Youth Worker Collective Podcast: Recent Episodes
Youth Worker Collective Podcast
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
This week Chris and Jeremy thumb through an ancient text of youth ministry games, and decide if they should be retired, modernized, or kept as is.
As summer quickly approaches Chris and Jeremy share some ministry programming hacks to keep you from burning out.
Given the current events of our world, Chris and Jeremy take time to discuss war and its place in our faith and what scripture says about it.
Are you using your social media accounts in a way that feeds addictive behavior, or to build relationships? This week, Chris and Jeremy talk about best practices for using devices and social media in your ministry.The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - www.anxiousgeneration.com/book
This week, Chris and Jeremy talk about interesting and inexpensive ways to decorate your youth ministry area to intentionally create a space that feels welcoming and appropriate for ministry with young people.
This week, Chris and Jeremy talk about how, as youth workers, you can support the teens in your ministry in finding their voice and taking action on the issues they’re passionate about.
For our 200th episode, Chris and Jeremy recall their favorite episodes from the past five years.
This week Chris shares some information about TENx10 and why it's a great resource for you as a youth leader.tenx10.org
This week Chris and Jeremy have some special guests on to talk about the recent Progressive Youth Ministry Conference that took place in Austin, TX.
This week Chris and Jeremy discuss ways to get older adults involved in your youth ministry and why it's important.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about the sacrament of baptism in the Methodist church.Resources mentioned in this episode:Crash Courses in Youth Ministry - https://store.umcdiscipleship.org/product-category/leadership_resources/crash-courses-youth-ministry/Belong - https://store.umcdiscipleship.org/product-category/belong/
This week Chris and Jeremy share ideas to help you plan for Christmas events and activities in your youth ministry.
This week, Chris and Jeremy talk about why the developmental spiritual needs of the families in your ministry is important, and how you can help cultivate that as a leader.
This week, Chris and Jeremy wrap up our Conversations on Violence series by discussing lament.
This week, Chris and Jeremy continue their conversation on gun violence. In part two of this series, we're talking about religious terms that people use in times of tragedy.
There has been a lot of violence in our country over the past week. In this episode, Chris and Jeremy are discussing how to keep the conversations going and share a resource to help you navigate this difficult topic.Courageous Conversations for Youth: Gun Violence - https://www.umcyoungpeople.org/lead/courageous-conversations-for-youth-gun-violence?fbclid=IwY2xjawM38A1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5ZEZFbm00SWRpNmJ4VXA1AR6K5aAnZUDsI9K185UwSVHfcWfvbk83PbupH6Xv-xz9C4XUsdRqjIjt1ZFRkw_aem_AIRfy-32QGWfNLg2cWc7nA
This week, Chris and Jeremy are discussing how political conversations are often avoided within the church, but when they involve justice and morality they have a place in the church. It's important to be able to intentionally address what's going on in the world with your teenagers. This will help keep them from becoming numb to what marginalized communities are experiencing. Be sure to come prepared with suggestions and ways they can make a difference. One great resource for this is umcjustice.org.
Chris and Jeremy are going over a back to school checklist to help you get back into the swing of things after summer.
You can visit Jonathan Haidt's website to get more information about his book!jonathanhaidt.com
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about how to stay relevant within a super fandom culture you can't realistically keep up with.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about how to handle when less people than you expected show up to an event.
This week, Chris and Jeremy are addressing the hard truth of having to fire a volunteer. We talk about best practices and how to be graceful and kind.
Chris and Jeremy are continuing their series of rules of youth ministry. We're talking about the importance of knowing and understanding your job title and ways that you can foster sustainability in ministry work.
This week, Chris and Jeremy give some tips on how to take some old games that have been popular in youth ministry for years and give them a new twist!
This week Chris and Jeremy sit down to discuss the "He Gets Us" ad that aired during the Super Bowl. They explore the importance of authenticity as well as diving a little deeper before sharing content with others.
Chris and Jeremy are continuing their series of Rules of Youth Ministry. This week we are sharing 6 tips on how to be yourself.
This week Chris sits down with Rev. Stephanie Dunn and Deb Arca to talk about spiritual practices for Lent. You can get a copy of Stephanie's new book, "Draw Close: A Creative Companion for Lent" is at https://store.upperroom.org/product/draw-close(Enter discount code "DC20" for 20% off!)ABOUT THE BOOK: On each of the 40 days of Lent, Dunn introduces you to a biblical text, prayer, and word prompt to ponder, followed by a blank page for you to respond in whatever way you choose—sketching, doodling, poetry, journaling, or however your heart desires! As you engage with the Lenten texts in this immersive way, you'll discover new depths of insight, connection, and spiritual renewal. Through the act of creation, you'll find a sacred space where prayer, meditation, and creativity converge, nurturing your soul and fostering a closer relationship with God.
Chris and Jeremy are kicking off a series of episodes about the Rules of Youth Ministry. This week, they're sharing SIX tips for how you can be easy to work with.
This week Chris and Jeremy are talking about what to do when someone stops attending your youth ministry events.
As we start back with a new year and a new semester for your students, we pulled a back-to-school episode from our livestream this past summer.
