Explore every episode of the podcast Ministry Coach: Youth Ministry Tips & Resources
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What EVERY Youth Pastor Needs to Know Before Making Changes in Their Ministry | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:30:03 | |
Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort *** As youth ministry leaders, we're problem solvers by definition... steering the ship through challenges that range from predictable to completely unexpected. This episode dives deep into how effective student ministry leaders navigate change while bringing their team along for the journey. In this episode, we will be taking a look at the Innovation Theory and how it relates to changes you make to your youth ministry. We will also be showcasing the practical strategies for communicating the "why" behind changes, addressing concerns without giving them undue weight, and maintaining your leadership confidence even when facing criticism. 📕 Book mentioned in this podcast: ========= (#087) Youth Pastor Just Hired...What Should You Change About the Existing Youth Ministry? (#136) How You Can Tell It's Time to Make a Change in Your Youth Ministry ======= Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Best Practices for Emailing the Parents of Your Youth Ministry Students | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:27:57 | |
Start the school year strong and grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry...if you'd like to work with us, be sure to check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com *** Your youth ministry emails aren't just delivering information—they're building relationships, shaping your reputation, and creating trust. When parents feel valued through thoughtful communication, they're more likely to engage, participate, and recommend your youth group to others. Want to transform your parent communication? Listen now to discover how intentional parent communication can become your student ministry's strongest asset rather than an administrative afterthought. Your emails aren't just words—they're just one more bridge between your youth ministry and the families you serve. ========= (#047) Youth Pastors and Parents - Best Communication Tips ======= Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Not Getting Hired in Youth Ministry? This Might Be Why... | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:34:33 | |
Are you ready to grow the size and health of your youth ministry? Check out ========= 📕 Book Mentioned in this Episode: The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman ========= 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. (#026) Increasing Your Value, Worth & Influence: Heart, Hunger, Hustle ======= *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 4 Things You NEED TO START DOING TODAY in Your Youth Ministry! | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:30:38 | |
Are you ready to transform your youth ministry into a powerhouse of efficiency and impact? In this episode, we will be going over 4 things youth pastors need to start doing immediately in their student ministry. You'll be armed with practical steps to enhance your ministry's discipline, organization, and communication. We will be discussing our go-to tasks for streamlining weekly workflow and how to balance the 'salt & sugar' of ministry. In addition, we will be going over insights on how to create an impactful blueprint for your year, schedule teachings and games ahead of time, and why prioritizing relationships can make or break your ministry's health. (#071) Youth Ministry Overnighter - Fun Lock In Games & Theme Idea Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| What Grade Would Jesus Give Your Youth Ministry? | 17 Aug 2023 | 00:37:04 | |
What grade do you think Jesus would give your youth ministry? It's an interesting question to consider...but also, HOW would Jesus grade your youth ministry? What factors would He deem most important? In this episode, we use a few Bible verses to shine some light on these questions and give you some practical tips on how to improve your student ministry. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| YOUTH PASTORS: Are You Challenging Your Youth Group? | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:33:55 | |
Are you challenging the students in your youth ministry enough? In this episode, we examine four ways that you can be challenging your youth group to help them grow in their faith. Some of the topics we will be covering include: teaching the Bible as a narrative, steering away from your student ministry being the "be good club," leaning into the logic and servanthood within the church. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Your Youth Group Event Failed...So Now What?? | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:37:52 | |
