Youth Pastor Theologian: Recent Episodes
Youth Pastor Theologian
We want to build our ministries on a biblical and theological foundation... but what does that really look like? The YPT podcast features conversations to help you think theologically and practically about youth ministry.
In this final episode of the podcasting season, Mike and John welcome Andrew Slay. Together, they wrote the three series composing the YPT Curriculum's new "Ongoing Discipleship" curriculum. This conversation is more than a salespitch for the curriculum... it's an explanation about why we believe these series are worthwhile for disciple-making in youth ministry.
The Ongoing Discipleship Curriculum will be available on June 15th at youthpastortheologian.com/curriculum. Below are some descriptions of each series (which can be purchased individually, though we give a discount for those who buy the whole plan).
Christian Doctrine (Head): The Attributes of God, by Mike McGarry
This series introduces your students to the communicable (what we have in common with God) and incommunicable (what is unique to God alone) attributes of God, not because we want to make them theology nerds, but because we want them to know who God is and what he is like. This is our God who saves… let’s introduce our youth to him!
Christian Spirituality (Heart): Building on the Bible, by John Gardner with Mike McGarry
This series invites youth to think about “What is the Bible?” and to be confident in its trustworthiness before guiding them basic Bible study methods. Those methods will then be applied to the different genres of Scripture, because you should read poetry and historic narrative and prophecy differently. Instead of simply telling them “Read your Bible!”, let’s show them how to do that.
Christian Living (Hands): Growing in Godliness, by Andrew Slay with Mike McGarry
This series calls students to “be holy as your Father in heaven is holy” through three mini-series. The first four lessons highlight what it means to be created in God’s image as the Bible’s framework for what it means to reflect God’s holiness and glory in the world. The next four lessons address the Bible’s teaching about sexual holiness (marriage, sexual sin, homosexuality, transgenderism). The final four lessons encourage students towards godly relationships with friends, family, enemies, and to live as peacemakers.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John talk with Dave Boden, author of Raising Gen Alpha: Helping Kids Navigate Everything from Anxiety to AI (New Growth Press, 2026). Dave explains the five core attributes of Gen Alpha with the acronym A.L.P.H.A
- Anxious Minded
- a Leading Influence
- Pandemic Impacted
- Hyperconnected
- AI Shaped
Go order and read his book this summer... even better, form a reading group with a few parents and volunteers and discuss it every-other week in order to discern how your church can disciple them well. (Affiliate link above, brings a small financial benefit to YPT).
Dave Boden leads the Grace Foundation, is a former pastor, and co-creator of the Kleer Series. Dave and his wife Leah and their four children live in the West Midlands, England. He’s written a few books but today we’ll be talking about his latest, Raising Gen Alpha.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John share a glimpse into their own experiences with "church hurt" and "church abuse" and reflect on what they've learned the hard way. There's no "one size fits all" approach to these things, but it's disappointing how many youth pastors have been on the receiving end of church hurt and gaslighting.
If you have been through a painful situation, we strongly recommend you to find someone local to talk with... a counselor, mentor, friend... someone who will listen, and someone who will speak the truth in love to you. You don't need someone who will simply get angry with you, but someone who will love you enough to weep with you but will also help you see where you may need correction or repentance to break the cycle.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John talk about youth ministry during the Summer. Do you keep meeting weekly as usual, or keep meeting but differently, or do you cancel weekly programming? It seems like every church has a longstanding tradition, and many of them feel like they're "doing it wrong." In this conversation, we talk about different approaches, priorities to keep in mind, and offer assurance that God is still at work during the summertime.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John discuss the different seasons of ministry we often experience. Some seasons are like "Philippians" (Joy! Joy! Joy!) and others are like "Job" (seasons of suffering and grief). Then, we discuss how to evaluate our ministry differently depending on which season we're in. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Editor's note: There was a mistake (all Mike's fault!) in publishing episodes that led to titles and shownotes being added to the wrong episode recording. The title/shownotes are now added to the correct recording file... sorry for any confusion.
In this episode, Mike and John discuss a statement youth pastors often hear, "Youth Ministry isn't even in the Bible." People often say this with so much confidence, as if it's glaringly obvious. But is it?! Since God's people have always been called to pass the faith from generation to generation, there's a lot in Scripture for us to draw from as we discern biblical foundations for youth ministry.
We conclude the conversation with three priorities that must be true if you want your ministry to be a biblical youth ministry. That's a bold statement, but we'll stand by it.
For more, order (and read!) Mike's book, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry: Teenagers in the Life of the Church (affiliate link)
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Editor's note: There was a mistake (all Mike's fault!) in publishing episodes that led to titles and shownotes being added to the wrong episode recording. The title/shownotes are now added to the correct recording file... sorry for any confusion.
This episode explores effective strategies for integrating students into the church, the importance of church leadership support, and the long-term calling of youth ministry. Hosts Mike McGarry and John discuss practical ways to integrate youth in the church and common challenges before discussing the need for some youth pastors to stay in youth ministry long-term.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John discuss a Christian theology of education. School is a major part of teenagers' lives - how do we help them think biblically and Christianly about school and education? Is this only possible for those who are homeschooled or go to Christian schools? This episode wraps with a conversations about how churches and youth ministries can honor High School graduates without making it all about who's going to the best and most impressive university.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
This episode explores the vital role of practical theology in youth ministry, emphasizing how it guides practices, decisions, and teaching strategies. Mike and John discuss how to integrate practical theology into planning, teaching, and engaging with students to foster deeper faith and understanding. We also respond to a listener-question about how to plan a teaching calendar. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
This episode, Mike and John discuss the significance of historical theology: What it is and how it can help youth workers disciple students. They offer some specific examples of ways that understanding history can help you identify false teachings that are wrapped in new packaging. Then, they discuss a listener-question about what to do when attendance at youth group shrinks for various reasons, and how to fight discouragement. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John focus on biblical theology: what is it, why it matters, and how to practice biblical theology in youth ministry. Biblical theology races themes, keywords, or types of events throughout Scripture in order to highlight what they say about the character and work of God.
Recommended books:
- A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Theology (Abraham Karuvilla)
- The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament (Edmund Clowney)
- According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible (Graeme Goldsworthy)
- The Two-Fold Gospel is Narrow and Broad (YPT Blog)
The above books include affiliate links, which provide a small financial benefit. Thank you for your support.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John welcome Danny Kwon to discuss a book he wrote with his wife, Monica Kim, Teenagers and Mental Health. The conversation encourages youth workers to think biblically about how mental health struggles affect the discipleship process and how to (and how not to) address it in your teaching. Ultimately, youth pastors can approach mental health issues with compassion, biblical wisdom, and pastoral care as they seek to lead students to Jesus. Order Danny and Monica's book, Teenagers and Mental Health(affiliate link above provides a small financial benefit, thank you for your support) Dr. Danny Kwon is the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives for the Rooted Ministry. Before Rooted, he served as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church for almost thirty years. He has authored three books and is an adjunct professor at Eastern University. He is married to Monica, and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia. Dr. Monica Kim is a Christian counselor and licensed psychologist who has been counseling for over twenty years. She is also currently an adjunct faculty member at Lehigh University and facilitates a biblical counseling consultation group for the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). She is married to Danny, and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the blessing of systematic theology for youth workers. It's not just dry, stuffy, lifeless ideas about God; it's a way to really understand what makes Christianity "tick", in order that you can do faithful evangelism and discipleship. Next, they answer a listener-question about how to serve a student whose family has chosen to leave their church and attend another.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss effective strategies for engaging students in small group settings within youth ministry, and how to create an environment where students love one another. They highlight the importance of asking good questions, creating an interactive environment, and fostering deeper relationships among students... while bathing your ministry in prayer. Recommended Resources: Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers, by Mike McGarry * You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches, by Sam Allberry & Ray Ortlund * YPT Curriculum* (designed to promote discussion among teenagers, with special attention to "quieter" groups)
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss two questions: how much youth culture should a youth pastor know, and how do we incorporate fun and games into ministry without becoming "attractional"? They explore the influence of social media and influencers on today's youth, the necessity of fun in building relationships, and the challenges of maintaining theological integrity while creating a fun and engaging youth ministry. Helpful resources: * Blog: Fun and Games in Youth Ministry * Blog: Incentivizing Discipleship * Blog: Rethinking Attractional Youth Ministry * Book: Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers * Podcast: Youth Culture Matters * Website: Center for Parent/Youth Understanding
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of the way you deliver your message. They explore the necessity of integrating your content with the way you present it to students. The conversation also touches on the role of effective communication in ministry and the importance of being authentic while delivering God's word. New Update on the YPT Teaching Workshop!
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip volunteers to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. We've restructured the cost of these workshops and are providing them at-cost for host churches. Please visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of discipleship in youth ministry. They explore the difference between "ministry" and "discipleship", and the various layers of what it means to be a disciple. The conversation emphasizes the need for grace in ministry and practical steps for effectively discipling students, including the significance of corporate worship and reading the Bible together. Relevant articles: * "Not everything is discipleship" by Mike McGarry (YPT Blog) * "What does relational discipleship actually look like?" by Mike McGarry (Rooted Ministry Blog) * Following the Master, by Michael Wilkins * Grounded in the Gospel, by JI Packer & Gary Parrett
(note: above includes Amazon Affiliate links, which provide a small financial benefit to YPT.)
New Update on the YPT Teaching Workshop!
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip volunteers to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. We've restructured the cost of these workshops and are providing them at-cost for host churches. Please visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner tackle the contentious question of whether communion and baptism should be observed in youth groups and camps. They explore the biblical and theological teaching about the ordinances, emphasizing the importance of understanding the local church's role in administering them. While the answer to the question isn't a clear-cut "The Bible explicitly says THIS", both hosts express concerns about observing baptism and communion without proper understanding or support from the church community.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the role of apologetics in leading students through through questions and doubts. After discussing apologetics, they each share some of their favorite teaching series.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of evaluation in youth ministry. As you conduct a "halftime evaluation" at the beginning of the calendar year, we want to encourage you to remember your goals for the school-year and how to finish strong. To do that, we break from our typical format and Mike leads John through an evaluation of his own youth ministry for the '25-26 school-year. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. * Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) * Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian * Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner engage in a lively discussion that begins with some reflections on 2025. The rest of the episode highlights the importance of understanding the Trinity, how to teach it effectively to teenagers, and its relevance in daily life, especially during the Christmas season. The conversation emphasizes the relational nature of God and the significance of the Trinity in shaping Christian identity and community. Recommended Resources: * YPT Blog: Teaching the Trinity to Students (excerpt from Mike's book, Lead Them to Jesus) * YPT Blog: Theological Words Every Youth Worker Should Know: Trinity Edition * Michael Reeves: Delighting in the Trinity * Matthew Barrett: Simply Trinity * Mike McGarry: Iconic
(book links above are Amazon Affiliate links, which provide YPT with a small financial benefit without costing you anything extra. Thank you for your support.)
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the findings of the State of Theology 2025 report, filtering the responses to focus on those who are most likely to serve in youth ministry. We exploring the theological beliefs of evangelicals and the cultural influences that shape these beliefs. Conversation digs into topics like the nature of sin, the role of the Holy Spirit, biblical authority, and the importance of engaging youth in theological discussions. This episode highlights many of the foundational reasons Youth Pastor Theologian exists. Read & Explore the State of Theology 2025To explore stats that we used in this episode, visit the "Data Explorer" and select: Age: 18-34, Affiliation: Evangelical, Beliefs: Evangelical, Attendance: Several Times a Week/Once a Week/Once or Twice a Month. This brings the sample size down to 45 people, which is insufficient for empirical research but is helpful for sake of this podcast discussion. Note: this episode was inspired by a roundtable discussion by our friends on The Word in Youth Ministry Podcast. Go listen to their conversation for a response to the overall State of Theology 2025 results. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the challenges and skills necessary for onboarding new youth directors, emphasizing the importance of courage, writing, and effective communication. The discussion covers practical tips for setting up youth rooms, understanding dietary needs of students, and planning engaging events. They also delve into the necessity of mental toughness in ministry. The episode concludes with encouragement for new youth directors to celebrate their students' growth and keep their focus on the gospel. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss their recent experience at the Rooted Conference, sharing a few key highlights for each of them. While at the conference, multiple attendees asked about how to discern whether to remain in youth ministry or to move into other areas of ministry. The conversation affirms the dignity and the need for gifted youth pastors to stay in youth ministry, while also recognizing that some are called to pastor a generation... so it makes sense to grow in ministry along with them. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike and John discuss Christmas and busyness. First, we talk about how we handle Christmas in our teaching calendar and what types of Christmas series we've done. Next, we address a question from someone in the YPT Facebook Group about how many camps/retreats/trips per year is too many.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Mike and John couldn't line up their schedules, so Mike is flying solo! In this episode, he brings you behind the pulpit and walks you through his process of developing a sermon. This isn't intended as THE way you ought to do it... it's simply the process that works for Mike. Hopefully this example on a recent sermon from Romans 8 will encourage you on multiple fronts.
For more training on how to study the Bible and how to develop then deliver a message, check out YPT's Teaching Workshop. This is a daylong training session that brings Mike and John to your church to equip your youth volunteers... just imagine getting your whole team on the same page as they open God's Word with students. Even better, co-host the workshop with other youth ministries in your area, so there are multiple churches participating, which will fuel new opportunities for partnership and collaboration. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner focus on sanctification, spiritual disciplines, and apply a theology Law & Gospel. They discuss the importance of teaching youth about spiritual growth while avoiding pitfalls like legalism and antinomianism. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of empowering students in ministry roles and the necessity of oversight in youth leadership.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the critical importance of addressing sexuality and gender issues within youth ministry. They explore the biblical foundations for teaching on these topics, the role of youth pastors, and the need for open conversations about sexual holiness. The discussion also touches on the implications of purity culture, the importance of engaging parents, and practical approaches to teaching these sensitive subjects. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the need for compassion, clarity, and intentionality in addressing these sensitive issues with youth. Recommended Resources: Affiliate links provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to provide the content you enjoy. Thanks for your support. * For Youth: Mike McGarry, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World * For Youth: Jennifer Kvamme, More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships * For Parents: Rachel Gilson, Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus' Truth and Love * For Biblical Study: Dennis Hollinger, The Meaning of Sex: Christian Ethics and the Moral Life
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner reflect on some of their failures as youth pastors. While it's easy to laugh about silly mistakes (and we do), we also share some of the weightier mistakes we've made and reflect on what we've learned the hard way. Then they respond to a listener-question about how to not be a know-it-all when you genuinely know more than the other people in the room. Whether they're the best guys to respond or not, they take a crack at offering some helpful advice.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologianFollow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner talk about gospel-centered teaching in youth ministry. In particular, they give an overview to different exegetical approaches to preaching Christ from Genesis through Revelation. The conversation also addresses the question of how to address important topical issues in a ministry that's committed to expository teaching.
Special Invitation: Join Mike and John for "Teaching with Confidence," a pre-conference session before the Rooted Conference on October 22nd, from 11:30-3:00. The cost is only $35 and includes lunch. REGISTER HERE.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the vital role of volunteers in youth ministry. They explore the challenges of training and retaining volunteers, effective onboarding processes, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for leaders. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust and buy-in from volunteers, and they share some practical counsel for how to train and cultivate trust with your volunteer team. Order Mike's book, Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers (affiliate link provides the author with a small financial benefit, thanks for your support!) Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner talk about discipleship: What is it? What isn't it? And what pulls us away from it? The conversation also addresses the question of whether or not we should use video and social media to "extend" our regular discipleship efforts. Articles Referenced in this Podcast:* Not Everything is Discipleship (on YPT) * What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? (on Rooted)
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the biblical theology of safety and risk in youth ministry. They explore the balance between ensuring safety and encouraging healthy risk-taking among youth. The conversation also touches on the role of parents, the significance of failure in discipleship, and practical safety measures for youth activities, including mission trips. Additionally, they address the unique needs of students with disabilities and offer suggestions for how youth workers can care for them and their parents well. Resources Mentioned:
- YPT Podcast and Article on ministry to students with disabilities
- Camp Barnabas
- Sandra Peoples: “Accessible Church” book & Website
- Ashley Belknap: Engaging Disability with the Gospel
Note: Book links are affiliate links and provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to create the content you so enjoy, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the complexities of doubt and deconstruction in youth ministry. They delve into how to navigate students' doubts in a way that fosters faith rather than leading to apostasy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the different types of doubt, the role of deconstruction in faith, and the necessity of engaging with students' questions. They also respond to a listener question about the involvement of parents in youth ministry and the balance needed to ensure a healthy environment for students. Resources mentioned: * Doubter's Welcome * Barnabas Piper, Help My Unbelief
Note: Book links are affiliate links and provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to create the content you so enjoy, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner tackle two significant listener questions. The first question revolves around cell phone usage in youth ministry, particularly during retreats and camps. The second question addresses the benefits and challenges of partnering with other youth ministries in your area.