This week Chris and Jeremy look at youth ministry through the metaphor of car maintenance. If you don't take care of it, then it will break down. What are some of the things you need to be looking at in order to maintain your youth ministry?
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about drama. Every youth ministry has it, so let's talk about how to deal with it.
This week Chris and Jeremy are talking about money! Learn some new (READ: creative) ways to find funding for your youth ministry.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about Tik Tok and how you can use it in your Youth Ministry. Get tips on what to do and what to avoid.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about what leadership in youth ministry can look like, and how different it might be from what's always been the model for most youth groups.
Join Chris and Jeremy for a three-part non-political political series that will hopefully help you talk to teens about the political climate and season we're in. In this episode, we talk about young adults within the church who may be voting for the first time and what you as a youth worker can do to help them navigate that process without influencing their decision directly.
Join Chris and Jeremy for a three-part non-political political series that will hopefully help you talk to teens about the political climate and season we're in. In this episode, we talk about what churches can and can't do when it comes to elections. We also discuss the United Methodist Church's call to being active in the political process.
Join Chris and Jeremy for a three-part non-political political series that will hopefully help you talk to teens about the political climate and season we're in. In this episode, we're talking about John Wesley's three rules for voting.
This week Chris and Jeremy are joined by Alejandra Salemi to talk about her experience at General Conference, the hope she has for the church, and her podcast that blends religion and health, called "Healing Theology."Check out more about Alejandra and her podcast at healingtheology.com
Sometimes things get stale when we never change them. That's why Chris and Jeremy are talking about "blowing up" your youth ministry. How can you change some things up in order to open up opportunities for new things?
This week we're talking about what it's like dealing with parents of teens. As parents of teens themselves, Chris and Jeremy share a unique perspective on this week's topic.
This week Chris and Jeremy each share their top three youth ministry books that you should have on your bookshelf.Reading List:Helping the Struggling Adolescent: A Guide to Thirty-six Common Problems for Counselors, Pastors, & Youth Workers - https://a.co/d/0iARNhiLTo Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey - https://a.co/d/0fhazwRQGrowing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church - https://a.co/d/0c1x133JThe Godbearing Life (Revised Edition) - https://a.co/d/05G5iPmGTaking Theology to Youth Ministry - https://a.co/d/03y2hskmChanging the Game for Generation Alpha: Teaching & Raising Young Children in the 21st Century - https://a.co/d/0dDgZh9BBONUS:Innovating for Love: Joining God's Expedition Through Christian Social Innovation - https://a.co/d/0gWQKCkf
This week Chris and Jeremy wrap up our three-part series on General Conference. In this episode we touch on the major things that came out of General Conference.
This week Chris and Jeremy continue our three-part series about General Conference. In this episode we discuss some of what was voted on and what that means for the church.
This week Chris and Jeremy kick off the first of three episodes about General Conference. In this episode, we talk about what General Conference is and what people can expect to happen at this event.
This week Chris and Jeremy dive a little into generational studies to talk about how different age groups experience and interpret things.
This week Chris gives us a brief history of adolescence in the U.S. since the Industrial Revolution.Link to presentation slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1w0ybYagQYeYc5pzjr0T0hDV2Av9NHyE-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112307649728267594145&rtpof=true&sd=true
This week Chris and Jeremy discuss the importance of talking about vocation with young people and the ways to do so.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about the hidden messages in youth group games, and things you should consider when planning games.
This week Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk about the seven biggest trends in youth ministry for 2024.
This week Chris and Jeremy reflect back on Episode 150 with special guests AJ and Sam as they talk about when you should embrace the Spirit and when you should stick to the schedule that you set.Episode 150: https://soundcloud.com/youth-worker-collective/episode-150-revival-at-asbury
This week Chris and Jeremy are joined by Brad Laurvick who shares his experience using Tik Tok to start a successful ministry.
This week Chris sits down with two special guests from Asbury University. AJ and Sam are both juniors in Media Communications who join us to talk about the revival that happened at Asbury in 2023.
Jeremy and Chris sit down to talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and various ways you can use it in your ministry.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about christianity from a global perspective. Chris shares about his recent trip to Vietnam, and they discuss youth ministry around the world. They are joined by a special guest to share his experience from West Africa.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about John Wesley and share some important perspectives of his and how they connect to the United Methodist Church.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about denominational identity in your youth ministry. How much is too much, too little, or the right amount?
This week Chris and Jeremy share some of their best reasons for and against messy games or food based games.
This week Chris & Jeremy share their best ideas & tips for your ministry during December and January.
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about the concept of systems thinking when approaching not only your ministry, but your local church and THE church.Resources mentioned in today's episode:Atomic Habits - https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsseeallthepeople.orgFaith Beyond Youth Group - https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/faith-beyond-youth-groupGrowing Young - https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/growingyoung
This week Chris and Jeremy talk about the "inside" stuff that happens in youth ministry (and church in general). What are some ways we may be unintentionally (or intentionally) leaving some people feeling alienated?
This week Chris and Jeremy address the tough issue of what happens when you don't like a student in your youth Ministry.
