In this episode, we dive into the critical topic of spiritual health for youth workers, discussing how to set boundaries, embrace limits, and lead from a place of wholeness. Gain practical tips and insights to help you thrive in youth ministry for the long haul while staying rooted in your relationship with God.

3 takeaways from this episode:

1. Set Boundaries and Embrace Limits: Your spiritual health requires saying no to overcommitment and prioritizing rest, even in a busy ministry context.

2. Prioritize Daily Practices: Simple habits like prayer, silence, or mindfulness can help you stay grounded and connected to God.

3. Lead from Wholeness: You can't effectively guide others if you're running on empty—nurture your soul for sustainable, impactful ministry.

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Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3.

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In this episode of Rethinking Youth Ministry, we dive into what it takes to become a better communicator to students. From the importance of quality reps and embracing feedback to learning from unconventional experiences like stand-up comedy or children's ministry, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights.

3 takeaways from this episode:
1. Repetition matters most when it’s high-quality, so treat every opportunity—big or small—with equal preparation and care.
2. Feedback and self-reflection are vital for growth; seek input from trusted mentors and reflect on both your strengths and areas for improvement.
3. Connection is more powerful than perfection—authenticity, relatability, and genuine care for your audience make the biggest impact.

Join the Rethinking Youth Ministry Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/813773488740316

Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3.

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In this episode of the RYM podcast, Jeremy shares how his approach to youth ministry has shifted from focusing on what he needed as a kid to understanding what today’s youth need. We discuss the importance of adapting to Gen Alpha’s unique needs and how curiosity and empathy can make your ministry more effective. 

Here are 3 takeaways from this episode…
1️⃣ Focus on Today’s Needs: Shift from giving students what you needed to addressing their current needs.
2️⃣  Be Curious, Not Judgmental: Understand students’ diverse identities and listen deeply beyond their words.
3️⃣ Support Deconstruction: Encourage and support both your own and students’ questions and doubts to foster genuine faith.

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Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3.

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Showing up for students outside of youth group can seem like an overwhelming task for your Small Group Leaders. But the truth is, when we show up in students lives when we don’t have to—when we show up randomly—it can have a huge impact. On this episode, join some of the Orange Students team for a conversation with youth pastor Katie Matsumoto about coaching SGLs to show up randomly and the potential impact it can have in our students’ lives.

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Most students are on social media every day, which means we should be there too, right? Maybe. On this episode, join some of the Orange Students team as they discuss the benefits and drawbacks of having your youth ministry on social media. Through their conversation, you'll find out what your youth ministry should—and shouldn't—be doing on social media and what it could look like for you to start engaging students in a digital world this week.

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Even though the most popular social media platforms might change, one thing is certain: Social media is here to stay. The question is, how is it affecting us? This week, join ministry leaders and Social Media Pastor Dave Adamson as they talk about the effects of social media on our students, how we can better partner with parents in this area, and what it looks like for a student to have a healthy relationship with social media.

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No one likes to have the money conversation. And as youth workers, we know that we’re not paid what we’re worth in ministry, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be compensated appropriately for the work that we do. On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation all about asking for a raise: the best time to ask, what you should take into consideration when preparing to ask, and how to start the conversation with your leadership.

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As youth workers, our goal is to prepare our students to be a light wherever they go—especially when it comes to navigating issues like race. This week, join Stuart Hall, Sam Collier, Gerald Fadayomi, and Sarah Anderson for an important conversation on why we should care about race in our youth ministries, what's at stake if we don’t, and how you can diversify your ministry’s context and your personal world as a youth worker.

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It’s no surprise that being a bivocational youth ministry worker comes with a unique set of challenges—like two bosses, two workplaces, and split priorities every week. But in the midst of those challenges, are there ways we can maximize the time we DO have in our ministries and with our students? On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation about navigating obstacles and finding success influencing the next generation as a bivocational youth worker.

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We all know that attendance numbers can fluctuate in youth ministry from week to week. But over time, we all hope to see attendance trending UP. But what do you do when numbers aren't going up—when they're plateauing or even going DOWN? In this episode, join local ministry leaders as they talk about how to identify a real attendance plateau, how to track important data in your ministry, and how knowing these key components can help set up your ministry for growth going forward.

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“When are you going to be a real pastor?” “If you just teach Sunday School, what else do you do during the week?” “Where do you see yourself in five years?” If you're a youth pastor, you've probably been asked these questions before—or maybe you're asking them yourself. How do you answer these questions? This week, join us as we talk about combating misconceptions in youth ministry, building personal confidence, and addressing the lies we tell ourselves about being a youth worker.

