http://www.YouthPastor.com/ YouthPastor.com Newest Listings & Ministry Opportunities Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:29:10 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Helping_Students_Transition_From_Childrens_Ministry_to_Youth_Group_20515.htm Heading from children's ministry to youth group is so much more than a "new adventure" for kids. It's symbolic of growing up. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Director_Minister_Coordinator_Evanston_IL_15459.htm First Presbyterian Church of Evanston is seeking a Director of Youth and Family Ministries to lead a strong, well-supported ministry in a diverse, progressive, and intergenerational community. Located near Lake Michigan and Northwestern University, our church is committed to knowing, following, and serving Jesus Christ. This role will oversee a dynamic ministry that includes youth groups, summer mission trips, family small groups, and the annual Christmas pageant. Working alongside a collaborative staff team and with solid administrative support, the director will help shape a ministry that forms children and youth for a lasting life of faith. We are looking for a thoughtful, relational leader who can build on a strong foundation and guide the next season of growth. This is an opportunity to serve in a community that values both deep tradition and meaningful outreach. Interested candidates should submit cover letter and resume to jobs@firstpresevanston.org. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Family_Ministry_Midland_MI_15458.htm About the Church Midland First United Methodist Church, founded in 1857, is nestled in the heart of downtown Midland, Michigan. The church places a high priority on following Jesus's command to love your neighbor and shows this love by remaining actively involved in the surrounding community. First United Methodist Church is an intergenerational church where congregation members become like family. About the Ministry The children's ministry serves babies through fifth graders each Sunday morning. Children begin with their families in the worship service and leave together after the children's blessing to attend Sunday School. Here, the children join together to enjoy varied opportunities to engage with the lectionary-based curriculum. The youth ministry is in a rebuilding phase. With abundant physical space and devoted volunteers, families are eager to watch the youth ministry develop a critical mass as students grow in faith and impact the Midland community. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will be an experienced team builder who will come alongside faithful ministry volunteers and recruit others to join the team. This person will nurture relationships with children, youth, and families to develop a cohesive, fun discipleship ministry that thrives within the life and mission of the congregation. Key Responsibilities Plan and implement ministries that include opportunities for fun, connection, worship, Christian education, mission, and spiritual growth Work with teams and staff to integrate children and youth ministries into the church's broader life Recruit, train, and support volunteers for children and youth ministries Facilitate clear, consistent communication with families Qualifications Love God, children, and youth, and have spiritual gifts to share A sense of calling to ministry with children, youth, and families A foundational understanding of Scripture, Christian faith, and United Methodist theology Knowledge of child and youth development with an openness to each person's individuality, background, abilities, and needs Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and lead teams through instilling trust, inspiring others, good organization, clear communication, and flexibility About the Community Midland, Michigan combines the warmth of a close-knit community with the resources of a thriving city. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and a deeply held commitment to community life. With beautiful parks, excellent schools, and a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities, it is a great place for someone to feel right at home. Interested candidates can learn more and should apply at https://jobs.ministryarchitects.com/jobs/7510737-director-of-family-ministries-children-youth-at-fumc-midland?promotion=1949478-trackable-share-link-posting Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Director_Minister_Coordinator_Huntersville_NC_15457.htm Be a Part of our Team! Associate Youth Ministry Director BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT MATTERS Do you love students? Thrive on relationships? Believe the local church can be a place where teenagers truly belong, ask real questions, and discover who God created them to be? Re:mix Youth Ministry at Lake Forest Church is looking for a Re:mix Associate Director; a high-energy, relational leader who is passionate about walking alongside middle and high school students as they discover and live out their role in God's story. This is not a behind-the-scenes role. This is a hands-on, life-on-life ministry position for someone who wants to invest deeply in students, build teams, and help shape a growing, vibrant youth ministry of 300+ middle and high school students. JOB SUMMARY You will be responsible for relational ministry with middle and high school students, creating a safe and welcoming environment where students feel known and valued. Your typical week will be spent supporting weekly Re:mix gatherings, leading Bible studies and events, and discipling students in their faith. You will lead outreach opportunities like partnerships with schools, mission trips, Urban Plunge, and quarterly service projects. You will partner closely with the Youth Ministry Director and youth team to plan and execute programming and retreats. You will build into volunteer leaders through encouragement, communication, and training. You will engage parents and caregivers as partners in students' spiritual growth. ELIGIBILITY 3+ years of youth ministry experience preferred College degree or related experience required A growing, authentic faith in Jesus Christ This is a FT position located in Huntersville NC. Please Submit Resume and Cover Letter as well as any links you think we'd find helpful in discerning your fit. jointheteam@lakeforest.org Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Junior_High_Middle_School_Chander_AZ_15456.htm Job description: The Big Picture The NextGen Team serves as a unified ministry from birth through young adults. We support one another so we can be more effective in ministry to families at Compass Christian Church. We strongly believe in partnering with parents in order to have a greater impact on the Next Generation. We strive to celebrate milestones and provide smooth transitions from one phase to the next. While each leader has specific ministry area responsibilities, the entire team serves under the leadership and direction of the NextGen Pastor. We believe Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry are stronger when they support one another, work together and partner with parents through every phase. The High School Pastor primarily serves as a member of the NextGen Team, collaborating around effective campus ministry and giving leadership to ministry areas described below. It is important that this team member advocates for and collaborates with both the team members they supervise as well as for the other team leaders they work alongside. Compass Youth exists to help studentsfind and follow Jesusin the most formative years of their lives. The High School Pastor is a high-energy, highly relational leaderwho loves teenagers, builds authentic community, and creates environments students actuallywantto be in. This is the kind of pastor who knows names, shows up consistently, brings joy into the room, and helps students feel like church isn't just something they attend — it's a place where they belong. We're looking for someone who connects naturally, leads with warmth, and builds a ministry culture that is fun, spiritually exciting, welcoming, and mission-driven. What You'll Lead A Thriving High School Ministry (Grades 9–12) Provide leadership, and spiritual direction for all high school ministry at Compass. Create highly relational environments where students grow in faith and friendships. Build a ministry culture where students don't want to miss and can't help but live it out. Wednesday Night High School Services Lead the planning and execution of high school services that are engaging, excellent, and spiritually powerful. Partner closely with the NextGen Worship Pastor to create worship moments that connect with teenagers. Serve as the primary teacher, while also raising up other communicators. Teaching & Discipleship Pathways Customize teaching series and small group curriculum that meets students where they are. Communicate God's word to high school students in a relevant and impactful way and build a preaching team among volunteer leaders and students. Build a discipleship culture that moves students from casual attendance to lifelong faith. Equip leaders to disciple students through meaningful conversations and Scripture-based community. Leader Development (The Secret Sauce) Recruit, develop, and