Jeremy and Chris share some wisdom for how to have a smooth transition into a new youth ministry role. They sit down to share helpful tips to make things better for you, your family, students, and church leadership too.
When it comes time for you to move on from the church you are serving, there are some things you can do to make the transition smooth. This week Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk about those things...and a few things you should avoid as well.
This week Chris talks about sacred cows and how to identify them in your ministry. He shares an article with 5 steps to help you bury your sacred cow.Burying the Sacred Cows: https://www.umcyoungpeople.org/lead/burying-the-sacred-cows?fbclid=IwAR0ucabvfvQA1XqzQSsrRQlgGfzeY9I0t685dsOFxW8kvdX7KD0beLtKOJY
This week Chris and Jeremy share a list of seven things that could be key elements of your confirmation program. United Methodist Heritage & Beliefs - https://store.umcdiscipleship.org/product/methodist-heritage-beliefs/?fbclid=IwAR1zSkxB8B3EXdgvGchpBlmMzW0FoqVnhacnojEdX4VLKdlkPyhVIMkHom0
Chris and Jeremy talk about "failure to launch" and why that's a phrase and a mindset we should reconsider when it comes to the next stage in life for graduating high schoolers.
This week Chris and Jeremy discuss a difficult, but very real topic—gun violence. They touch on what our role as youth leaders is in this conversation, as well as sharing some resources to help you navigate this difficult conversation.
This week Chris and Jeremy share some of their favorite ideas when it comes to decorating youth space as well as some major fails.
This week Chris and Jeremy share their pet peeves in youth ministry, and Chris gives us an update on his Wednesday Addams binge watching adventure.
This week Chris and Jeremy sit down with special guest Chris Cummings. Chris shares what ministry looks like for him after stepping away from serving on staff in the local church.
Join Chris and Jeremy as they sit down to discuss what to do (and what not to do) when attendance drops in your youth ministry. They also share some great resources! Crash Courses on Administration & Discipleship: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.umcdiscipleship.org%2Fproduct-category%2Fleadership_resources%2Fcrash-courses-youth-ministry%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2z1znMysxrVmyMgO7wFOyZp8BZGeFne0lBpbjWJK3WhDwLaRy3Fo-fonE&h=AT1MWypKNJV3qFTR7yHxwtkjTP-S6i02XY4sifH0ztZ1wHdwqjFC7UWS2qCX5oDXL2lFFrGR8vvQ_zbKgbgu0h6EhOibs7_r3e83J7U4z-3kwuq--suqc7_NxEqt3r88wuCH_1U&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT18NpKtVipjJOPRIWXn7qE1-j347DO30N3tItA_BQDU0CjhSkPQI0CJD0-fYE9GWzhIBgekLu7sm-g_5dMtScopwsisChhOH30iAp5gox4qzTvaKFp6QmCMIdmQJ-P2CMP9ZC5wNmbbUjf8_0LrP0013Jd5qogbrZeBfALew_uTiZohtdTKkslmeCXwCxKOQMr4GLG1o200TffZyPuZ4n6E Youth Lessons for Lent: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umcyoungpeople.org%2Flead%2Fworship-series%2Flearning-to-live-inside-out-youth-lessons-for-lent-2023%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0-d6O4TyMsWFSJtbLSAiWG76DfhOJIob-Azfn20vTMG6ea3suzlSezz1w&h=AT0GF_eLR3aBjeI1RkLpELf5bR7AmK6oP8Q5dZBEk2llc-VnumjZ4sa2E10gHXylUQYkmbr7JxOOMBJynvGJGZNw6DRKZs8y6fc9qInHDR5ClnQqYtJ7GWYqPg5K91VaEIw2OvI&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT18NpKtVipjJOPRIWXn7qE1-j347DO30N3tItA_BQDU0CjhSkPQI0CJD0-fYE9GWzhIBgekLu7sm-g_5dMtScopwsisChhOH30iAp5gox4qzTvaKFp6QmCMIdmQJ-P2CMP9ZC5wNmbbUjf8_0LrP0013Jd5qogbrZeBfALew_uTiZohtdTKkslmeCXwCxKOQMr4GLG1o200TffZyPuZ4n6E Picture Lent: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpictureadvent.weebly.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR29s3h3qwUCsIAagjcNPOSfNBQWTJEFc4-cLXwmdFRl4dpOkfjxWWbDVX8&h=AT0XVgLUCuV7bbVtZetT0RfU5dC7h2CxkcOKxp4jTKYAp8PzYKWdAD6P7EOEqNQnh3ERtagnhjSdanRN5D_GPcibyx2OcuXyEP8DhjAE4bgpkVAzTWh8So31k3lltCBSGPZzqMI&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT18NpKtVipjJOPRIWXn7qE1-j347DO30N3tItA_BQDU0CjhSkPQI0CJD0-fYE9GWzhIBgekLu7sm-g_5dMtScopwsisChhOH30iAp5gox4qzTvaKFp6QmCMIdmQJ-P2CMP9ZC5wNmbbUjf8_0LrP0013Jd5qogbrZeBfALew_uTiZohtdTKkslmeCXwCxKOQMr4GLG1o200TffZyPuZ4n6E