Learn more about the National Network of Youth Ministry here, to find other youth workers near you.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of being created in the image of God and its implications for youth ministry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity as image bearers of God and how this shapes the way we disciple youth into Christian maturity. Pre-order Mike's new book, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World, which invites youth to discover who they are by remembering what they are... image-bearers of the Living God. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the how and when to use curriculum in youth ministry. They share what to look for, how to support your volunteers who are teaching curriculum, and then move on to answer a listener-question about how to focus on youth ministry while fulfilling "other duties as assigned" in your church.
- Keep an eye out for the YPT Curriculum, available in late-July 2025
- See our list of recommended curriculum
Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss essential advice for first-time youth workers, each focusing on five key things to avoid in youth ministry. The conversation provides practical insights and encouragement for new youth leaders navigating their roles.
Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the significance of catechesis in youth ministry, emphasizing its relational nature and the importance of intentional discipleship. They discuss the need for a structured approach to teaching that considers the different stages of spiritual maturity among youth. Ultimately, they advocate for a return to historical practices of catechesis as a means to effectively disciple the next generation.
Chapters
- 1:00 - What do we mean by discipleship?
- 6:50 - The Role of Catechesis in Youth Ministry
- 12:30 - Components of Effective Discipleship
- 17:01 - Challenges and Misconceptions in Discipleship
- 18:58 - The Nature of Catechesis
- 21:06 - Understanding Different Stages of Catechesis
- 23:39 - Cultural Sensitivity in Youth Ministry
- 25:26 - Intentional Discipleship in Youth Ministry
- 27:21 - The YPT Curriculum!
- 36:32 - Learning from Historical Practices
Recommended Books:
- A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry, by Mike McGarry
- Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, by JI Packer & Gary Parrett
- The New City Catechism
(Note: Amazon Affiliate links are shared above, which provide a small financial benefit to YPT without any additional cost to you, which we use to develop the resources you enjoy. Thank you for your support)
Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the importance of asking good questions that engage students in meaningful conversations. Discussing good and bad questions leads into a conversation about whether or not youth workers should use ChatGPT. The discussion also highlights the need for youth to engage with scripture outside of church settings. Chapters* 1:00 - The Importance of Asking Good Questions * 5:49 - Asking Bad Questions * 11:09 - Crafting Effective Questions * 16:04 - Building Trust Through Questions * 20:45 - Understanding Cognitive Dissonance in Youth Ministry * 21:28 - The Role of AI in Asking Good Questions * 23:18 - Debating the Use of ChatGPT in Ministry * 30:04 - Our Spiritual Responsibility to Teach * 33:33 - Engaging Youth with Scripture Outside of Church
Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of student leadership within youth ministry. They discuss whether all students should be considered leaders, the importance of defining leadership, and how personality traits influence leadership roles. The conversation also touches on empowering students, cultural misunderstandings of leadership, and the significance of recognizing natural leadership qualities. They also share their recommendations for non-youth ministry books that youth pastors would benefit from reading before closing with a listener-question about ways youth pastors are tempted to mis-use their time. Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the role of missions trips. They discuss the theological implications of these trips, critiques of short-term missions, and share personal experiences—both positive and negative while emphasizing the importance of gospel-centered missions. They also discuss the reality and challenge of discouragement in youth ministry. Finally, they promote the YPT Teaching Workshop as a great way to equipping youth leaders (paid and volunteers). Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Chapters* 3:07 - The Role of Missions Trips in Youth Ministry * 5:57 - Critiques of Short-Term Missions * 9:00 - Theological Foundations for Missions * 11:56 - Positive and Negative Experiences in Missions * 18:08 - Effective Missions Practices * 23:56 - Encouragement for Discouraged Youth Pastors * 30:01 - Conclusion and Teaching Workshop Promotion
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner introduce the new format of the show, focusing on their journeys into youth ministry. They discuss their unexpected paths into youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, why they each pursues a D.Min., and how they integrate their spouses into their ministry roles. Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list. Chapters0:00 - Introduction to the New Podcast Format3:00 - Journey into Youth Ministry: John Gardner's Story5:45 - Mike McGarry's Unexpected Path to Youth Ministry12:00 - The Development of Youth Pastor Theologian17:00 - The Importance of Theological Depth in Youth Ministry24:00 - Integrating Spouses into Youth Ministry Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this celebratory 100th episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, host Mike McGarry and guests Nick Hartman, Jason Engle, and Alex Tufano reflect on their experiences in youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, and memorable podcast episodes. They discuss the significance of the Youth Pastor Theologian identity, the need for practical theology, and the positive trends emerging in youth ministry today.
Discussion Includes:* What does being a youth pastor theologian mean to you, practically speaking. How has that vision shaped your own ministry? * What are some of the positive trends you’ve seen happening in youth ministry today? * What are some ongoing concerns and needs that you’ve seen, and how do you think YPT could help? * Jason, Nick, and Alex ask Mike a few questions, too...
Favorite Podcasts Mentioned Include:
- Jason Engle: ep.76: Calling Youth to a God-Centered Faith, with Richard Ross
- Nick Hartman: ep.77: Disciplemaking with Teen Boys, with Jonathan Denton
- Alex Tufano: ep.29: Evangelism and Discipleship, with Greg Stier
- Mike McGarry: ep.89: Theology of Eating Together, with Seth Stewart
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
In this conversation, Mike talks with Rich Griffith about the importance of guiding our youth to live with wisdom and discernment, and encouraging them to live with godly courage.
Conversation includes:
- How can we help our youth grow in biblical wisdom and to live with courage to live accordingly. Why is that so important to you as you raise your own boys and minister to youth?
- When you talk about the “voices” students are prone to listen to, where are those voices coming from?
- What do you think teenagers wish they could say to the adults in their lives?
- Why do you believe leadership development is an important aspect of discipleship?
- Where do we see “discipleship as leadership” in Scripture? Can you point to a few examples?
Rich Griffith is an Associate Professor of Youth Ministries at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia and the author of Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel and most recently, Discipleship is Leadership. We’ll be talking about helping youth grow in wisdom.
Follow Rich on Instagram
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Teenagers are full of questions. The big question, is who are they discussing those questions with?! It can be a challenge to cultivate a ministry culture where students feel the freedom to ask their questions without being afraid of getting belittled or receiving cheap answers. In this conversation, Valerie O'Brien discusses her approach to inviting youth to ask their questions, and how she equips youth leaders to respond.
- Could you share a little about Aspen, and especially about your 10,000 question project?
- What are some of the most common questions you’ve received?
- What can we learn about our students by listening carefully to the questions they’re asking?
- What’s the anatomy of a good question? How can youth leaders start to ask better questions in order to open up meaningful conversations?
- What do we risk by being so answer-driven that students don’t ask their questions?
- How do we help students ask their questions and lead them to find answers without either spoon-feeding them or leading them into an endless cycle of question upon question?
Valerie O’Brien has over 12 years of experience in youth ministry, has trained youth workers through Sonlife Ministries, and now leads Aspen, a ministry that helps youth leaders engage the heart of the next generation.
Follow Aspen on Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Can Jesus really make a positive difference in your life? What about when being a Christian puts you at odds with the values of your friends and with society in general? Is following Jesus worth it?
This episode is a conversation with Chris Morphew about his new book, "Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated", which highlights the truth that however good you think the good news of Jesus is, it’s better.
Conversation Includes:
- What are some challenges Christian youth face that motivated you to write your book?
- In the book you say that discovering they are loved is the most important discovery of all. What do you mean by that?
- One of the most common objections I’ve come across is suffering and God’s judgment. But you say that God’s judgment actually gives hope in the midst of a world of brokenness and suffering. Could you elaborate on that?
- Bonhoeffer famously talks about “the cost of discipleship.” What would you say is the cost of discipleship for Aussie youth in a very post-Christian culture?
- In general, why do you think it’s important that we establish a ministry culture that makes space for doubt? When students are doubting, how do we support them with wisdom and patience and mercy without enabling them to remain in doubt?
- Any final encouragements for youth workers about ministering to youth who are living with uncertainty and doubt?
Chris Morphew is an author, teacher, and school chaplain living in Sydney, Australia. He’s the author of the Big Questions series, as well as over 20 novels for children and youth.
View (and buy!) Worth It! and Chris's other books
Follow Chris on Social Media: Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook
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It can be tempting to stick to the New Testament when teaching the Bible to youth. But doing so will only short-change teenagers and limit their understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ. Some parts of the Old Testament can feel foreign or intimidating, and therefore easy to avoid. Today's conversation with Chelsea Erickson will highlight the importance of teachign the Old Testament and will equip you with some good tools to help you do so with confidence.
- Why is it so easy for us to accidentally overlook the Old Testament in our teaching calendar?
- How do you respond to those who say we should prioritize the NT and stop teaching things like the Ten Commandments because we’re under grace, not law?
- What are some gospel themes that bind the whole Bible together that can help us teach the OT in light of the gospel?
- Can you walk us through some of the different genres in the OT and offer some reflections on how youth workers can teach them well?
- Many OT books are very long or confusing, so they’re easy to skip over. How did you approach the longer and complicated books in your youth ministry?
- Can you give us an example of an OT character that you’ve taught on, and share how you taught their story in a gospel-centered way?
Chelsea Erickson served in full-time youth ministry for over a decade and is now the Director of Publishing for the Rooted Ministry. She’s been on the YPT podcast.
Recommended Resources
- Exodus Old and New, Michael Morales
- According to Plan, Goldsworthy
- The Unfolding Mystery, Clowney
- Delighting in the Old Testament, Derushi
- How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth, Fee and Stuart
- How Tread the Bible Book by Book, Fee and Stuart
- CASKET EMPTY, Kaminski
- Chelsea’s article on Rooted about the conquest: Is the God of the Old Testament Unjust?
- Bible Project
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Duffy Robbins shares insights on effective preaching and teaching in youth ministry, including a discussion about how long to teach for. Robbins emphasizes that youth will listen for as long as they're engaged, but they'll check out once they're bored. So, how do we teach with biblical and theological depth that engages them with the gospel? * What is it about youth ministry that keeps you invested in doing it? * As people talk about teenagers’ shortened attention spans and how they don’t really listen to what we teach from up-front anyways… is Bible teaching still important? * Could you bring us into your process for crafting a message and delivering it to youth? * How do you think social media and GenAlpha’s hands-on approach to learning in schools should affect the way we teach them the Bible in youth group? * What are some trends you’re seeing in youth ministry today, both positive and concerning? How do you think we should respond to those?
Duffy Robbins has been one of the leading thinkers and practitioners in youth ministry for over 40 years. He’s a professor at Grove City College, co-leads the D.Min. program at GCTS on “Ministry to Emerging Generations”, has written dozens of books over the years, and is still on the road speaking to youth most weekends at camps and retreats.
Follow Duffy on Instagram: @duffyrobbins
Find Duffy's books on Amazon
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
The Asbury Outpouring gripped religious news and social media two years ago. People had a wide range of opinions about it then, but it's been long enough that we can look with greater clarity about what was and was not happening. In this episode, Mike talks with Zach Meerkreebs, the preacher whose sermon God used to spark the outpouring. Listen in to hear about what's happening at Asbury now and what lessons we can learn.
Discussion Includes:
- Could you tell us the story about what happened on campus during the Asbury Outpouring? What happened? What was it like to actually be there and to be part of it?
- What were the different reactions to this, and how did you process that?
- The Outpouring was two years ago… are you still experiencing some fruit from that? What are you seeing now, both big picture on compass, but also in individual students?
- When something like this happens, how do you keep the emotions grounded in Scripture rather than giving in to the allure of emotionalism?
- What are some ministry lessons or principles that you’ve been able to discern through the Outpouring?
Zach Meerkreebs is a pastor, writer, and speaker who is the pastor in residence at Asbury University. Many of us know him as the preacher who God used at the beginning of the Asbury Outpouring in 2023. He’s recently published a book, reflecting on the Outpouring entitled Lower: Igniting Spiritual Awakening Through Radical Humility.
Follow Zach on Instagram: @zachmeerkreebs
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
Youth Group isn’t always a place where artsy youth feel a sense of belonging. And yet, the Church, historically, has been a haven for the arts. How can youth workers develop a biblical appreciation for art and serve our students who are artistically-minded?
Discussion Includes:
- Historically, there’s been a rich relationship between the church and the arts. But what have you observed about the church’s posture towards the arts in today’s church?
- Could you walk us through the biblical and theological significance of art?
- Can you share a little about the creative mindset, and how artists might think through things like the bible and theology differently from others?
- Do you think the church is doing a good job ministering to and discipling artists?
- What are some of the unique challenges of youth ministry to teenagers who are artsy?
- If a youth pastor isn’t artsy, what are some ways they could connect better with students in their ministry who are?
Melody Bellefeuille-Frost is a PhD candidate at the Instute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at the University of St. Andrews and is a minister in the Wesleyan Church. Her research examines the images of Christ from European Jesuit and Japanese Christian religious cultures.
Recommended Resources:
- Art and Faith: A Theology of Making, by Makoto Fujimura
- Visual Faith, by William Dyrness
- For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts, by W. David Taylor
- Visual Commentary on Scripture
Melody’s Website: https://www.melodybellefeuillefrost.ca/
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What's happening in the youth ministry world today and how did we get here? This is an important question that we need to ask from time to time, and who's better to ask than Dr. Walt Mueller?
Walt Mueller has been ministering to young people for over 45 years and is the founder/director of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. He’s also the author of many books for youth and youth leaders, and he’s one of the professors for the Doctor of Ministry program at GCTS in “Ministry to Emerging Generations”.
Discussion Features:
- Can you talk us through the different eras of youth ministry that you’ve experienced? What was happening in the youth ministry world and how did we get to where we are today?
- Sometimes I hear people talk really critically about previous generations of youth ministry, and that really bothers me. How can we learn critically from previous generations of youth workers while still appreciating and respecting their legacy?
- What are some positive trends you’re seeing in YM today?
- What trends are concerning and how do you think we should respond?
- We share a concern about those who intentionally separate theology from youth ministry. How do you respond to those statements?
- When you hear the phrase “youth pastor theologian,” what do you think that should look like?
Learn more about CPYU (Center for Parent/Youth Understanding)
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Talking about the church and youth sports is a sure way to spur strong opinions. Many pastors feel like parents are choosing sports over faith, while parents and kids feel like the church doesn't respect sports or team culture. How can faithful Christian parents and church leaders navigate this tense issue in a way that is distinctively Christian, without drawing battle lines? Today we’ll talk with Dr. Paul Putz, the director of Baylor University’s “Faith and Sports Institute”, about sports and youth ministry.
Discussion Questions:
- Tell us a little more about the Faith & Sports Institute. Why did this get started and what do you do?
- Do you see a difference in how Christians and nonChristians view sports and athletics?
- Could you share a framework for how Christians, and especially youth workers, can think biblically about sports and athletics?
- How would youth workers voice their concern to parents about how their kids’ commitment to sports may be detrimental to their spiritual life?
- What are some of the positive elements of youth sports that you think can be easily overlooked by youth pastors?
Dr. Paul Putz is the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Theology and Sports studies and is also the Director for the Faith and Sports Institute, both at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary.
Recommendations:
- Baylor’s Faith & Sports Institute
- Brian smith, The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports
- Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski, The Away Game: A Christian Parents’ Guide to Navigating Youth Sports
Follow Dr. Putz on social Media: X/Twitter, Instagram
Follow Baylor's Faith and Sports Institute: Website, X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
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At some point, every youth pastor faces the question, "Should I stay or should I go?" Sometimes God's wisdom leads us to stay and endure through seasons of tension and conflict, but sometimes the Lord provides freedom to move into a new ministry (or an entirely new vocation!).
