitments when they understand the value. Sports have practices, specialized training, games, and clearly defined wins. Meanwhile, churches can accidentally fill calendars with gatherings that all feel vaguely similar—and therefore increasingly missable.That leads to a challenging principle:If everything is for everyone, eventually it feels like it's for no one.What if every gathering in your student ministry had a clearer purpose? An outreach event doesn't have to accomplish the entire discipleship process. A small discipleship gathering doesn't need the attendance of your biggest event. Some environments are designed to invite. Others help students practice. Others should give students opportunities to lead.Or, as Zac and Chad put it: pep rallies, practices, and games.The conversation moves beyond programming into a bigger vision for student discipleship. Instead of measuring success primarily by how many teenagers attended, what would happen if churches became clearer about the kind of disciples they're trying to form?Could students graduate from youth ministry knowing Scripture, understanding core theology, experiencing meaningful Christian community, serving the church, sharing their faith, and increasingly teaching others to do the same?That's a much more compelling goal than simply keeping the calendar full.And it might help us rethink the supposed competition between church and everything else in a teenager's life.The goal isn't simply getting students into more church activities. It's forming students who know how to follow Jesus everywhere else.If your fall youth ministry calendar is already packed, this episode will help you ask a better question than “What should we add?”What is all of this actually for?This Episode Will Help You Think AboutYouth ministry programming and calendar strategyStudent discipleship pathwaysFamily ministry and parent partnershipMeasuring spiritual growth beyond attendanceOutreach versus discipleship environmentsDeveloping student leadersBiblical literacy and theological formationEvangelism training for teenagersEquipping students to live on missionCreating meaningful next steps for studentsYouth Ministry Booster exists to encourage and equip youth pastors and student ministry leaders for healthier, more intentional ministry.Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with another youth ministry leader, and leave a review to help more youth pastors find the conversation.Support the showJoin the community!

An AI that is rooted in scripture? Could it really be real? And is it really free? Yep - that's right! On this episode, the 2nd part of the "AskPhil.ai" mini-series I'm introducing you to the founder of Ask Phil. And be sure to check out the shownotes, because we have a free giveaway for you to check out! FREE FALL KICKOFF EVENT GUIDE & LINKS https://www.patreon.com/hybridministry/posts/5-youth-group-163404919 SHOW NOTES Shownotes & Transcripts https://www.hybridministry.xyz/215 [FREE] HYBRID STRATEGY GUIDE https://www.patreon.com/posts/complete-guide-142500019?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link 50% SUMMER SOCIAL MEDIA https://www.patreon.com/collection/1470781?view=expanded

Steve Eatmon offers a candid, insightful guide for youth leaders seeking to navigate the challenges of ministry to teenagers with wisdom and grace.    Youth ministry is hard! Growing up in youth group and seminary training cannot prepare you for the real-life experience of being on the job. If you are feeling the weight of responsibility for the spiritual development of teenagers, take some time to learn from a veteran youth pastor. In 10 Mistakes I Made in Youth Ministry, Eatmon shares some of his mistakes in hopes of encouraging the next generation of youth pastors to learn from his missteps so they can lead young people with wisdom and grace.  With honesty and vulnerability, Eatmon not only shares his philosophy, people, and process mistakes, but how he grew spiritually and learned from each one of them. If you learn, as the author did, from his mistakes and apply them to your own life, you can have a biblically-based, theologically-grounded, and gospel-centered youth ministry.   Offers practical tools for bringing Christ to teens through effective teaching, discipleship, and student engagement.  Gives real-world advice on managing relationships with parents, volunteers, and church leadership to build collaboration and trust.   Includes end-of-chapter questions suitable for personal reflection or group discussion.  Featured work: 10 Mistakes I Made in Youth Ministry: And What You Can Learn from Them  Connect with Steve Eatmon at SteveEatmon.com and on Facebook.  For more faith-filled, Gospel-centered content, download the Pilgrim Radio app today on Google Play and Apple, or stream at PilgrimRadio.com. 

We're joined by Sarah McDonald, communications director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with Clarion Herald update. James Behan, associate director for young adult ministry and associate director for marriage and family life in Archdiocese of New Orleans talks youth events this school year. Dr. Tom Neal, Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment.