Chris and Jeremy look at some Pew research results about what adults say is important to them when it comes to shared beliefs between themselves and their kids. Links from today's episode: Pew Research Article: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Fsocial-trends%2F2023%2F01%2F24%2Fparenting-in-america-today%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2V1_Lt1fERrAI7PRdz7W-SBo9VcbVP9BOITDDTVJ2LCZmqPSOaeKOTjI0&h=AT2Rrkg2n9u5L8KiuHnMh-POX7Z_8Fyg7UWKfpQAGT6cIBOjUMpUZe18Z3_GvbsvwgSJenIPNO8qsAfgx8K2mGoYi5k9h3rFvAmuhSo943HGb328b7itswYwZ_aJNdYTTUAlamA&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT28gVC0jSurjpijoCqKFKqGYgz6uUhFxT2btpwNz7PUnkOcIl0KYEmZ9W6G3bD9sDgXZrnZNVwUSt5HayOsnHv5ZBdcrnF49ufykHMYWK-QWaVllVwhtmSL4SnNMc_KmqokZNHWOI2wUKJhm-6HG4Stg5FKuLJaq7oSpm8S9Zhk1AwwICc_4VJzr891f3cvJuMWdnh9VjLon8NmPUKaDEQr Unitded Methodist Vows: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umc.org%2Fen%2Fcontent%2Four-united-methodist-vows%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2D8Yr5l9xswvVWO_JJUXWBw0okfV7kmvNspY0YZlOTv1HHCzG9K-DdNqc&h=AT3puMR0X3CorZVbkrfelvj7vTRO6AUoKa2NUGvpfhq4baH98FFt1ULaGvLuiBZDZvH8IngflgklTota2P7ResywLctVfGJx69twwrrXgfcjzDhFUsG5kTKoYtY0RdKhUSU13oU&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT28gVC0jSurjpijoCqKFKqGYgz6uUhFxT2btpwNz7PUnkOcIl0KYEmZ9W6G3bD9sDgXZrnZNVwUSt5HayOsnHv5ZBdcrnF49ufykHMYWK-QWaVllVwhtmSL4SnNMc_KmqokZNHWOI2wUKJhm-6HG4Stg5FKuLJaq7oSpm8S9Zhk1AwwICc_4VJzr891f3cvJuMWdnh9VjLon8NmPUKaDEQr United Methodist Baptismal Covenant: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umcdiscipleship.org%2Fbook-of-worship%2Fthe-baptismal-covenant-i%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR34ho2cr2Y4f9v1PaBr9PwLwf7Fp3_Z9RXctDXhBxzBRFZYFuZpbpWrMPg&h=AT3wrwSfxsx0lpmYSd8qUg7ravUfGi4FKftZohB8o0U6u8sjK5DcQP9M5Nc7aSasrcCayytZ-um-ya89oCYb0b2nuVlVBGosqDqX_XVdv6UNjc2ibfC-3rFXcxEG0yw3wdtgCbI&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT28gVC0jSurjpijoCqKFKqGYgz6uUhFxT2btpwNz7PUnkOcIl0KYEmZ9W6G3bD9sDgXZrnZNVwUSt5HayOsnHv5ZBdcrnF49ufykHMYWK-QWaVllVwhtmSL4SnNMc_KmqokZNHWOI2wUKJhm-6HG4Stg5FKuLJaq7oSpm8S9Zhk1AwwICc_4VJzr891f3cvJuMWdnh9VjLon8NmPUKaDEQr United Methodist Social Principles: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umc.org%2Fen%2Fwho-we-are%2Fwhat-we-believe%2Four-social-positions%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR223znRKvCtzox3ETw1669YJLB0ZTAzb1jywrBzDWO4GTSwAC0LQwiqM1E&h=AT2-jbq6yah_YoV_EsfrSJYgOf7gY5c-xsNw1PyAGnLx-oILy7wjtCPWhSPqiJ9EjnDChgbni85g_CmDFglhtKticnj-HQ-fMvouSGLy1L9rHGrpYuAm7It0bij-8NIzYbRUL4g&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT28gVC0jSurjpijoCqKFKqGYgz6uUhFxT2btpwNz7PUnkOcIl0KYEmZ9W6G3bD9sDgXZrnZNVwUSt5HayOsnHv5ZBdcrnF49ufykHMYWK-QWaVllVwhtmSL4SnNMc_KmqokZNHWOI2wUKJhm-6HG4Stg5FKuLJaq7oSpm8S9Zhk1AwwICc_4VJzr891f3cvJuMWdnh9VjLon8NmPUKaDEQr
Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk hiring process...the good, the bad, and the ugly! They share lots of practices you should consider as a church hiring, and what you should look for as well as avoid if you're the one looking for a youth ministry job.