empower adult volunteers who love students and show up faithfully. Build a team culture where leaders feel cared for, equipped, and excited to serve. Multiply leaders who multiply disciples. Pastoral Care for Students & Families Be a steady pastoral presence in the lives of teenagers. Walk with students through real life: questions, struggles, breakthroughs, next steps. Support and guide parents as they navigate the high school years. Parent Partnership Build trust with parents through strong communication and connection. Create a ministry where parents feel supported, not sidelined. Champion the home as the primary place of discipleship. High School Camp Lead the charge for High School Camp — one of the most important spiritual moments of the year. Meet with parents to make sure we take as many students as possible to camp! Work with volunteers to plan and prepare creative additional activities to make camp unforgettable for our students. Exectue a plan to follow up with all students who make decisions at camp and get them into the appropriate discipleship pathway. Transitions That Matter Help junior high students transition smoothly into high school ministry. Partner with the Young Adults Pastor so seniors don't "graduate from church," but step into the next phase of discipleship. Students Serving & Owning Their Faith Mobilize junior high and high school students to serve at Compass. Engage with the Sunday Youth Section to help students connect in worship. Build a ministry where students don't just consume — they participate. Local High School & Community Connection Build relationships with local high schools, students, and community networks. Use the Bridge Youth Center as a front door for relational evangelism. Create pathways for unchurched students to find belonging and hear the gospel. What Success Looks Like High school students are showing up — and bringing friends. Leaders are thriving and multiplying. Students are growing in spiritual maturity, community, and mission. Parents feel supported and connected. Seniors transition into young adults ministry with momentum. The ministry is marked by joy, depth, gospel impact, and fun! Qualifications A deep love for Jesus and a passion for teenagers. Strong relational presence and leadership instincts. Ability to teach Scripture clearly and compellingly. Experience leading youth ministry and volunteer teams preferred. Commitment to the mission and values of Compass Christian Church. Pastoral Expectations Spends consistent time in prayer and study of God's Word. Live a spiritually surrendered life leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. Is involved in personal discipleship, either small group or one-on-one. Stays current with ministry trends by listening to podcasts, reading books, periodicals and attending approved conferences. Attends all staff meetings and retreats, as directed. Maintains flexible working hours as determined by the needs of the ministry. General Staff Expectations Attend all required staff meetings, retreats, vision nights, and leadership gatherings. Be present and available on Sundays (and key services/events) before, during and after the weekend experience. Participate in personal spiritual development: prayer, Bible study, retreats, continuing education in creative arts and worship ministry. Serve as a visible leader in the church body—willing to engage with the congregation, welcome guests, and model the Compass leadership culture. Maintain flexibility in schedule based on ministry needs, taking into account rehearsal nights, service preparation, special events, seasonal productions. Work Environment Work primarily in a professional office setting within the church building. The work environment includes standard office equipment and resources. Frequent interaction with church members, volunteers, and other staff. May require occasional evening or weekend work to support church events and activities. Can have periods of high volume, especially around holidays and special events. Physical Demands Active Engagement: Regularly required to stand, walk, and move about the campus for extended periods during Sunday services, mid-week programming, and special events. Communication: Frequently required to speak publicly in large group settings and engage in one-on-one conversations with students, parents, and volunteers. Manual Dexterity: Regularly required to use hands to operate computer equipment, soundboards, or set up ministry environments. Lifting & Moving: Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (e.g., moving stage equipment, loading camp trailers, or setting up large-scale games). Setup/Teardown: Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or climb ladders to assist with event decorations, stage design, or equipment maintenance. High-Energy Activities: Ability to participate in and oversee high-energy student activities, which may include outdoor games, sports, and recreational events. Camp & Retreat Endurance: Ability to maintain a high level of energy and alertness during multi-day retreats and summer camps, which often involve long hours, significant walking, and varied outdoor terrain. Aural Environment: Must be able to function effectively in environments with high noise levels (e.g., student worship sets or loud recreational activities). Transportation: Ability to drive a personal vehicle or church-owned van/bus to transport students and equipment to off-site events and retreats. Disclaimer This description reflects the current responsibilities of this position and may be updated as the ministry grows and evolves. About Compass Christian Church Compass Christian Church is a welcoming community where you can explore your faith, grow, and experience a meaningful connection. Our culture is relaxed and friendly, with contemporary worship music and practical teaching. We serve diverse age groups, from newborns to adults, with a mission to lead people to find and follow Jesus. Learn more at www.compassaz.church. We have campuses in Chandler and Casa Grande, Arizona, with services on Sunday mornings. We balance a fast-paced work environment with a relaxed and friendly staff culture. Benefits include: Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, EAP, Pet Insurance, HSA/FSA, AFLAC, Retirement Match, Paid Parental leave, PTO, Tuition reimbursement and a 5-day workweek (Sunday - Thursday). A church work environment is faith-centered, community-oriented, and service-driven, fostering a warm and collaborative atmosphere. Staff members, including pastors, administrators, ministry leaders, and volunteers, work together to support worship services, outreach programs, and church operations. The schedule often includes weekends and holidays, with flexible yet sometimes unpredictable hours. Ethical and moral standards are emphasized, as employees are expected to align with the church's mission. While challenges like financial management and congregation dynamics exist, the work is fulfilling, offering spiritual growth, strong relationships, and a deep sense of purpose. Job Type: Full-time Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Vision insurance Work Location: In person Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Director_Minister_Coordinator_McMinnville_OR_15455.htm About the Church First Presbyterian Church of McMinnville is a midsize congregation with a heart for creative worship, service to our neighbors, connecting in relationships, earth care, and caring for one another. The church emphasizes strong congregational leadership, working closely with local and international partners, and inclusivity. Each ministry embraces the core values of being “God centered, Open, Courageous, and Loving” while pursuing a life that is “Together in Christ for All.” About the Ministry The ministry serves students from kindergarten through high school through programs like Kidventure, Sunday Children's Time, and Vacation Bible School. A cornerstone of the student experience is the McMinnville Youth Collective (MYC), an ecumenical collaboration with neighboring churches. The ministry focuses on holistic faith development, equipping students to engage the world missionally and fostering growth as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a committed follower of Jesus Christ who takes initiative, works independently, and thrives in a collaborative, shared-leadership environment. They must be a relational leader capable of building trusting, caring relationships with children, youth, and adult volunteers. Key Responsibilities Sustain and enrich the Kidventure and MYC programs to facilitate the growth of students as disciples. Coordinate and lead a variety of youth events, camps, and service-learning trips. Recruit, train, supervise, and support adult volunteers and student leaders. Provide visionary and administrative leadership that promotes intergenerational relationships within the church. Communicate effectively with church staff, the congregation, and the broader community via multiple platforms. Devote approximately one-third of efforts to other congregational needs such as Sound / Livestream technology, bookkeeping, or local missions. Qualifications Evidence of training and experience in ministry to children and youth. Personal spiritual commitment to serving Jesus Christ in all areas of life. Willingness to be guided by the governance and theology of the PC(USA). Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Experience in secondary areas such as Sound / Livestream technology, bookkeeping, or building management is a plus. About the Community McMinnville is a charming city located in the heart of Oregon's wine country, about one hour (either way) to Portland or the Oregon coast. McMinnville's downtown is nationally recognized for its charm, restaurants, farmer's market, outdoor music, and activities (all in walking distance from First Presbyterian Church). It offers a perfect blend of small-town feel, strong educational opportunities from Linfield University and Chemeketa Community College, and a robust public school system. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with beautiful parks, local festivals (Air Show, UFO Fest) and a strong sense of community pride. Interested candidates can learn more and should apply at https://jobs.ministryarchitects.com/jobs/7504049-director-of-children-youth-collaborative-ministries-at-fpc-mcminnville-or Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Junior_High_Middle_School_Falmouth_MA_15454.htm I. OUR CHURCH We are a growing church of regional influence, with a heart for the next generation of unreached neighbors. At Cape Cod Church, our mission is to help people discover a full life with God. We are a non-denominational church of 1,000 weekly attenders and 2,000+ members. Check out our core beliefs and backstory at capecodchurch.com. Beyond the basics, here are some of the things we value: • We are for the one who's not here yet. We make space (literally, metaphorically) for people at all points of their faith journey. We reserve judgment, and love patiently. We invite questions and doubts. • We create community that becomes family. Our church operates like family: we care for each other, pray for one another, and learn to love across differences. We celebrate milestones at every stage of life! • We share the story of life, and life to the full. Our worship, messages, Bible studies, and conversation point people toward Jesus. We equip members to take their best next step toward Jesus, and share their story! • We give generously to care for people's lives. Our church aims to generously invest in those outside our community. We support partners locally and globally who meet people's spiritual and physical needs. • We build a culture of celebration that reflects heaven. We motivate people to action through inspiration. We always end with hope. We celebrate ‘good stories' in our midst. And we get loud when people embrace Jesus! II. OUR YOUTH PROGRAM The LOFT helps students in 6-12th grade discover a faith of their own. Our students come from diverse economic, ethnic, educational, and faith backgrounds. We serve 140+ students regularly, across two weekly gatherings. Plus, we have 15 amazing adult leaders! Our program includes: • Tuesday LOFT Tuesdays are THE.BEST.NIGHT.OF.THE.WEEK! On Tuesdays we hang out, play games, worship, listen to teaching, and discuss faith. This is our best opportunity to connect relationally with students, introduce them to Jesus, and disciple them to become more like Him. • Sunday Breakfast + Bible On Sundays, we offer Bible teaching geared towards teens - while also encouraging students to engage with their wider Cape Cod Church community. We join the adults in worship, then head to The LOFT for free donuts and a sermon together. Sundays are a great opportunity to engage students whose parents attend CCC, but don't (yet) come on Tuesdays. After Breakfast + Bible, many of our students attend the 11am service or serve! • Events Throughout the year, we also offer special events, including Winter and Summer Camps! Events have great outreach potential; offer key opportunities for adult leaders to connect with students; and develop unity among our LOFT family. III. OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE We are looking for a leader who loves Jesus, students, and the local church. At Cape Cod Church, we are lucky to have a great team that works together, and includes longterm staff mentors. So, we are equally open to hiring young candidates with potential, as we are seasoned leaders with experience. We offer competitive pay across industry standards. Below are potential positions for which we would hire: • Youth Intern: a 10-week, full-time summer internship in our youth department. Best suited for students in college or early career stage. Reports to: Intern Coordinator. • Youth Resident: a one-year, full or part-time position in our youth department. Best suited for students directly out of college, currently in seminary/graduate school, or with minimal ministry experience. Reports to: Executive Pastor. • Youth Director: a full-time position (with benefits) overseeing our youth department, and on a path to pastoral licensure through Cape Cod Church. Best suited for candidates with 1-3 years ministry experience. Reports to: Executive Pastor. • Youth Pastor: a full-time position (with benefits) overseeing our youth department, with pastoral licensure through Cape Cod Church. Best suited for candidates with 3+ years ministry experience. Reports to: Executive Pastor. Interested in applying? Send a resume (with references) and statement of interest to: Brittany Feldott, Executive Pastor - brittany@capecodchurch.com Ben Feldott, Senior Pastor - ben@capecodchurch.com To submit your application, please visit the link below. https://ministryhire.com/job/youth-director-pastor?utm_source=UTM0046 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Treasure_Trove_of_Beautiful_Christian_Music_13433.htm Hours of listening - Beautiful new Christian Music/songs Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Treasure_Trovve_of_Beautiful_Christian_Music_13432.htm Hours of listening - Beautiful new Christian Music/songs Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Senior_High_Chicago_UN_15453.htm To submit your application, please visit the link below. https://ministryhire.com/job/high-school-academic-specialist?utm_source=UTM0012 By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christian, after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child – mind, body and soul. Located in Chicago's most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand helps children have abundant life. The culture of By The Hand is Christ-centered, people-focused and results oriented. While loving and nurturing, By The Hand has a strong results-orientation, a very structured program and a growth mindset that believes with hard work we can all continue to learn and grow. Joining By The Hand's incredible mission as an abundant life builder means jumping right into the work of healing and hope on behalf of our extraordinary children. You'll have the opportunity of a lifetime to impact the trajectory of generations of stories; helping students soar to success in their academic performance, practice personal accountability and, even more importantly, grow in their understanding of God and their relationship with Jesus. By The Hand is a not-for-profit, religious organization. Individuals employed at By The Hand are working in ministerial roles and perform all or some of the following responsibilities: sharing the Gospel, teaching chapel, leading Bible studies, discipling students, and modeling behavior that is consistent with Christ's teaching. Rate of Pay: $45,000 - $50,000 per year Overview of Position Under the Supervision of the Vice President of Learning, the NXT Academic Specialist is responsible for identifying and addressing academic deficiencies for students of NXT. This position requires a self-motivated and focused leader with a background of teaching adolescents and locating materials to fit individual needs of students in order to foster growth in their abilities in all subject areas. This position is responsible for providing academic support for the NXT students so they will keep a high GPA and meet all their graduation requirements. Spiritual Requirements • Has a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle that demonstrates the Word of God, and is in regular fellowship with other members in a Bible-believing church. • Agrees with the By The Hand Club Doctrinal Statement and adheres to the Employee Biblical Standards of Living. • Shows by example, the importance of Scripture memorization, Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and Christian fellowship. • Leads a team devotional on a regular basis and participates in weekly team prayer. • Has completed an evangelism course and is trained and prepared to share the gospel with anyone who inquires. • Works with staff and members of the EOS Leadership Team to monitor and enforce policies and procedures to further By The Hand's religious purpose and freedom. Role Responsibilities • Performs in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission, and culture of By The Hand and commits to excellence in every aspect of the overall operation. • Models cultural values of By The Hand Club For Kids in day-to-day behavior. • Follows all policies as outlined in the operational guide, including maintaining brand standards and ensuring 100% adherence to the Child Protection