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Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of another busy year in youth ministry. As 2018 comes to a close, we want to leave you with something a little different this week: our hopes and encouragement for you for the upcoming year. In the busyness of the holiday season, we hope you'll find some times to rest as you prepare for another incredible year of youth ministry. From your friends at Rethinking Youth Ministry, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2019!

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Conflict can lead to uncomfortable, anxiety-filled experiences for just about everyone. So what do we do when conflict arises in our youth ministries? The truth is, there are all different ways to handle conflict—some of those ways are healthy and some are unhealthy. On this episode, join ministry leaders as they discuss the best ways to handle conflict as a youth ministry leader and why it’s important for our students to see us handle conflict in a healthy way.

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What if we redefine success in youth ministry by shifting focus from traditional metrics like attendance to more meaningful measures such as spiritual growth, volunteer health, and community impact? In this episode of the Rethinking Youth Ministry podcast we disuss just that.

Here are 3 takeaways from this episode…
1️⃣ Expand metrics beyond attendance: Measure youth ministry success through spiritual growth and personal engagement, not just attendance numbers.
2️⃣ Emphasize healthy volunteer teams: Prioritize a fully staffed and healthy volunteer team to support students and distribute leadership.
3️⃣ Measure student impact in the community: Track how students serve their communities to reflect their spiritual growth and ministry impact.

Join the Rethinking Youth Ministry Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/813773488740316 

Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3. 

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For so long, the Church has approached the topics of sex and sexuality through the lens of purity. But with all the baggage associated with the word purity, could there be something better to use in its place? On this episode, join ministry leaders as we discuss the differences between sexual purity and sexual integrity—and how understanding these differences could change the way we lead students.

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When second semester of senior year rolls around, most seniors start quitting things as the end of high school approaches. Some quit certain classes, some quit certain friendships, and some even quit church. On this episode, join Gerald Fadayomi, Marquise Cox, Crystal Chiang, and Sarah Anderson for a conversation on what youth workers can do to help second-semester seniors win—and not quit—as they prepare for graduation and the next chapter in their lives.

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There are all different kinds of parents in youth ministry: helicopter parents, parents who don’t even know their kid attends church, and everything in-between. But no matter where your students' parents land, there are things every youth leader can do to support parents through the middle school and high school phases. This week, join ministry leaders for a conversation about what it looks like to partner with parents in a way that builds more parent buy-in for your youth ministry.

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We all know it's important to connect with students during our weekly programs. But what about the rest of the week? The truth is, sometimes we spend so much time focusing on our weekly programming, we forget about the opportunities we have to reach students throughout the week. On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation about why reaching students during the week matters and what you can do to inspire your volunteers to invest in their students outside of weekly programming.

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Every phase in a student's life presents unique opportunities, and the preteen phase is no exception. It's in this phase where students aren't really considered little kids anymore, but also aren’t quite middle schoolers yet. In other words, they're caught in between two phases. On this episode, join Ashley Bohinc, Crystal Chiang, Dan Scott, and Sarah Anderson as they discuss what to do about students “caught in between” and why we should prioritize preteen ministry in our churches.

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Keeping students in youth ministry engaged is a challenge every youth worker faces. And reengaging students who have disengaged is an even greater challenge. The truth is, there are a lot of reasons a student may lose interest in youth ministry. But is there a key to reengaging them or even engaging them for the first time? On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation all about why students become unengaged and how you can begin to reengage the unengaged students in your ministry.

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Sometimes working in youth ministry can feel a little bit like working on an island—as if no one else in your church knows or cares about what's going on in your ministry. This can be particularly frustrating if the person not caring is your senior leader. This week, join ministry leaders as they have a conversation with Clay Scroggins, Lead Pastor of North Point Community Church, about what it looks like to reengage and reconnect your senior leadership to what's happening in your youth ministry.

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Students show up where they’re wanted. This is true for all students—including those with developmental disabilities. But what does it really look like to create a ministry environment that attracts and engages students with special needs? On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation with special education expert Melinda Anderson all about engaging students with special needs in your community and equipping leaders to effectively serve those with developmental disabilities.

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If you’re in youth ministry, you know that creating boundaries that keep you sane can be a challenge. There’s always a text that needs to be answered, an email that needs a response, or a meeting that needs to happen. So what does it look like to set healthy boundaries to help balance your personal life and ministry? This week, join ministry leaders for a conversation about the importance of setting boundaries and for some practical ways you can begin implementing boundaries right now.