Chris and Jeremy talk about the importance of integrating youth into the full ministry of the church, and how to avoid creating silos within your church. Sam Halverson's book, "One Body": https://www.amazon.com/One-Body-Integrating-Teenagers-Church/dp/0991005082?fbclid=IwAR2jh0uSYyvZbZ5rJ4CPwIuxvwXcmKSYyvhSnBR_SAFI4VwVFOOrgVpKcqo
Chris sits down with some special guests to talk about worship leadership in youth ministry. Specifically discussing how you as a youth worker can help identify this gift & help nourish it within the people in your church.
You should never stop learning (in youth ministry and in life)! Chris and Jeremy talk about the importance of gaining a fresh perspective from people who may be new to youth ministry as well as learning from veterans who have experienced a lot. Attending youth ministry conferences and seminars is an opportunity to network and gain new resources, as well as meet with other youth workers, and worship in a space where you aren't in charge.
Is it ok for a youth worker to be out of the loop on pop culture? Jeremy and Chris answer this question and so much more as they discuss Wednesday Addams.
After talking about rookie mistakes in youth ministry in our last episode, Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk about veteran mistakes this week.
Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk about rookie mistakes that you want to avoid when getting started in youth ministry.
Chris and Jeremy talk about teenage emotions. The science behind behavior, how to respond and connect with teens, and avoiding emotional manipulation.
This week, Jeremy and Christ sit down with Court VonLindern from the Mountain Sky Conference to talk about inclusiveness and what that should look like in your youth ministry. We also talk about what happens when a youth ministry is accepting, but the congregation as a whole isn't, and what you as a youth leader can do to be supportive.
Chris and Jeremy share their favorite big event ideas that have the biggest pay off with the lowest cost and prep.
A common trend among teens is to attend multiple churches for various events, and have a somewhat "a la carte" church experience. Chris and Jeremy sit down and talk about how to flip the script and look at the positive aspect.
This week we talk about how to fire a volunteer. Maybe they are just in the wrong volunteer role and a simple move is all they need. Maybe they are toxic and you might need some backup to approach the subject. Whatever the situation, Chris and Jeremy have your back with tips on how to best handle things.
Chris & Jeremy discuss the inevitable issue that happens in every youth ministry...conflict...among adults. And how to deal with it.
This week Jeremy and Chris sit down to talk about evaluating curriculum. They bust the myth that you must write your own curriculum. Why reinvent the wheel when you can use the resources available? They share tips on what to look for when evaluating curriculum as well as share some valuable resources.
This week we sit down to talk about how teenagers think and process information. Looking at what that means for helping them develop their belief system and form their faith...not just teach them to regurgitate ideas.
Jeremy and Chris sit down to share some ideas for kick-offs and some best practices for annual check ups.
Jeremy and Chris sit down with one of Jeremy's former students and get some insight into youth ministry from the student perspective.
As the wave of news about disaffiliation among the United Methodist Church increases, Jeremy and Chris sit down to talk about what that means for you as a youth worker and us as a church.
Jeremy and Chris discuss the roots of the Methodist church with a little history on John and Charles Wesley.
Christ shares a short excerpt from "Everyday Disciples: Covenant Discipleship with Youth" about the importance of reflecting, not deflecting.
This week Chris and Jeremy sit down with Sam Halverson to talk about growing a youth ministry at a church that didn't see their potential or the ministry that was already there.Links mentioned in today's episode:Perkins School of Theology Microgrants - https://rebootyouthministry.com/?fbclid=IwAR26bw_9hTnctmwF0XGrmZJTsofGfMLw6jPaoYd77W07ADWl6WbY0P90Y8QDiscipleship Ministries One Matters Award - https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/about/one-matters?fbclid=IwAR0fHG3jRFSZ80u2kp9N-HaQIpzJrmlRub5WOJIg0x1_DVxzXg3VO505zqI
Chris and Jeremy talk about design thinking as an approach to ministry planning and development.
Jeremy and Chris sit down with Alyssa, one of Chris' former youth from St. Luke's UMC, to catch up with her and share stories from the past.
Failure is part of life...and youth ministry! On today's episode, Jeremy and Chris share some of their most epic failures, the important lessons they learned, and how they got through them.
Much like coffee, discipleship is something that should be done with a sense of intentionality. Join us this week as Chris and Jeremy move into part two of our three-part discipleship series.
Being able to understand and define a disciple is vital in ministry. Chris and Jeremy introduce our three part series on discipleship by discussing eight way to recognize discipleship.
Chris talks a little about the partnership between UMC Young People and Cultiv8 Group. He also shares a short devotion about Moses.
In the final week of our Digital Youth Ministry series, hosts Chris Wilterdink and Jeremy Steele talk about disinformation and misinformation. Digital youth ministry requires clarity and consistent communication.
Chris and Jeremy tackle a big topic with the final episode of our three part series on Speaking Adolescent. Today we're talking about drama, emotions, and the teenage brain.
On week two of this three part series, Jeremy and Chris talk about the difficulty teens have with understanding metaphors.
The communication struggle between youth and adults can often be frustrating. Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk about what's happening in the adolescent brain during this development stage to help you understand and respond.
This week we're wrapping up our admin series talking about leadership development as part of your administration. Developing strong leaders within your ministry allows you to be able to share some of the responsibilities.