Policy. • Participates in employee growth plans, including quarterly conversations and annual review meetings. • Identifies high school students especially freshman and seniors that are not on track or are at risk for failing academically based on grades and GPA. • Identifies the types of tutoring needed at each site based on student needs. • Knows how to access and use student portal information to provide academic support and help students monitor their graduation requirements and work completion. • Supports NXT coaches to design a purposeful homework time and maintain awareness of their students' academic progress. • Builds a culture of academics, support and academic responsibility in our students through interactions and academic chats. • Plan and lead monthly whole group academic chats with students. • Design short trainings or informational sessions for coaches during monthly meetings (PLCs). • Tutors students during programming and coordinates virtual tutoring sessions where/when needed. • Compiles data in coherent and organized reports. • Research strategies or materials to use during tutoring. • Supports the NXT design team and their special events. • Performs all other duties as required and assigned. Required Skills/Abilities • This position requires a Christ-like servant leader who has a sense of calling and models Biblical principles. • Passion and commitment to urban student transformation, confidence to lead in a challenging situation, and belief that all children can learn. • Outstanding problem-solving skills with an orientation toward results, action, impact, and influence. • Ability to work both as a team player and independently. • Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and multi-task well. • Outstanding time management and communication skills. • Demonstrated strong relationship building skills with children and adults. • Desire to be informed about trends and issues found in education research. • Willingness to promote and encourage student growth and progress. • Possesses strong relationship building skills with adults and adolescents. Education and Experience • A bachelor's degree and/or certification in education. • Experience in tutoring or teaching. • Knowledge of the components and techniques for academic tutoring for high school-aged students. • Ability to assess students' academic progress. • Comfortable using Google Suite, Google Drive and communication apps. • Must have a valid driver's license, available transportation and auto insurance or willingness to arrange alternative transportation. Metrics • Improved student attendance and retention. • Focused academic goals for students. • Increased number of students who are on track to graduate. • Impact of activities at the time of execution. • Use of resources in lessons, data and relationships built with students and staff. • Increased student confidence and attitude toward academics. Work Environment This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and copy machines. This job is not a virtual job, but it requires in-person attendance as agreed upon by your immediate supervisor. Physical Demands The employee is regularly required to speak and listen. This role may require you to move equipment from room to room and lift up to 50 pounds. The individual is also required to travel to other organizational sites for meetings with staff, students and partners. Disclaimer The duties and responsibilities described are not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be required to perform additional functions as necessitated by business demands. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employment with By The Hand Club For Kids is at will, and the employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. By The Hand Club For Kids is an equal opportunity employer. By The Hand does not unlawfully discriminate against any protected classes. As a ministry, By The Hand is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees on the basis of religion in our screening and selection process. By The Hand is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates with a disability, absent undue hardship. An employee or applicant who believes he or she has a disability and may require an accommodation must contact the Human Resources Department at hr@bythehand.org or call 773-854-4176. To submit your application, please visit the link below. https://ministryhire.com/job/high-school-academic-specialist?utm_source=UTM0012 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Director_Minister_Coordinator_Eugene_OR_15452.htm SANTA CLARA CHURCH EUGENE, OREGON YOUTH MINISTER Full time ministry position Status Reports to Ministry Full time Lead pastor/Elders Student ministry OUR VISION We are building a ministry where teenagers are not just attendees—they are adopted, discipled, and sent. This means creating a church culture where students feel genuinely known and safe, surrounded by consistent adults and families who show up, follow through, and walk alongside them over time. Youth ministry here isn't isolated programming—it's integrated into the life of the whole body. We're looking for a shepherd-leader who can teach the Bible, earn trust, and build a volunteer culture that lasts. ROLE SUMMARY The Youth Minister leads our student ministry with warmth, steadiness, and intentionality. This person will establish clear rhythms and a simple, repeatable framework that connects every student to caring adults—partnering closely with elders, parents, and volunteers to ensure youth ministry is never siloed, but always woven into the broader life of the congregation. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Shepherding & Discipleship Lead weekly youth gatherings with Bible-centered teaching Build one-on-one and small group discipleship relationships Pursue students relationally, not just programmatically Partner with parents as primary disciplers of their teens Create a culture of belonging where every student feels known Walk with students through life's major moments and transitions Create a youth outreach plan to bring more teens into Santa Clara Church. Team & Culture Building Recruit, train, and coordinate a sustainable volunteer team Develop adults into consistent, caring mentors for students Integrate youth ministry into the whole life of the church Maintain clear, dependable communication between staff, elders, and church Collaborate with elders and pastoral staff on vision and strategy Build simple systems that others can carry and replicate WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR You might be the right fit if you're the kind of person who: Loves teenagers and sees them as image-bearers worthy of deep investment Can teach the Bible faithfully and accessibly to high school students Is warm and relational, but also organized and systems-minded Earns trust slowly and keeps it carefully—with students, parents, and staff Thinks about ministry in terms of culture, not just calendar Knows how to recruit volunteers and release responsibility well Is steady under pressure and doesn't need the spotlight to thrive To equip young people to strive towards being believers who are of service, and to be fishers of men Ephesians 4:11–12 and Matthew 4:19 We are building a ministry where teenagers are not merely attendees; rather, they are known, discipled and sent. QUALIFICATIONS Required Personal, active Christian faith and church membership Demonstrated experience in student ministry or pastoral care Ability to teach and preach from Scripture with clarity and depth Strong relational and organizational skills Alignment with our church's theological convictions and vision within the framework of the Restoration Movement. Preferred Bachelor's degree in theology, ministry, or related field (M.Div. or equivalent a plus) Experience building and leading volunteer teams Background in family ministry or intergenerational church models CHARACTER PROFILE More than credentials, we're looking for character. The right candidate will embody: Shepherd-Hearted Loves the flock and shows up consistently Steady Calm, dependable, unshaken by difficulty Intentional Moves with purpose, not just activity Humble Builds others rather than building a platform Come help us build a youth ministry where students don't just attend, they're adopted, discipled, and sent. To apply or learn more, please reach out to our pastoral team. We'd love to talk. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Junior_High_Middle_School_Springfield_OR_15451.htm Northwood Christian Church is looking for a fun, passionate, relational, and organized leader to join our team as a Middle School Ministry Coordinator (30 hours/week). This role is ideal for someone who loves connecting with young people inside and outside the church, pointing them to Jesus. Northwood's mission is to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. We are a large, growing church in the primarily blue collar community of Springfield, Oregon. People from Northwood come from all walks of life and faith backgrounds and are unified around lifting up the name of Jesus and following his ways. The middle school ministry averages 25 in our weekly programming, and our physical space and proximity to schools provides great opportunity for growth. Key responsibilities include: Leading weekly middle school programming and events. Recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer leaders. Partnering with parents to support student discipleship. If you're excited about investing in the next generation and helping students take meaningful steps in their faith, and if you thrive in a joyful, collaborative and goal oriented environment, we'd love to hear from you. For a complete job description or to apply: send your resume, cover letter, and any personality test results (e.g. Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, etc.) to john.bowling@northwoodchristian.org. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Director_Minister_Coordinator_Gilbert_AZ_15450.htm Gilbert Chinese Church (GCC) is a nondenominational evangelical Christian church serving the Chinese community in Gilbert, Arizona, and nearby areas. Currently GCC has a regular attendance of over 130 adults, 25+ youth, and 45+ children. We are seeking a full-time Youth Pastor to shepherd our youth (ages 13-18) with multicultural backgrounds. Ministry goals *Seek God's vision, develop plans to help youth grow in faith and intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and to build a Christ-centered community where the youth can support and love each other. *Help youth believers to be the salt and light in this world and to make a positive impact on the people around them. *Prepare the youth to face spiritual challenges and to navigate through our current cultural environment. Ministry responsibilities / day-to-day descriptions *Collaborate with GCC leadership and adult co-workers to develop Youth ministry specific goals. Discipling and caring for the youth. *Provide curriculum for Youth Sunday School and organize Friday Night Fellowship. *Work with other Youth co-workers to teach Youth Sunday school. *Oversee and coordinate Youth events and activities (e.g., mission trips, youth retreats). *Partner with parents by holding periodic Parent meetings and 1:1 communication if needed. *Preach at English Worship Service at a negotiated frequency (e.g., once a month). *Provide necessary training for Youth co-workers (e.g., teaching Sunday school, classroom management). Ministry qualifications *Faith - The applicant must be baptized and be in full agreement with GCC's statement of faith, which is available upon request or as seen on our website. *Character - The applicant must have Biblical leadership characteristics. *Language - The applicant must be fluent in English. Proficiency in Chinese is a plus but not necessary. *Education - The applicant must have completed or be currently enrolled in a seminary school pursuing a degree in Christian ministry. *Experience - The applicant must have 1-2 years of ministry experience in North America, and have a passion for ministering to youth in a cross-cultural context. Experience in counseling is preferred but not required. Benefits This full time position includes a salary, vacation days, and health insurance compensation. Contact Interested candidates, please contact PSC@azgcc.org. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Family_Ministry_Cincinnati_OH_15449.htm High School Ministry Pastor / Director Horizon Community Church – Cincinnati, OH Yours to Explore Overview of the Opportunity Horizon Community Church is seeking a relational, organized, and spiritually grounded leader to serve as our High School Ministry Pastor / Director. This role is central to creating environments where 9th–12th grade students can safely explore faith, build meaningful relationships, and take intentional steps toward following Jesus. This leader will partner closely with parents, volunteers, and the Family Ministry team to cultivate a ministry that is biblically rooted, highly relational, and operationally excellent—reflecting Horizon's commitment to meeting people where they are and helping them move forward at their own pace. Primary Responsibilities Vision & Leadership - Provide spiritual and directional leadership for Horizon's High School Ministry (grades 9–12). - Cast vision and build ministry momentum in alignment with Horizon's mission and Family Ministry strategy. - Develop and lead healthy, sustainable volunteer teams who feel equipped and supported. - Relational & Discipleship Ministry - Lead and shepherd a weekly student small group with a focus on spiritual formation and relational depth. - Cultivate intentional relationships with students, parents, and volunteers. - Meet regularly with parents and volunteers to build trust, alignment, and shared ownership of student development. Communication & Organization - Ensure clear, timely, and professional communication with parents, students, and volunteers. - Develop and manage seasonal ministry calendars (school year, spring, summer) with proactive communication. - Coordinate closely with Family Ministry administration to ensure alignment, accuracy, and follow-through. Volunteer & Team Development - Recruit, train, and care for volunteer leaders. - Provide volunteers with curriculum and event details well in advance to ensure preparedness and excellence. - Foster a team culture marked by humility, collaboration, and shared mission. Desired Characteristics & Skills - Deeply rooted in Scripture with spiritual maturity appropriate for pastoral leadership. - Passionate about discipling high school students and partnering with parents. - Strong relational intelligence with the ability to build trust quickly. - Highly organized with strong communication and project-management skills. - Comfortable leading teams, setting expectations, and following through with clarity. - Humble, authentic, and aligned with Horizon's theology, mission, and ministry philosophy. Position Details Full-time ministry role Requires availability on Sundays, evenings, and weekends as needed Reports to the Family Ministry Director ABOUT HORIZON COMMUNITY CHURCH Horizon is a growing church designed to reach leaders and professionals in the higher income suburbs of eastern Cincinnati. It has a scenic 70+ acre campus and enjoys weekly attendance of over 2,000. At Horizon, we recognize that a spiritual journey is personal and unique. For that reason, we offer two distinctly different services: The Exploring Service (11 a.m. Sunday) is designed for those who are just beginning to investigate Christianity or who are recently returning to faith. The service addresses topical themes and spiritual questions relevant to everyday life such as "Who is God?" and "How can I accomplish a more meaningful and more enjoyable life?” The Equipping Service (8:30 a.m. & 9:45 a.m. Sunday) is designed for those who are maturing in their faith, featuring participatory worship music, Calvary Chapel-style expository verse-by-verse teaching focused on specific books of the Bible, and monthly communion. The goal is to equip Christ-followers for the work of the ministry of the church (Ephesians 4:12). It is also to purposefully role model and encourage a continuation of time with the Lord in worship and in His Word between weekends by getting alone with God and in fellowship with others. Horizon also offers a variety of groups and studies for people at all stages of their spiritual journey. The aim is to create comfortable environments where any age can explore at their own pace, free from pressure or expectations. Benefits: Salary Range - $40,000 - $50,000 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Retirement plan Vision insurance Work Location: In person Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/jobs/index.cfm/Youth_Pastor_Director_Minister_Coordinator_Bassett_VA_15448.htm We are looking to hire a part-time individual to work as a Children and Youth Ministry Director for our church. The contact information listed is our church secretary who will put the interested person in touch with a member of the Personnel Committee. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Communicating_With_Parents_20510.htm "What time is the bus leaving?" "What should they bring?" "I didn't know anything about this!" If you've been in youth ministry for any amount of time, you have most likely heard these questions and frustrations from parents by now. You probably also know the disappointment after putting together details for events, publicizing for weeks, and people still don't know what's going on. You ask yourself, "What am I doing wrong? Do they not care? Is it me or them?" Honestly, the answer is a bit more complicated. Here are some thoughts that may help you in better communicating with parents. Recently, I read the book Start with Why, by Simon Sinek, and his concept of the Golden Circle. It helps businesses and organizations start with the question of "why" they exist, and work out from there to "How" and "What". It's designed to give groups purpose and direction, but in the realm of communication, I believe these questions are just as important. For clarity in this article, communication with parents refers to written communication, not verbal. That could be another blog altogether! WHY ARE YOU COMMUNICATING? This seems like a straightforward question, but it's worth thinking about for a few minutes. What is your purpose in communicating with the families in your church? Knowing your 'why' might even give