Discussion Includes:
- You’re still in your first year as a senior pastor… what are some of the bigger differences that’ve stood out to you?
- Was youth ministry a “stepping stone” for you? Is it ever appropriate for someone to enter into youth ministry in order to prepare for senior pastor ministry in the future?
- How did you know it was time for you to transition into senior pastor ministry?
- What are the most beneficial ways that youth ministry prepared you to lead a church?
- What are some misconceptions you had about senior pastors that you see differently now?
- Now that you’re a senior pastor, are there any ways that you look at youth ministry a little differently? Has your perspective changed at all?
- What advice do you have for listeners who are in a hard or conflict-heavy place and are wondering whether or not they should stay or go. How can they weigh the decision about their future ministry work?
Will Standridge is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Geraldine, Alabama. He’s a longtime contributor to YPT and today we’ll be talking about his transition out of youth ministry and into the senior pastorate.
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Food and “the table” show up throughout Scripture in significant ways. And yet, it’s easily overlooked. How does “theology of meals and eating together” shape Christian fellowship and ministry to youth?
- Could you explain what you mean by “theology of meals and eating together”?
- When I hear this, I immediately think about the Lord’s Supper. That’s a major component of it, but could you walk us through other places where this theological motif shows up in the Old and New Testaments?
- What’s the theological and pastoral significance of food and table for Christians?
- What are some ways you can see this shaping the practice hospitality in youth ministry?
Seth Stewart is the Community Groups Director at Frontline Church in Oklahoma City. He’s also a cohost of the Spoken Gospel podcast and is a longtime friend of YPT.
Recommended Resources
- Gospel Culture Blog series & Podcast episode
- Side by Side: Walking with Other in Wisdom and Love, by Ed Welch
- A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table, by Tim Chester
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Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.
There’s so much that can be said about how to teach the Bible with depth and clarity, it’s almost as if we could build an entire podcast around it! That’s why we’ve invited Kyle Hoffsmith from “The Word in Youth Ministry” to share some of the best preaching and teaching advice that he’s heard.
- When you were new to youth ministry, could you tell us about a crash-and-burn situation that stands out to you?
- What’s some good advice you got early on in your ministry that’s served you well?
- Who are some of preachers you've listened to throughout your ministry and what have you taken away from them?
- The Word in Youth Ministry podcast has been around for about three years now. That’s a lot of guests and a lot of conversations. Are there any pieces of wisdom that really stand out to you from all those conversations?
- If you could offer advice to young youth leaders who don’t have any formal training but want to teach the Bible, what advice would you give?
- What's the advice you’ve received that’s specifically about delivery?
Kyle Hoffsmith is the Pastor of Family Ministries at Old North Church in Canfield, OH. He’s also the host of The Word in Youth Ministry, a CPYU podcast and a longtime friend of YPT.
Mentioned in this episode:
- The Word in Youth Ministry podcast
- The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (Walt Mueller's ministry)
- YPT's Teaching Workshop - a oneday training for youth leaders
- YPT's Online Cohorts - a six-session online training
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
Everyone has expectations: you do, and so do your students, parents, volunteers, and church leaders. How can you identify people's expectations and respond with humility and confidence when you don't quite "meet expectations"?
- Of all the topics we could be discussing today, why do you think it’s important for us to talk about managing expectations in youth ministry?
- What are some common mixed expectations between youth ministers and senior pastors?
- What are some common mixed expectations between youth ministers and parents?
- How do these expectations change depending on your ministry context or church culture?
- Mixed-expectations are usually discovered because there’s a conflict and you’re trying to figure out what happened… what counsel do you have for youth workers who find themselves in that place?
- How do we differentiate between expectations, ideas, and demands? Then, how do we respond in a way that’s in line with our ministry convictions and calling?
- Let’s close on a positive note: what are some expectations we should have of our youth ministries, and how can we help cast a vision for those to be shared among other church leaders, volunteers, and parents?
Joseph Bradley is the Student Pastor the First Baptist Church of Covington in Georgia. He’s also the Blog Editor for YPT.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
It can be difficult to find a healthy rhythm when serving in full-time youth ministry while also in seminary. This can lead some people to never pursue formal training, and it can lead others to burn out. Today’s conversation highlights the benefit of seminary training while providing some practical counsel about navigating it well.
- What’s the benefit of a seminary education for men and women who are serving in youth ministry?
- What do you think youth workers should be looking for in a seminary program?
- Some old-timers still feel like residential seminary is the only way to get a “good” seminary education. Can you share from your experience about distance education?
- How do you guard against shortchanging your ministry due to the demands of classwork?
- How can youth workers discern how heavy of a course load to take and how to use their time and develop good study habits?
- What are some surprising ways that seminary strengthened your ministry to youth?
Nick Hartman is the Associate Pastor of Students and Discipleship at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Cross Plains, TN. He’s a longtime writer at YPT and you can read on other YM sites too.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
As teenagers move from middle school through their high school graduation, they begin to ask increasingly difficult questions about life and faith and God. If we are only telling them answers without creating space for meaningful conversations about the questions they have, then they’ll find answer to their questions somewhere else. Today’s conversation will help youth workers lean into these sometimes uncomfortable conversations in order to disciple students into faith that lasts.
Discussion Questions:
- Could you share a little about Darkroom and the importance of giving teenagers a place to talk about their doubts and questions?
- Darkroom talks about sparking students’ curiosity. What do you mean by that and why is curiosity so important?
- What are some differences between the doubts and faith struggles of teenagers versus those of young adults? At what age do you see students really begin to wrestle with doubt and experience deconstruction?
- What are some of the common doubts and issues that you’re hearing from younger generations through Darkroom, and how can youth workers address those today?
- Sometimes, parents and youth leaders can think that doubt is always bad and deconstruction is always apostasy. But that’s just not true. Could you help us think through the different types of doubt and deconstruction?
- What’s the relationship between apologetics and teaching the Bible?
- Any final words of wisdom or encouragement for the youth workers who are listening?
Mary Jo Sharp is the founder and director of Confident Christianity apologetics ministry. She is a well-respected apologist, teacher, and writer. Some of her books include, “Why I Still Believe,” “Living in Truth,” and “Why Do You Believe That?” and her ministry has recently launched an initiative for the next generation called Darkroom Faith, which you’ll hear more about in a few minutes.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
Sooner or later, every youth pastor learns that their youth ministry is only as strong as their volunteers. If that’s true then how do we identify, recruit, train, and support faithful volunteer leaders to serve our students?
Discussion
- Why are volunteers so important?
- What should we look for in volunteers, and what are some flags that should give us pause in potential volunteers?
- What’s your take on parents serving as youth leaders?
- How do you go about “making the ask” to recruit new volunteers?
- What does onboarding and training for new volunteers look like for you?
- Do you have different roles or job descriptions for volunteers? How do you ensure they aren’t just warm bodies at youth group?
- How do you address differences of opinion and disagreements with volunteers? To what degree is that healthy, and when does that mean that it might not be a good ministry fit?
Alex Tufano is the Youth Pastor at Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton, MA. He’s served in youth ministry for 13 years… he’s also responsible for curating YPT’s Friday Review every week, so he’s a treasured contributor to YPT’s ministry.
Resources
- Podcast ep.8 “Protection Policies and Ministry to Abuse Survivors” with Chelsea Erickson
- MinistrySafe or Protect My Ministry
- YPT New Youth Leader Application Packet & Application
- YPT Guide for New Youth Ministers
- YPT Teaching Workshop
- Lead Them to Jesus, Mike McGarry
- Trellis and Vine, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
- With, by Skye Jethani
- Parenting Ahead, by Kristen Hatton
- CPYU and Rooted podcasts
Receive the Friday Review in your inbox by subscribing to the YPT Blog.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
Youth culture can feel like a foreign language, especially with how rapidly it changes. How can youth workers understand the culture of our students… and why is that important anyways?
- Why is it important for youth workers to understand youth culture?
- How would you describe the default approach most adults take toward interpreting and translating youth culture?
- Could you walk us through a biblical view of Christ and Culture?
- What is the intersection between theological depth and cultural analysis?
- Can you give us an example of something going on in youth culture today and model how we could engage students in a meaningful conversation about their worldview?
- Are there any common pitfalls regarding youth culture that you’ve seen youth workers fall into that we should guard against?
Evan Barber is the Senior Editor for Axis, a ministry that equips parents for gospel-centered conversations with their teen about faith and culture. He also cohosts their Culture Translator Podcast.
Discover new resources on Axis' website
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
How do we respond with love and grace when teenagers in our ministry get pregnant? This is a huge surprise for everyone and often turns entire families upside-down. The gospel shapes the way you support and care for the expectant mom, dad, and their families.
- What are some of the initial feelings that our teen girls likely experience after finding out they’re pregnant, and what factors into the next decisions they often make?
- When you meet with these expectant moms, what does ministry to them look like?
- How do you respond to those who are afraid that supporting teen pregnancies will send the wrong message to the group and will only encourage others to deal lightly with sexual sin?
- What can youth leaders/groups do to make youth group a safe and welcoming place for pregnant teens? What are some 'do's and 'don'ts' for making youth group a supportive and gracious environment?
- Obviously, this affects the whole family, not just the student who’s pregnant. How can churches and youth workers support the family through this new challenge that’s completely changing their family?
- If we find out that one of our youth group students had an abortion, how can youth workers prepare today so they respond well to that news?
Sara Loy is the Director of Springwater Healing, an arm of the Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices. Springwater provides support and counseling after an abortion.
Recommendations:
- Embrace Grace
- Lifeway’s Study on the Church and Abortion: Report, Article
- Students for Life
- The Charlotte Lozier Institute (research group)
- Springwater Healing
How can youth ministries encourage teenagers to worship God? Obviously, worship is more than singing and music, but that’s often where we begin how to worship. So what kinds of songs should we sing, and what should we avoid in our worship music?
Discussion Questions
- What are some of the benefits of incorporating worship in your youth ministry?
- Can you talk us through a brief theology of music and worship? Why do you think we equate worship with singing?
- What are some challenges of helping teenagers develop a biblical and gospel-centered approach to worship, rather than falling into an emotionalistic “I really like this song” approach?
- How to do you hold a high bar for good theology in worship songs while still allowing room for artistic and creative language?
- Without being unnecessarily critical, can you give us a few examples of songs that you’ve removed from your setlist for theological reasons, and walk us through your reasons for it?
- Any advice for listeners about how to have these conversations without becoming argumentative or fostering an overly critical spirit in your ministry? (does that make sense? I’m thinking about some youth taking this to mean they need to become the theology police at all time, and that’s just arrogant and gross)
- If someone is listening and they want to incorporate more worship into their youth ministry but they just don’t have the musicians to pull it off, what advice do you have for them? How and where do you get started?
Recommendations:
- The Berean Test - website that evaluates worship songs
- Bob Kauflin books
- Doxology and Theology: How the Gospel Forms the Worship Leader, by Matt Boswell
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
Youth workers are increasingly realizing the importance of intergenerational ministry. But it remains a challenge to promote a churchwide commitment to these cross-generational relationships. Why is this so important and how do we make progress in this area?
Discussion Includes:
- Could you tell us a little about Generation Spark's vision for intergenerational mentoring?
- Why are intergenerational relationships so important for youth discipleship?
- What are some of the challenges that need to be identified and overcome in order to cultivate a church-wide commitment to intergenerational ministry?
- Can you tell us about one or two churches who have made real progress in this, and how they did that?
- How does this intergenerational unity flows from good ecclesiology and strengthen the whole church’s identity and mission?
- Advice for youth leaders who want to lead their church to become more intergenerational but their ability to lead this kind of change is limited.
Annika Bangma serves with Generation Spark and served in church-based youth ministry for over a decade. Generation Spark is a ministry initiative of the Reformed Church of America to promote cross-generational mentoring in the church. She’s also a dear friend who has ministered to me during some really painful seasons of youth ministry, so I’m happy to introduce her to our YPT listeners.
Resources
- Generation Spark
- Growing Young, by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin
- A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry, by Mike McGarry
- YPT Podcast Episodes on Church Membership
- Ep.39: Gospel-Centered Pedagogy and Church Membership as Discipleship
- Ep.51: Church Membership for Teenagers?
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
Every youth leader wants to see their teenagers grow into mature and godly adults. At the same time, we often struggle to clearly define what discipleship is and what it looks like. After all, if everything in our youth ministry falls under the category of discipleship then we’ve probably watered down the category of discipleship so much it doesn’t really mean anything at all.
Discussion Questions
- What is catechesis and what’s drawn your attention towards it?
- Catechesis tends to remain a known practice in Anglican and other Reformed traditions, but not so much in Baptist churches. Why do you think Baptistic churches tend to overlook catechesis and why is it worth recovering?
- What are some of the core elements of a robust but practical catechetical program in youth ministry?
- Can you paint a word picture for me or give some practical suggestions about what this really looks like in practice?
- Catechetical Discipleship is about so much more than rote memorization of Questions and Answers… can you speak to the role of relational discipleship?
Skyler Flowers is an associate pastor over family discipleship at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi, as well as the associate program director at TGC’s Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.
Parker Hudson serves on the Steering Committee for the Rooted Ministry and has been a youth pastor for 8 years.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
- Bavinck, The Wonderful Works of God
- Harned, Creed and Personal Identity
- Emert, The Water and the Blood
- New City Catechism
- Your own church’s statement of faith
- Chatraw, Telling a Better Story
- Trueman, Crisis of Confidence
- Packer & Parrett, Grounded in the Gospel
- McGarry, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry
- YPT’s Teaching Workshop, Online Cohort, forthcoming Curriculum
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch YPT's vision for theologically rich and pastorally wise youth ministry.
Discussing gender and sexuality with teenagers has never been more important... or intimidating. It seems so easy to step on landmines, lose credibility with either students or parents or church leadership, which can make it tempting to avoid the topic altogether. But students are hearing about gender and sexuality, and every ministry has youth who are struggling with these questions personally.
Andrew Bunt and Ashleigh Hull lead Living Out's initiative to support youth to view gender and sexuality in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also share about Living Out's new curriculum, Kaleidoscope, which helps youth ministries discuss these important topics with truth and love and patience.
- Could you tell us a little about Living Out’s ministry, and what drew you to be part of it?
- What’s the lay of the land in LGBTQ+ conversation in the UK? Are there any noteworthy differences between the States and UK?
- How does the gospel shape and direct the way we care for teenagers who are experiencing SSA or gender dysphoria?
- How is a biblical vision for sexuality and gender anchored in the Imago Dei and creation? Why is that so important for us teach?
- What do you recommend concerning pronoun hospitality? Why?
- What is Living Out’s position on the phrase “Gay Christian”?
- What recommendations do you have about breaking into small groups by gender?
- If you’re going on a weekend retreat and a trans student signs up, how do you address that?
- What are some characteristics of churches and youth ministries that are addressing gender and sexuality with courage and compassion, and what are some ways that churches tend to give lip service without actually following through?
- Could you tell us a little about Living Out’s new series for youth, Kaleidoscope and what you hope it offers to ministries who use it?
Learn more about Living Out's new Kaledoscope Curriculum
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book presents ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the vision for what it looks like to pursue theological depth in youth ministry.
It’s no secret that boys and girls mature differently. That doesn’t only happen in terms of emotional maturity but also cognitively and spiritually. So, how does that shape the way we minister to the teen guys in our youth ministries?
Discussion Includes:
- Tell us a little about your book, Disciplemaking With Guys. Why did you write it and what’s the big idea of the book?
- What are some developmental needs of guys that are easily overlooked?
- When it comes to discipleship, what are some practical suggestions you have for youth workers who have guys attending youth group but they seem to be way more interested in sweaty games than they are in Jesus?
- Could you talk a little about the influence of dads? Are there any recommendations for partnering with parents and family discipleship?
- When youth workers are teaching guys and girls together, what advice do you have for speaking to both audiences without making either feel overlooked?
Dr. Jonathan Denton has been serving in student ministry for over 20 years and is an Assistant Professor of Christian Studies/Student Ministry at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina.
