Episode Show Notes

In this episode of NextGen Matters, Rich Brown invites ministry leaders to step beyond being busy for Jesus and focusing on the need for the life-giving rhythm of daily time in God’s Word. Drawing from research, personal stories, and biblical principles, Rich highlights why devotional consistency is not optional—it’s essential for each NextGen leader’s ministry and, more important, your own life.

You’ll hear about various biblical leaders who prioritized their personal intake of God’s Word. Rich also speaks into three approached to his quiet time: delight, diet, and discipline, for when you delight in God’s Word, have a diet of daily Scriptural intake, and discipline yourself, you don’t just survive ministry—you thrive as a son or daughter of God. You are prepared to face temptations, difficult seasons, and the daily battle of pursing godliness. And you will grow deeper in your love for Jesus as you sit as His feet and listen to your Shepherd’s voice.

Your devotional time matters because it anchors your soul, fuels your leadership, and sets an example for the next generation. Without it, ministry becomes mechanical. With it, ministry becomes life giving and invigorating.

Resources Mentioned

• Barna Group – https://www.barna.com/

• The Daily Bible (F. LaGard Smith)

• Lifeway Research – https://research.lifeway.com/

• Moody Press Bible Reading Plan (historical reference)

• YouVersion Bible App – https://www.youversion.com/

• The Bible (Scripture references: Joshua 1:8, Deuteronomy 17:18–20, Psalm 1, 119:105, Mark 1:35, John 6:30-38, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Articles

https://research.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-Greatest-Needs-of-Pastors-Phase-2-Quantitative-Report-Release-1.pdf

https://allpropastors.org/pastors-portal/pastor-statistics/

Timestamps

• 00:01 – 02:07 – Introduction to the topic: the struggle for consistent devotional time among ministry leaders.
• 02:07 – 05:14 – Why quiet time matters personally and in ministry leadership.
• 05:14 – 09:12 – National and church-wide statistics on Bible engagement.
• 09:12 – 13:15 – Ministry implications: devotional inconsistency, prep vs. devotion, emotional/spiritual impact, burnout risks, and modeling.
• 13:15 – 18:26 – Rich’s personal stories of how early Bible rhythms shaped his life and calling.
• 18:26 – 23:52 – Moments of grief, spiritual formation, and how Scripture grounded him in life transitions.
• 23:52 – 30:25 – Old and New Testament foundations for daily Scripture engagement.
• 30:25 – 36:40 – Three approaches to quiet time: delight, diet, discipline.
• 36:40 – 40:17 – Practical steps: getting in the Word, creating a game plan, choosing a reading plan, and inviting accountability.
• 40:17 – End – Final encouragement and preview of next week’s episode.

In Episode 4 of the NextGen Matters podcast, Why Does My Struggle Matter, Rich Brown speaks directly to ministry leaders about the reality of struggle and why it carries eternal significance. Whether it’s late nights after youth group, personal hardships like grief or financial strain, or the quiet ache of burnout and imposter syndrome, struggle is part of both life and ministry. Rich shares from his own early days as a young youth minister, reminding listeners that even in seasons of pressure, God’s faithfulness is present. Grounded in Scripture, he highlights how struggles come from external attacks, internal doubts, burnout, failed efforts, and the brokenness of the world—but they are never wasted. Struggle can refine us, deepen our dependence on God, and shape us into Christlike leaders who model resilience and authenticity for the next generation. Your struggle matters because it is formative—building character and humility—and transformative, leaving a legacy of faith for those you shepherd. In God’s hands, even the hardest battles become seeds of hope.

Resources Mentioned

• The Bible (Scripture references: 2 Corinthians 1, 1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 1–2, Matthew 16, Luke 8, James 1, Romans 5, Hebrews 12)

Timestamps
• 00:01–01:30 — Introduction: The reality of struggle in ministry and life
• 01:30–04:55 — Everyday ministry exhaustion and internal personal struggles
• 04:55–06:13 — The human condition of struggle and biblical grounding
• 06:13–09:04 — Rich’s early ministry story: Expectations, pressure, and first challenges
• 09:04–12:52 — Ministry hardships across multiple churches
• 12:52–14:58 — Why our struggles matter and how God works through them
• 14:58–22:44 — Five biblical sources of struggle
• 22:44–32:44 — Four ways to find success during struggle: Recognize, see reality, be refined, receive reward
• 32:44–37:32 — Biblical, ministry, and personal perspectives on suffering and growth
• 37:32–38:28 — Call to action and closing encouragement

In this episode of NextGen Matters, Rich takes us deep into the life and calling of Jeremiah, God’s prophet during Judah’s collapse, to remind us of the unshakable difference between calling and ministry. With warmth and clarity, he unpacks four timeless reasons why your ministry matters—today, tomorrow, after you, and for eternity.

Through powerful stories of faithfulness within unseen impact, on quiet students, and generational influence stretching from D.L. Moody to Billy Graham, Rich shows how ministry fruit often outlives the moment. You’ll be encouraged to see your leadership as part of God’s eternal timeline, where even small acts of consistency ripple into lives you may never know.

This episode closes with three practical steps you can take right now:

• Encourage a younger leader with prayer and affirmation
• Thank a mentor who shaped your journey
• Name one blessing God has given through your ministry

Your ministry matters because the gospel matters—and its impact echoes far beyond what you can see.

Resources Mentioned.

