Youth Ministry Podcast

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that has inspired and excited audiences for close to fifty years. Following the passion narrative, Jesus Christ Superstar gives us an opportunity to experience that story in a different way. But what does it say to students? How can we use it in youth ministry? Should we use it in youth ministry? In this episode, Bryan and Erik talk about how Jesus Christ Superstar impacted their lives, discuss where it goes wrong theologically, and try not to act like fanboys.

Youth ministry is full of clichés, some true, some more myth than fact, and others we maybe wish weren't as personally convicting. From Youth Group Name Acronyms (C.H.A.O.S) to Side Hugs and the phrase, "No Purpling" we have a unique (and sometimes confounding) language to describe youth ministry. In this episode, Bryan Bliss, Erik Ullestad, and special guest, Jake Bouma, discuss the Final Four of Sparkhouse's Best (or worst?) Youth Ministry Cliché bracket, how hard it is to keep up with church credit card receipts, and why kids should S.M.Y.L.E. more.

To vote on the final four: http://youth-ministry-cliches.webflow.io

Holy Week is coming. What are you going to do with your students? Whether it's a passion play, stations of the cross, or even a 30 Hour Famine-like simulation, giving students an opportunity to understand and experience the highs and lows of the passion narrative is a fundamental part of youth ministry each year. In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss six practical ways to help students engage with Holy Week and offer up a challenge to listeners. To submit your joke, go to: www.ympodcast.com/contact

Every youth worker has grumbled about basketball tournaments on Sunday mornings or show choir concerts on Wednesday nights. The culture no longer props up the church by encouraging people to attend worship and not scheduling anything that conflicts with church activities. As youth workers, how do we respond? Do we keep grumbling? Or do we innovate? And if we do change, does that mean basketball and church are equal? Has church become an extra-curricular activity? In this episode, Bryan and Erik talk about Gloria Lee's article, "You Can't Compete With Sports", think about the practical and theological implications, and one of them gets a surprise phone call.

How do you deal with unruly students? What's the difference between expectations and requirements? Does a kid need to go to confirmation in order to make a public declaration of faith? And what makes a youth worker, a youth worker? In this week's special mailbag episode, Bryan and Erik answer listener questions, confront a quandary, and wonder how they survived having small children (one word: Doodlebops.)

The brokenness of the world is not hidden from our students. They see it in their communities, the schools, and in their daily lives. As youth workers, we have the opportunity to walk alongside students as they think about, talk through, and begin to understand tragedy and suffering. We offer not only an attentive ear, but also a reminder of God's presence in the world—of the Kingdom of God. In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss a youth worker's role in navigating tragedy, offer tips on ways to think about that response both theologically and practically, and struggle to answer the big question: why?

All are welcome! Really? Often times churches fall short in their ability to truly welcome people with disabilities. What barriers exist in youth ministry for kids with physical, intellectual, or emotional disabilities? In this episode, Erik interviews Molly Beck Dean, veteran youth minister and current Director of the ELCA Youth Gathering, for an honest conversation about common misconceptions about relating to people with disabilities, offers some ideas for how congregations can be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, and discusses life as a parent of a child with Joubert Syndrome.

Every student who comes into your youth group is different and knowing these differences—knowing some of the background personality traits that may or may not affect behavior—can be an important part of youth ministry. In this episode, Bryan and Erik are joined by Carla Barnhill to discuss typical youth group kids, the higher calling of youth ministry, and who is Carla's favorite.

There are plenty of – ahem – personalities in your youth group. Quiet kids, sporty kids, and of course the "Ooh-ooh! I know the answer, please pick me!" kid. Each comes to youth group with their own set of aspirations, insecurities, and personality quirks. But how do we make sure this socially diverse group of kids all feel engaged, welcomed, and loved? How do we balance the "too cool for youth group" student with the "excited to be here" student? In this episode, Bryan and Erik are joined by special guest Carla Barnhill to discuss the Enneagram personality inventory, why it is important for youth workers, and how Carla is the boss.

The Super Bowl is not a part of the liturgical year, but that doesn't mean it can't have an impact on your youth ministry calendar. Each year, youth workers face a question: should we have a Super Bowl party or should we have youth group? And if we do have a Super Bowl party, what makes a good one? Where are the potential moments of tension for both students and parents? And how many pizzas should I order for 15 hungry teenagers? In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss how to throw a meaningful party, whether you need to have a spiritual component, and realize they may have alienated a potentially important podcast sponsor.