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In this episode we hear from one of our listeners, Jess, who is rethinking belonging and inclusivity in youth ministry.

3 takeaways from this episode: 
1️⃣ Intentional Belonging: Create spaces where all students feel valued and known by name, fostering a sense of belonging.

2️⃣ Diverse Leadership: A diverse team of leaders helps connect with students from different backgrounds, enhancing community.

3️⃣ Rethinking Ministry: Constantly evaluate and innovate how to make youth ministries more inclusive and effective in fostering belonging and discipleship.

Learn more about our youth ministry cohort here: https://thinkorange.com/cohorts/.

Join the Rethinking Youth Ministry Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/813773488740316

Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3.

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The end of summer marks the end of mission trip season for most youth ministries. But guess what? It’s time to start thinking about NEXT year’s trips! (Insert shocked face emoji here.) But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. This week, join Brett Talley, Ashley Bohinc, and Erica Schimelpfenig, Executive Director of YouthWorks, for a conversation about what you can do NOW for your 2019 student mission trips—and how you can leverage momentum from this year’s trips to make next year’s even better.

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If you work with students, you know that bullying is an issue many of them are facing. In fact, recent studies reveal that 1 in 3 students experience bullying at some point in middle school or high school. So what does that mean for us as youth leaders? This week, join ministry leaders and Mitch Young, Principal of Forsyth Central High School in Georgia, for a conversation about bullying and ways we can be proactive about it in the lives of our students.

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A new season of XP3 Middle School and XP3 High School curriculum just released! Whether or not you use XP3 curriculum, we invite you to join us for a behind-the-scenes conversation about writing and creating great series for students. This season, we're talking about growing in your faith, forgiveness, Christmas, and trending topics and questions in culture that students are facing. For more about XP3, visit TryXP3Free.com.

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If there's one thing all ministry leaders and youth workers can agree on, it's this: We never quite have everything we wish we could in our youth ministry budgets. On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation about building a killer youth ministry environment, investing the budget you do have in the right things, and leveraging resources and connections for your ministry—all on a limited budget.

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As a youth worker and ministry leader, you have countless tasks, responsibilities, and projects that need to get done each week in your youth ministry. The bad news? You're just one person. The good news? Your high capacity volunteers can help! This week, join ministry leaders for a conversation about identifying high capacity volunteers, inspiring volunteers to do more, and hiring “volunteer staff” without paying them.

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Raising up student leaders in your youth ministry is no small task. In fact, it requires a lot more time, energy, and planning than you might think you have time for. However, it’s actually one of the biggest investments you’ll make—not only in your youth ministry, but also in the next generation. On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation all about identifying, training, and empowering students in your ministry to become the leaders and influencers they have the potential to be.

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What needs to be on your bucket list this summer? What movies should you see? What books should you read? And will Shef ever get as buff as Doug Fields? Find answers to these important questions and more on this week's special bonus episode, as we talk about what's on our youth leader summer bucket list.

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Every church will experience seasons of transition in leadership, vision, or direction at one point or another. And these seasons of change can having a lasting impact on the students we lead. So what does it look like to lead our youth ministries well through these transitions? On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation about leading through transition, honoring everyone involved through the process, and serving the students in your ministry throughout it all.

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Great worship experiences in youth ministry rarely just happen. With so many distractions and opportunities for disengagement, setting up your students to worship in an engaging and meaningful way can be a real challenge. On this episode, join ministry leaders and worship leaders as they discuss leading middle schoolers and high schoolers in developmentally appropriate ways, creating a culture of worship for your students, and what it takes to set up worship in your youth ministry to win.

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We all have programs and events that our students and volunteers love and might be working well. But what happens when that program doesn’t exactly align with the vision of your ministry? Or when you can’t name the reason behind having the event in the first place? On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation about why you should kill something that’s working and how you can replace it with something that better aligns with the purpose and vision of your youth ministry.

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This episode explores how to engage a generation that identifies as spiritual but not religious. We discuss the importance of curiosity, overcoming fear, and guiding teenagers toward everyday faith practices while respecting their unique spiritual journeys.

