Ready to get out of your house and back to ministry? So are we! Our team came together to brainstorm safe ways to re-engage with students this summer. In this episode we'll share seven of their top ideas to that will help you gather with groups of various sizes.

• 00:00... Intro

• 02:42... Groups of 10-15:

• 02:46... Bonfires and bring-your-own s'mores

• 05:27... Geocaching and scavenger hunts

• 08:15... Community service projects

• 10:19... Parking lot progressing meal

• 12:27... Be intentional with who and how you invitation (avoid open social media invites)

• Want more info on any of these ideas? We'll get you connected to some leaders who are doing each of these. Send us a message on Facebook!

Memorial Day in the United States signifies the unofficial start to summer. Though we are beginning to slowly emerge from our homes following the coronavirus quarantine, our summer ministry schedule will still look much different than we had planned. In this episode we share 3 ways your ministry can still build momentum this summer.

• 00:00... Intro

• 04:10... 1. More individual appointments (PRO TIP: be organized and keep a roster)

• Episode 82: Six Things to Consider Before Re-engaging

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One of the most common concerns voiced by youth workers through the COVID crisis is a major drop in "attendance" as programming moved to online venues. The question that is commonly asked is, "what do I do when students don't show up?" However, we think the question we really need to ask is, "Why are we expecting them to show up to our online programs?" In this episode we share what we've learned about youth ministry programming through this crisis and what it could mean moving forward.

• 00:00... Intro

• 07:26... The value of great youth ministry progamming

• 13:54... Re-emphasis on the ministry of presence

• Podcast: Youth Culture Matters - Episode 105: "Is Youth Ministry Programming Dead?"

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As state and local officials begin to loosen restrictions put in place in response to the coronovirus outbreak, it is time to start thinking about how we safely and wisely re-engage in ministry wtih young people. In this episode Brian offers 6 things every ministry must consider when making their plans.

• 00:00... Intro

• 04:49... 1. The guidelines of your local authorities

• 12:24... 1 Corinthians 6:12...

• Follow us on Facebook

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We've been in survival mode for almost two months hoping to weather the storm of COVID19. But now it may be time to shift and think about how we can move beyond surviving and consider how we can thrive in this new ministry context. Plus it's Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you!

• 00:00... Intro

• 07:32... Initial reactions to a potential new reality

• Disney's Imagineering

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Youth workers have tried a lot of new things in the last six weeks in their efforts to stay connected with young people in their communities - some have been excellent and some have not been all that effective. In this episode we welcome back a familiar voice who has been on the front lines making some of those adjustments. He shares the ups and downs of the last month and what he's learned through trial and error in this COVID world.

• 00:00... Intro and welcome back

• Episode 79: Thinking Forward (Brian's thoughts on life and ministry beyond COVID)

Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash

We are currenly moving into our sixth week of making adjustments to life and ministry due to stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus. It has been a challenging but encouraging few weeks as church and youth ministry leaders have shown great ability to be nimble and adapt quickly to the changing times. But now it may be time to start thinking about new ministry beyond COVID19.

• 00:00... Intro

• 04:36... Normal will never be "normal" again

• 11:28... Now is the time to start thinking to the future

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When the COVID19 threat became a reality many of us pivoted, made the necessary adjustments, and did what needed to be done. But we're beginning to feel signs of exhaustion now that the initial adrenaline rush is over. In this episode, we discuss the need many youthworkers have right now to take a time out to regroup, refresh and refuel and we offer some resources to help you care for yourself in the process.

• 00:00... Intro and guest co-host, Kristian Jarrett

• 15:05... Apps for personal growth

• Documenting the changes in youth ministry during a global pandemic:

• Episode 74: Ministry and Social Distancing (03.19.20)

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Beyond the fear of spreading or contracting COVID19, teenagers are experiencing a loss of freedom. In this episode, our guest Eric Kelly, who has spent his career in ministry to incarcerated teens, shares the similarities of the changing mindset of teenagers in lock up and those who are now cut off, at least physically, from life outside their homes and offers insights on how leaders can best engage.

• 00:00... Intro

• 15:03... The easiest and most difficult pivots for leaders to make

• Find out more about Youth For Christ's Juvenile Justice Ministries

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As we continue to document how youth workers across the United States are navigating the COVID19 threat that has restricted many of us to our own homes, we are learning that ministry leaders are adapting quickly and leveraging new opportunites for ministry. This week we are joined by special guest, Jon Christensen who serves as the Senior Director of National Ministries for Youth For Christ, USA. In this episode, Jon shares a broader perspective regarding youth ministry across the country as well as some encouraging outcomes despite the major disruption to life as we knew it.

• 00:00... Intro

• 03:20... First reactions

• 11:36... New opportunities and innovative ministry

• Youth For Christ Resources

Photo by bongkarn thanyakij from Pexels

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