you more motivation to get that email out to parents! For example, is your ministry's weekly email more about delivering information? Is it a tool you intentionally use to equip parents for the work of discipling their kids? One answer isn't better than the other, but if your communication with them is informational one week and inspirational the next, it will seem like your goals are scattered, like you're throwing ideas to the wall and seeing what sticks. If it's a weekly email, have a section for upcoming events, but also links for parents that will help them connect with their teenager. Whatever your goal, focus on what you want to say, and be consistent with it. You may be in a situation where the youth ministry has always had a weekly email/text, and now you feel you need to continue that tradition, in the same way your predecessor did. That's not necessarily the case. If the youth pastor before you could create beautiful templates that look like he worked with Adobe Photoshop as a side hustle, don't feel like you need to copy them. Be yourself! But if you want your weekly communication to look or sound better, don't be afraid to ask for help either. You may have volunteers in your ministry with gifting in those areas! Ask yourself why you're communicating the way you are, and if there's a better way. Does our ministry need to communicate this often in this way from now until forever? Probably not. I know change is scary (especially if you're the new guy) because people may complain and say, "That's not how so-and-so did it!" It's ok. Change is inevitable, and eventually, people will get used to it. HOW ARE YOU COMMUNICATING? You've probably heard some youth pastors say, "You can't overcommunicate in ministry." I've even said this to a few younger pastors myself! But as I've gotten older, I don't know if that saying still holds up. Here's the problem: In an effort to reach anybody and everybody, you may actually be reaching nobody. If I know as a parent that I can find information on the student ministry just about anywhere, chances are I won't go looking for it. But if I know the two or three places to find it, I'll be going back to those sources more often. Focus your communications on a few key methods (i.e., text, email, and Facebook). Overcommunicate about how you communicate. Maybe you're comfortable with your communication methods, but it still feels like families aren't receiving what you're putting out there. Don't be afraid to ask parents how you can do a better job at communicating with them. You could say something like this, "Hey! I just wanted to make sure you're getting our weekly email for our student ministry. In the last couple of weeks, we've asked parents to respond, and I haven't heard back from you. I don't want to add to your busyness - if there's a more convenient way to connect, just let me know." You're doing a few important things here: 1) You're holding them to a degree of accountability. Healthy accountability is important in communication; it goes both ways! 2) You're recognizing their life and schedule are different than yours, and 3) you're telling them you're willing to adjust to help them. All of this together shows parents you want to be their ally, not an adversary. As I said earlier, be consistent! If you're writing the email that goes out Monday morning to families, on Monday morning, you're already behind. Go ahead and at least get a rough draft of Monday's email in your inbox before you leave for the weekend. If you can finish that email the week before, and have it scheduled to go out at 9:00 AM every morning, even better! (Pro tip: Clear and consistent communication with parents will help them build trust with you. Easy win!) WHAT ARE YOU COMMUNICATING? Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt was credited with the advice, "Be sincere, be brief, be seated." This advice is good for deacon's meetings, but also communication with parents! Think about how you read emails, texts, or even your church's bulletin. If you're like most people, you probably just read over the first few sentences of an email. The parents who get your emails probably do the same thing, so try to keep it short and to the point, or at least the most important things at the top of your email. As you're promoting the next event or including a reminder, don't get caught up in using too many words. Keep it short, keep it simple. If you want to keep the attention of parents after they see the highlights, consider including some images from your last event, like a collage of 3-4 pictures. In the past, I've sent out weekly emails to families that include the "Need to Know" info at the top, followed by a recap picture from our last event, in-depth details about what's happening, and a helpful article for families at the bottom. We don't want to just keep parents informed; we want to keep them engaged. Make reading it worth their time. Don't make it hard to get connected to what's going on in your youth ministry. If parents have to call you or the church office to have their name added to the email or text list, you may lose the chance to connect with them. With a little research and effort, you could make a free QR code on all your publications, which parents can scan with their phone to be automatically added to an email list through an app like MailChimp. This saves time for you and them. Lastly, with all this talk of instant communication and automated emails, don't neglect the important act of reaching out to parents directly. Not to inform or update, but simply to ask, "Hey, you were on my mind, and I was wondering if there's anything I can be praying for you about this week?" I promise you that it will always mean more to someone than a reminder about camp deadlines. Share with others in our YM360 community: Consider asking a volunteer parent in your youth ministry for their thoughts on what and how you communicate. Tell them they have permission to be as honest as possible. What could you add to the weekly email that makes it more than just announcements? How could you make it into a conversation starter that parents look forward to receiving each week? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Jesus_First_Country_Second_20511.htm Why our ultimate allegiance should be to Heaven, not Earth. Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Elevating_Evangelism_20512.htm Why your church needs an evangelist on the team Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Empowering_Students_to_Take_Ownership_20509.htm STUDENTS INFLUENCE STUDENTS Getting students involved in the ministry is always a plus. No matter the size of your youth group, getting them to buy into the youth group can cause a massive shift in the culture of your ministry. When students are bought in, this allows them to leverage their influence to share the Gospel and invite others into their ministry. I always tell my students that this ministry is their ministry, I'm just the one who steers the ship. Allowing your students to hoist the sails and man the ship is a gamechanger. Our student ministry has grown a good bit since I took over 5 years ago. But it's not because of me. It's because I've tried to engrain into my students' heads that this is their ministry and that God has called them to go out and share the Gospel and invite their friends to church. I have a senior this year in my student ministry named Gage. Gage is one of the best young men I know. He serves on our student leadership team, plays the drums on our worship team, and his parents serve in our ministry. But before Gage did all of this, he began seeking out opportunities to invite his friends to church. One youth night, I was standing beside his dad, and I began to count all of the guys that were there because of Gage. 10 guys were in our youth room because of the influence that Gage has. That was over 2 years ago, and many of those young men still come on Wednesday nights and have placed their faith in Jesus, all because of Gage's influence. My point is this: you have students in your youth group who have influence. In fact, all of your students have influence! It's up to you to call that influence out in them and teach them how they can influence the people around them for the sake of the Gospel. Whether we like it or not, we have to face the fact that our students are going to either be influencers or they are going to be the ones being influenced. I'd rather have them be the influence. STUDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO BELONG AND BUY INTO In order to bring out that influence in a student, you have to create a ministry and a place that the student feels like they belong in. One of the biggest desires for any student is to feel like they belong somewhere. Once they feel like they belong, buy-in quickly follows. Students share what they love. If they love their student ministry, then they are more likely to tell and invite their friends to visit. But this comes with a clear and solid vision that is constantly stated out loud to all of the students. Our motto at youth is "Creating a space where students can find and follow Jesus." When each student walks up the stairs in our youth building, they are met with a giant banner that says "Find and Follow" on it. That's who we are, and