For this special episode, Chris and Jeremy sit down with a mental health professional to talk about the recent tragedy in Uvalde, TX and the impact it can have on young people. They also take a look at God's perspective on gun violence.
As we continue with part two of our admin series, Chris & Jeremy talk about forms and records.
In part one of the admin series, Chris and Jeremy talk about effective administration and small steps you can take to help achieve it.
Chris and Jeremy wrap up the final episode of the three-part series on Self-Care & Sabbath talking about what the most effective form of worship is for them.
This week, Chris and Jeremy continue the conversation by discussing the differences between self-care and sabbath. Being depleted is a spiritual issue as much as a physical one.
This week, Chris and Jeremy talk about the importance of self-care and taking intentional time for sabbath, and how sabbath is a gift to us, not something to be accomplished.
We take a break from the "Crash Courses on Youth Ministry" to talk about what's happening in our world right now, and how you can open up conversations about war and peace with your students.
Chris and Jeremy wrap up our three part series on trips and retreats this week talking about marketing your trip and evaluating how well it went when it's all over.
Chris and Jeremy continue our series on trips and retreats. Part two focuses on more details of planning...like checking the church, community, and school calendars before locking in dates for your trip, as well as planning the daily schedule during your trip.
This week, Chris and Jeremy kick off a three part series on Trips & Retreats. Part 1 is all about brainstorming and planning.
Chris Wilterdink continues our series on Keeping Volunteers with 5 tips for training and keeping volunteers.
Jeremy and Chris share their experiences as youth workers on staff at a church on Christmas Eve.
Melissa Collier Gepford joins us to talk about her experience working with volunteers. She shares important things you can do to help your volunteers avoid burnout and keep them engaged in your ministry.
Chris and Jeremy talk about the FREE "Crash Courses in Youth Ministry" eBooks that were released this fall. You can download those eBooks here: https://www.umcyoungpeople.org/lead/crash-courses-in-youth-ministry
In our last episode we talked to Jarrod Johnston about what NOT to do with fundraising. This week, Chris and Jeremy sit down to talk about what DOES work and share fundraising ideas to get you started.
Fundraising is something that all youth ministers have to do. Jarrod Johnston kicks off part one of this two part series talking about what NOT to do.
Mighty Rasing with Discipleship Ministries joins us this week to talk about what transcends cultures in youth ministry as well as what’s different in Christianity across cultures. Mighty talks about conflicts and destruction within the church and how often the youth can be collateral damage.
This week, Ann Kessler talks about overseeing the Family Ministry at First UMC in Loveland, CO and how she empowers her volunteers. She also shares about finding God’s purpose for us and being willing to take risks.
Bart Patton joins us today to talk about his passion of shifting the focus of seminary to lifelong learning. Instead of looking at education as an end goal of attaining a degree, rather creating a community of lifelong learners. Bart also shares some encouragement from Philippians 2:12b-15 as he talks about how God has called us to be stars.
This week we are joined by Jason Scott, found of theministryfinder.com, a website that helps people looking for ministry jobs find churches looking to fill ministry roles. Jason also talks about the idea of perspective and perception and how moving just six inches to the left or the right completely changes how things look.
This week we are joined by Mike Ratliff as he talks about the importance of focusing on the relational aspects of youth ministry. He also shares with us the ways he finds to listen to God's call on his life and how he uses photography as a way to share that with the world.
David Thompson from Trinity UMC joins us this week and starts off with a discussion on entering a season of rebuilding after a worldwide pandemic. He shares the parable of the three servants from Matthew 25 as we talk about the struggles you can face when answering the call to serve God.
This week, Marc Baugh from Auburn United Methodist Church talks about how they maintain small groups as the center of their youth ministry. He also talks about the two rooms where we find Jesus in the book of Luke and how those moments are mirrored in life.
This week, Jeremy Steele sits on the other side of the mic to talk about the difference between building a youth ministry vs. ministering to youth. Jeremy shares the story of Ehud in Judges and discusses the importance of seeing value in all people.
This week we are joined by Curt Franklin as he talks about connecting churches and helping them collaborate with other churches. Curt shares how he is redefining work and taking a true sabbath. He shares the steps he took to trust God and His timing.
This week we sit down with Aileen Jimenez from UMComm in Nashville, TN to talk about the struggles and challenges facing the Latino church during the pandemic, as well as her experiences growing up as a preacher's kid (PK). Aileen discusses hope and how it's playing a role in our communities at this particular time in the world.
Psalm 118:24 says "This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (NLT) Trip Lowry joins us to talk about the neuroscience behind positive and negative thoughts, and how the brain holds on to each. Your brain is like velcro to negative thoughts and teflon to positive thoughts. Trip talks about how we can make positive thoughts stick more than negative ones.
As president of Youthworks, Erica Schimelpfenig shares how they are adjusting what they're doing to help mission teams and the communities they are serving stay safe during the pandemic. Erica talks to us about facing difficult circumstances rather than running from them, much like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego, and trust that God will see you through.
We often focus on the “who” and the “what” in youth ministry and forget about the “why.” Jake Mulder challenges us to step back and ask ourselves why we do what we do.
