Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Youth camp is an essential part of any youth ministry.  Getting camp right can make all the difference for your ministry.

But it is the small things that can make or break you.  Since camp is so important, we’ve brought in the big guns on this episode!

Roger Davis from Generate Camps over at YM360 joins us today to talk ALL about youth camp.  We both seriously came away with a ton of personal notes on this one.

This episode is a bit longer, but it is PACKED with goodness.  You’re going to want to give this one a couple listens.

Links mentioned:

@jrogerdavis

Generate Camps

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

Youth Ministry games are what makes youth ministry well…youth ministry.  So in this episode we’re giving you our list of top 10 youth ministry games.

These games are our favorites for sure.  We’re giving you our best and doing our best (well trying at least) to give you the down low on how to play these go to youth ministry games.  We’re also giving you our tips and tricks for leading games successfully.

Give these a try with your group and let us know how they go.

Links mentioned:

@jodylivingston

@christrent

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

In this episode Bubba Crowder joins us to talk fundraising for mission trips.

Let’s face it.  Fundraising and Youth Ministry often go hand in hand.  Fundraising for mission trips is almost always a need.

So what are some ways to effectively fundraise for mission trips?  What are some things to consider when choosing fundraising for mission trips?

Bubba Crowder knows this subject well and joins us to dispense his wisdom as we dive into this important topic.

Links mentioned:

fundthenations.com

52treads.com 

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

In this episode Maina Mwaura joins us for an honest and direct conversation about racial diversity in youth ministry.

Since racial diversity is an increasingly important issue both in youth ministry and in our culture, knowing how to navigate this issue is crucial.  In this interview you’ll hear both honest questions seeking understanding, and honest answers to help us all be better in the area of racial diversity in youth ministry and beyond.

In addition, we just have to say that this episode is so full of good insights, healthy perspective, and encouragement to not only help you be better in youth ministry, but better as a believer.  Regardless of your context in ministry, you’ll find this episode to be really helpful as you lead and guide the teens in your influence.

Links mentioned:

The Longer Haul Mailing List

mainaspeaks.com

Acts 29 panel on Racial Reconciliation

Video with David Uth

Black Girls Interview

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

Ah, middle school students…

They’re full of energy, goofy, often smell bad, and are tons of fun.  I think most of us are just glad to have survived middle school and are glad we never have to go back and relive those “glory days.”

What do we do with Middle School students in our youth ministries though, and how can we make sure they are really getting our best?

In this episode we talk all about what youth ministry to middle school students looks like.  Most of all, Chris brings his years of experience to the microphone and pours out tons of wisdom about what makes the middle school years challenging to work with as well as the opportunities that they present.

This episode is a must listen for all who work with middle school students.

Links mentioned:

The Longer Haul Mailing List

Welcome to the Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast (episode 1)

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

http://www.9squareintheair.com/

http://www.carpetball.org/tabledesign.html

Brooms for Broomball – http://amzn.to/2HMRRKx

Portable Soccer Goals – http://amzn.to/2EXZeAU

Experiment with what ball works for you.

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

Episode 50 brings BIG CHANGES to the Longer Haul, we also dive into some serious truths about longevity in Youth Ministry and there is even a Live Magician (like for reals…a live magician).

In this episode you’ll hear about some really exciting and big changes happening at the Longer Haul.  What kind of big changes?  Well you’ll just have to give a listen…

I’m so excited and know that these will only help strengthen, resource, and equip youth pastors and youth workers to be more effective for the longer haul in youth ministry.

And…we’re giving away free stuff!

Links mentioned:

@ChrisTrent

Weariness is Part of the Job

Choosing to Stay in Youth Ministry when You Can Leave (episode 42)

When Youth Pastors Leave Too Often (episode 31)

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

Consider This by Chris Trent

#Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World

12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you’re enjoying the podcast please take a few minutes to subscribe and write a review on iTunes.  It goes a long way in helping other Youth Pastors and Youth Workers find the podcast.

You can do that right here!

Support the Show

How do you respond when facing criticism in youth ministry?

Let’s be honest, ministry can be very personal.  We generally pour ourselves into our youth ministry in practically every way.  So when there is some kind of criticism with how we are doing things, it can be really hurtful.

How we deal and address any criticism in youth ministry can be the make or break moment in our longevity.  Beyond this it can be a determining factor to our own personal health and stability.  But how should we respond?

In this episode I’m diving into this essential subject.  In this episode you’ll learn the value in receiving criticism, how to prevent it–or at least some of it, and the steps you need to take when dealing with it well.

Links mentioned:

Dealing with Expectations in Youth Ministry (Episode 037)

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

What does it take to see students in your youth ministry actively and consistently sharing their faith?

Getting students to live out and share their faith can be tough.  I mean let’s be real, getting them to see their schools as a mission field and notice the lost around them can be difficult.  Getting them to actually share the gospel?  Well, that’s another thing altogether.

In this episode Greg Stier from Dare2Share Ministries offers up a ton of wisdom.  In this interview you’ll learn the values that exist in an evangelistic youth ministry, what it means to be a gospel advancing youth ministry, and a REALLY cool event that Dare2Share is hosting to help you equip your students to share their faith.

Links mentioned:

Dare2ShareLive.org

Dare2Share.org

@gregstier

gregstier.org

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

21st Century Youth Ministry by Chap Clark

Firing Jesus by Greg Stier

Gospelize Your Youth Ministry by Greg Stier

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

What might it be that causes you to leave youth ministry?

Maybe that’s easy to answer.  Maybe you feel like you’re there now.

There are lots of reasons you could leave youth ministry.  I’ve shared previously seven reasons that could be legitimate considerations.

Unfortunately most of the time, it isn’t these that drive us away.

Youth Ministry is tough.  Really tough.

And sticking it out for the longer haul is harder that one would think.

In this episode I’m sharing six reasons that Youth Pastors leave youth ministry.  Sometimes it means leaving a current position for another.  Sometimes it means leaving ministry altogether.

Recognizing and being aware of these could mean the difference between staying or leaving.

Links mentioned:

The Longer Haul Mailing List

Why Youth Pastors Leave Around the 2-3 Year Mark

When Youth Pastors Leave Too Often

Choosing To Stay When You Can Leave

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

Leading On Empty by Wayne Cordeiro

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed, on the verge of burnout, and need a downshift in your youth ministry?

One of the MAJOR keys to sticking around and have longevity in your youth ministry is being able to recognize and navigate slowing down from time to time.  Sometimes slowing now allows you to do more later.

In this episode Justin Knowles shares awesome practical steps to take when you need a downshift in your Youth Ministry.  In this interview you’ll learn how to recognize when you need to downshift, what that looks like, and how to go about having the needed conversations to enable you to do so.

Links mentioned:

When you need to downshift in ministry (blog post on DYM) by Justin Knowles

@justinknowles

Resources mentioned in this Podcast:

The Longer Haul Mailing List

An Unhurried Life: Following Jesus’ Rhythms of Work and Rest by Alan Fadling

Burnout Graphic from Crossway

Slack

Wunderlist

In this particular episode, you will learn:

HELP OTHER YOUTH PASTORS!

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any future episodes, and please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They help others know the value of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

If you like what you find at The Longer Haul.  Consider supporting it to provide even more for as little as a $1 per month…and get some cool rewards.

Support the Show