Have you ever had a youth group event fail? Unfortunately, it's a sting we've all probably felt. It's only natural that when an event goes wrong, youth pastors either internalize it as a sign that they messed up and become depressed feeling it is a reflection of them OR they start finger pointing...trying to pinpoint who to put the blame onto. In this episode, we're discussing how to analyze and handle the mistakes, how to bounce back and ultimately, how to avoid a youth ministry event failure in the future. ============ Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Why New Youth Pastors FAIL at Youth Ministry! (3 Things You MUST Know!) | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:34:14 | |
What happens when you find yourself as a new youth pastor at the wheel of a youth ministry, trying to navigate the windy roads and bad weather? As it turns out, you're not alone in this journey, and we're here to guide you through the common challenges new youth pastors face, equipped with valuable solutions to help you avoid these pitfalls. Remember: every experienced pastor was once in your shoes, so don't despair when comparing your early struggles to someone else's success. In this episode, we take a look at 3 common reasons that new youth pastors fail in youth ministry! ============ Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 5 Bible Study Tips that Changed My Life as a Youth Pastor | 20 Jul 2023 | 00:25:17 | |
Are you looking for a more profound understanding of the Bible? Today, we are discussing the 5 tips that I use to study the Bible and do my sermon prep. These methods have opened up newer depths of understanding and drastically improved my sermons as a Youth Pastor. If you are looking at finding some new ways to level up your sermons and Biblical knowledge in your life and in your youth ministry, take a listen and see if any of these tips would work for you! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Minister to the 4 Different Types of Students in Youth Ministry | 13 Jul 2023 | 00:26:03 | |
Ever wondered how to effectively reach every type of youth that attends your church? Join us as we examine the 4 different types of students that are in your ministry and talk about the ways that you can effectively minister to all of them. From casual attendees to committed members, we'll help you understand how to create an environment that draws in the curious and encourages them to deepen their faith. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| No New Visitors? Common Mistakes Many Youth Ministries Make | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:46:31 | |
Are you not getting any new visitors at your youth group? In this episode we’re dissecting 4 common mistakes that many youth ministries make when it comes to attracting new students. We're sharing our insights on how to paint an exciting picture of your ministry that not only captures attention but also makes people want to be a part of it. Communication, engagement, and understanding the preferences of the youth are key to a thriving ministry, and we're giving you a front-row seat to these insights. Let's start the journey to a more energetic and engaging youth ministry together! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Overcoming Fear and Self Doubts: A Guide for Youth Pastors | 29 Jun 2023 | 00:37:30 | |
Feeling overwhelmed by insecurities, fears and self-doubt as a youth pastor? Don't worry, because you're not alone! In this episode, we open up about how to address these issues as a youth pastor. We share our insights on shifting the focus from self to Jesus, the true mainstay of youth ministry and how building the right team plays a significant role in managing these fears and doubts. We delve into the significance of cultivating a unified team - a group of individuals who echo your vision yet welcome healthy disagreement. We'll also touch on the risk of harboring team members who consider themselves as the 'rightful youth pastor,' a mindset that can inject toxicity into your ministry. Moreover, a supportive team can serve as your anchor when you're grappling with difficult experiences. We also underline the importance of humility in leadership, especially when dealing with criticism and judgment. We explore how incorporating inclusivity into decision-making processes can create a more positive environment and better accept feedback. We also discuss the significance of stepping out of your comfort zone, confronting fear and anxiety head-on, and the surprising results that may come from embracing challenges. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Raise Them Up! Why You Always Need New Leaders in Youth Ministry | 22 Jun 2023 | 00:35:40 | |
Raising up leaders in youth ministry is a never ending, but rewarding task. Youth pastors rely on their volunteer leaders to help with so much of student ministry and, generally speaking, the more leaders you have the better your youth group tends to be. Youth leaders fuel your ministry and today, we take a look at the reasons why it's so important to be constantly recruiting and building up new leaders. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| The Reasons Why WHO You Do Youth Ministry With is Just as Important as the Ministry Itself | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:28:00 | |