Dr. Denton’s books:
- Disciplemaking With Guys
- Ancient Text, Modern World: Building a God-Centered Worldview in a Me-Centered World
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
The Christian faith is not about “me and Jesus,” but about the glory of our Triune God. What does it mean for youth workers to call teenagers into lives that are marked by faithful worship and a vital union with Christ? Instead, many teenagers have a me-centered faith that treats Jesus like their therapist. This conversation with Dr. Richard Ross helps youth workers identify why this is such a serious problem and what needs to happen to correct it.
- What does a me-centered faith look like? Can you give a few examples?
- What are some ways that youth leaders can accidentally promote or enable a me-centered faith?
- Why do you see a high Christology as an antidote to a me-centered faith?
- In past generations, there were teenagers who would live or die for the glory of King Jesus. Do you think we could see that in our day?
- How might youth leaders and believing parents come to embrace a high Christology—so they could pass that to the teenagers?
Dr. Richard Ross has served as senior professor of student ministry at SouthWestern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2000. He served as a local-church youth minister for 30 years. Overlapping part of that time was 16 years of service as the youth ministry consultant at LifeWay Christian Resources. His entire life has focused on seeing Christ glorified in the lives of teenagers and their parents and leaders.
Discover some of Dr. Ross' Books:
- Reign: Awakening a Young Generation to King Jesus (a resource very much in line with this podcast conversation)
- Youth Ministry that Lasts a Lifetime
- The Senior Pastor and the Reformation of Youth Ministry
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Youth Ministry often brings us into students’ lives during difficult and painful times. Instead of avoiding that because it’s messy or complicated, the gospel calls us to walk beside youth and their families with love and compassion. Today we’re talking with Seth Teegarden about his experience as a house parent for kids in crisis, and about how that’s shaped his current ministry as a youth pastor.
Discussion Includes:
- Could you share about your experience serving in the group homes for at-risk youth?
- What do we mean by at-risk youth?
- What did you learn about love and compassion for kids and youth who have experienced trauma?
- How did this ministry shape your own relationship with your Heavenly Father, and what did you observe about the ways their trauma shaped the students’ perception of God?
- I’m thinking about youth leaders listening who are thinking about the students in their group and think, “My group is fine. We don’t have kids who’ve experienced trauma.” What counsel do you have for those youth leaders?
- What are some subtle ways youth leaders might accidentally prove themselves untrustworthy to students who need an advocate?
- How do you proclaim and apply the gospel to youth who are survivors of abuse and trauma? Are there any particular things you emphasize or avoid?
Seth Teegarden is youth pastor at East Ellijay Baptist Church in northern Georgia. Seth and his wife Diana served as house parents in two different group homes for at-risk youth, which is the topic for today’s conversation.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
One of the main reasons a youth pastor’s relationship with their senior pastor can suffer is from unmet expectations. In this conversation, we talk with Cody Busby (Mike’s pastor) in order to encourage and support healthy senior/youth pastor relationships.
Discussion Features:
- Share with us a little about your experience as a youth pastor… what do you miss most about serving in youth ministry and how do you think that’s shaped the way you lead as a senior pastor?
- What are some of the biggest differences between leading as a youth pastor and leading as the senior pastor?
- I’m not sure what your relationship was like with your senior pastor, but now that you’ve been a senior pastor for 18 years, what do you wish you could go back and tell youth pastor Cody?
- Big picture, what are some expectations that senior pastors have of youth pastors? This isn’t a list of what they SHOULD expect… but an honest reflection of what you’ve heard that would be good for youth pastors to know.
- What are your thoughts about “leading up?” as this way for subordinates to seek to lead their leaders? In what ways is this simply “leading together” and in what ways can this be a red flag that maybe it’s time to leave?
- If you could identify a few areas where you think youth pastors need to focus in order to improve or strengthen their relationship with the senior pastor?
- A final word on what you’d like to share with youth pastors who may have a less-than-great relationship with their pastor?
Cody Busby is the senior pastor of South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham, MA. He has his D.Min. in expository preaching from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a proud member of the South Shore Curling Club.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Faithful preaching and teaching does more than deliver biblical content, it takes the audience into account and draws the listeners into the text so they can behold the truth and beauty of God’s Word. Most of us have listened to sermons that were biblically and theologically sound, but they weren’t helpful. In today’s conversation, we want to help youth leaders preach and teach in a way that connects with the youth in your ministry.
- What are some reasons preachers and teachers can preach an exegetically strong sermon but struggle to connect with their audience?
- YPT is serving youth pastors and volunteer leaders, how does a teenage audience shape the way you prepare and deliver biblical sermons?
- One of your books is entitled “Preaching with Cultural Intelligence.” What do you mean by that and what’s that look like in our preparation and delivery?
- How can youth pastors better understand themselves and their own cultural background in order to guard against imposing ourselves onto our listeners?
- If you were to offer just a few simple and accessible pieces of advice for new youth pastors, what would it be?
- Finally, what are some of the “absolute go-to” books on preaching you think every minister should read?
Matthew Kim is a Professor of Practical Theology and holds the Hubert and Gladys Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership at Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, TX. He’s written multiple books on preaching, and we’ll be focusing today on one of those… Preaching with Cultural Intelligence.
Recommended books by Dr. Kim
- Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages
- D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Preachers and Preaching
- Abraham Kuruvilla, A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry
- Benjamin Kirby, PreachersNSneakers: Authenticity in an Age of For-Profit Faith and (Wannabe) Celebrities
View and Order Dr. Kim's books on Amazon
Follow Dr. Kim on Twitter: @matthewdkim
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Nearly twenty years ago, the largest study on youth and religion described the religious worldview of youth and young adults as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. The teenagers and young adults in that study are now the parents of GenZ, which prompts the question, “Is MTD still a good description of youth spirituality?”
Discussion Questions
- For our listeners who don’t know about the National Study on Youth and Religion, could you share an overview of what that was all about and about your role in it?
- The most enduring finding from NSYR was Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. What is that, and could you give a few examples of the way it was understood at the time?
- How does MTD relate with tolerance culture today?
- What are some lessons from NSYR that we continue to overlook today?
- Your book Almost Christian really struck a nerve when it was released in 2010. What were some of the messages from that book that resonated with people at the time, and how do you see those continuing or changing in youth culture today?
Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean is a youth ministry legend and is Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Dean has written or co-authored a dozen books, most notably Starting Right, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry and Almost Christian.
Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:
- Soul Searching, by Christian Smith and Melissa Lundquist Denton
- Handing Down the Faith, by Christian Smith and Amy Adamczyk
- Almost Christian, by Kenda Creasy Dean
- The Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network at Princeton Theological Seminary
If youth workers aren't teaching teenagers about God then how can we call what we're doing "ministry"? The doctrine of God is a topic that people tend to either take for granted or they are intimidated by it's grandeur. This conversation highlights some of the core aspects of the doctrine of God and why it's so important to talk about with teenagers.
- What is the vision behind the “Theology for Every Person” series?
- People are easily intimidated by the word “theology.” Why is it so important to promote theology for normal believers?
- Why start with the doctrine of God and not the doctrine of Scripture/Revelation?
- Could you give us an overview of the doctrine of God, what does that involve?
- Does someone need to believe in the Trinity in order to be a Christian? What about the new believer?
- Our audience is primarily youth pastors and volunteer youth workers… what advice do you have for them in talking about the Trinity and doctrine of God with teenagers, in a way that is simple to understand and doctrinally sound?
- Advice about a youth teaching series about the attributes of God?
Dr. Malcolm Yarnell serves as Research Professor of Theology at SWBTS and as Teaching Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, TX, among other things. He’s also written or contributed to many theology books – his latest project is a three-part series entitled “Theology for Every Person” and the first book has just been released, which focuses on the doctrine of God.
Other books by Dr. Yarnell YPT Recommends:
- The Formation of Christian Doctrine
- God the Trinity: Biblical Portraits
- Trinitarian Theology
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Although we preach the same gospel, each culture brings distinct questions and challenges for pastoral ministry. What can Western youth workers learn from African youth leaders and pastors?
- What does youth ministry look like in Kenya? Since Africa is a large continent with many people groups and languages, can you give us a snapshot about what youth ministry looks like across Africa?
- You’ve recently published “Apologetics in Africa” through Langham Press. What prompted you to write that book?
- There are some chapters that are very similar to what you’d find in most apologetics books, but there are some pretty unique topics that are particular to ministry in Africa. What are some questions apologetics in Africa needs to address that doesn’t get much attention in other contexts?
- What blind spots have you seen in the broader world of youth ministry that we might not recognize ourselves?
Dr. Kevin Muriithi is a Lecturer and Head of Department in Practical Theology at School of Theology at St. Paul’s University, Kenya and is an affiliated Research Fellow in the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He brings pastoral ministry experiences to theological education, especially his years of serving in youth ministry. He’s recently published “Apologetics in Africa” through Langham Press, which is the main topic of today’s conversation.
Study: Global Youth Culture (OneHope)
Dr. Muriithi’s blog: theogrimage.com
Order Apologetics in Africa on Amazon or through Langham Publishing (free shipping)
Follow Dr. Muriithi on Twitter/X: @ndereba
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Good and faithful youth ministry can look very different from context to context, and yet we often define “What is youth ministry” by the form it takes rather than the essence. Today we’re going to talk about contextualization with Mike Dicker from YouthWorks College in Sydney, Australia.
- What is contextualization and why is it important?
- What is "divine accomodation" and can you point to any examples of contextualization in the Bible?
- You’ve proposed four steps for faithful contextualization in youth ministry. Could you give us a quick overview of the four steps, and then we can go through them together in a bit more detail?
- What recommendations do you have that are particular to youth ministry?
- As youth workers strive towards contextualization, the temptation is to think first about our preaching… but we need to apply contextualization to the gospel culture of our ministry. What does that mean and how do we establish a gospel culture?
Learn more about YouthWorks and YouthWorks College
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
We often anchor relational discipleship in Christ’s incarnation, but is that the best biblical and theological foundation? In what ways might “Incarnational Ministry” have shaped the way we think about the Incarnation, rather than it being the other way around? For this reason, it’s important to get clear on the doctrine of the incarnation as we evaluate the biblical heart of relational ministry.
Discussion
- How did this question get on your radar and what motivated you to sink your teeth into it?
- When people talk about “Incarnational Ministry,” what do they tend to have in mind, and what’s the typical argument for it sound like?
- Could you walk us through the doctrine of the incarnation and share your hesitations about continuing with “incarnational ministry” language?
- Is this just splitting hairs over nitpicky theology or is there something really at stake? What do you propose instead?
Tim Gough is the center director for YFC in North Wales, chief editor for the Grove Youth series of books, and adjunct lecturer in youth ministry at various colleges in the UK, and is pursuing his PhD at University of Manchester.
Order Tim's book, Rebooted: Reclaiming Youth Ministry for the Long Haul (IVP UK, 2019)
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Follow Tim on YouTube: Youth Work Hacks
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Ministry to students after confirmation (or baptism, depending on tradition) can pose some unique challenges. Bård Norheim shares about "post-confirmation leadership training" in Norway, a nationwide effort by churches to prioritize discipleship and to help youth cultivate enduring faith by finding their belonging in their church community.
- What does youth ministry look like in Norway? What are some particular challenges teenagers in Norway are facing?
- How does the Church of Norway (evangelical lutheran) currently lead youth through the confirmation process?
- Could you share more about this post-confirmation leadership training?
- What do you mean by “ambivalence” in youth, and how do you encourage youth leaders to respond?
- What are some of the main lessons you’ve learned that you want to share with youth workers, not just in Norway but globally, about leading youth into Christian maturity?
- Any good books or resources you’d like to point our listeners to about this topic?
Bård Norheim is professor of theology, religion and philosophy, NLA Bergen University College in Norway. He is also coauthor (with Jos de Kock) of The Five Questions: An Academic Handbook in Youth Ministry Research.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Christian Universalism is a subtle heresy that's frighteningly common among GenZ today. It's a way that teenagers can affirm that "Christ is the only savior" and make other gospel-sounding affirmations while fully embracing the hyper-tolerant worldview of today's culture. In today's conversation, we discuss what Christian Universalism is and how youth workers can help students build their faith on the biblical message.
Discussion Questions:
- What do we mean by universalism and Christian Universalism in particular?
- Can you walk us through some of the logic behind Christian Universalism and some of the key Bible verses?
- Why do you think Christian Universalism is so appealing to today's teenagers?
- How can youth workers preach the gospel of grace without falling into one of two errors: accidentally implying Christian Universalism, or nuancing the gospel so thoroughly it’s become clunky and confusing?
- How do you recommend youth workers to respond when talking with a teenager who considers themselves a Christian but affirms Christian Universalism?
Andrew Slay is an Assistant Pastor at Westwood Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN, where he oversees ministry to high school and middle school students. He’s working on his PhD in Apologetics and Culture from NOBTS.
Recommended Resources
The following books include Amazon Affiliate links, which provide YPT with a small financial benefit. We use these to continue providing you with the content you so enjoy. Thank you for your support.
- Michael McClymond, The Devil’s Redemption: A New History and Interpretation of Christian Universalism (two volumes)
- Four Views on Hell (Zondervan Counterpoints series)
- John Piper, Are There Two Wills in God? (article)
- Greg Gilbert, What is the Gospel?
- Scott Stein, Is Christian Universalism True? (Prepared to Answer)
- Prepared to Answer Podcast, Jesus Teaches on Hell (or does he?)
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
The Image of God (or Imago Dei) is one of the most important doctrines for youth pastors to teach teenagers, because almost every cultural landmine today finds its resolution in what it means to bear the image of God. That’s why I’m excited to be talking with Dr. Imes today about her new book, Being God’s Image.
- What is the doctrine of the Image of God and what prompted you to write this book now?
- Early in the book, you make the distinction between being created IN God’s image and being created AS God’s image. Could you share a little more about that distinction?
- What are some areas where the Imago Dei finds a lot of resonance in today’s culture, and what are some areas where it’s a powerful corrective?
- What’s the relationship between the Imago Dei and the gospel?
- How can youth workers teach and talk faithfully about the Imago Dei and human dignity in the midst of the effects of sin and the fall?
- Do you have any practical recommendations for youth workers who want to teach about the Image of God?
Recommendations:
- Dr. Imes' book: Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters
- Christa McKirland: God’s Provision, Humanity’s Need: The Gift of Our Dependence
- Every Woman’s Study Bible (NLT)
- Marc Cortez: Resourcing Theological Anthropology: A Constructive Account of Humanity in the Light of Christ
Follow Dr. Imes' Youtube Channel for Torah Tuesday videos
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. It's a great way to discover more about YPT's vision for theologically-grounded ministry to youth.
The youth pastor’s authority comes from the Word of God. When we stray from teaching the Bible then we lose the capacity to say “Thus says the Lord.” Teenagers don’t need more opinions, they need God’s Word. But how can normal youth leaders teach with biblical depth and pastoral warmth?
Discussion Questions
- What is expository preaching and what distinguishes it from other types of preaching?
- What are some unique benefits of expository preaching in youth ministry?
- What are some common reasons youth workers might not practice expository preaching?
- Does this mean we should ONLY teach verse-by-verse through books of the Bible?
- How can youth workers preach and teach for long-term formation?
- Where would you direct listeners who want to learn more, including good examples of expository preaching that’s accessible for teenagers?
John Gardner is the Youth Pastor at Grace Longmont, just north of Denver Colorado. He has earned his D.Min. in Expository Preaching from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which is what we’ll be talking about today.
Resources Mentioned
- “How to Develop an Exegetical-Theological Series in Youth Group,” by Jason Engle
- Brain Matters, by Patricia Wolfe
- Preaching God’s Word, by Carter, Duvall, and Hayes
- A Vision for Preaching, by Abraham Kuruvilla
- Simeon Trust Workshops
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Partnering with parents is an essential part of biblical youth ministry. But "family ministry" can sometimes assume a certain type of family - namely, mom and dad with kids living independently. But 1/3 of kids in America today are living in a single-parent household. In this episode, we'll hear from Anna Meade Harris about her new book, "God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well."
Discussion Includes:
- Could you share about your own family experience and how that led to your new book?
- What are the different reasons for single parent households and how does that affect the way they engage with the church?
- Your book reads, “thirty percent of families in the US are led by a single parent. Nearly nineteen million children have one parent in the home. Although roughly thirty verses in the Bible declare how God wants his church to treat widows and the fatherless, by and large the church does not know what to do with families like mine.” (p.15) Why do you think that’s the case, and what’s that mean for youth workers who are listening to this conversation?
