Send us a text

Ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions this holiday season? Ever tried to surprise your high-end friends with a gift only to find it relegated to the 'middling' category? Grab a cup of cocoa and join us as we traverse the holiday gift-giving terrain, highlighting the importance of backstory and adventure in choosing presents. We'll even tell you why your friend who has no inkling about a multi-tool could end up loving it as a gift!

• 0:03: Christmas Gift Wishlist and Midrange Gifts
• 8:30: Navigating Difficult Parent-Youth Ministry Relationships
• 24:34: Relationships & Faith in Ministry

Venturing into deeper waters, we grapple with the delicate issue of helicopter parenting in youth ministry. Through our exploration, we underline the need to examine each scenario in its unique context and how it transcends individual parents, pushing us to consider the home and generational backdrop. But amidst these challenges, there's the golden opportunity of nurturing relationships in youth ministry. We uncover the essence of deep discipleship and faith formation in impacting the next generation while unearthing the surprising ministry opportunities with parents. So buckle in for an enlightening journey of faith, relationships, and yes, some chuckles along the way!

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

Could you eat faster than Zac?

 No One's Going To Take It!
Join Zac and Chad, where we kick things off with a hilarious debate centered around Zac's rapid-fire eating habits and his lofty claim of inhaling 50 hot dogs in four minutes. We even ponder on what would be the most embarrassing food record to hold. It's a light and hearty start to an episode that gets you laughing and wondering about your own eating speed.

ParaSocial Relationships
Then, things take a more profound turn. We journey back to the 1950s as we explore the realm of parasocial relationships and their tremendous influence on present-day youth culture. From their roots in celebrity culture to their evolution and widespread acceptance, it's eye-opening to examine how even individuals with a minute online presence can significantly impact young people's relationships. As we steer this conversation, we also analyze these relationships' potential hazards and how they can impact their connection with higher powers, like God.

Improving Our Present Condition
But we're not all about identifying problems; we aim to bring solutions to the table. Therefore, in the concluding part of our discussion, we delve deep into the importance of relationships in youth ministry. We emphasize the need for safe social spaces for students and meaningful connections among youth ministers. We believe that humor and fun serve as glue in cultivating these connections, and we take you along as we look into how this can elevate the ministry. 

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

Youth Ministry Is Relational, but what does that mean? Have you ever wondered how to maximize relational opportunities in youth ministry? That's exactly what Zac and Chad are unpacking in this episode. 

Chil or No-Bean Chili?
We kick off the show with some winter joys and a feel-good chat about all things chili. There's even a bit of a friendly debate on Wolf Brand chili and I share the recipe for my favorite homemade version. Chad's friend eating it cold is a monster by the way!

Youth Ministry's Greatest Leverage = Relationships
As we shift gears, we dive deep into the world of youth ministry and the unique relational opportunities it offers. 

But How? 
We share our insights on how to best utilize these opportunities, emphasizing the importance of setting aside time before services to build connections with students and leaders. We explore the various activities that can foster stronger relationships, such as pre-gathering activities and casual chat spaces. 

Consider the potential of high school and older student leaders leading these activities and how an inviting atmosphere can be created at the door with clear expectations set for adults. 

It's almost a new year friends, so buckle up and get ready to hear some real-life strategies that have transformed our youth ministry experience.  It's an important time for thinking relationally about your youth ministry. 

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

How do I get students to actually read their Bibles?

 Join Zac and Chad as we recount some wilds stories of swimming in open waters. Seriously though, Chad why would you push your wife towards the sharks? 

Getting students to engage with Scripture starts where they are and nurturing their curiosity so they don't fall into patterns of only reading it during crisis or reciting it as cliche. 

Remember, your goal is to create an environment where teenagers can explore the Bible's teachings in a way that resonates with them. It's about fostering a genuine interest and understanding rather than forcing them to open to it. 

Join us as we dive into these practical strategies to help your teenagers build a meaningful connection with the Christian Bible.

The role of a great youth minister is as a guide. You are taking people out on the boat to show them how deep and beautiful the ocean really can be. 

You are creating a safe space for exploration and that support will help your students journey through the scriptures.

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

What are we going to do next?  What do we have planned?

It's something we say often as youth ministry leaders, but is that really all there is? Is ministry just a matter of planning?

Do we really need a better calendar? Is all about what we can plan?

We are talking spiritual health inside of Youth Ministry Booster and we have been asking what we need.

What we really need is...

Discernment.

The collective effort to not ask, "what do we have planned?" but to seek what God might have for our ministry through story-telling, celebration, and noticings.