Are you ready to grow the size and health of your youth ministry? Check out ========= (#011) How to Recruit the RIGHT Volunteers For Youth Ministry (#024) Raising Up Leaders in Student Ministry - How to Duplicate Yourself!!! (#244) How to Retain Your Youth Ministry Volunteers for Years! (#245) How to Keep Students Coming Back to Your Youth Ministry EVERY WEEK! =======
Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 3 Questions Every Youth Pastor Should be Asking Their Senior Pastor | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:28:35 | |
Whether your relationship is strained or solid, there are 3 questions that you, as the youth pastor, should be asking your senior pastor. Youth ministry can be a lonely place if you don't have support. It's so important to make sure that you are on the same page as your senior pastor in terms of expectations for your church, your ministry and your growth as a student pastor. In this episode, we discuss three areas that can strengthen your relationship with your senior pastor so that you can be rowing in the same direction...it all starts with communication. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Youth Ministry Planning: Weekend Service vs. Mid-Week Program | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:35:47 | |
Some youth ministries only meet at their weekend service...typically Sunday mornings. Other youth groups only meet at a mid-week program and on Sundays, students sit with their parents. Other student ministries have a weekend service (or more) AND a mid-week program...so what's the difference between what goes on during a weekend service and a mid-week program? Today, we will be taking a look at the similarities and differences between our weekend service and mid-week program and why we do what we do. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 4 NEW Icebreaker Games for Smaller Youth Groups! | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:22:39 | |
**FOR A PDF OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL OF THE GAMES - EMAIL US AT MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com - and put in the subject or description "4 ICEBREAKERS for SMALLER YOUTH GROUPS" and we will send it over to you!** Ice breakers are an excellent way to get your youth ministry actively engaging. In this episode, we will be going over 4 really fun, low prep icebreaker games that will work great for smaller student ministries (and can work for larger ones too). | |||
| Not Connecting With Your Students? 3 Things You Must Do! | 25 May 2023 | 00:38:22 | |
➡️ Get your free trial of Coleader here (NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED): https://share.coleader.co/F5wTrb/join Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Work Smarter NOT Harder in Youth Ministry - 5 Youth Pastor Tips! | 18 May 2023 | 00:29:04 | |
➡️ Get your free trial of Coleader here (NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED): https://share.coleader.co/F5wTrb/join Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Keep Your Youth Ministry Strong During Tough Times | 11 May 2023 | 00:30:09 | |
🤯 WAIT A MINUTE ⏰!!! Have you seen 👀 Coleader yet?? Sign up for FREE here ➡️ https://share.coleader.co/F5wTrb/join Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 5 Tips on How to Increase Youth Ministry Participation | 04 May 2023 | 00:34:25 | |
No matter what size youth ministry you have, these 5 tips will help increase your youth group participation for events and your midweek program. We have all experienced the crushing feeling of having low turnouts at youth group or an extensively planned event. It hurts!!! In this episode, we will be going over the right times to plan, simplifying sign ups, how to promote and hype up your ministry to get the most participation and much more! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Equipping Your Student Leaders to Reach New Students in Youth Ministry! | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:29:42 | |
When a new student comes to our weekend service or midweek program, it's very natural for us as the youth pastor to go and welcome them. If you have a solid volunteer team, they will more than likely go up and introduce themselves to the new student as well; however, what makes the biggest and best impression is when your students are the ones welcoming a new student and introducing themselves to them. In this episode, we give you some practical and actionable tips on how to equip your student leaders to actively welcome new students into your youth ministry so that they are more inclined to come back again and again. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Youth Pastor: Increase Your Influence Through Servant Leadership! | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:33:36 | |
As a youth pastor, servant leadership should be a foundational philosophy of how we lead. In this episode, we take a look at what servant leadership is, what it looks like in your youth ministry and go over 4 self-assessment questions to ask yourself to further your character and leadership as a servant. 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. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| THE BRUTAL TRUTH! What Youth Ministry Can Teach You About Yourself! | 13 Apr 2023 | 00:31:47 | |