In this episode of Pizza & Side Hugs, the hosts begin their Confirmation series by tackling the subject of Confirmation preparation. The discussion highlights key elements of this Sacramental prep, such as the true purpose and meaning of Confirmation, organization, and connection with families and their youth. The hosts also share memorable Confirmation stories and unusual prep challenges. Listen now!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Confirmation Prep01:23 Memorable Confirmation Stories04:50 Unusual Prep Challenges06:40 The Joy of Confirmation Day10:10 Confirmation and Pentecost12:36 Why Confirmation Feels Hard13:47 It's Not a Graduation20:18 Confirmation as Mission Work21:27 Preaching the Gospel Clearly23:54 Leading With Hope25:12 More Than a Checklist27:35 Going Out to Families29:09 Don't Teach Everything at Once32:07 Mission Needs Organization35:21 Organization as Pastoral Care43:20 Diocesan Support and Resources46:46 What's Next in the SeriesLinksConfirmation Guidelines for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis: files.ecatholic.com/39343/documents/2026/2/Confirmation-Guidelines.pdf?t=1770716753000Confirmation Mass Preparation Guidelines for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis: files.ecatholic.com/39343/documents/2026/2/2025ConfirmationMassPreparationHandbook.pdf?t=1770716775000Archdiocese of Indianapolis Office of Worship: archindy.org/worshipArchdiocese of Indianapolis Office of Youth Ministry: archindyym.comArchdiocese of Indianapolis Office of Catechesis: archindy.org/catechesispizzasidehugs@gmail.com

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .Sermon NotesCore Purpose Statement: "To connect people to the presence and power of Jesus Christ."1. Introduction & Historical ContextLocal History: St. Andrew's roots date back to 1834 ($250 lot purchase in Old Village, Mount Pleasant) and its growth through 1858 (Historic Church on Whilden Street).The Legacy: Nearly 200 years of faithful worship, keeping Christ at the center through life's milestones and hardships.The Question: Why do we exist as a church today, and where are we going?2. First Element: "Jesus Christ"Christ-Centered Anchor: Everything at St. Andrew's centers on Jesus, avoiding vague or trend-based spirituality.Exclusive Authority: Jesus is the only Savior and source of life (Acts 4; John 14:6).Loving Mission: Pointing people to Jesus—the source of abundant life—is the kindest and most loving thing the church can do.3. Second Element: "Presence and Power"Presence (Living Person): Because Jesus rose from the dead, believers can experience a real, living relationship and friendship with Him today (Emmanuel, "God with us").Power (Life-Changing Action): The power that raised Jesus from the dead works in believers by:Awakening faith in those who are spiritually dead.Overcoming sin, destructive habits, and addiction.Equipping believers for ministry, service, and daily work.4. Third Element: "Connect People"The Agent of Connection: The Holy Spirit sovereignly, creatively, and personally connects individuals to Jesus.Four Primary Channels of Connection:Scripture: Engaging the inspired Word of God.Spiritual Gifts: Exercising gifts (prophetic words, healing, teaching, serving, generous giving) for the good of others.Prayer: Engaging in persistent, practical Kingdom business.Fellowship: Living out faith together ("y'all") through Life Groups, as well as Children's and Youth Ministries.Target Audience ("People"): All people—regardless of age, background, status, or spiritual starting point—because everyone shares the same need for salvation and grace.5. ConclusionCall to Action: Participate in the ongoing mission by serving, leading Life Groups, and investing in the next generation.Future Vision: A prayer that 200 years from now, faithful believers will still gather in this place to connect all people to Jesus.Discussion Questions1. What was your first impression of St. Andrew's when you visited (whether on a Sunday or a ministry event)?2. Why might it be offensive to some to focus on the exclusivity of Jesus Christ? As a church, how can we be both sensitive to various viewpoints while also bold in proclaiming the offer of life found only in Jesus?3. How have you experienced the presence and power of Jesus?4. In what ways does the Holy Spirit connect us to Jesus?Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

Episode Summary James warns that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Jim Van Gelderen explains how the soul can be driven by changing circumstances, moving between faith and doubt and often producing anger, discouragement, or sinful coping. This message diagnoses the danger of a divided soul and points toward the engrafted Word as the answer developed in the next episode. Topics Discussed The meaning of saving the soul within Christian sanctification The spirit, soul, and flesh in the Christian life How circumstances and sensory evidence can produce wavering faith The connection between unbelief, anger, discouragement, and sinful coping Lessons from Elijah after Mount Carmel and Israel at Jericho Prayer opportunities for WAR Special Forces and the Thee Generation Youth Summit Key Takeaways Spiritual instability grows when circumstances decide whether God can be trusted. The flesh cannot be reformed; it must be crucified as the believer depends upon Christ. Unchecked doubt often expresses itself through anger, discouragement, or destructive responses. The Word of God remains true even when sensory evidence appears to say otherwise. Recognizing a double-souled condition prepares the heart to receive the engrafted Word with meekness. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

Most men have only an idea of Mary, but not a relationship. Today we discuss how Marian devotion is the best way to grow closer to Christ. We explore how Mary is the perfect example of uniformity with God's will, Love of God, and the great power of her intercession.  Gabriel Castillo is a professional videographer whose videos on Mary have over 17 million views. He's a husband and father of four. He is the owner of the YouTube channel Gabi after Hours. He also previously served as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Texas. 