3 takeaways from this episode:
1️⃣ Stay Curious: Approach spiritual conversations with young people by asking questions and understanding their beliefs without judgment.
2️⃣ Connect to Christian Practices: Guide their spiritual interests towards Christian traditions like prayer and reflection.
3️⃣ Overcome Fear: Don't let fear of the unknown hinder meaningful engagement; be confident in your faith when discussing spirituality.

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Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3.

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Partnering with local schools as a youth leader or ministry leader sounds impossible. After all, public schools and religion don't mix, right? While partnering with local schools can be challenging, it's certainly not impossible. In fact, it can actually be done really well when we approach it the right way. On this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation about what it looks like to effectively partner with and serve our local schools—and the effect it might have on our ministries.

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Small Group Leaders are vital to your youth ministry. If we're honest though, keeping up with SGLs beyond the kickoff of the year can be a real challenge. But should we really leave such an important part of our ministry unchecked? This week, join ministry leaders and Afton Phillips, Director of Small Group Strategies at Orange, for a conversation about the importance of evaluating Small Group Leaders and what it looks like to set your SGLs up for success in your student ministry's context.

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Creating structure that supports the strategy of your youth ministry is key to overall ministry health and growth. But what should that structure look like? And how do you know if you have the wrong structure in place? On this episode, join Kurt Johnston, Pastor to Students at Saddleback Church, for a conversation with ministry leaders about the importance of structure and what you can do to create and implement structure that aligns with the overall strategy of your ministry.

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When it comes to separating or combining middle school and high school ministry environments, there are many factors to consider: ministry size, volunteers, space, budgets, and more. With variables like these, how do we create engaging and developmentally appropriate environments for middle AND high schoolers? This week, join ministry leaders as they discuss the benefits and drawbacks of separate and combined ministries, as well as possible solutions you can begin implementing in your ministry.

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Whether you're brand new to youth ministry or been in the trenches for years, establishing a plan for longevity is important—for you and the youth ministry you lead. But what does that plan for longevity look like? This week, ministry leaders are joined by Kurt Johnston, Pastor to Students at Saddleback Church, for a conversation on how youth workers can best set themselves up for effective long-term ministry.

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In most areas of ministry, there's a finish line. There's a finish line for that weekend retreat. There's a finish line for that message you're writing. And if we're not careful, we tend to apply that same mindset to the students in our ministries as they graduate. But should graduation really be the end of our influence in a teenager's life? This week, Kara Powell joins ministry leaders for a conversation about equipping and walking with students long after their high school graduation.

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Planning and leading a mission trip for students in your youth group is no small task. From picking a destination to booking airline tickets to training the team, it can get overwhelming in a hurry. This week, join Elloa Davis, Charlie Conder, Ashley Bohinc, and CJ Palmer for a conversation about how you can make the most of your student mission trips—from the moment you begin the preparation process through your return home—while easing the burden on you and your ministry.

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In this episode we hear from one of our listeners, Michael, who is rethinking how to engage a combined middle and high school environment.

3 takeaways from this episode:
1️⃣ Focus on High Schoolers: When leading a combined youth group, it's often more effective to tailor messages and examples towards high school students, as middle schoolers tend to rise to the challenge, while high schoolers may disengage if content feels too young.
2️⃣ Offer Age-Specific Spaces: While large group activities can be combined, providing phase-specific small groups or hangout times ensures that both middle and high schoolers get the focused attention they need.
3️⃣ Creative Mentorship Opportunities: Consider special events, like a seniors-and-seventh-graders dinner, where high schoolers can mentor middle schoolers without the pressure of doing so every week, allowing both age groups to benefit from the ministry.

Join the Rethinking Youth Ministry Facebook Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/813773488740316

Like, comment & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! Learn more about XP3 Curriculum and TRY A SERIES FOR FREE at https://thinkorange.com/xp3.

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If you're a ministry leader or a youth pastor, there are a lot of responsibilities and expectations on your shoulders from week to week. And in the midst of it all, it can be easy to think you have to be the “rockstar” of your ministry to get it all done. This week, join youth leaders for a conversation about what's wrong with the “rockstar student pastor” mentality and how shifting that mindset can be beneficial for your ministry now and in the future.

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Let's be honest: No one loves to be criticized. Especially when the criticism is given the wrong way or by the wrong person. However, if we learn to receive criticism with the right mindset, as ministry leaders, speakers, and youth workers, we have an opportunity to grow from it. This week, join Jamey Dickens, Ben Crawshaw, Crystal Chiang, and Sarah Anderson, for a conversation about embracing criticism and the value of asking those around you, “What's it like to be on the other side of me?”

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