Kara Powell joins us to talk about striving for the kind of unity that Jesus mentioned in John 17. She challenges us to take Jesus' last prayer and make it our first.
This week Mark Oestreicher joins us to share some encouragement through the story of Jairus, as well as some wisdom for youth workers. Mark talks about what has changed and what has stayed the same in youth ministry over the years, as well as some key things for youth workers to pay attention to during this pandemic.
This week Kenda Creasy Dean joins us to talk a little bit about what she sees over the horizon for youth ministry, and how understanding passion can be key to the spiritual lives of teenagers. As we head into 2021, we take a look back at 2020, and there are many things that we can't unsee. Like the rebel on the cross beside Jesus, we simply ask, "remember me".
Join us as we sit down with Trisha Manns and Kathryn Sappington to talk about the Global Mission Fellows Program. You can get more information about the program and find out how to apply at umcmission.org/gmf.
Sam Halverson joins us this week to talk about understanding what it means to ask for the heart of God. Loving as God loves means hurting when God hurts, and you see what humanity can do.
How do we deal with crazy things that are happening in the world? Mark Oestreicher joins us this week to talk about what students need from us as youth workers during this season of unrest.
Things are often tight when it comes to budget, but they are especially tight during a pandemic. Brian Lawson joins us to talk about importance of cultivating a relationship with the church leadership that communicates the value in what you're doing.
This is a difficult time in our world. Don't forget to pause and check on your youth and children's ministry staff. Care for them both personally and professionally.
During this time of social distancing and not being able to gather, many companies have made some great resources available to help you do ministry at a distance.
The day we have all been waiting for...re-opening our churches and youth ministry. We sit down this week to talk about what you can do to ensure the safety of your staff, volunteers, and students.
Keeping children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe from predators is very important! Today we talk about how to accomplish that in a digital world.
What about summer? That's the question we're hearing the most as we navigate our new "normal" during this pandemic. We sat down with Scott Meier and Eddie Erwin to talk about what they're doing as far as summer ministry plans.
Summer seems like it is a long time away from now, but there are definitely things in your planning for summer that need to be attended to in January. This week, the collective discusses what those things are, and more.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Join us as we sit down with the collective to get tips on how best to recruit volunteers for your youth ministry.
It’s getting close to Halloween and haunted houses are probably popping up in your city/town. Hell Houses are popular “haunted houses” that use scare tactics to try to scare Jesus into people. This week we sit down with the collective to talk about how to respond to people who suggest taking the youth group to a Hell House.
We’ve all been there … you plan a big event and no one shows up. Listen as the collective shares their experiences with how to handle it.
It’s something no one wants to deal with, but we all have to—budget! Listen as the collective sits down to give some tips about getting started and how to manage your budget successfully.
We often get asked about Thanksgiving break and what to do during this time. Listen as the collective sits down to talk about what they do for youth ministry as well as college ministry.
It’s time to start planning for Christmas! No worries…the collective sat down and put together some ideas of what has worked for them in the past.
It’s not too early to start planning for summer mission trips. Listen as the collective talks about some ideas and resources to help you plan your next trip.
One of the hardest things to do is evaluate how things are going in your ministry. This week, we sat down with the collective to find out the best ways they have discovered to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t.
We have a tendency to focus on our students and our youth ministry, but it’s important to focus on your own spiritual growth! Listen as the collective talks about the tech tools that help them spiritually.
Don’t try to come up with all the good ideas about youth ministry on your own. Leverage the collective! Listen as we sat down to talk about our favorite (READ: most helpful) articles from the Youth Worker Collective this year.
It’s that time of year again. As the new year rolls around we all try to come up with resolutions to better ourselves. Listen as we sat down with the collective to talk about New Year’s resolutions for youth ministry.
The news has been full of stories of sexual harassment and abuse in recent months. This week, we sat down with the collective to talk about what steps you can take to help protect your youth ministry from abuse and harassment and ways to change the conversation about sexuality.
It’s inevitable…students within your youth ministry will date each other! This week, we sat down with the collective to talk about the best way to deal with students dating each other.
In today’s highly charged times, it’s easy find yourself as the sole adherent to a particular political philosophy in a crowd. This week, the collective discusses how to engage in positive political discussion.
One of the most difficult things to deal with in youth ministry is the death of a teenager in your community. This week, the collective discusses how to answer the questions that will inevitably be asked when this happens.
Cutting, or other forms of self-harm is a phenomenon that youth workers might have to investigate. This week, the collective discusses these behaviors and when is the right time to call parents, or even mental health professionals.
It is inevitable that one will encounter the delicate situation of teen pregnancy in youth ministry. This week, the collective discusses how to handle not only the teen, but others in the group as well.
Tragedies, such as mass shootings, seem to be in the news every week these days. The collective discusses how to engage students on the issues and how to help them process what has happened from a spiritual perspective.
Mission work is an essential part of the youth group experience. But what if it turns out that the mission work that you’ve chosen doesn’t actually help those that you’ve committed to help? The collective discusses how to make sure your mission work does help and doesn’t hurt the intended recipients of your good intentions.