- Here’s another quote that really hits home, “Although the majority of custodial single parents are moms, single parenting is not a women’s issue, it’s a family of God issue.” (p22) Could you share a few examples of what it looks like for a church to come together and be the family of God?
- What recommendations do you have for ministry to teenagers of single-parent households?
- Are there any good resources you’d recommend on ministry to single parent families?
Anna Meade Harris is the Senior Director of Content for the Rooted Ministry and the mom of three adult sons. God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well, releasing March 2024 through Zondervan.
Recommendations
- Mike McGarry, Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers (ch.37, “Supporting Single-Parent Families”)
- Blaire Linne, Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness
- Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer
- Claressa Moll, Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving after Loss
- DivorceCare Ministry
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
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Researchers have conducted a study on the religious lives of Australian youth, and there's much to be learned that translates across cultural boundaries. In this episode, Mike talks with Dr. Graham Stanton about this research and what it can mean for fruitful youth discipleship.
- How would you describe the spiritual landscape of Australia, in general… and how is that shaping teenagers and youth ministry?
- Could you provide a basic snapshot of the research survey that’s the topic of our discussion?
- Can you provide a little background about the religious nature of schools in Australia, because that’s quite different from what we have here in the States.
- What are some positive findings that surprised you?
- What are some of the warning bells going off that the church absolutely needs to pay attention to?
- As you discuss this survey with youth workers, how are they responding? What are some practical applications that you’d like to see take place over the next few years?
Dr. Graham Stanton is the Director of the Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry and Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. He is also an ordained Anglican minister and has been serving in youth ministry at some capacity for over three decades.
Recommendations in this episode:
- Book: AntiFragile: Things That Gain From Disorder, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Episode 21: Top Down & Bottom Up Ministry (Gareth Crispin and Robin Barfield)
- Episode 25: Faith, Doubt, and Everything (Matt Bellefeuille)
Follow Dr. Stanton on Twitter/X: @GDStanton
Learn more about Ridley College
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
It’s good to talk about theologically rich youth ministry, but if youth leaders don’t know how to have normal conversations and build relationships with youth then they’re never going to get to the theological gold. This conversation with Joey Molloy will help youth workers with some of the nuts and bolts of youth ministry we sometimes take for granted.
- What are some ministry skills theologically-minded youth leaders tend to struggle with?
- When a youth leader goes to a student’s baseball game or soccer hockey match or band concert… how can we make the best use of that time?
- What advice do you have for youth leaders who struggle with small talk? How can they spark natural conversations with teenagers?
- What are some common pitfalls about relational discipleship you’ve observed and what advice do you have for our listeners?
- Why is it important to highlight that all this practical advice is built on a theologically solid foundation?
- When you think about new youth leaders, what’s the best piece of advice you’d give them?
Joey Molloy is the Executive Ministry Director of Implementa and Camp Cherith in Ottowa Canada.
Learn more about Implementa and their Certificate in Youth Ministry program.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Leadership matters. That should be a pretty obvious statement, but sometimes theologically-minded pastors can struggle to discern how much overlap really exists between pastoral leadership and leadership in other spheres. Today we’ll be talking about leadership, spiritual gifts, and the “Six Types of Working Genius” in order to help you lead your volunteers, parents, and students more effectively.
- Why is good leadership so important for men and women in ministry leadership? What do we risk by an immature or underdeveloped approach to leadership?
- What are the “Six Types of Working Genius”? Where did this come from, what are they and how can listeners begin to discern their geniuses, competencies, and frustrations?
- Do you see any overlaps between working genius and spiritual gifts?
- How can youth pastors who lead teams of volunteers and also serve under pastoral leadership grow as self-aware leaders, and how does the Working Genius model help with that?
Beau Johnson Invents and Galvanizes as the Director of Operations for the Table Group and has served as a youth pastor and in other areas of pastoral ministry before joining the Table Group… and I’m really exited to have him join us today. He and his family live in Utah.
Working Genius assessment:
first 500 YPT listeners can take this assessment for free!
More Resources
- Six Types of Working Genius book
- Working Genius Podcast
- At the Table with Patrick Lencioni Podcast
- The Table Group
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Sex has become central to people’s identity, lifestyle, and even community. But what if sex points to something even greater? Something eternally glorious, determined by God before the world was created? This episode focuses on So Much More Than Sex, a new video-based series for young adults.
Scott Stein is the founder of Prepared to Answer, an apologetics ministry in Ontario Canada. PTA is also the supervising ministry for YPT, so if you enjoy this podcast then you are deeply indebted to Scott and the PTA team.
Discussion includes:
- Prepared to Answer is an apologetics ministry. Why are you releasing a video series about sexuality?
- What are the four sessions in So Much more than Sex about, and how did you choose those emphases?
- How can parents and youth workers call students into Christian sexuality as more than a list of “do’s” and “don’ts”?
- What are some of the more common questions or disagreements you receive when speaking with young adults about sexuality?
Recommended Resources from the Conversation
- Christopher West, Our Bodies Tell God’s Story: Discovering the Divine Plan for Love, Sex, and Gender
- Christopher Yuan, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story
- Joe Dallas, Speaking of Homosexuality: Discussing the Issues with Clarity and Kindness
- Koukel, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
- Holy Sexuality Project
Follow Prepared to Answer on Instagram: @preparedtoanswer
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Follow Prepared to Answer on YouTube: @preparedtoanswer
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
It’s easy to continue leading our youth ministries the way we’ve seen them run for the last few decades. But it’s more important to build our ministries on a biblical foundation. Instead of making our ministry less relevant to secular youth, maybe this is exactly the type of student ministry they need. Today we’ll hear from Tim Beilharz in Australia about biblical youth ministry in hard places.
Discussion Features:
- What does youth group in Australia look like?
- If a youth leader wants to build his or her youth ministry on a biblical foundation, what are some of those cornerstones and what are some key Scriptures for them to wrestle with?
- Some people assume that you need to go light on Bible teaching and doctrine in order to be relevant or culturally “with it.” How do you lead with the Bible first in a tough ministry culture like yours?
- What recommendations do you have for new youth pastors in established ministries - how can they evaluate their ministry and begin making some changes?
- As you talk with youth workers across Australia and also in the States and UK and elsewhere, what are some challenges we all share, and what are some lessons you think we can learn from one another about ministry to the next generation?
Tim Beilharz is a children’s ministry advisor, lecturer, trainer and writer for Anglican Youthworks. He is also the Children’s Pastor at Soul Revival Church. Tim is currently enrolled in pre-PhD work at Macquarie University, researching the social nature of childhood faith formation in the context of intergenerational church communities. Tim lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and kids.
Resources
- Intergenerational Christian Formation, Holly Catterton Allen, Christine Lawton, and others
- Practical Theology, Richard Osmer
- Cross-generational Ministry by Nick Hartman
- Effective Ministry Tool, from YouthWorks
- Effective Ministry Podcast (available on all platforms)
- Timbeilharz.com
Follow Tim on Twitter/X: @timbeilharz
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
On one hand, it seems like everyone is talking about sexuality and gender so it’s easy to feel numb to people saying it’s a big deal. But on the other hand… isn’t that the point. Everyone’s talking about it, but are they talking about it helpfully and in a way that offers counsel that’s both biblical and practical for teenagers? Today’s conversation will point your attention to a new resource that will help your students and parents.
- Could you share a brief snapshot about More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships and what you hope teenagers get out of reading and discussing the book?
- What do you think are the main concerns teens have around issues of identity and sexuality? What is at the root of these concerns?
- How should adults respond when a teen confides to them about sexual sin? What if they confide about abuse they have suffered?
- What are some key passages of Scripture you turn to when discussing these issues as you work in youth ministry?
- How has the conversation about sexuality changed in youth ministry over the last 20 years?
- What do you recommend regarding preferred pronouns?
- What does a partnership with parents looks like when a student is struggling with sexual sin or with their sexual or gender identity?
Jennifer M. Kvamme is passionate about helping teenagers see the beauty of the gospel and apply it to all of life. She’s been in youth ministry at Centennial Church in Forest Lake, MN, for 20 years, and is also on the director team for the Challenge youth conference. Jennifer is the author of More to the Story and a contributor to the EFCA Blog. She’s married to Greg and they have three children.
Order More to the Story (affiliate link)
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Every youth pastor knows they should prioritize partnering with parents, but it’s really hard to do for a variety of reasons. This is especially true for younger youth pastors. Let’s talk about what partnering with parents looks like and how you can get started.
- What are some biblical reasons partnering with parents is more than important… it is absolutely necessary.
- What are some reasons you’ve seen or heard that make it difficult for youth workers to meaningfully partner with parents?
- What are some questions youth workers should be asking themselves to honestly evaluate their ministry to parents?
- How can these new or young youth leaders partner with parents?
Anna Meade Harris is the Senior Director of Content for the Rooted Ministry and the mom of three adult sons. God’s Grace for Every Family: Biblical Encouragement for Single Parent Families and the Churches That Seek to Love Them Well, releasing March 2024 through Zondervan.
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Theological depth is important in every ministry context. In this episode, Jordan Francis shares about urban youth ministry and how theological depth applies to inner-city youth. This is a valuable conversation for all youth workers to hear and benefit from.
Jordan Francis is the founder of Reframe Youth and is a Christian Therapist in Phoenix.
Discussion Questions:
- Could you describe what makes urban youth ministry different from youth ministry in suburban or rural communities?
- How would theological depth, in particular, look different in urban ministry?
- Can you give a few examples of ways churches in the inner-city can equip their volunteers to engage youth in theological conversations?
- What are some common reasons urban youth workers might downplay or underestimate the value of theological depth?
- Do you have any recommendations about ways YPT could serve urban churches and youth workers?
- Can you highlight one ministry or youth worker who you think is doing a really great job at this… what are they doing that’s instructive for the rest of us to learn through them?
Learn more about Reframe Youth at reframeyouth.com, Youtube, and on Facebook
Learn more about the Urban Youth Workers Institute
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Discipling new believers is a blessed challenge. Youth pastor theologians need to be thoughtful and have a plan for how to help students in the weeks and months after they make a profession of faith. But how?!
Conversation Includes:
- How is the religious climate in Canada different from the Bible Belt and hows that affect the way we minister to youth?
- Why is a book like “I’m a Christian – Now What?” necessary? How do you envision it being read and by whom?
- When students first profess faith in Christ, how can youth workers and parents help them understand what just happened and what to do next?
- What are some doctrinal truths that and Christian habits you think are most important to teach new believers, and how do you recommend doing that?
- How can we help new believers develop a healthy and intimate prayer life?
Aaron Armstrong is the author of several books for adults and children, documentary screenwriter, ministry leader, and podcaster. His most recent book I’m a Christian—Now What? A Guide to Your New Life with Christ (Lexham Press, 2023).
Recommended Resources
- NET Bible
- Aaron's Website: Aaronarmstrong.co
- Follow Aaron on Social Media: Instagram and Threads
Above links include Amazon Affiliate links, which bring a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to provide you with new resources.
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Video games are big business, but most Christian leaders either don’t take them seriously or only criticize them as a waste of time. How can youth workers begin to think theologically about the allure and world building of video games, while also thinking critically about addiction in order to engage gamers more effectively?
Discussion Includes:
- What put video games on your radar to start tweeting about video games? What’s the general reaction been to some of the threads you’ve posted over the last few months?
- What are some changes you’ve observed in video games from the time when you were a teenager to today?
- As a pastor and theologian, could you offer some biblical and theological reflection about what video games offer that’s so appealing to teenagers and young adults?
- How do you pastor and counsel men or women who are addicted or who are too enamored with the virtual world?
- What recommendations do you have for parents regarding video games? How can they establish healthy boundaries without simply taking a hard black or white stance?
Patrick Miller is a pastor at The Crossing. He hosts the podcast Truth over Tribe and is the coauthor of a book by the same name. He is married to Emily and they have two kids.
Recommended Resources
- Patrick’s article: The Case for Taking Video Games Seriously
- Patrick’s podcast: Truth Over Tribe
- Patrick’s book: Truth Over Tribe
- Love Thy Nerd
- Gamers to Follow: TV Preacher Guy, Jon Rush
Above links include Amazon Affiliate links, which bring a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to provide you with new resources.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Youth Ministry has a long legacy of commitment to missions, but where can that go wrong and how can we think more strategically about giving students a vision for the Great Commission?
- Could you share a little about European Mission Fellowship?
- What are some similarities and differences between youth missions in the USA, UK and Europe?
- What have you seen and learned about casting a vision for evangelism and missions among youth?
- Through your ministry with pastors and missionaries across Europe, what are some important principles or lessons you’ve learned that would be good for youth workers to hear?
- What advice would you offer to youth pastors who are planning their youth missions trips - how can they be more intentional and targeted on long-term fruit?
Alison Woodrow is the Engagement Support Lead for European Mission Fellowship, a gospel-centered ministry based in the UK who supports pastors and missionaries across Europe.
Learn more about EMF on Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Should teenagers become members of the local church? If so, what does that involve - can they vote, join boards and hold positions of leadership? This is a question an increasing number of youth workers are asking, and Justin Wong joins the podcast to chew on it with you.
Discussion includes:
- What are some of the questions we should be asking about church membership and youth ministry?
- What happens when you actually implement church membership? When teens become members, what happens next?
- How has your church culture shaped your approach to church membership?
- What are some common objections?
- At what age should teenagers be able to vote?
- What do you do when a student wants to join but a parent is opposed?
Justin Wong is the Pastor to Youth at Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, TX. He has earned his Doctor of Ministry degree and is currently working on his Doctor of Education. Justin and his wife have who daughters.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT's ebook, Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry, is a free download for subscribers. This book captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
In this special 50th episode, Mike is joined by three of YPT's regular writers to discuss what it means to be a youth pastor theologian and to celebrate what the Lord is doing through this ministry.
This is a special season for YPT and there are exciting days ahead as we trust the Lord to revive a commitment to theological depth in student ministry. Would you continue to pray for YPT: for Mike to have wisdom about which initiatives to pursue, for generous financial partners to support this ministry, and for us to keep focused on developing resources that youth workers can use for student discipleship.
You can learn more about becoming a ministry partner here
YPT Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Should We Celebrate Baptism and the Lord's Supper at Youth Group? (Will Standridge
- YPT Facebook Group (make sure you answer those membrship questions!)
- Podcast episode 39: Gospel-Centered Pedagogy and Church Membership (Justin Wong)
- Fun and Games in Youth Ministry (Mike McGarry)
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Youth workers and children's ministry leaders need to work together. This should be obvious and common, but these ministries often fail to have intentional collaboration and transitions. What can youth workers learn from children’s ministry leaders and how can they learn to meaningfully partner with families?
Discussion Includes:
- Why have you committed to remain serving in children’s ministry?
- Could you share your approach to discipling upper-elementary students?
- How does your church navigate the transition from children’s ministry into youth ministry? If there are other ways you’ve seen that transition done well, could you also share those?
- Are there some common misconceptions youth workers have about children’s ministry?
- What are some lessons or practices that are common in children’s ministry that are overlooked in student ministry?
Sam Luce is one of the Pastors at Redeemer Church in Utica, NY and his blog, samluce.com is one of the top children’s ministry blogs online. Sam is working on two books, one with Moody and the other with New Growth Press, so keep your eyes open for those.
Books
- New City Catechism
- Heidelberg Catechism
- Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church, by Awana
- Show them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids, Jack Klumpenhower
We’re releasing this episode a few weeks before Advent in order to help youth workers prepare well for Advent and Christmas… I think it goes without saying that it’s absolutely essential for us to teach rightly about both the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus? Christians confess that Jesus is the Son of God. But what does that mean about his humanity? It’s important for youth workers to call students to faith in Jesus, and to lead them into conversations about who (and what) Jesus is… fully God and fully human. This conversation with Dr. Todd Miles will help youth workers proclaim the nature of Christ in a way that teenagers can understand.
Discussion Questions:
- What is Christology, how does good biblical Christology articulate the Person of Christ, and why is it important for teenagers?
- In your book, Superheroes Can’t Save You, you explain some of the major heretical teachings about Christ by using different superheroes as representatives. Could you share a few examples with us…
- What’s at stake when someone accidentally holds to one of these heretical interpretations? Is it really that big of a deal?