Meredith Murray is a Christian nonprofit leader and host of the Empowered Life Podcast with Allies in Youth Development, an organization serving vulnerable children through mentoring around the world. With a background in education, ministry, community engagement, and supporting survivors of human trafficking, Meredith has spent her career walking alongside people and helping them recognize their God-given value and purpose.Allies in Youth Development is a Christian nonprofit that equips local mentors around the world to provide vulnerable and orphaned children with consistent relationships, life skills, education, and spiritual support.This episode centers on the idea that you don't need the perfect story, experience, or answers to make a difference—you simply need to show up and be present. Zach and Meredith explore how God uses mentors to bring hope, healing, and transformation not only to vulnerable kids, but to mentors, families, and entire communities around the world. Plus, they go into great detail of the power of prayer in your mentoring org and mentoring relationship. If you've ever wondered whether you're qualified to mentor, this conversation will remind you that what God has placed in you may be exactly what someone else needs. If this podcast has encouraged or equipped you, would you take 30 seconds to leave a 5-star rating? On Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom of the You Can Mentor page and click “Write a Review.” On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the settings wheel, and hit “Rate Show.” It helps us reach more mentors like you.--Want to go deeper?• Join our Learning Lab for mentoring resources and community• Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop• Come to our annual You Can Mentor GatheringYou can find everything at www.youcanmentor.com or follow us on instagram @youcanmentor

Send us Fan MailStart the school year with a healthy, thriving youth ministry...let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info *** Costumes, candy, and a packed room of youth ministry students?  Why not?! In this episode, we're breaking down exactly how we run a super fun fall youth group event that students look forward to all year, while still keeping it appropriate, gospel-centered, and realistic for any church budget.  From food to youth group games, we've got you covered for your next student ministry event!FREE EVENT IDEAS: If you'd like a list of 20 fun, small group or Fall kick off ideas, email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com and put "FALL EVENT IDEAS" in the subject or description and we will send over our list!If you want a fall festival, harvest festival, Halloween alternative or whatever you call it that builds community and points students to Jesus, this is your event blueprint. Subscribe for more youth ministry event planning ideas, share this with a youth pastor, and be sure to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

Brian, a former youth pastor himself, talks with Steve Eatmon, author of 10 Mistakes I Made in Youth Ministry and What You Can Learn from Them, about lessons from over a decade in student ministry. Steve reflects on mistakes like prioritizing entertainment over gospel-centered depth, neglecting to equip parents as the primary disciplers of their kids, and fostering an "us versus them" bubble mentality that separates students from the broader church. They discuss why youth need multiple adult relationships beyond just a youth pastor to help them transition into adulthood, and push back on the idea that students are merely "the church of the future" rather than a vital part of the church right now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if a prayer you pray today becomes part of an answer God is still revealing generations from now? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards explores the power of persistent prayer, revival, intercession, and building a legacy of faith that can continue long after our lifetime. Jesus taught His disciples to always pray and never give up. But what might that kind of prayer actually look like in our lives, our churches, our youth ministries, and our families? Drawing from Mark Batterson's Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, Doug reflects on the extraordinary story of believers who committed themselves to around-the-clock prayer and a prayer movement that continued for generations. He also shares the story of Corrie ten Boom and a long-term prayer effort connected to Jerusalem, along with the powerful promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14. These stories lead to an important question: What is God calling you to keep praying for? In this episode, you'll be encouraged to: • Pray consistently instead of giving up • Believe that your prayers can have an impact beyond your lifetime • Pray intentionally for revival in your home, church, community, and nation • Include students and children in a culture of prayer • Model prayer for your children and grandchildren • Help the next generation experience prayer instead of only hearing about it • Trust God even when you cannot yet see the answer • Build prayer habits that can influence generations Doug also challenges youth pastors, volunteers, parents, and grandparents to think bigger than individual prayer requests. What if the students watching you pray today become the adults who lead prayer movements tomorrow? Children understand trust in a powerful way. When they see adults praying, depending on God, and recognizing His answers, they learn that prayer is not simply something Christians talk about—it is part of how we live. Maybe God is calling you to pray differently. Maybe He is calling you to pray more consistently. Or maybe He is simply telling you: Keep praying. Don't underestimate what God can do with a prayer you refuse to stop praying. Find your prayer rhythm. Pray for revival. Bring the next generation with you. And build a prayer legacy that can continue long after your lifetime. Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _________________________________________________________________________________