Confirmation is an essential part of ministry to youth. This week, the collective sits down to discuss how it’s being done at the panelists’ church, and what criteria they’ve used to evaluate whether or not the program is considered to be a successful one.
It will inevitably happen. At some point, a well-intentioned trip or retreat will be an abject failure. This week, the collective shares some of those failures and lessons learned from the “experience.”
This week, the collective discusses what’s important and what isn’t when looking for a job in youth ministry.
This week, the collective continues the discussion on what’s important and what isn’t when looking for a job in youth ministry.
This week, the collective talks about those little life hacks that can help so much when taking a summer trip in youth ministry.
This week, the collective talks about longevity in youth ministry, and how to attain it.
This week, the collective discusses how to effectively partner with children’s ministries.
The collective discusses how to do intentional ministry that reaches introverts, starting with defining what an introvert actually is.
This week, the collective enlists the input of seasoned youth workers from several disciplines about how to handle the death of a teen, regardless of whether that teen is on the inside or the outside of the youth group.
The collective discusses how to respond to questions that students may have about faith, and the necessity of training all workers in this area.
How do you address sex and sexuality in your youth group? Listen in as leading youth workers discuss their own experiences and best practices.
This week, the Youth Worker Collective discusses ways that of motivating students to read the Bible on their own. Several very interesting and effective methods are presented, one of which might just work for your students.
The outcome of the upcoming Special General Conference in February has the potential to profoundly affect the United Methodist Church, but what impact will it have on local churches? This week, the collective discusses how to approach this and other denominational issues with youth.
There’s a wealth of youth ministry material out there, but what criteria should you use to decide whether it meets your standards? Or should you just write your own? Theological integrity and suitability for the congregation that you serve are obvious considerations, but there’s more to the evaluation process than that, and the collective gets down to the basics about the topic this week.
Every youth worker has had (or will have) a youth activity idea that sounded good, but failed miserably. The collective members talk about some of their failures, and the lessons we all can learn from them.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Join the collective this week as they discuss everybody’s favorite time of the year: good ol’ Spring Break. They break down what to expect, who’s gonna be there, and other aspects of what has and has not worked for them in their Spring Break ministries.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
The collective welcomes Chris Wilterdink, the Director of Program Development for Young People’s Ministries in the USA, as he talks about YOUTH2019, the national gathering of Methodist youth that will occur this summer in Kansas City.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Navigating ministry with LGBTQ youth in the current climate can be complicated. Listen in on this discussion between leading youth pastors on how to navigate this ministry so that all of God’s youth are called deeper in relationship with their creator.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
There are over 820 million people who are chronically malnourished in the world (that's about 1 in 9 people). Andy Morris from Rise Against Hunger and FastPrayGive helps break down what that means, how you can talk to your students about the issue, and what we can do to help fight it.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
As youth workers, we have to come up with ways to be creative with the scriptures. We sat down with Kim Montenegro to talk about how to make the Bible come alive while still being responsible with the scriptures.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
People use the word “calling” very haphazardly in the church world. Wendy Mohler-Seib from the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College talks about what it means theologically to have a calling and how it is often misused.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
How can you address “calling” in Youth Ministry in practical terms? Wendy Mohler-Seib from the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College talks about understanding who you are and how you fit into the world.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
As youth workers, we often find that self-care is at the bottom of our list of priorities. This week we talk about a few ways you can practice good self-care by creating boundaries, building healthy relationships, and being prepared.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Ministry is impossible without volunteers! Being intentional about saying thank you is vital. This week we sit down to talk about ways you can show your appreciation to your volunteers and help build a sense of camaraderie.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them. This week we share some of our biggest failures and what we learned from them.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Every youth worker who leads a small group fears trying to get students to participate during discussions and all you hear is crickets! This week we sit down with Lee French to talk about how to create an atmosphere to get your students to talk.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Staying connected with your volunteers and creating a support system with them is the key to having successful on-going relationships with your volunteers.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
There has been a lot of talk about the United Methodist Church and what’s happening with a possible split. With all of that talk comes a lot of confusion and questions. This week we sit down with some youth workers and try to offer some clarity on the subject.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
With the recently released protocol from the United Methodist Church there are lots of questions. We sat down this week to discuss how you can talk to the teens in your ministry and help them understand what this protocol means and what they can do.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Assessing potential problems with potential mission opportunities and organizations is an essential part of planning and preparing your team to be successful on short term missions.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.
Allowing students to encounter the same problems and make the same decisions as their brothers and sisters all over the world helps them make a deep spiritual, physical, and emotional connection. This week we sit down with Sam Gochey from SIFAT to talk about how experiential learning and missions. You can find out more information about SIFAT at sifat.org.
Youth ministry is not a solo sport, but far too often youth workers feel like they have to do it alone. We are here to help with that. Every week some of the top United Methodist youth workers offer free resources from their real-world ministries. You’ll find everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on how to put together a budget.
We hope that when you get online to work, you don’t feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want to be the first place you turn for games, lessons, ideas, coaching, and personal devotions.