Whether you have been in youth ministry for 20 days or 20 years, you will repeatedly find how it can teach us valuable lessons about ourselves. In this episode, we take a look at 4 areas that student ministry can be brutally honest about who we are as a leader and as a person in general. Even though some of these truths might be difficult to face, understanding them can help us to grow and develop as individuals. 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. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Keep Students Coming Back to Your Youth Ministry EVERY WEEK! | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:38:02 | |
Are you ready to grow the size and health of your youth ministry? Check out ========= (#024) Raising Up Leaders in Student Ministry - How to Duplicate Yourself!!! (#244) How to Retain Your Youth Ministry Volunteers for Years! (#219) LISTEN TO THIS If You Want Consistent Youth Ministry Attendance! (#142 Is Your Youth Group Struggling to Connect? 5 Tips that WORK! ======= Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Is Your Youth Group Struggling to Connect? 5 Tips THAT WORK! | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:33:57 | |
Are you feeling like your youth ministry students are disconnected from each other? Or maybe you just have a handful of students who don't seem to know how to join in with the group. It can be really frustrating when the interaction in your youth group seems so awkward and forced. Today, we are going over 5 tips to help your student ministry build connections with each other. The first 3 tips cover how to get a student connected into a small group of people and the final 2 tips give insight on how to connect your youth ministry as a whole. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| ATTENTION YOUTH PASTORS: You Need Deeper Friendships! | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:28:29 | |
Youth pastors have a tendency to know a ton of people at church, but can sometimes be known deeply by few. For your own personal growth, mental health and spiritual health, it is so important to have close friendships that go much deeper than the superficial stuff. Do you have those people in your life that you can open up to? The people that you can be very real with? The close friendships that don't just know you as a youth pastor, but know who you are to your core? These are the people that you need in your life to lean on for support and accountability. In this episode we take a look at why youth pastors need deeper friendships that go beyond their youth ministry. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Youth Ministry Volunteers QUIT When You Ignore These Things! | 23 Mar 2023 | 00:31:58 | |
Volunteers play a critical role in the success of youth ministries, but if we fail to keep them engaged, motivated and most of all, cared for, we can quickly lose them! First and foremost, when volunteers are lead well, they can be much happier 😁 and more effective in their roles. When volunteers feel valued, appreciated, and supported, they are more likely to be fully engaged and committed to the mission of the student ministry. This translates into better interactions for the students they are working with, as well as a more positive ➕ and energized atmosphere for everyone involved. So how can youth pastors lead their volunteers well? In this episode, we'll explore some practical strategies on how to recognize and celebrate volunteers' contributions and create a positive and supportive team culture. We will also help you envision how your ministry can implement these strategies to maximize the impact of your volunteers and the students in your ministry. As you create a healthy team of volunteers, you will quickly see a decrease in leader turnover! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| YOUTH MINISTRY CURRICULUM - Should You Use It or Not? | 16 Mar 2023 | 00:40:36 | |
"Should I use youth ministry curriculum?" Whether you are brand new to youth ministry or you've been in it for a while, the thought has more than likely crossed your mind. In this episode, we take a look at some of the pros and cons of using pre-packaged student ministry curriculum and give you some direction to see if it is or isn't the right fit for you! Audio Equipment: Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Mistakes Youth Pastors Commonly Make (2 You Need to AVOID!) | 09 Mar 2023 | 00:32:08 | |
In this episode, we will be sharing 2 mistakes that Youth Pastors commonly make and how you can avoid them. Ironically, these two mistakes are somewhat at odds with each other, but it's still possible to be unintentionally guilty of both in your youth ministry. We will share practical tips and strategies to help you avoid these mistakes and become a more effective youth pastor. Whether you are just starting out or have been in the role for a while, this episode is sure to offer valuable insights and help you become a better leader for your student ministry.
Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| GIFT IDEAS for First Time Visitors at Your Youth Ministry! | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:25:59 | |
**Make sure you check out our Shopping List below for some gift ideas resources!** Youth pastors all love to see it when a new student comes to their youth group - whether they were invited by a friend or just checking it out on their own, it's a chance to help them in their walk with Jesus or even being able to share the Gospel if they aren't already a believer. It's so important to make newcomers feel welcome and valued. And one great way to do that is by giving them a small gift that shows you're glad they came. We've put together a list of 9 gift ideas for your new guests as well as some incentives to get them to come back AND some incentives for students who invite their friends as well! If you're looking for ways to enhance the hospitality & friendliness of your student ministry, then be sure to check out this episode! If you have some great gift ideas that you've done for your first time visitors, head over to our YouTube channel & leave a comment on this episode so that others can see it too! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How You Can Tell It's Time to Make a Change in Your Youth Ministry | 23 Feb 2023 | 00:42:36 | |
Whether you're a volunteer, a staff member, or a youth pastor, it can be challenging to know when it's time to make a change in your youth ministry. In this episode, we'll explore some signs that might indicate it's time for a shift in your student ministry. We will take a look at how to recognize when your current approach isn't working. Maybe you're not seeing the growth or engagement you hoped for, or you're encountering roadblocks that seem insurmountable. Youth ministry can be an incredibly rewarding but also demanding vocation. If you or your team are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or disengaged, it may be time to reassess your priorities and find ways to care for yourselves. We hope it will provide practical insights and inspiration as you seek to serve your students! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 7 Youth Group Games for SMALL Youth Ministries! | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:29:26 | |
**FOR A PDF OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL OF THE GAMES - EMAIL US AT MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com - and put in the subject or description "Games for Smaller Youth Groups" and we will send it over to you!** Youth group games are one of the staples of youth ministry, but not all games will work with smaller groups. In this episode, we will be going over 7 super fun, low prep games that will work for smaller student ministries. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Make Your Meetings NOT SUCK! Youth Pastor Tips | 09 Feb 2023 | 00:25:06 | |
No one likes meetings. Okay, well, most people dislike meetings, I'm sure there are a few people out there who love them. But even those who love them are probably annoyed at dull and unproductive meetings. In this video, we share youth pastor tips on how to make your meetings not suck! Discover strategies for creating engaging, fun, and meaningful meetings that will keep them concise and functional. In addition, we explore the importance of having productive and enjoyable youth ministry meetings and discuss when you should even have a meeting! Say goodbye to boring meetings and hello to impactful and enjoyable gatherings. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Valentine's Day Games & Party Ideas for Youth Ministry | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:27:00 | |
If you would like Valentine's Day doesn't get as much attention as other notable holidays, but it's still a fun one to theme and make special for your youth ministry. In this episode, we will be discussing Valentine's Day party ideas including: games, activities, decor and sweets & treats. **FOR A PDF OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL OF THE GAMES - EMAIL US AT MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com - and put in the subject or description "VALENTINE'S DAY GAMES" and we will send it over to you!** (This goes w/gold or silver mylar) Heart Garlands Vertical: https://amzn.to/3HKjSTO Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Retain Your Youth Ministry Volunteers for Years! | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:32:30 | |
Now is the time to grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry...if you'd like to work with us, check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com *** Getting the right youth ministry volunteers is step one...but how do you retain them? Volunteer retention might be the most overlooked youth pastor leadership skill in student ministry today. While we pour energy into recruiting and training new team members, keeping them engaged for the long haul requires an entirely different approach. In this episode, we share battle-tested strategies for volunteer longevity. ========= (#011) How to Recruit the Right Volunteers for Youth Ministry (#052) Small Group Leader Training for Youth Ministry (#031) Training Youth Ministry Volunteers Part 1 of 2: Onboarding & Acclimation to Your Team ======= Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Handling Conflict in Youth Ministry (Overcoming Obstacles & Adversity) | 26 Jan 2023 | 00:33:58 | |