• Moody Church – https://www.moodychurch.org/• Moody Bible Institute – https://www.moodybible.org/

Timestamps

• 00:01 – Welcome and framing the core question: Why does your ministry matter?
• 00:57 – The aggressive and subtle challenges that make leaders question their impact.
• 04:13 – What ministry isn't rooted in: not titles, numbers, or visible success.
• 06:14 – A clear contrast between calling and ministry: definition, focus, scope, and meaning.
• 13:20 – Jeremiah as an example of steady calling expressed through shifting ministry.
• 16:22 – Four reasons your ministry matters: today, tomorrow, after you, and for eternity.
• 20:22 – How your faithfulness impacts students in ways seen and unseen.
• 22:54 – Your ministry’s ripple effects across generations.
• 28:28 – The eternal significance of serving in God’s story.
• 29:53 – This week’s practical call to action.

In this episode, Rich Brown invites ministry leaders to reflect deeply on their personal calling and the profound impact it has on their leadership and service. Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical insights, Rich explores how understanding and stewarding your calling can transform both your ministry and the lives of those you lead. Over a virtual cup of coffee, he encourages listeners to remember why they first said yes to serving, to recognize God’s hand in shaping their purpose, and to guard that sacred calling with faithfulness and passion.

Resources Mentioned:

• Called to Ministry: Calling Out the Called by Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt – https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/called-to-ministry-P008015192
• Lectures to My Students by C.H. Spurgeon – https://www.christianbook.com/lectures-to-my-students-charles-spurgeon/9781603740984/pd/740984
• The Life of D.L. Moody by William R. Moody – https://archive.org/details/lifeofd.l.moody00mood
• The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) – Walt Mueller – https://cpyu.org/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome and introduction: why your calling matters
• 01:00 – Rich’s first ministry experience and reflections on the early call
• 03:30 – Exploring the biblical foundation of calling: from Genesis to Paul
• 09:00 – Rich’s personal calling story and God’s preparation process
• 11:20 – Four marks of a genuine calling: heart, skills, affirmation, and circumstances
• 19:30 – Reflecting on the impact of your calling: five ways ministry changes lives
• 22:00 – Bridging generations and standing in the cultural gap for today’s youth
• 27:30 – Multiplying a gospel legacy through faithful ministry
• 28:15 – The stewardship of your calling: guarding what God has entrusted to you
• 32:30 – Call to action: share your calling story this week.

In this launch episode of NextGen Matters Podcast, Rich invites ministry leaders to rediscover the eternal significance of reaching today’s youth by asking one of the most important questions in ministry: Why does the next generation matter? Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and decades of youth ministry, Rich explores the urgency of reaching, discipling, and empowering the next generation for Christ. From Psalm 78 to Deuteronomy 6, and examples throughout the Old and New Testaments, he unpacks biblical foundations for NextGen ministry and challenges leaders to see the eternal impact of their calling.

Grab your coffee and join Rich as he unpacks the scriptural mandate, the spiritual opportunity, and the discipleship pattern that calls leaders to rise with clarity, confidence, and consistency. If you’ve ever felt the tension between your calling and the chaos of adolescent culture, this episode will remind you why your ministry matters, why your leadership is essential, and why the gospel must reach the next generation—before it’s too late.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Navigators - https://www.navigators.org/
• Dawson Trotman, Born to Reproduce - https://www.navigators.org/resource/born-to-reproduce/
• United States Census Bureau - https://www.census.gov/
• Barna Group Research - https://www.barna.com/

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why this next generation matters
• 01:30 – The biblical urgency of reaching the next generation
• 03:00 – Psalm 78 and the call to generational discipleship
• 05:00 – Rich's personal reflections as a grandfather and ministry leader
• 07:00 – The Shema and the call for family and spiritual community discipleship
• 08:30 – Old Testament models of multigenerational worship and teaching
• 12:00 – Jesus’ ministry to children and adolescents
• 17:20 – The urgency of the harvest: 84 million young people and the gospel gap
• 22:30 – Why adolescent ministry is crucial for shaping worldview and faith
• 24:40 – Generational discipleship and the warning from Judges 2
• 27:00 – Paul’s mentoring model: investing in the next generation of leaders
• 30:00 – Living with urgency: preparing future leaders of the Church
• 32:30 – The eternal value of investing in God’s Word and people
• 33:45 – Call to action: Thank God for your calling to serve this generation
• 34:30 – Closing encouragement: Your leadership matters because the gospel matters

Welcome to the first episode to the NextGen Matters Podcast,  where in this episode, Rich Brown introduces the NextGen Matters Podcast, a show created to support ministry leaders who are striving to lead with clarity, confidence, and consistency in the face of today’s cultural and ministry challenges. Rich shares his heart behind launching the podcast, the mission of Next Gen Matters, and the vision for future episodes that will engage, encourage, equip, and empower leaders serving the next generation. Drawing on over 40 years of ministry experience, Rich explains how this show will deliver biblical solutions, practical frameworks, and honest conversations for ministry leaders.

Resources Mentioned:

• Next Gen Matters  - https://nextgenmatters.org/

• The Bible (2 Timothy 4:7 reference)

Timestamps:

• 00:02 – Welcome to the Next Gen Matters Podcast: A show for ministry leaders seeking clarity and confidence. 

• 01:16 – Why start another ministry podcast? Rich shares the calling behind launching the show. 

• 02:23 – The challenges of leading in today’s culture and the heart to impact the next generation. 

• 04:09 – Beyond survival: Finding victory in ministry through the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

• 06:03 – Rich’s 40 years of ministry experience and the vision behind Next Gen Matters. 

• 07:25 – The importance of spiritually healthy leaders creating spiritually strong ministries. 

• 08:34 – The promise of every episode: biblical solutions, practical tools, and honest conversations. 

• 09:59 – Common pain points in ministry and upcoming topics for the show. 

• 11:40 – Closing encouragement: Your leadership matters because your ministry matters because the gospel matters.