In this episode of The SSM Student Pastor Hot Seat, Ian Dunaway and John Oliver sit down with Aaron Crider to discuss what happens after stepping into a new ministry role. Aaron reflects on the challenges and lessons of his first year in a new church, sharing about the emotional weight of transitions, the importance of community, and the growth that comes through waiting.

The conversation offers practical encouragement for student pastors navigating seasons of uncertainty, and it closes with a rapid-fire “Hot Seat” segment where Aaron answers real questions about his journey.

Key Takeaways:

Ministry transitions take time and trust

God works in the waiting

Every church has a unique culture

Personal growth often comes through difficulty

Encouragement and clarity often come through community

Subscribe for more honest conversations from the frontlines of student ministry. https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=773827b2-795a-4f64-9c6e-c6133282c5c5

As student pastors, we often discuss parents being the “primary disciple makers” of their children, but what does that really mean in practice?

In this episode, John and Ian sit down with Dr. Will Crum from Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN, to talk about how churches can equip and encourage parents to actually step into that calling.

We cover:

• Why parents have more influence than pastors ever will

• The 100-year discipleship deficit in the church

• Simple, practical ways parents can disciple their kids daily

• How to help parents overcome fear, shame, and overwhelm

• Why parenting for something (not just against the world) changes everything

At the end, we share about an exciting 8-week parent discipleship resource we’ve put together with Dr. Crum, which will SOON be available for members of the SSM Community.

Join the community and grab the resource: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=773827b2-795a-4f64-9c6e-c6133282c5c5

How do you design a midweek student service that actually matters?

In this episode, John and Ian dive deep into the structure, philosophy, and flow of midweek gatherings. From preaching to programming, from fun to follow-up, this conversation will challenge how you approach your weekly rhythm. Whether you’re questioning if small groups still work, wondering how long your sermon should be, or simply want to re-center your gathering on Jesus, this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

Why your “why” matters more than your format

What a healthy gathering flow looks like

How to teach with clarity and conviction

When small groups help—and when they don’t

Mistakes we’ve made and what we’d do differently

This episode is part of our ongoing mission to equip student pastors and volunteers with content that’s theologically sound, practically helpful, and honest about the real challenges of ministry.

Want more tools?

We’ve built a years of curriculum, leader tools, and training resources at shapingstudentministry.com/sermons

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian unpack why the school campus might be the most overlooked and most important mission field in your city. They talk practically and unscripted about:

• Why showing up at school might matter more than showing up on stage

• The difference between “felt needs” and “real needs” on campus

• How to build trust with administrators and become indispensable

• Why club ministry isn’t the finish line and what to do instead

• Real stories that will challenge your excuses and reignite your calling

Whether you’re just starting to think about campus engagement or you’ve been grinding it out for years, this one’s for you.

Need help equipping your students for this kind of ministry?

We’ve built a full year of biblically rich, gospel-centered curriculum to help your students grow and go. Sermon series, small group guides, graphics, and more. Check it out here: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/sermons

What does it really take to stay?

This week on The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian sit down with Roger Reid, who has been faithfully leading student ministry in New Brunswick, Canada, since 1994!

They talk about the hard seasons, the moments he almost walked away, and why long-term faithfulness matters more than we think.

If you’re in a place where you’re questioning your calling or wondering if staying put is still worth it, this one’s for you.

Fall is here, and with it comes packed calendars, high expectations, and the pressure to hit the ground running. But what if starting strong doesn’t mean doing more? What if the most important things for your ministry this fall are the ones that often get ignored?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian unpack a better way to lead this season. Whether you’re full-time, bi-vocational, or volunteering, they’ll walk you through a practical, sustainable approach to fall that actually works.

You’ll walk away with:

These aren’t flashy tricks. They’re field-tested strategies that will shape your ministry and your soul long after fall kickoff.

Part 2 is available "Behind the Wall," where we reveal the final two moves and give you the real-world tools to put them into action.

Start your free trial now and get instant access to the full episode, plus tools, templates, curriculum, and more:

We’ve all said it.

“We want our students to grow.”

“We’re about depth, not hype.”

“Parents are the primary disciple-makers.”

“Volunteers are essential.”

But if you don’t have a plan to make it happen, it’s not a conviction—it’s a catchphrase.

In this episode, John and Ian unpack the problem with shallow ministry language that sounds spiritual but lacks substance. From overused phrases to borrowed buzzwords, we examine how student pastors can fall into the trap of repeating truths without building toward them.

This conversation challenges you to ask deeper questions:

What does student growth actually look like in your ministry?

Where does it show up in your calendar, your teaching, and your systems?

Are you equipping parents and volunteers—or just talking like you are?

It’s time to move from catchy to convictional.

From slogans to strategy.

From surface to substance.

Listen now and take the next step toward intentional student discipleship.

Start a two-week free trial: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/list

How do you keep your heart soft when students you poured into walk away from the faith?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian have a raw, pastoral conversation about the deep grief many student pastors carry, especially when students who once seemed “all in” lose their way. They talk through the emotional weight of those moments, how to grieve well, and how to keep showing up with hope instead of bitterness.

This isn’t about blaming ourselves or others. It’s about guarding our hearts with the truth of God’s Word and staying faithful to the call, even when the fruit is hard to see.

Inside the Episode

Why it hurts so deeply when students walk away

Paul’s example of grieving without giving up

Why emotional maturity matters in ministry

You are not the hero—God brings the growth

Questions to ask when the grief feels heavy

How to walk in hope, not cynicism

Join The Community: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=43925d45-8efd-40df-b69d-cbbe7f873a47

What if discipleship was never meant to be one size fits all?

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Howell—a pastor, doctoral researcher, ropes course trainer, and 20-year student ministry veteran—to talk about what it really looks like to disciple neurodivergent students. From ADHD to autism and everything in between, Daniel offers honest insights from both his personal journey and years of ministry experience.

We cover:

What youth pastors need to understand about neurodivergent students

Why traditional age-graded ministry often falls short

How to spot common traits and red flags

Misconceptions that lead to ministry mistakes

How to connect, disciple, and empower students with ADHD or on the autism spectrum

Why every ministry should think more intentionally about neurodivergent inclusion

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Neurodivergence

00:52 Understanding Neurodivergence in Ministry

06:52 Defining Neurodivergence and Its Impact

12:13 Common Traits of Neurodivergent Students

13:04 Understanding ADHD and Autism in Students

15:17 The Importance of Consistency for Neurodivergent Students

17:29 Connecting with Autistic Students

21:26 Misconceptions About Neurodivergent Students

31:02 Embracing Unique Gifts in Neurodivergence

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed or under-equipped to lead students who don’t fit the mold. Let’s move from surviving awkward moments to creating intentional, Christ-centered connection.

Is summer where student ministry goes to die or is it the secret weapon for a better fall?

In this episode, John and Ian dive into the reality of summer chaos:

camp injuries, mission trip fails, and the pressure to “keep things going.”

But what if summer isn’t about just surviving? What if it’s your best shot at building real momentum for the fall?

We talk:

• Why some families (and staff) expect you to vanish for the summer, and how to push back

• Creative rhythms that help students thrive, not just attend • How to lead smarter, not harder

• Practical ways to leverage slower weeks for deeper discipleship and connection

• Why NOW is the best time to build your fall plan, recruit volunteers, and prepare your leaders

PLUS: If you’re a member behind the wall, we’ve got a bonus segment full of practical tools—calendar templates, planning sheets, and a fall ministry roadmap. Not a member? You can jump in today and get your first two weeks free.

Start your Free Trial: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=0a047568-f6b2-49c0-9cd2-c0f19c847bdf