Inevitably, conflicts, obstacles and adversity will occur in youth ministry. So how do we, as youth pastors, manage these difficult and sometimes awkward situations? Today, we will be discussing 5 ways of handling conflict in youth ministry, so that we can cultivate peace, agreement and ultimately, win people over! Our goal is to help you be prepared to handle potential conflicts should they occur. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Level Up Your Leadership Skills in Youth Ministry | 19 Jan 2023 | 00:28:14 | |
Leadership skills are extremely important when it comes to youth ministry. Churches need trained youth pastors to keep their youth groups engaged, growing in their faith, and reaching new students. Youth Pastors need to be able to motivate their leaders and volunteers, communicate effectively, and shepherd their students. In order to be a successful youth minister, it is important to develop these leadership traits early on in your ministry career, but it's also never too late to sharpen your skills. In this episode, we discuss multiple ways to level up your leadership skills in youth ministry so that you can succeed at maintaining health in your ministry and in your own life. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Help Your Youth Ministry Students Grow Spiritually | 12 Jan 2023 | 00:37:54 | |
In youth ministry, the goal is to bring students into a closer relationship with Jesus. Our weekly sermons are geared towards showing them the love that God has for them and constantly steering them towards the Gospel. But sometimes we overlook, or even neglect, some of the simple ingredients for how to facilitate a healthy spiritual relationship. In this episode, we will be going over 3 ways to help your youth group students increase their spiritual health and grow in your youth ministry! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Best Strategies for How to Accomplish Your Youth Ministry Goals | 05 Jan 2023 | 00:18:18 | |
As Youth Pastors, we all have updates, upgrades and improvements we want to do in our student ministry because we should always be growing...but how do we accomplish these youth ministry goals? Whenever we set out to make these changes, we have the best intentions, but sometimes they end up getting shelved because of lack of planning, poor time management, limited resources, etc. In this episode, we will be discussing the best strategies for setting and accomplishing your youth ministry goals for this year! | |||
| Get Your YOUTH MINISTRY off to the RIGHT START in the NEW YEAR! | 15 Dec 2022 | 00:26:34 | |
With the new year comes a fresh start for your student ministry! Maybe you aren't huge into "New Years Resolutions" but if you are in youth ministry, you at least have goals for 2023! Are you looking to improve your youth room? Are you planning on starting a student leadership team? Are you looking to find new youth group games? Are you planning on coming up with some new teaching series? Are you looking to improve your leadership confidence? In this episode, we will be covering 6 things to help you get your youth ministry off to the right start in the new year and make it a huge success! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Youth Pastor Leadership Principles Learned from "THE CROWN" | 08 Dec 2022 | 00:35:46 | |
Whether you are a fan of the Netflix series "The Crown" or not, here are 6 excellent leadership principles that you can take away and apply to your youth ministry. "The Crown" focuses on Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940's to modern times as she leads the world's most well known monarchy. Season 1, which is where these leadership principles come from, is focused on her early leadership. 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. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| How to Appreciate Youth Ministry Volunteers During the Holiday Season | 01 Dec 2022 | 00:30:56 | |
LINKS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS BELOW! The holiday season is an excellent time to show your appreciation to your youth ministry volunteers and staff. It's not too late to show them how much they mean to you! In this episode, we talk about 5 ways that you can let your volunteers know that their presence in your student ministry is impactful and noticed. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Why New Students May Feel Uncomfortable at Your Youth Ministry - 5 Things to Avoid!! | 17 Nov 2022 | 00:31:35 | |
There is always so much excitement when you see new students at your youth ministry! You want so badly for them to connect with the other students and to love youth group; however, there might be some things you are unintentionally doing that are making these new students feel uncomfortable and maybe even unwelcome at your student ministry! Today, we take a look at 5 things you may unintentionally be making new students feel uncomfortable! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Balancing Youth Ministry & Family - 3 Things You Need to Know | 10 Nov 2022 | 00:26:33 | |