Cultural waves are constantly changing — now more rapidly than ever. The messages teenagers hear and absorb from every screen and relationship in their lives shapes them at a fundamental level. They learn what to laugh at, who and how to love, and what's worth weeping over and celebrating from messages both subtle and overt. Ministering in this context requires youth ministers and parents to carefully critique and connect these messages to their fulfillment in Jesus—in other words, we need to do cultural apologetics. In this workshop, we will explore the need for cultural apologetics and how it can be practiced in big and small ways in your ministry today. Skyler Reed Flowers (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is the program director for The Carson Center for Theological Renewal and cohort director for all TGC cohorts. He serves as an elder at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi and is working toward his Ph.D. in systematic theology at the University of Aberdeen. He served as an editor for The Gospel After Christendom. He is married to Brianna, and they have three kids. Cultural Narratives and Youth Ministry by Kendal Conner Three Truths for Parents and Children in a Changing Cultural Climate by Joey Turner Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock Acts 17:22-31 Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Send us Fan MailStart the school year with a healthy, thriving youth ministry...let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info *** You can throw a youth ministry event that students talk about for weeks without spending your whole budget. We break down a general blueprint we just used to pull off one of our best summer nights at basically zero cost, and we turn it into a repeatable formula you can use for your church youth group whether you have a small budget, no budget, or you're trying to stretch every dollar.We walk through six practical building blocks of every good event from food to themes to spiritual impact.  We also talk about creating “vibes” with simple sensory cues like music, lighting changes, and game intros that can help students feel the moment shift.  Remember: fun is not a distraction from youth ministry when it helps students drop their guard, bond with friends, and engage worship, small groups, and the message with more openness.  BONUS: We have a super fun, dodgeball variation game that we share inside this episode!!

Send us Fan MailTime is limited. Your calling isn't.Camp season leaves most youth pastors physically exhausted, emotionally stretched, and mentally staring at an already-full fall calendar. In this episode of the Youth Ministry Booster Podcast, Zac and Chad  begin with some hilarious camp memories before asking a much more important question:Why do we always feel like we're running out of time?This conversation isn't another productivity episode. We can't help you get more hours in the day. It cannot be done.Instead, it's an honest look beneath the calendar to examine the emotional, mental, and spiritual realities that shape how we lead.We do have practical insights about identifying your biggest time wasters, setting healthy constraints, reusing ministry systems instead of constantly reinventing them, and why technology alone can't solve the deeper issues of procrastination or overwhelm. More importantly, Zac and Chad explore what happens when ministry pressure begins affecting your relationships, your emotions, and your walk with Christ. They discuss fight-flight-freeze responses, protecting your family during busy seasons, inviting trusted friends into your struggles, and recovering the sacred nature of ministry instead of reducing it to a checklist. The challenge at the end is simple:Don't just organize your tasks. Order your day around prayer.Episode HighlightsTransitioning from summer ministry into fallIdentifying obvious and hidden time wastersEscaping perfectionism and unnecessary busyworkSetting constraints that actually create freedomWhy AI doesn't solve internal overwhelmUnderstanding ministry stress through fight, flight, and freezeProtecting your family from ministry spilloverThe importance of trusted friendships in ministryBuilding a prayer-first rhythm for leadershipQuestionsWhat consistently steals the most time in your ministry?Where do you tend to respond with fight, flight, or freeze when ministry pressure increases?What ministry resource could you stop recreating every year?How could prayer become the organizing rhythm of your workday instead of simply opening meetings or events?Subscribe to Youth Ministry Booster for practical conversations that help youth pastors lead healthier ministries and become healthier leaders themselves.Support the showJoin the community!

Episode Summary In this Bible teaching from 1 Corinthians 10:12–13, Bobby Bosler places two familiar verses back into Paul's warning against idolatry and compromise. The Corinthians could excuse disobedience either by assuming they were already standing or by believing their circumstances left them no way to obey. This episode calls young people to reject both pride and despair, flee compromise, surrender to Jesus Christ, and depend on the faithful God who always provides grace to obey. Topics Discussed The Corinthian context of idol participation and personal rights Israel's wilderness failures as a warning to believers Spiritual pride and the danger of merely thinking you stand Hidden compromise beneath an outwardly godly appearance Why temptation is common rather than uniquely hopeless God's faithfulness, control, and promised way of escape Surrender to Christ and dependence on the Holy Spirit Key Takeaways Outward spirituality does not excuse hidden areas of disobedience. Pride says no correction is needed, while despair says obedience is impossible. No temptation makes you uniquely abandoned or beyond God's care. God remains faithful and provides the strength either to escape temptation or endure it obediently. Victory comes through surrender to Christ and dependence on the Holy Spirit, not self-confidence. Stop justifying compromise and obey the truth God has already made clear. If you've been encouraged by this podcast, please take the time to give us a five-star rating and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the Thee Generation for others. For more faith inspiring resources and information about joining Thee Generation, please visit theegeneration.org.

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