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In this episode of Stacking Chairs, Josh and Kyle sit down with veteran youth pastor Chris Bowles to tackle the problem of "winging it" on Wednesday nights. Chris unpacks how a clear, written strategy moves students from unreached guests to core disciples and keeps ministry healthy when staff transition. Drawing on decades of local church experience and new tools from Word of Life, he explains how intentional planning frees leaders from burnout, empowers volunteers, and delivers consistent discipleship long after any one pastor leaves.

Key Talking Points:

✅ Four levels of student growth – unreached, uncommitted, committed, core ✅ Personality driven ministry versus plan driven ministry ✅ Simple calendar hacks that ensure weekly touch points beyond Wednesday night ✅ Training volunteers to disciple so the pastor is not the bottleneck ✅ Metrics that matter more than attendance ✅ How Word of Life coaching and resources give churches a ready made roadmap

Great Youth Ministry Resources:

✅ Youth Ministry Curriculum & Tools (start for free): https://multiply.life

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About Stacking Chairs:

Welcome to Stacking Chairs: A Multiply Youth Ministry Podcast. We're here to equip and inspire youth leaders whether you run a youth group, a camp, or any ministry that reaches students for Christ. With practical insights and real life stories, we celebrate those who get there early, stay late, and literally stack the chairs. Join us as we encourage one another to lead well and impact the next generation. Keep stacking those chairs!

Special Thanks:

This episode is brought to you by Word of Life Youth Ministries. We help churches build deep and engaging youth ministries through coaching, curriculum, and creative Gospel events. Learn more about how we are on a mission to ensure Every Student, Everywhere Is Growing in Their Walk With Christ at Word of Life Youth Ministries.