- As you look around today, what are some of the more common Christological heresies that can sneak into our churches without us noticing, and how can youth workers guard against those?
- As we approach Advent and Christmas, what recommendations do you have for youth workers about teaching the incarnation simply and with theological depth?
Todd Miles is a Professor of Theology at Western Seminary and on pastoral staff at Gresham Bible Church, and is the author of some of my most-recommended books for youth pastors - Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies, A God of Many Understandings? The Gospel and Theology of Religions, and most recently, Cannabis and the Christian: What the Bible says about Marijuana.
Order Todd’s books (and read them!)
- Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies
- Cannabis and the Christian: What the Bible says about Marijuana
- A God of Many Understandings? The Gospel and Theology of Religions
Follow Todd on Twitter/X: @TL_Miles
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Preparing students for leadership doesn’t mean we’re always putting them in front of the room. It simply means we’re challenging them to trust the Lord by serving him courageously with their gifts and passions. In this way, student leadership is an expression of student discipleship… but how do we get started? That’s the topic for today’s conversation with Doug Franklin from LeaderTreks.
Discussion Questions:
- What is leadership, what isn’t leadership, and how does the gospel shape the way we approach that question?
- Could you share a little from your own background about your own personal journey of leadership development?
- How did you discover the power of leadership development in ministry to teenagers?
- When we say that leadership development is an expression of discipleship, what does that mean?
- As a youth pastor, I’ve had many starts-and-stops in launching student leadership teams. Most of them fizzled out after just a few meetings. What are some common struggles youth pastors face and how can we set our students up to really catch a vision for spiritual leadership?
- If someone’s listening and they want to get started but don’t know what the first few steps would be, what would you recommend?
Doug Franklin is the Founder and President of LeaderTreks Youth Ministry. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in the Chicago area and were instrumental in the months leading up to YPT's launch.
Resources mentioned:
- LeaderTreks Missions Trips
- Rethinking student leadership (free ebook)
- Deep Discipleship Curriculum
- Student Leaders Start Here
- I Am a Disciple: student devotional
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
In this shared episode, Mike and John Perritt (from Reformed Youth Ministries) take turns asking each other questions and sharing about their respective ministries and discuss resources for youth workers to know about.
Reformed Youth Ministries exists to serve the Church in its efforts to reach and equip youth for Christ. Through its three avenues of ministry (Conferences, Training, Resources), everything RYM does is oriented to help churches as they seek to raise up the next generation of the Church with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John Perritt's BooksRYM's Track SeriesMike McGarry's Books(note: YPT is an Amazon Affiliate and financially benefits from purchases through the links above. If you'd like to purchase great resources while helping YPT, please use the links above. Thank you for your support.) Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
It’s unfortunately easy for youth ministry to exclude students who are neurodivergent or who have physical disabilities. These students and their families often experience significant stress in at home, and the church can sometimes add to their sense of not feeling welcomed. This episode from the podcast features a conversation with Sandra Peoples about how youth workers and churches can better serve students and parents with disabilities.
Discussion Questions:
- It could be helpful to start by talking about verbiage - what do we mean by disabilities and why is the community moving away from the phrase “special needs”?
- When we’re talking about ministry to students with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent, it can quickly get overwhelming to really understand what we’re talking about. Could you give a basic overview of what these phrases mean for our listeners who are new to the conversation?
- How should youth workers think about disability from a biblical and theological framework?
- What are some unique stresses and challenges these families experience that would be good for pastors to be aware of?
- Obviously, youth ministries don’t have the same resources and support as a public school to provide one-on-one aides and we haven’t usually received much training, so what are some ways that our youth ministries could realistically make some changes to be a welcoming space?
- Most of the special needs students who come to youth group are likely considered mild/moderate in needs and are mainstreamed in their school classes, so they can often slip under our radar because there isn’t always something visible about their disability. What counsel do you have for youth workers that will equip us to better minister to these students?
About Sandra:
Sandra Peoples (M Div, PhD student) is the disability ministry consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, an adjunct professor for Liberty University, and the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX.
Resources Mentioned
- YPT Podcast 37: Serving Students with Special Needs (Bryan Barrineau)
- Joni and friends
- Sandra's ministry website
- Sandra's Podcast: The Key Ministry Podcast
- Sandra's Book: Unexpected Blessings
- Sandra on Twitter: @SandraPeoples
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Evangelism is something that’s commonly talked about, but little practiced. Evangelism isn’t an academic exercise, it’s an expression of the normal Christian life. So, how can we grow as evangelists while also empowering our students to be evangelists?
Discussion Includes:
- Why did you write Evangelism: For the Care of Souls and what are you hoping people will take away from it?
- What has your ministry as a YoungLife Director taught you about evangelism to teenagers?
- When you’re training new youth workers or volunteers to practice evangelism to teenagers, what do you emphasize?
- When you’re training teenagers to evangelize, what do you emphasize for them?
- What do we mean by "conversion," and how does a youth worker’s theological understanding of conversion influence their evangelism?
Sean McGever is area director for Young Life in Phoenix, Arizona, and an adjunct faculty at Grand Canyon University. He is the author of The Good News of Our Limits and Born Again: The Evangelical Theology of Conversion in John Wesley and George Whitefield. His latest book is the main topic of our conversation today, which is published by Lexham Press, Evangelism: For the Care of Souls. He speaks, teaches, and ministers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Follow Sean on Twitter/X at @seanmcgever
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter/X: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers. Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry collects ten articles from the YPT archives to help new readers catch the heartbeat of Youth Pastor Theologian is written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Youth workers want to disciple teenagers into Christian maturity. Over time, we hope they move on from spiritual milk, towards spiritual meat. This is the vision of worldview formation - but what’s that really look like and how do we disciple accordingly?
Discussion Includes: * What do you mean by worldview, and what are some pillars of a distinctively Christian worldview? * As the Director of Worldview Formation as WBU, what are some challenges you’ve encountered with college students? * What counsel do you have for youth ministers to help their students begin forming a Christian Worldview while in middle school and high school? * If you could choose two or three areas to really focus on as we disciple teenagers, what would you emphasize? * I don’t think you’ll need to persuade our listeners too much, but if you were talking with a parent who doesn’t think their teenager needs doctrine or theology, how would you respond? * As we wrap up, is there a final word of encouragement or admonition you’d like to say to the youth workers listening?
Dr. Rhyne Putman is associate a Professor of Theology and Culture at NOBTS vice president of academic affairs and director of worldview formation at Williams Baptist University and associate professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of When Doctrine Divides the People of God and The Method of Christian Theology: A Basic Introduction, In Defense of Doctrine.
Resources
Recommended books:* 10 Questions Every Teenager Should Ask (and answer), by Rebecca McLaughlin * The True Story of the Whole World, by Michael Goheen
Rhyne’s books:* The Method of Christian Theology * When Doctrine Divides the People of God * In Defense of Doctrine
Follow Rhyne on Twitter: @rhyneputman
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Is seminary worth it? It requires a lot of sacrifice, can be expensive, and some of the classes don’t seem too helpful for student ministry. And yet it provides a unique opportunity for training and ministry development. How can youth workers discern whether or not to pursue further education, and how do we choose amidst the many options?
Discussion Includes:
- If I can just buy the books off Amazon and follow some nerdy youtube and podcasts then why would anyone enroll in seminary?
- What are some benefits and shortcomings of the traditional seminary/M.Div. model?
- If someone listening is feeling compelled towards seminary but they aren’t sure how to discern which school is right for them, what advice do you have for them to make a wise decision?
- How can seminary students who are listening to this podcast get the most out of their seminary experience… academically, spiritually, and personally?
- Some of our listeners would probably LOVE to enroll tomorrow, but they simply can’t. How can they continue their theological and ministry formation?
Doug Ponder is a teaching pastor at Remnant Church in Richmond, VA, and Professor of Biblical Studies at Grimke Seminary.
Follow Doug on Twitter: @dougponder
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Mental health struggles are increasingly common, and yet it remains difficult to know how to minister to students who are living with anxiety and/or depression. How can youth workers think biblically and theologically about mental health diagnoses and respond with wisdom and grace?
Liz Edrington has served at North Shore Fellowship in Chattanooga, TN in full-time ministry for 8 years and is an adjunct professor at Covenant College. She’s a regular contributor to the Rooted Ministry and is the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story.
Discussion Includes:
- What’s important for youth workers who have never struggled with their mental health to know about mental health?
- A basic framework for thinking biblically and theologically about mental health diagnoses.
- Why do you think anxiety and depression is so common, and how do you encourage youth workers to care for these students?
- You recently published a 30 Day Devotional for teenagers about anxiety and finding a better story. What do you mean by “finding the better story” and could you share a little about the book?
- How do you speak gospel hope to students who are struggling with depression?
Order Liz’s book, Anxiety: Finding The Better Story (a 31 day devotional for teenagers)
To close out our season, Mike is on the hot seat and answers questions from two of YPT's regular contributors, Nick Hartman and Joseph Bradley. The conversation included the following questions:
- What do you look back at as your biggest failure in student ministry, and what's something you're really proud of?
- How have you navigated relationships with other youth workers who aren't theologically-minded and don't share that value for student ministry?
- How have you advocated for theologically-deep youth ministry in the churches where you've served?
- How would you encouraged younger youth workers to pursue longevity in youth ministry?
- If you're trying to recruit someone to serve in vocational youth ministry, what's your pitch?
Joseph Bradley is the student pastor at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Nick Hartman is the associate pastor of students and discipleship at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Cross Plains, TN
Nick & Joseph's two recommended YPT resources:
- Robin Barfield, The Posture of the Youth Pastor
- Episode 28: Discipleship as Catechesis (Dustin Messer)
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
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Youth workers agree that we want to make disciples, but it’s easy to fall into a rhythm of ministry that hopes discipleship will happen. Intentionally leading your ministry to value church membership and gospel-centered pedagogy will clarify your focus and provide a discipleship plan to serve your students well.
- Why does church membership matter and what would you say to a youth pastor who’s never thought about church membership for their students?
- How do you reply to teenagers (and parents) who say church membership isn’t important for teenagers?
- What do you mean by “gospel centered pedagogy?” Could you explain that with a few examples that contrast it with non-gospel-centered pedagogy?
Justin Wong is the Pastor to Youth at Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, TX. He has earned his Doctor of Ministry degree and is currently working on his Doctor of Education. Justin and his wife have who daughters.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Calvinism and Arminianism is possibly the most common theological debate among Bible college students. Some act like it’s a question that determines whether or not you’re even a Christian; and others brush it off as a stupid and inconsequential issue. Why does this debate continue to carry importance today, and how can we learn to partner with each other for the sake of the Great Commission?
Discussion:
- What's a basic overview of Calvinism and Arminianism, and why are these pitted against each other?
- Why is this theological difference important for youth workers today? Can’t this remain a theological debate from long ago?
- What is a "Reformed Arminian"?
- What are some practical ways you’ve seen youth pastors’ soteriology affect their day-to-day ministry?
- How can youth workers partner with other pastors or churches who believe differently about this topic? What practical suggestions do you have and what boundaries might be good to draw?
Chris Talbot, program director of youth and families at Welch College, and youth pastor at Sylvan Park Church in Nashville.
Recommended Reading:
- 40 Questions on Arminianism (J. Matthew Pinson)
- The Promise of Arminian Theology (Bracey & Watts)
- The Quest for Truth (Forlines)
- Chris’ new book: Christians in Culture: Cultivating a Christian Worldview for All of Life
(note: the links above are Affiliate Marketing links that provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to provide future content for you.)
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Understanding Law & Gospel is incredibly important. This distinction prepares youth workers to teach and counsel in ways that keeps the gospel central while still calling students to holiness and repentance. Without Law and Gospel, we either turn the gospel into a to-do list or we extend so much grace there’s little room for teaching the commands of Christ.
Discussion Questions:
- Could you summarize what we mean by “Law & Gospel?”
- What sort of confusion around Law and Gospel have you observed in Christians, in general, and in youth in particular?
- What are the different uses of the Law? If the Law cannot save, then what good is it?
- What have you observed, either positive or negative, regarding Law & Gospel in the gospel-centered movement over the last 5 years? Are there any correctives you think are important to highlight for us?
- How can youth workers help students and parents embrace a biblical approach to Law and Gospel?
Justin Schell is the US Director of Union School of Theology and helps oversee the Reformation Fellowship. He lives in Tulsa Oklahoma, he and his wife have two kids and he served as an interim youth pastor for a season of ministry.
Recommended Resources
- Union’s online resources
- New Growth Press and Serge’s “Gospel Centered Life for Teens”
- Right with God, Mike Reeves
- Delighting in the Trinity and Rejoicing in Christ, Mike Reeves
- Theolo.gy - Union’s website
- RefFellowship.org - Reformation Fellowship
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
This bonus episode is from the Prepared to Answer podcast and introduces their new initiative, "PTA GO." This is the program through which they're launching like-minded ministries (like YPT) so they can become sustainable full-time ministries that disciple teenagers into a biblical worldview. Listen to this episode to hear more about Prepared to Answer, Truth Snack, and YPT's partnership with these incredible ministries.
There are two podcasts from PTA I want to encourage you to download:
- Introducing Youth Pastor Theologian. In this podcast, Scott and Shawn from Prepared to Answer introduce Youth Pastor Theologian to their audience, and we discuss the full background behind YPT and how this partnership came to be.
- When God Changes Your Plans: the PTA GO Story. This is the same podcast as this bonus episode, but from their podcast feed. In it, they introduce their listeners to this new initiative (PTA GO) where they are helping like-minded ministries become full-time and sustainable ministries.
Learn more about PTA GO
If you've wondered why YPT isn't just incorporating as a 501(c)3 organization, then listen to this episode and you'll hear why. This is an incredibly generous way for YPT to learn what it takes to establish a healthy foundation to sustain a long-term ministry to youth workers.
For all the talk about relational discipleship, it’s confusing to know what that really looks like. Every youth worker knows we need to meet students where they’re at… so where are they, and how do we lead them to discover the joy of Christ?
- When youth workers talk about “meeting kids where they’re at,” what does that mean and how do we approach that with theological depth?
- When you’re writing your Reframe curriculum or meeting with a student as their therapist, how do you approach the difficult topics and help students develop a Christian worldview?
- How do you approach youth culture in a way that avoids complete acceptance and complete rejection of culture?
Jordan Francis is the founder of Reframe Youth and is a Christian Therapist in Phoenix. Reframe Youth provides biblically rich content about the timely issues students are facing, in order to help them form a Christian worldview.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Parents are often fearful and overwhelmed as their kids approach the teen years. Yes, there are new challenges and struggles. But God is faithful and the gospel really is good news. How can youth workers understand and encourage parents of teenagers through these stressful years?
- What's the central message of Parenting Ahead and tell us why you wrote it?
- How can youth workers help parents keep the long-range in sight?
- Youth leaders sometimes see tendencies in youth that seem to be rooted in either over-parenting or under-parenting… could you explain what you mean by those terms, and how might a youth leader be able to help a parent embrace a different approach?
- It could be easy for a youth pastor who’s unmarried or who either doesn’t have kids or whose kids are still very young to think they don’t have much to offer parents. How can those youth leaders have a meaningful role in the lives of the parents of students in their ministry?
- What’s one way that every youth worker can encourage and support parents?
Kristen Hatton is a Christian counselor in Dallas, TX and the author of multiple fantastic books for teenagers. Today, we’ll talk about her latest book, Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years, and about how youth workers can be encouragers to the parents in their ministry.
Instagram: RedemptiveParting
Website: kristenhatton.com
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
How do we engage students with the storyline of Scripture? GenZ is the first truly post-Christian generation, and many of them are unfamiliar with the stories in the Bible. How can youth workers invite students to embrace the rich truth and message of Scripture by inviting them into the biblical story?
- What do you mean by Bible Storying, and how did you learn this?
- Could you give us an example of Bible Storying that you might teach in youth group?
- Why is this an effective way to invite students into the story of the gospel?
- How often do you use this approach to teaching in your teaching calendar? Is there some element of this in your weekly message, or is it an occasional approach?
- If someone wanted to get started, what recommendations and resources would you share with them?