How can you balance your role as a youth pastor and a parent? What are some ways that you can help your family love Jesus and the church and avoid them having resentment. In this episode, we discuss 3 key things you need to keep in mind to help balance your life at church and your life at home. This episode is a follow up to a previous episode we released about parenting and ministry (link below). Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Youth Ministry Games for Christmas Parties - My 6 Favorite Games! | 03 Nov 2022 | 00:31:03 | |
In this episode, we will be explaining my 6 favorite Youth Group Games to play at Youth Ministry Christmas Parties! Bonus: One of the games has 11 mini-Christmas games which can also be used as icebreakers! **FOR A PDF OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL OF THESE GAMES - EMAIL US AT MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com - and put in the subject or description "CHRISTMAS GAMES" and we will send it over to you!** Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| 5 Mistakes Youth Pastors Make When Their Youth Ministry Isn't Growing | 22 May 2025 | 00:37:42 | |
Now is the time to grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry...if you'd like to work with us, check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com *** That sinking feeling when your youth ministry isn't growing can trigger panic and questionable decisions. But what if your solution isn't going to bring the result you think it will? In this episode, we take a look at 5 mistakes youth pastors often make when they are faced with the reality that their youth group is shrinking in size. To be clear, the size of your youth group doesn't automatically equal effectiveness, and not every youth ministry is destined for thousands of attendees. However, when you sense momentum has disappeared or attendance is declining, it requires thoughtful investigation rather than hasty reactions. In this strategic episode, we take a look at the challenging reality of student ministry stagnation and offer practical tips for reversing the course. ========= (#235) SPORTS vs. YOUTH GROUP: 5 Ways to Win the Battle of Priorities! (#240) Do Numbers Matter? What Your Youth Ministry Numbers Are ACTUALLY Telling You! ======= Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Pastor Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Best Practices for Parenting & Pastoring When in Youth Ministry | 27 Oct 2022 | 00:35:07 | |
If you have children (or are planning on having children) and you are in youth ministry, you'll come to know the struggle of balancing a life at home with your life in your ministry. Where do you draw the line on your obligation to family and your obligation to the church family? In this episode, we discuss the best practices of having a healthy balance between work and family and how to navigate some of the more challenging seasons of raising children when in youth ministry. This episode was inspired by a listener - thank you for the idea! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| FREE TIME YOUTH MINISTRY GAMES - 6 Pre-Service Activities! | 20 Oct 2022 | 00:26:29 | |
This episode covers 6 free time youth ministry games for your youth group to play pre-service. When students arrive at your midweek youth group or Sunday morning church service, it's always nice to have some games and activities that they can play to help bond, build community and get to know each other in an easy way. Instead of having them just sit in a chair staring at the stage, or standing off to the side like a wall flower, waiting for the service to start, they can engage with each other by connecting via free time games. These pre-service games are the type that students can play without having to have the game be officially organized and monitored by a leader...they can simply walk up and start playing with other students. Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||
| Best Practices for Communicating with Students in Youth Ministry | 13 Oct 2022 | 00:29:03 | |
Communication is half (if not more) of the battle in youth ministry. Have you ever had a poorly attended event? Have you ever gotten 150 phone calls, emails and texts the day of a youth group event from parents and students wanting to know the details? Have you ever had someone say, "I had no idea about this" when it comes to the specifics of a program you are putting on? It could be because your lines of communication are broken. In this episode, we take a look at a bunch of different ways you can communicate with your students to make sure that they are aware of any upcoming student ministry event, program or deadline. You will always be better off over-communicating and doing so well in advance as opposed to "winging it" last minute. Will there still be some people that reach out and say they didn't know anything about it? Sure, but it shouldn't be a result of you not pushing the info to them often and from multiple sources. Also, make sure you check out the episode we did on communication between youth pastor and parents...link below! Check out our new partnership with Onward: Youth & Young Adult Cohort https://www.onwardleader.com/the-cohort | |||