God's Plan.
It is something we have to be reminded about, like our almost 8 year history of podcasting. Back in 2015, our 'After 9' era, we were self-funded *resourceless* and attending our first conference in Texas with a pop-up banner, borrowed office chairs, and a bowl of gummy bears. 

There is an invaluable lesson you can only learn when you feel like you have nothing,. It's the lesson about asking the right questions and discernment in youth ministry leadership.

So we hope this humorous and helpful reminder gives you hope. 

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

Piles. Stacks. Mess. UGGGHHHH! Are you tripping over clutter, both in your physical space and your digital life?  Same.

Until...

Join Chad Higgins and Zac as we take a deep dive into personal organization. This is part 3 of our organized for impact series for youth ministry leaders. 

There is power, power, wonder working  power of labeling and how designating a space for each item, no matter how small, can rein in the chaos.

*BONUS discover the secret to protecting your personal email from the undesirables.

We discuss the benefits of breaking up your day into manageable chunks and how setting timers can keep you motivated. And if things get too overwhelming, don't worry - we've got strategies for resetting and refocusing your energy. Remember, you're not alone on this journey. This week, take a step towards a more organized life by listening to this episode and make a new friend who shares your goal. You might just be surprised at how much you grow!

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

The battery was dead!

Taking control of schedules, creating task lists, and breaking tasks into manageable chunks, we discuss how these skills are critical in improving focus, efficiency, and dealing with student ministries.

Zac and Chad wrap up their discussion by exploring the significance of organization in student ministry. Learn from our experiences on how to stay ahead of deadlines, manage stress, and plan effectively.

0:00 Organizational Tips and Car Troubles

7:39 Strategic Planning and Bigger Calendar

13:07 Time Management in Student Ministry

21:13 Developing Leadership in Student Ministry

33:23 Effective Leadership and Delegation for Tasks

37:00 Importance of Organization in Student Ministry

We are here to stress the importance of anticipating tasks, creating oversight, and providing guidance and support to leaders. Get ready for an episode filled with practical insights, intriguing stories, and plenty of laughs!

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

I CANT FIND IT! If you have ever been frustrated when looking for an old email, a file, or even a thing in your office then we have your back! 

Youth may be chaotic, but your ministry doesn't have to be chaotic. 

Honest talk. Have you ever considered how this lack of organization might be affecting not just yourself, but the people around you and the leadership you provide? 

Booster is here to help! Seriously, it's one of our favorite topics. This episode and a few more to follow are all about the impactful role of organization in youth ministry and how it can enhance your leadership skills and give you more clarity and rest.

We're not just talking about tidying up your desk or sending emails on time. We're going a step further to talk about intentional neglect of certain tasks to focus on more important ones, and how a clean workspace can provide clarity, focus, and create a welcoming environment for others. You have to see the big picture! It's not just about planning the next event but connecting the dots in your ministry. It starts in taking a broader view, setting clearer expectations, and integrating new students really well into the community. 

This episode is a reminder for how to structure your ministry for different seasons, and how to break down big projects into manageable chunks for better organization.

We want to help you grow your youth ministry! as we delve into the importance of organizational planning and goal setting. Zac and Chad discuss practical ways to increase your bandwidth for ministry work, like setting up templates and clear goals. 

This episode is part one in a wealth of practical tips and insights for anyone involved in youth ministry. Let's get organized and make a difference!

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

Summer fun is almost done, but are you fall ready in youth ministry yet?

Zac and Chad have some laughs, stories, and insights to help get you ready for a big fall early.

In this episode the guys talk about recruiting and training leaders, transitioning new recruits via camp experiences, and launching key spiritual initiatives in September. 

Summer fun isn't over yet! We're also going to walk you through the steps to a successful fall launch in student ministry. There's ideas for creating a vibrant environment, outside activities and a grand launch, sprucing up the space with new artwork, and hosting dedicated parent meetings. 

Get fall ready before summer is even over! 

Support the show

Join the community!

Send us a text

Struggling to fill those last-minute spots for your summer camp?

We hear you! It's one of the biggest weeks of ministry, budget, and responsibility of the whole year! 

Fear not, as in this episode, we'll provide you with valuable insights and strategies to ensure a successful camp season. Join Chad and Zac as they talk about what makes camp extra great! 

In this episode we discuss the importance of being prepared for potential changes, proactive communication with senior leadership, and how to motivate students who may not have been considering attending camp. 

Let's talk about how personal invitations and sharing stories of previous camp experiences can make all the difference. 

As you finalize for the summer camp season, this episode will help you plan, adapt, and communicate effectively to create an unforgettable experience for all involved. So, let's get ready to make this summer camp one for the books!

Support the show

Join the community!