Sometimes we need to make a change that we know people wont like. Maybe it's a tradition that is no longer appropriate. Maybe it's curriculum that needs to be updated. Whatever the case, if you need to make a shift without having everyone turn against you, this episode will help you. This episode was originally aired as #010. Mikel is still recovering from travel last week and plans to return to fresh content next week. Thanks for listening.

The word deconstruction doesnt mean the same thing to everyone. This episode will help you understand the different views of deconstruction and how you can keep your youth from experiencing it. This is a repost of episode #009. Mikel is traveling and will return to posting new episodes soon.

Trying to lead youth that don't want to follow you is like trying to herd cats. This episode will tell you how to be a leader your youth want to follow.

When a new student walks into your ministry for the first time, they will be nervous. This episode will share some things you can do to help them feel connected.

Teenagers don't nesessarily have a great reputation. And sometimes they can be hard to work with. But the very idea of a "teenager" didn't exist until very recently. So this episode focuses on better understanding where these young adults are coming from. So that we can minister to them more effectively.

Child Predators don't look like you expect them to. They are not easy to recognize and they are experts at manipulating children and adults. This episode will help you know what to look for and how to protect your youth from abuse.

The Tough C.A.S.E. System: https://www.maximizeyouthministry.com/opt-in

https://themamabeareffect.org/red-flags-of-child-predators/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/grooming/#signs

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/preventingchildsexualabuse-a.pdf

Talking about child abuse is not fun, but it is a vital step to stopping child abuse. This episode helps you recognize child abuse and understand the importance of reporting anything you notice. Mandated Reporter Training: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/ocap/mrt Stanford Website: https://childabuse.stanford.edu/screening/teens.html

It's not always easy for youth to communicate what they think, need, feel, want, etc. That's why we need to help them. This episode shares some of the things we can do to make it easier for our youth to communicate with us. So that we can serve them more.

Gossip is a disease. How do we stop it from infecting our youth? Especially when they might not even understand why gossip is wrong. This episode gives you some tips on how to stop gossip in your youth ministry.

If the show had a mantra, it would be this: Love the kids, all the time, no matter what. This episode focuses a little more on how we can do that. What does it look like to love the kids? Why is it hard sometimes?