Lydia Kidd shares her insights on student leaders and how her church has prioritized their development by involving them in ministry and providing them with mentors. Whether you are running a dedicated program for student leaders or just looking for ways to support some of your more committed students, Lydia will give you some great ideas. Not only that, but she’s making some of her documentation available to help you as you develop more leaders. You can find those resources at this link: https://bit.ly/3XiRxdZ

You can access the Renegotiating Faith research project at renegotiatingfaith.ca.

Learn more about the Coalition for Youth Ministry Leadership at youthworker.community/coalition

Find out more about where Lydia serves by heading to cschurch.ca. You can also access some of her student leadership resources at this link: https://bit.ly/3XiRxdZ

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

Listen in to this week’s conversation as Jeremy and William discuss how small group leaders can see more progress with their students. Will talks through the discipleship quadrant he uses with his team, which consists of four different quadrants: permissive, authoritarian, cozy, and Jesus-centered. He’ll emphasize the importance of balancing challenge and support in order to create a culture of growth and transformation. Will also provides practical ideas for small group leaders, such as praying for students, playing with them, posturing as shepherds rather than chaperones, and connecting with them outside of program moments.

Find out more about where William serves by heading to ebenezerbaptist.ca/youth or follow him on Instagram.

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

Jeremy and Josh discuss the importance of creating a high feedback culture in your youth ministry. When the whole team knows the purpose of the ministry it allows you to consistantly seek feedback from students and other leaders. That value of listening to students' ideas and dreams helps generate more buy-in as they get to have influence in shaping the ministry. Lastly, Josh will encourage you to be more than just a pamphlet of information, but to be a person who practices your faith and shares your lives with the students you lead.

Find out more about where Josh serves by heading to https://www.lewisville.church/ or https://www.cbmin.org/

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

In this conversation, Jeremy and Steve discuss how to handle a situation where your point leader is disorganized. Steve provides a framework for having hard conversations, which includes three phases: curiosity, clarity, and collaboration. In the midst of any difficult conversation, make sure you approach the conversation with curiosity and compassion, seeking to understand the other person’s perspective. 

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

REPLAY // This episode originally aired on May 24, 2021

Summer camp has historically been a pivotal place for the spiritual development of the next generations. If you have students connected to a summer ministry right now, you can help make that experience even better! Listen in as we chat with Deniel Sewell about the connections that should happen between school year ministries and summer ministries.

We want to hear from you! Submit your youth ministry question to [email protected]

If your ministry has small group leaders, then your ministry should have some way for those leaders to be coached. Oftentimes the coaching is left to the point leader, but as your ministry grows you should also find ways to empower volunteers to step into the small group leader coach role. In this conversation, Jeremy and Chandra discuss the importance of coaching and Chandra shares her experience implementing a coaching culture in her ministry and provides practical tips around supporting and guiding leaders, setting goals, and providing resources. Listen in for ideas that you can implement in your ministry this week!

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

Andrew Goodman, a missionary in southeast Asia, shares about the civil war and hardships faced by the people of Myanmar. Despite the challenges, he emphasizes the power of the gospel to bring hope and transformation. He encourages youth workers to have a bold and humble faith, to be part of God's movement, and to be open to God's calling in their lives. Andrew also highlights the work of OMF in ministering to the people of Myanmar and invites others to join in the mission.

Take a look at OMF by heading to their website here: https://omf.org/ca/

Or Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/omf_ca/

ANDREW GOODMAN is from the U.K. and is married to Shona, with whom he’s been serving in Southeast Asia, among transnational, unreached Buddhist peoples for more than 28 years. He has a passion to see God’s glory in places where conflict, darkness, and instability are daily realities for millions of people. Andrew has seen people who were previously lost catch the vision for their own people and even for people who were once enemies.

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

REPLAY // This episode originally aired on July 30, 2019

Summer brings a great opportunity to build relationships with your students outside of the typical routine, but what are the best ways to make that connection? What if your students are away at summer camp or working a job? Thinking creatively about leveraging the summer can lead to important spiritual conversations, can launch you well into the fall, and can give you a chance to connect with students you may not be able to otherwise.

We want to hear from you! Submit your youth ministry question to [email protected]

In this week’s conversation, Jeremy and Steve explore the tension between ministry commitments and family time. If you’ve ever wondered how to find a better balance, you’ll be encouraged by the idea of learning the sacred times of your family’s day. You should also take Steve’s idea of reframing the language around absence and use it to help your whole family understand the ministry you are leading.

Looking for the Coalition? Details are available at youthworker.community/coalition

Want to chat more with Steve? You can reach out to him at [email protected].

Want to chat about youth ministry? Give us a shout by emailing [email protected]

“I think first of all, as leaders, we have to understand what the gospel is first and foremost so that we can lead, encourage, coach, challenge, and even call [our students] to a decision.”

Mark Miller, from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, joins Jeremy on the podcast to discuss leading teenagers to Jesus. Mark emphasizes the importance of a moment of decision in accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and the need for youth leaders to understand and articulate the gospel. Listen in for a clear way that you can lead your students to faith in Jesus. 

You can join the work of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in spreading the gospel online by heading to SearchforJesus.net or check out www.billygraham.ca

Billy Graham would often pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust you and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, amen.”

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:9: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.