Youth Ministry Podcast

"You're in ministry? Interesting! How did you get started?" People often wonder how and why someone would enter into the vocation of ministry. Some ministers can identify a major milestone which pointed them on their career path. (See: Luther, Martin) For others, the discernment came with slightly less fanfare. In this episode Jake interviews Erik about his ministry origin story and invites listeners to reflect on how they got involved in ministry as well.

Youth trips and retreats are special times for young people and adults to connect with one another and with their faith. A great adult chaperone can make a huge impact on the overall success of the trip. How do you go about selecting and training the right adults for this mountaintop experience? Erik and Jake have some thoughts!

Youth ministry rarely happens without the support of volunteers. Your ability to equip these volunteers will profoundly impact young people for the rest of their lives. No pressure, right? Fortunately, Jake and Erik are here to offer their insights on how to recruit, train, and retain the adults who participate in your ministry.

Everyone feels a little nervous energy before a big event. Youth ministers are no exception. It may look like we thrive on chaotic events, meaningful service projects, and severe sleep deprivation – but there are a lot of logistics that go into preparing for these experiences. Sometimes the details of a big event are still in flux days (or hours) before go-time. In this episode Jake and Erik discuss the ways they're getting their mind, body, and spirit ready for upcoming events. And one of us forgets how to spell the other guy's name.

Vacation Bible School is one of the most high-profile events of summertime ministry. It's an opportunity for the church to connect with young families and teach Bible stories in fun and creative ways. What does VBS Week mean for youth ministers? How might churches modify their VBS experiences to better meet the needs of the community? In this episode Jake and Erik take a deep dive into all things VBS and figure out how long this cultural phenomenon has been around.

Summer is here, which means Jake and Erik have a little extra time to read and reflect. In this episode they discuss an article called, "The Dark Forest Theory of the Internet" and its implications for youth workers. They also suggest some ways to assess the recently concluded program year.

Jake and Erik have been in youth ministry for a while—more than 25 years between them. In that time they've developed some habits, mindsets, and practices which have enhanced their professional experience. In this episode they offer ten pro tips for people in all stages of life and ministry.

There are more than 2 million mobile apps available to the public. Many of these can be used to make your ministry life easier and more efficient. But how do you know which ones to use or how to use them? Jake and Erik (to be honest, mostly Jake) discuss some of their favorite apps and offer some practical tips for how to use these apps to enhance your ministry.

Summer is only a few weeks away. For many youth ministers, summer means Mission Trips. No matter if this is your first or twenty-first trip, you have a lot to keep in mind before, during, and after this experience. Jake and Erik offer their insights on effective pre-trip communication, engaged leadership during the mission trip, and healthy recuperating after you come home.

Being in ministry often means accompanying people during difficult times in their lives. It's an honor to be invited into these circumstances because it means you've earned the trust of the people in your community. But not everyone in ministry is sufficiently trained to handle all pastoral care circumstances. Jake and Erik discuss the joys and challenges of this kind of ministry, how to maintain integrity and healthy boundaries, and when it's time to reach out for extra help.