Kendal Conner is the Director of Sunday Schools at Redeemer Fellowship in Kansas City. She also writes curriculum for Rooted Reservoir and is a co-leader for the Student Leadership Cohort with Gospel-Centered Family.
- Read Kendal’s article: Bible Storying in a Post-Christian Generation (Rooted Ministry)
- John Walsh, The Art of Storytelling
- Phil Collins, The Abide Bible Study Course
- IMB resource for Oral Bible Storying
- Full list of stories in the Bible: Biblestories.org
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Please share YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page.
Every youth pastor theologian wants to make lifelong disciples. We know that’s the mission. But how do we plan our ministry with the end in mind while avoiding the temptations of pragmatism and information-transfer?
- What does it mean to plan our discipleship with the end in mind, and how can we avoid the dangers of pragmatism?
- It’s obviously important for teachers to know their content. But it’s also crucial for teachers to know the people they’re teaching. Why we need a more robust understanding of knowing and what have we gotten knowing wrong?
- Why is theology vital in student discipleship?
- What do you mean by "discipleship as alignment"
- A few practical ideas for teaching toward the objective of alignment with students.
Resources
- Craig Troxel, With All Your Heart
- Esther Meek, Longing to Know and A Little Manual for Knowing
- YPT Podcast Episode 21: Top Down & Bottom Up Approaches to Ministry (Gareth Crispin & Robin Barfield)
Jason Engle is Pastor of Students and Discipleship at Westwood Baptist Church in Roxboro NC. Jason and his wife has three ranging from 16-9 years old. He’s served in his church for 17 years and recently completed his Doctor of Education from SEBTS.
He is a regular contributor to the YPT Blog.
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Please share YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page.
Mike McGarry here... I’m excited to share an important update with you about a new chapter for Youth Pastor Theologian.
I started YPT as a simple website in May 2021 in order to fill a void between the youth room and the academy. There are lots of resources available for youth workers to help with games and a growing number of youth ministry curricula. But there’s still a significant void in theological content for youth workers. At the same time, theologically-minded youth workers often feel depressingly alone in the youth ministry world.
Youth Pastor Theologian launched as a passion project, a blog I’d write and edit in my “spare time” (usually between 10pm-1am) while still serving as the Youth Pastor at South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham, MA. But it quickly grew beyond what I’d envisioned. Youth workers from across the country (and from around the world) started reading and sending me messages about how much this resonated with them. They wanted to know what other resources YPT would be releasing, and could I come speak at their church or conference. They want resources and help to know what theological depth in youth ministry actually looks like.
Over the last six months, the Lord has made it clear that it’s time for me to trust His provision and to give my full-time attention to youth pastors rather than continuing to serve as a youth pastor myself. Honestly, I’m going to miss it - even the body odor of the boys' cabin on youth retreats. Like Robin Williams’ character in Good Will Hunting says, “That’s the good stuff.”
I am currently bi-vocational, leading the youth ministry at my church through the summer as we search for my replacement while also fundraising to provide the financial resources necessary for a Youth Pastor Theologian budget. There are some exciting projects coming down the pipeline, but we need resources to fund their development and implementation.
It still sounds like it should be gross exaggeration to say that giving to Youth Pastor Theologian is an investment in the global church’s effort to reach the next generation with the gospel. But it’s not. I keep hearing from readers and podcast listeners who are in difficult contexts, and YPT is making an impact through them. This is true across the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Kenya, Uganda, Philippines, Austria, and Germany.
A video of this informational Zoom is available on our YouTube page. Will you partner with us as we empower youth workers around the world to pursue theological depth in youth discipleship. An audio version of this presentation has also been published through the YPT Podcast.
If you'd like to partner with YPT, please visit our Give page and join our YPT Partners Facebook Group.
There’s so much for international youth workers to learn from one another. We share more in common than what’s different. Relational evangelism and discipleship are foundational for effective student ministry, regardless of our latitude and longitude.
- What is the religious climate of Ireland like, and how do you identify cultural Christianity from genuine gospel-faith?
- What is youth ministry like in Ireland and what are some common attitudes that teenagers have about religion and Christianity?
- What does relational ministry and spending time with youth look like in real life? And while prioritizing that, how do you keep yourself from just being an adult-friend?
Philomena Fitzpatrick is the youth worker at Ballycollin Community Church in West Dublin at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. She ministers to children through young adults.
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page.
It’s tempting to avoid direct conversations about racism because it immediately raises people’s alarm systems. We all bring our personal baggage into the conversation and we don’t want to cause offense to anyone through disagreements. How can youth pastor theologians model faithful ways to have sensitive conversations?
- How can youth workers in mostly white youth groups care for the non-white students in our ministries - especially when we witness racism or cultural insensitivity?
- How does the gospel reshape the way we think and talk about racism?
- What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about race conversations, and how can we avoid serious misunderstandings.
- Sometimes we simply misunderstand each other. But sometimes we really do fundamentally disagree with our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we disagree with each other well and navigate that with trust and respect from both sides of those disagreements.
Michelle Ami Reyes is the creator of Seasoned with Grace and writes at the intersection of multiculturalism, faith, and justice. She is the author of Becoming All Things, and co-author of The Race-Wise Family. Michelle lives in Austin, Texas with her pastor husband, and two amazing kids.
Follow Michelle on Instagram
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YPT has published an ebook that's a free download for subscribers! Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry captures the essence of Youth Pastor Theologian in one ten-chapter book, written by six different contributors from across America, Mexico, and the UK.
Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page.
What does youth ministry look like in the UK? Mike talks with some friends from England to hear about their ministry context and what their regular ministry looks like.
- Can you remind our non-UK listeners about grades and graduation for teenagers, and how does this affect the way you structure your ministries?
- The UK context is the direction things in America are heading. With that in mind, what are nonChristian youth like in the UK, and what are some ways to reach them with the gospel?
- What would Mike change about his book A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry, and how has his view on youth work changed now that he has two teenagers of his own?
Nic Bianchi is children and youth worker at Cheam Baptist Church
Anna Lane is children and youth worker at Grace Church, Worcester park
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The gospel is not an evangelism tool, it’s the message of life that we declare to saints and sinners. In this conversation, we want to clarify what the gospel is and how to keep it central in both evangelism and discipleship. Greg also highlights the importance of good theology in our evangelism.
- Could you share a little about your own story and how that’s impacted your calling to equip others for evangelism?
- What is the gospel?
- Why is sound doctrine important for evangelism, not just for discipleship?
- What role does the gospel have in discipleship?
- You’ve taught and spoken a lot about “gospelizing” your youth ministry. What does that mean and what’s it look like?
- If someone is leading an established ministry, how would they go about gospelizing it?
Greg Stier is an evangelist, author, speaker, and founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries. He’s also the husband to Debbie and dad to Jeremy and Kailey.
Greg’s books:
- Unlikely Fighter
- Gospelize Your Youth Ministry
- Youth Ministry in the 21st Century, edited by Chap Clark
Connect with Greg on Twitter: @gregstier
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Every youth pastor wants to make disciples. But how do we do that, and what can we learn from church history? Catechesis isn’t a boring or stuffy class for people to attend but a highly relational journey where the mentor disciples a student through the core doctrines, habits, and disciplines of the Christian life. Youth workers who want to make lifelong disciples have much to learn from this long-held pattern of discipleship. After all, we aren’t the first Christians who are trying to pass the faith to the next generation.
Discussion Questions:
- What is catechesis and how is it different from a catechism?
- What’s the benefit of catechesis today?
- Why do you think catechesis has lost favor in most churches today?
- What are some core principles of catechesis that we can recover for discipling the next generation today?
- If someone is coming from a nonliturgical tradition where catechesis and catechisms are completely foreign, how might they begin to introduce these lessons into their youth ministry?
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Center for Baptist Renewal
- Gary Parrett & JI Packer, Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way
- New City Catechism
- To Be A Christian, an Anglican Catechism
- The Westminster Larger Catechism
- YPT Article: How Catechesis Can Transform Your Youth Ministry
Dustin Messer is vicar at All Saints Dallas in Texas. He also teaches at Kings College and Reformed Seminary.
Follow Dustin on Twitter: @dustinwmesser
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Every church has students with a variety of special education needs, but our youth ministries are often under-equipped to appropriately minister to these students and their families. What should youth workers know about special education and how can they be better equipped to serve these young men and women?
Discussion includes:
- How can youth workers think theologically about the reality of special needs?
- How can youth workers better care for students with special needs - especially regarding youth with mild/moderate disabilities.
- Within the dynamics of regular youth group programming, how do you encourage students to welcome struggling learners? What are some basic modifications we can make?
- What does ministry look like to students who are on the autism spectrum or have another more significant diagnosis? How can we best care for and disciple them?
- How can youth workers minister to and support parents of students with disabilities?
Resources mentioned:
- ldaamerica.org - Learning Disabilities Association of America. A great place to learn about various learning disabilities.
- Stephen Grcevich, Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions
- Amos Yong, The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God
Bryan Barrineau is the Lead Student Pastor at First Baptist in Enterprise, Alabama. He’s been a youth pastor for 22 years, he and his wife have two kids. Bryan recently completed his Doctor in Education from SouthWestern Baptist Theological Seminary, his dissertation was entitled Technology-Mediated Ministry and its implications for local church discipleship.
Follow Bryan on Twitter: @bryanbarrineau
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Many church-based youth ministries operate as parachurch ministries that are funded and housed by a church. There’s little connection or integration with the church congregation. Thankfully, there’s a renewed sense of commitment within youth ministry to integrate students into the life of the church. But why is this so important, what’s it look like?
- Why is it important for a youth ministry to be intimately united within the church? In short, what does ecclesiology have to do with youth ministry?
- What do students lose when youth ministries are disconnected from the church?
- It’s difficult to navigate the relationship between youth ministry and the local church. Youth pastors are often skeptical of such calls, assuming it’s a subtle way to question the validity of youth ministry. And churches often feel like teenagers just don’t want to be there or like they need to be more attractive to hold students’ attention. What would you like to say about this scenario?
- Can you tell us about how you’ve intentionally structured your youth ministry to be an extension of the church’s ministry to teenagers rather than structuring youth group as a replacement for involvement in the church?
- If someone is in a more traditional youth ministry system and they want to elevate the role of the church in the way they minister to students, where would you recommend we begin?
Charles has nearly 15 years of experience working with youth, in both parachurch and churches. He oversaw the youth ministry at Captial Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC for most of the last decade and is currently taking a sabbatical from pastoral ministry as he and his family care for an ailing family member.
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Faith and Doubt are topics every youth worker needs to help students navigate. These seasons of doubt and be long and unsettling. So what does it look like to patiently endure with these students and what does discipleship look like in the midst of it?
Matt Bellefeuille served as a youth pastor for about a decade before starting a ministry called Truth Snack, which supports and ministers to doubting Christians.
- Could you share with us your own story of faith and doubt and how that’s shaped your current ministry?
- What’s a good first response when you talk with teenagers who are navigating doubt?
- Obviously, there’s no “one cause” behind doubt and deconstruction. Are there a few factors or themes that youth workers could keep in mind as they listen to students and try to discern what’s at the root of their doubts?
- What does faith look like for students (or youth workers) who are working through their doubt?
- Sometimes it can feel like doubt will last forever, but it doesn’t need to. Can you give us some hope and confidence as we wrap up this conversation with a word about the gospel for those who are facing doubts?
Learn more about Matt's series, Faith, Doubt, and Everything in Between.
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Every parent and every youth pastor wants their teenager to continue walking with Jesus throughout adulthood. But that’s increasingly not the case. What leads to that and what can we do about it? In this episode, we talk with youth ministry veteran, Danny Kwon. Discussion includes,
- What are some trends you’ve observed that you suspect play into teenagers leaving behind their faith during adulthood?
- How can a youth ministry prioritize making lifelong disciples over settling for big-impact events right now?
- How do you think church attendance (not just youth group attendance) plays into this concern?
- Is there a way for youth pastors to have hard conversations with parents when they observe patterns that seem to de-prioritize faith to their kids?
- For the young youth workers listening, especially those who don’t have kids… how can they meaningfully come alongside parents in a way that supports passing down the faith?
Danny Kwon is the youth and family pastor and adjunct youth ministry professor outside of Philadelphia. He’s the author of multiple youth ministry books - Mission tripping (a guide to youth ministry missions) and A Youth Worker’s Field Guide to Parents.
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Some people say contextualization is a compromise of the gospel. Others say it’s just unnecessary, and we just need to preach the gospel. Both of those opinions misunderstand what contextualization actually is. In this episode of the YPT Podcast, we’re focusing on the gospel and culture, and discussing contextualization as an expression of faithful gospel proclamation in your particular culture.
- What is contextualization, and what are some common misunderstandings people can have about it?
- What is the unchanging gospel?
- I’ve heard you talk about the Eastern, Western, and Tribal cultures and how those cultures lead to different types of gospel presentations. Could you share a little about that as an example of what you mean by faithful contextualization?
- Are there a few basic principles that can help youth workers avoid over-contextualizing and under-contextualizing?
- What does gospel contextualization look like in youth ministry?
Clark Fobes is the Associate Pastor at First Church of San Francisco. Clark is also one of the co-hosts of the Thanos to Theos podcast, along with Mike and Kevin Yi
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Every youth leader knows how challenging it can be to facilitate meaningful and deep conversations. It can be so discouraging to prepare for meaningful ministry only to receive one-word answers and silence. In this episode, we're joined by two of our regular blog writers to discuss how we can learn to ask better questions that prompt meaningful conversations.
- What makes for a good question?
- What are some lessons you’ve learned the hard way about asking good questions?
- After you’ve prepared your message or small group lesson and it’s time to develop questions, how do you go about crafting those?
- What’s your favorite go-to question to ask students when you’re trying to strike up a conversation?
- What advice do you have for youth workers who are either socially awkward or just not good at question-asking?
Joseph Bradley is the student pastor at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Nick Hartman is the associate pastor of students and discipleship at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Cross Plains, TN
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Should youth workers prioritize their message preparation to help students discover God, or should we become guides who empower students to grow by serving him? This question gets to the heart of what we mean by "top down" and "bottom up" approaches to youth ministry. In this episode, Gareth Crispin and Robin Barfield join us from the UK to reflect about a whole-person approach to student discipleship.
- What is the state of Youth Work in the UK? What are some of the major differences between Stateside YM and what it looks like there?
- What do you mean by "Top Down" and "Bottom Up" approaches to youth ministry, and can you provide some examples?
- How does this middle way differ from what’s been called “Incarnational Ministry” for decades?
- How can our listeners use this model to evaluate their ministries?
Gareth Crispin is Lecturer in Practical Theology at Cliff College, which is in Darbeshire, England. Follow Gareth on Twitter at @garethcrispin.
Robin Barfield is Associate Ministry of children and families at Christ Church in Winsford, England, and visiting lecturer at Oak Hill and Union Colleges. Follow Robin on Twitter at @robinbarfield78.
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For all the discussion about Family Ministry, there's a lack of consensus about what FM encompasses. In this episode, Mike talks with Jared Kennedy about ways for youth pastors to think about family ministry and how to effectively minister to students' families.
Jared Kennedy is the founder of Gospel-Centered Family and Ministry Editor at The Gospel Coalition.
Follow Jared on Twitter @JaredSKennedy
View and order Jared's books
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Who is Jesus? That's a good question. But one of most important but unasked questions students will answer is "what is Jesus?" It's common for church kids (and even youth workers themselves!) to grow tired of the same old Christmas message. Maybe that's because we've lost sight of the mystery and beauty of Christology - the study of who Jesus is and what he's done. In this episode, Griffin Gulledge helps us dig into the doctrine of the Incarnation and Hypostatic Union with students in a way that leads them to behold Jesus Christ, our Savior.
This episode expands on YPT’s recent article on the same topic. Our discussion includes:
- Could you share a little bit about why you’re focusing your Ph.D. studies on the Trinity and how does that connect with today’s topic?
- What is the Hypostatic Union, and how would you explain that to a normal teenager?
- How can youth workers talk meaningfully and biblically about the Incarnation?
- What are some pastoral applications of the humanity/deity of Christ?
- What are some common misunderstandings you’ve come across about what it means for Jesus to be fully human and fully divine?
Griffin is the Pastor at Madison Baptist Church in Madison, Georgia and is nearing the completion of his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in Trinitarian Hermeneutics from SEBTS. You can find his writings all over the web in various sites.
Follow Griffin on Twitter: @GriffinGulledge
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Most of us know the entire Bible finds its fulfillment in Christ, but how should that effect the way we study Scripture and teach students? In this episode, we talk about Christ centered exegesis and highlight some excellent resources for youth pastor theologians. Conversation topics include,
- Could you share with us about Spoken Gospel - what is it and what are you trying to accomplish through this ministry?
- As you prepare a new series for Spoken Gospel, how are you selecting books of the Bible and what’s your team’s process for breaking down books of the Bible for the series?
- How does the gospel shape the way you practice exegesis while building a series, and then how do you move from exegesis to preaching and teaching?
- What recommendations do you have for youth pastors who want to teach through a book of the Bible but don’t know how to build a series of their own?
Seth Stewart is the Director of Theology with Spoken Gospel.
Spoken Gospel is working towards Christ-centered resources on each book of the Bible, on three different levels: an overview video, a series of devotionals on the different sections of the book, and a deep-dive podcast episode. This is an astounding resources for youth pastor theologians to bookmark and references as you prepare your teaching series.
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Youth Ministry is theological ministry. But what's this actually mean, and what's it look like? Kevin Yi joins the podcast to share what he's learned about theologically grounded youth ministry.
This episode features the following discussion:
- You live in Southern California surrounded by many flagship attractional churches. Without being unnecessarily critical, could you share how that’s shaped your own convictions about the role of theology and the gospel in youth ministry?
- Can you walk us through how you decide whether or not it’s worth digging into a theological question or if that’d be a distraction from teaching the big idea of the text?
- What have you learned the hard way about teaching theologically?
- How can youth workers teach theologically without posing as theology professors in the youth room?
Mike and Kevin co-host another podcast along with Clark Fobes, called Thanos to Theos - a podcast about comics, culture, theology, and youth ministry. Thanos to Theos is part of the Rooted Ministry podcast network. Even if you aren't into comics or superhero movies, it'll help you launch into meaningful conversations with students in your ministry.
Kevin Yi is the College and Young Adults Pastor and Education Director at Church Everyday in LA county. He's also the Video Producer for the Rooted Ministry and a contributor to The Gospel I Wish I Knew in High School.
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Youth pastor theologians know that persuasion is an important element of their ministry. Students are faced with so many opposing worldviews and doubts, it's important for us to take an apologetic approach when teaching the Bible and theology. But what's that mean and how do we do it? In this episode, we're joined by two of YPT's regular contributors to discuss the intersection of theology and apologetics.
- Why is it important to lead ministries that prioritize theology and apologetics?
- What’s the difference between teaching theology and teaching theologically? What’s that really look like in your own ministries?
- Does youth ministry focus too much on apologetics?
- How do the affections shape the way we teach the Bible, and how can apologetics help us with that?
- What are some recommendations for someone who wants to read or study more?
Joseph Bradley is the student pastor at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia in Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Nick Hartman is the associate pastor of students and discipleship at Mt Carmel Baptist Church in Cross Plains, TN
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Thriving in ministry is always more difficult than new youth pastors expect. The grind of ministry, the unusual schedule, and unfair complaints can wear the best of us down. In this episode, we talk with Jonathan Dodson about his book, The Unwavering Pastor, and what he's learned firsthand about applying the gospel to our own hearts. Discussion topics include,
- What do you mean by “unwavering pastor?” and what prompted you to write this book?
- The Unwavering Pastor has been out for a few months now. What are some common themes from conversations you’ve had with pastors who’ve reached out to you since reading it?
- One of the sentences that made me put the book down and pray was this line, “It is virtually impossible to make it through division without sinning, and Christ is gladly present to remedy that.” Could you share a little more about this.
- I really appreciated the story you told about your grandfather’s words to you about truth telling, could share you that with us?
- Teenagers don’t have very many good examples of conflict resolution. We live in a cancel culture that’s fueled by internet rage. And yet, Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. What counsel do you have for us about being peacemakers when others around us make that difficult?
Founding Pastor of Austin City Life, founder of Gospel-Centered Discipleship and author of multiple books, including Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Our Good Crisis, and The Unwavering Pastor.
Browse Jonathan's books here
Order The Unwavering Pastor
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In this episode, Jared Kennedy offers counsel for youth workers about how to understand and partner with the children's ministry. This is something we know we should do, but don't know where to start.
- What are some common misconceptions of children’s ministry that you think people should avoid?
- What are some areas of commonality and difference between children and youth ministry?
- Can you share with me an example you’ve witnessed of good alignment between a children’s ministry and a youth ministry - what’s that really look like in practice?
Jared Kennedy is the founder of Gospel Centered Family and Ministry Editor at The Gospel Coalition.
Follow Jared on Twitter @JaredSKennedy
View and order Jared's books
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How can youth workers disciple students in sexual purity without avoiding the pitfalls of "purity culture?" Dean Inserra recently published an excellent book on that question. This episode's questions include:
- What was well-intentioned about youth ministry’s efforts through the “Purity Culture” of the 90’s and what can we learn from that - and what are some warnings for us to avoid?
- Section two of your book walks through seven lies that are rampant in our culture. Which of these lies are particularly relevant for youth workers?
- The true love waits pledge talk about “purity until marriage.” But purity is about more than “purity until marriage,” as if purity becomes unnecessary once you’re married. What does the Bible teach about purity?
- When we feel impure because of our own sexual sin or because of what’s been done to us, what does the gospel have to say?
- How has this book helped you rethink the way you talk about sexuality with your own kids?
Order Dean's latest, "Pure: Why the Bible's Plan for Sexuality Isn't Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive." (Affiliate link, proceeds support the work of YPT)
Dean's other books
Dean Inserra is the founding pastor of City Church. He is passionate about reaching the city of Tallahassee with the Gospel, to see a worldwide impact made for Jesus. He and his wife have three children.
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It's easy for us to agree that we should teach the Bible in youth ministry, but never really pause to think about how that priority shapes the rest of our ministry. In this episode, we talk with Kyle Hoffsmith about what it means to place an emphasis on Bible teaching. Highlights from the conversation include:
- Who taught you how to really study Scripture, and what did that look like for you?
- What are some obstacles that can get in the way of Bible Study in youth ministry?
- Can you walk us through some of the basics of good hermeneutics?
- What role does application plan in Bible Study?
Recommended resources mentioned in the podcast:
- One to One Bible Reading, by David Helm
- Charles Simeon Trust
- RYM’s Track Series
- CPYU
Kyle Hoffsmith is the Pastor of Student Ministry at Old North Church in Canfield Ohio, and is one of the hosts of The Word in Youth Ministry podcast which is sponsored by CYPU.
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The gospel needs to shape more than how we teach... it should shape the entire culture of our ministry and relationships. But what's that look like and how do we begin? In this episode, we talk with Vince Greenwald (Director of Student Ministry at Immanuel Church in Nashville) about how he and his church build a gospel culture that makes lifelong disciples of the next generation.
- What do you mean by "gospel culture"?
- What are these gospel culture practices in your ministry: “Walking in the Light” “Honor Time” “Burden Bearing”
- How do you respond to those who would say they confess their sin to God, so they don’t need to do this?
- How do you make space for students to confess their sins without it leading to shame or pressuring them into something they don’t want to do?
- How did you first introduce this into your ministry and what recommendations do you have for listeners who might be interested?
YPT has released a gospel culture series based off this episode of the podcast. As part of an effort to embody a gospel culture in their student ministry, they practice Honor Time, Walking in the Light, and Burden Bearing Time together during their regular Wednesday night meetings. These regular practices are centered on the idea that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. They help students see that the gospel shapes their real lives and is more than just a good idea.
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Is apologetics outdated and irrelevant, as so many have boldly proclaimed? We don't think so. In this episode, Chris Talbot (Ph.D. candidate in Apologetics & Culture at SEBTS) joins the podcast to share about how youth workers can help students develop lasting faith. Highlights of the conversation include:
- What is Apologetics?
- Is apologetics irrelevant and outdated in today's post-modern context?
- Why have youth ministries drifted away from apologetics in recent years?
- Why are the writings of Francis Schaeffer valuable for youth workers today, and where could youth pastors begin reading his works?
- What's the value of Imago Dei as an important apologetic to students today?
- How has working on a Ph.D. in Apologetics helped Chris become a better youth pastor?
Chris Talbot, program director of youth and families at Welch College, and youth pastor at Sylvan Park Church in Nashville. He's also the author of one of the best but least-known books on youth ministry, "Remodeling Youth Ministry."
Buy Chris' book, Remodeling Youth Ministry
Follow Chris on Twitter: @c_talbot
YPT's Recommended Apologetics Resources
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page.
As the digital world continues to lead us to live our lives online, many youth workers are struggling to discern that fine line between "meeting students where they're at" and prioritizing "real life" relationships. In this episode, Mike talks with Chris Martin about:
- Are virtual friends real friends? How does the reality of virtual friendship influence the way we relate and ministry to student in our ministries.
- What are some implications of students' unfettered access to online living during COVID?
- What is the Metaverse, and should youth workers start preparing for Meta-Discipleship?
Recommended Culture-Watchers, mentioned in the podcast (not Christians)
- Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post)
- Dirt (Substack/newsletter)
- Casey Newton
- Charlie Warzel
Chris Martin is the Content Marketing Editor for Moody Publications and is the author of Terms of Service (among other books). He's also the "youth pastor emeritus" at his church, where he still volunteers in the student ministry.
Buy Chris' book "Terms of Service," sign up for his weekly newsletter, and follow him on Twitter.
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Child Protection Policies, mandated reporting, and ministry to abuse survivors. These are difficult and sometime uncomfortable to talk about - but youth workers need to be informed and ready to protect, defend, and care for the students in their care.
In this episode, we're joined by Chelsea Erickson, the Pastor of Youth and Families at First Congregational Church in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Questions and issues discussed are:
- What is a Child Protection Policy and why is it important for churches to have one in place?
- What are some common objections you’ve heard to these, and how do you counter those?
- What are some ways you’ve seen healthy guidelines change in the time you’ve been serving in youth ministry?
- Why is it biblically and theologically important for youth workers to take physical and sexual abuse seriously?
- When a student shares about an incident that should be reported, how do you provide pastoral care for them and their family in the days and weeks following the formal report?
- What does the gospel say to abuse survivors?
Recommended Resources Mentioned
- Ministry Safe
- Protect My Ministry
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Youth Pastor Theologians know they should be making disciples, but we aren't always sure what that really looks like. After all, isn't everything a matter of discipleship to some degree or another? In this episode, we talk with Vince Greenwald (Director of Student Ministry at Immanuel Church in Nashville) about how he and his church build a gospel culture that makes lifelong disciples of the next generation.
- What is discipleship, and what are some ways you’ve seen discipleship misunderstood?
- How did you built and implemented a discipleship plan at Immanuel?
- It’s common for people to think about the gospel as it pertains to evangelism. What role does the gospel play in discipling students?
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Pastor's kids are normal kids, living under the microscope. On one hand, there's nothing "special" about them. On the other hand, their family identity as a "pastor's family" places them under scrutiny in some pretty unique ways. So, how can youth pastors be prepared to care for the pastor's kids in their ministry? And what if those pastor's kids are their own kids?!
This conversation with Barnabas Piper includes the following
- What are some ways that PK’s needs are different from others in our ministries?
- You talked to a lot of other pastors’ kids to write your book “The Pastor’s Kid.” What from those interviews and conversations continues to stand out that would be helpful for our listeners to hear.
- When you wrote your book “The Pastor’s Kid” you weren’t a pastor. But you are now. How did that book help you process your own upbringing and parenting style in a way that prepared your daughters for being pastors kids?
- How can youth workers show special care to PKs without feeding into entitlement?
Buy Barnabas Piper's books (especially "The Pastor's Kid: What it's like and how to help")
Listen to Barnabas on the Happy Rant Podcast
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Most of us know that we should be partnering with parents, but we aren't always sure where or how to begin. In this episode, Mike talks with Walt Mueller from the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding about ways youth workers can partner with parents. Topics include:
- Walt shares the story about how CPYU came about as an effort to partner with parents.
- How can younger youth pastors partner with parents without overstepping their bounds?
- If parents are called to be the primary disciple-makers of their kids, what role do youth pastors play?
- What are some ways that younger youth pastors can co-disciple students alongside parents?
- How can youth workers be agents of reconciliation between parents and students during conflicts without taking sides?
Learn more about Walt's ministry at the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, checkout his long-form weekly podcast Youth Culture Matters, one-minute daily podcast Youth Culture Today. Walt also highlights CPYU's newer podcast, The Word in Youth Ministry, about teaching Scripture to students.
Check out Walt's books - especially his book The Space Between, which helps parents understand the internal and external influences working on their kids during adolescence. Yes, it's an old'ish book, but it's still relevant and is very accessible.
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber.
You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Social Media is ever-present in teenagers' lives. Although it's easy to highlight all the ways social media and technology has introduced serious challenges to students' lives, there are also some benefits and blessings. How can youth workers grow in their wisdom and set a faithful model in their personal use and in the youth ministry's approach to social media and technology?
- It’s safe to assume that Social Media isn’t going away anytime soon… what are the major platforms and what are their benefits and dangers?
- There are some startling correlations between teenager’s mental health and the prevalence of smart phones and social media. How can we navigate that relationship?
- TikTok is a pretty controversial platform for youth workers today. How do you respond when people ask if their youth groups should have a TikTok account?
- What are some important guidelines you recommend youth workers to employ in their own use of social media, both for their own good and to establish healthy boundaries between themselves and students in their ministries?
Chris Martin is the Content Marketing Editor for Moody Publications and is the author of Terms of Service (among other books). He's also the "youth pastor emeritus" at his church, where he still volunteers in the student ministry.
Buy Chris' book "Terms of Service," sign up for his weekly newsletter, and follow him on Twitter.
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
In this conversation, Mike talks with Barnabas Piper about Doubt and Deconstruction. It's only natural for teenagers to experience doubt as they begin to discern what they really believe about faith and the Bible. In many churches, doubt feels like a dirty word and students keep their doubts to themselves. This has increasingly led to teenagers and young adults who deconstruct their faith only to find that it doesn't mean anything to them anymore.
- What's the difference between "Unbelieving Doubt" and "Believing Doubt?"
- What is the role of suffering in cementing students' faith?
- How can youth workers create a culture where doubt is welcome?
- What is deconstruction, and what are the different forms of it?
Buy Barnabas Piper's books (especially "Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt is Not the Enemy of Faith")
Listen to Barnabas on the Happy Rant Podcast
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Walt Mueller joins the YPT Podcast to talk about youth culture. On this episode we discuss:
- Why it's important for youth workers to be aware of what's happening in youth culture.
- How do we respond to those who say we shouldn't study "counterfeits," but just focus on teaching the Bible and sound doctrine?
- How do we prioritize teaching Scripture while faithfully contextualizing the message to students who are swimming in youth culture.
Learn more about Walt's ministry at the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, checkout his long-form weekly podcast Youth Culture Matters, one-minute daily podcast Youth Culture Today.
Check out Walt's books - especially his latest, A Student's Guide to Navigating Youth Culture
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page. Some links above are Amazon Associates links, which helps YPT purchase new resources for study and research.
Our inaugural episode features Chris Talbot, program director of youth and families at Welch College, and youth pastor at Sylvan Park Church in Nashville. He's also the author of one of the best but least-known books on youth ministry, "Remodeling Youth Ministry." Join this conversation, where Mike and Chris talk about what a youth pastor theologian is, how "theological" do you really need to be to be considered a youth pastor theologian.
- What is a youth pastor theologian?
- Why has youth ministry tended to overlook the important of theology?
- Doesn't theology only breed divisions? Why would we introduce it, then, into our youth ministries?
- What role does theology play in the way we minister to students who are hearing very different messages at church and in the broader culture?
- What's the difference between teaching theology and teaching theologically?
Buy Chris' book, Remodeling Youth Ministry
Follow Chris on Twitter: @c_talbot
Visit Youth Pastor Theologian's website
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
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Please consider sharing YPT's podcast and our articles with your friends, and leave a rating/review on your podcast subscriber. You can contact us with any questions and recommend both topics and guests on our website's Submissions Page.