that gives students something to buy into. I want our student ministry to be a place where each student feels like they belong. Even if they deal with some heavy identity issues and sexual identity issues, I want them to feel like they belong in my youth room. Why? Because when they feel like they belong, they can get vulnerable, and God can use those moments to change their life through salvation. Once lives are being changed through the power of the gospel, those students are the quickest to buy in. Why? Because they have "tasted and seen that the Lord is good," and they will want to share that with others. As youth leaders, our job isn't just to preach catchy sermons or to feed the kids pizza on Wednesdays or Sunday nights; our job is to create a space where students can belong and buy into. Then, we can step back and watch the Lord work as we share the gospel and see students take ownership of their ministry. Remember- it's not your ministry, it's theirs. ONCE THEY ARE BOUGHT IN, LET THEM GO, BUT WITH GUARD RAILS A student who loves the Lord and is eager to be involved in the ministry can be a massive help in ministry, even if they don't know the specifics of ministry. Your job as the student pastor does not change with them. Your job is still to disciple, but now you're discipling them in light of what God is doing in and through their life in your student ministry. Give them responsibilities. Start small. Maybe have them grab the pizzas from the deliveryman and bring you the receipt, or have them help with check-in. Then, once you begin to see their buy-in, have them do the opening announcements or lead the nightly game. My goal on Wednesday nights when our youth meet is to do two things: know my students better than I did last week, and help them know Jesus deeper than they did last week. I'm able to do this because I have a student who does all of my announcements and leads all the games. I also have a student leader who chooses all the songs we sing and leads our student-led worship team every week. I've given both of these students the opportunity to lead how they want to, but I also have walked with them as they have selected games and picked songs. What they don't realize is that I am molding them into leaders, and leaders that will hopefully serve the church for years to come. They know what we are trying to build and accomplish on Wednesday night. Don't be afraid to turn your students loose, but make sure they're buying into the vision of the student ministry as they lead and walk beside them. This will create incredible discipleship opportunities. THE LONG GAME I read a statistic one time that said something along the lines that 80% of students leave the church when they graduate high school. That, my friends, is simply not good enough for me. By giving students opportunities to lead and to buy into their student ministry, what you are actually doing is beginning to build the leaders of tomorrow's church. Now, I 100% believe that our students are part of today's church, but they are tomorrow's deacons, elders, greeters, youth leaders, pastors, etc. Why not give them the opportunity and show them that they can use their lives for the sake of the gospel now? Do they have influence, even though they are only in the 9th grade? So what if they fail? You'll be right there to catch them and encourage them. That's the beauty of challenging them to lead; we get a front row seat to encourage and walk with them as they seek to make the name of Jesus known with those around them. Doesn't that sound a little bit like the strategy we call discipleship? Letting students lead can be a bit scary and can make you cringe sometimes, but it is so worth it to see the students take ownership of their ministry. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: What is the name of a student whom you might ask to help you lead when you meet for youth group? What is a way in which you can challenge your students to use the influence that they have with their friend groups to share the gospel with their friends? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Ground_Rules_for_Counseling_Students_20508.htm Counseling students is a by-product of healthy ministry, and it is essential you develop ground rules for doing so. Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Relational_Ministry_in_a_Technology_Dominated_World_20507.htm Relational ministry has changed in the last decade. Honestly, it used to be pretty easy, but now we are in a technology-dominated world. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/When_Church_Planting_Math_Doesnt_Add_Up_20513.htm Why the Church needs more than just church plants Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/From_Middle_School_to_High_School_A_Concert_of_Takeaways_20506.htm Ever sat through a band at your local school? I recently did. The set opened with two songs from our 6th graders, then three songs from our 7th graders, eventually building to the finale by our 12th graders. As you might imagine, the younger students were still finding their confidence (or in some cases, the beat), while the older students offered polished covers ranging from "La La Land" to "How to Train Your Dragon." Each performance offered surprising ministry parallels. I've been a small group leader for the same group of boys for the past seven years, seeing firsthand the challenges and rewards that come with every season. It can be tempting to cherry-pick a favorite "moment" from their lives, be it eagerly awaiting the day they got their driver's license, or cherishing how easy it was to make plans before they got jobs. Ecclesiastes 3 describes how "for everything there is a season" (v. 1), be it a time to plant or harvest (v. 2), build up or break down (v. 3), and seek or lose (v. 6). In all these contrasting moments, God is the uniting presence who transforms them into eternal investments (v. 14). Similarly, when we claim the godly potential in every season of our students, we can faithfully plant unique seeds of faith as they mature. To borrow from this youngest-to-oldest "concert," here are three takeaways that we can all absorb. YOU'RE EXPERIENCING A SYMPHONY IN THE MAKING As rough as the middle school performance was, their lack of experience meant they were naturally open to new experiences. They could experiment with playing the drums or clarinet. They could learn any number of new songs. Best of all, they could grow alongside a consistent group - learning, laughing, and looking out for one another for the years to come. When I first started leading, I remember feeling overwhelmed and questioning what was and wasn't working with our group. Now that they're in high school, I've been blown away by how much those boys remember from those early years. Multiple times, they've quoted something back to me that I said four or five years ago. What I viewed as a brief moment then had now taken root and developed into an enduring value. Just as it takes time for a middle schooler to turn sheet music into a symphony, it takes time for an idea to cement into their identity. Our role isn't to say "no" for them, but give them every opportunity to say "yes" after "yes" to Jesus. This can be as simple as helping them build camaraderie with their peers or letting them volunteer to help uncover their gifts. Galatians 6:9 reminds us: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Never underestimate your power to activate the young men and women your youth has yet to become. YOU'RE SEEING THE BAND There was a unique privilege in seeing the talent of each grade's performance over 90 minutes. Only two or three teachers were running the program, but it was clear that they had developed a relationship with each group. The teachers' commitment inspired a commitment in their students, leading them to engage in this concert together. Being with my small group over the years has taught me the value of communicating commitment. Some students were willing to connect with me after a few months, while some took a few years. Rarely did this come about because I said the right thing at the right time, but rather through the relationship we had forged over time and could then build upon. Jesus is a perfect example of making the most of His earthly ministry, and shares in Luke 12:34: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." When we help our students feel treasured, we give them a tangible glimpse into God's heart. Be it an extra minute, hour, day, week, month, or year, your presence and participation in a student's life create the boosts they need to encounter their next breakthrough with Christ. YOU'RE HEARING THE SONG By the time we got to the senior group, there was anticipation in the air. This was not only the final performance of the night, but their final performance of their lives. There was a maturity in their music and a confidence in their community. There was no doubt that these students knew their song and how to play it really well. This got me thinking about how this confidence was not only reflective of the high schoolers' talent, but also of their development. They weren't looking to learn new songs, but how to play their current song the best way possible. Similarly, I see the seniors in my group make decisions based on conclusions they've made about themselves. One student wants to pursue an engineering degree because he's "good at math." Another student (I kid you not) is considering bull-riding, because he's gotten used to being knocked around in his years of football. If middle schoolers are exploring the right questions to step into, then high schoolers are exploring the right answers to stand on. This isn't to say you won't find a 7th grader set in their ways, or a 10th grader who undergoes a lifestyle change. Just as Jesus reminds us to "become like children" in our faith (Matthew 18:3), we can encourage our older students to keep asking questions and ground their inner narrative in the loving reality of the Father. Hebrews 13:8 proclaims, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Imagine if we applied that eternal longevity to the investment of our students... empowering them in middle school, high school, and beyond. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: What's an opportunity you could give your middle schoolers to volunteer and explore their unique gifts? What's a question you could encourage high schoolers to ask themselves as they enter young adulthood? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/5_Myths_of_Youth_Ministry_Part_2_20505.htm Back in October, we talked about 5 common myths of youth ministry-things like: youth ministry is all fun and games youth ministry is only about students bigger is always better students can't swim deep ministry is only exhausting and overwhelming And the truth is, there are so many more myths out there quietly shaping how we lead, define success, and measure ourselves as youth ministry leaders. So, we're back for round two. Five more myths that sneak into our minds and hearts, show up in our ministries, and quietly mess with our leadership if we don't call them out. #1 - YOU CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT YOUR OWN FRIENDSHIPS You're busy. Ministry is busy. It asks a lot of you. Full stop. I don't really need to spell it out, but between your Wednesday nights, Sunday mornings, parent emails, staff meetings, budget meetings, and school functions, who has time to build friendships and community outside of ministry? It's easy to tell yourself you'll prioritize those relationships once things slow down. Once the calendar isn't so packed, you'll catch your breath and be able to look up. But that moment never really comes. At least not at the length you want it to be. Recently, Barna Group's research painted a sobering picture. 65% of pastors report feeling lonely and isolated, up from 42% in 2015. That's a massive jump in less than a decade. Even more troubling? 43% of pastors cite "loneliness and isolation" as a reason they've considered quitting ministry. And get this: only one in three pastors has someone outside their church they can truly confide in. Perhaps even more difficult to hear is when researchers measured pastoral well-being across multiple areas (relationships, well-being, finances, vocation, faith), pastors scored lowest in relationships. In fact, they even scored lower than churchgoers. Just let that sink in for a moment. The people who are pastoring, shepherding, and leading others toward community often have the weakest relational health themselves. No matter the size of your ministry, you weren't designed to go about it alone. Having your own friendships, relationships, and community isn't a luxury for when ministry slows down. They are a lifeline you can't go without. If you don't have at least one trusted friend or mentor who knows the real you-not the Sunday you-make that a priority this month, not "later on." If you lead students but don't have adults who help lead you, you're going to run out of steam. #2 - YOUR JOB IS TO FIX KIDS (AND IF THEY WALK AWAY, YOU FAILED) This one hit hard because it feels so true. A student walks away from their faith after graduation. A student who grew up in your ministry posts about a wild life-change that rejects following Jesus. A parent calls, frustrated that their teen is struggling and asks, "Can you do something about it?" As if there wasn't already a weight you were carrying, it just got heavier. It's also easy to think in those moments, "If only I...said the right thing, did more, was more available, then maybe they'd still be here." We can't help but wonder what we could have done differently that might have produced a different result. But news flash: you're a shepherd, not a savior. Your job is to plant and water faithfully. God gives the growth. Salvation is the work of God. Period. Just to be clear: You cannot "fix" students. You cannot heal everything they've been through. You can't make decisions for them. Yes, you're called to disciple students well, to point them to Jesus, to challenge them to go deep, to create environments where their faith can grow, and to see the importance of the local church. But you are not responsible for outcomes you cannot control. You cannot force anyone to follow Jesus. Taking responsibility for every spiritual outcome is carrying a weight you were never meant to have. During your investment, some seeds sprout immediately, others lie dormant for years. Your faithfulness matters, but you are not the one who does the final work. Now, don't give up on students who may walk away. Pray for them, keep doors open, and trust that God is still at work even if you cannot see it. It's a good reminder to surrender your ministry and students back to the Lord. #3 - GOOD YOUTH PASTORS DO EVERYTHING Every event. Every request. Every late-night text. Every parent meeting. Every volunteer need. Every family crisis. You tell yourself that's what ministry requires-being available for everything 24/7. And often (and sometimes the most challenging reality), no one is stopping you. Sometimes, they even praise you for how "busy" you are. You tear down boundaries. You sacrifice it all-health, family, and life-because that's what "good" youth pastors do. Or that's what people around you notice and celebrate. Forcing yourself to stay available 24/7 and to do everything will only lead to burnout. It's not sustainable. Our energy, capacity, and margin have a ceiling. We need boundaries. Rest. Solitude. And most importantly, time to help refill ourselves so we can continue to pour out. I get the desire to try and do it all, but it's not realistic, and I hope you'll give yourself permission to step away from that burden. Your value as a youth pastor isn't tied to how busy or available you are. When you model rest, you teach students that their worth isn't in productivity. When you prioritize your family, you show them that ministry starts at home. You can't do it all. You can't be at everything. #4 - THE REAL WORK TAKES PLACE UPFRONT ON A STAGE Let's clear something up: youth ministry is so much more than just standing on a stage talking, leading worship, or giving a powerful invitation. That's often what people see most, but that's only a part. If the greatest part of your ministry is when you stand on a stage in front of your students, let me gently ask: what matters most? The things that don't get seen-the work to write an email, the intentional time in prayer, planning meetings, advocating for budgets, sermon planning, school partnerships, volunteer coordination, conflict resolution between students, late-night texts, and the relentless grind of making a ministry work week in and week out. So much of ministry actually takes place in the unseen, unglamorous work. It's not the stage. It's not in the light. It's in that spreadsheet where you map out your follow-up plans from camp. It's in that empty youth room where you're praying over chairs. It's in that phone call you're having with the parent trying to reach their prodigal. Don't mishear me: those upfront moments matter and what you teach matters, but they're often best built on a foundation of faithfulness in the unseen. You're faithfully stewarding the call God has placed on you, whether anyone's watching or not. Why? Because at the end of the day, it's all for the Lord. #5 - YOU NEED TO BE THE "COOL" PASTOR The myth that whispers in our ear all the time. You need to know every TikTok trend, dress a certain way, speak their language, and essentially, be in your mid-20s to mid-early 30s forever. You feel the pressure to be the "cool" pastor who gets their culture, music, memes, and slang. And what about when you don't? When you're older, less trendy, a little more out of touch with what's happening, you start to believe you can't connect. You begin to think you're too old for this. I'll never believe in the myth that you can "age out" of youth ministry. With breath in your lungs, desire and purpose in your life, God can still use you to draw the next generation to Him. I mean, what even is cool? And when did that become the prerequisite for effective youth ministry? What students need is a consistent presence in their lives who faithfully points them to Jesus and helps them become a lifelong follower of Him. Students long for an adult who loves them and cares for them. Sure, it's great to understand their world and culture, and to be aware of what's shaping them. But you don't have to become like them to reach them. Maybe the encouragement here is to be yourself. Be authentic. Be you. That's what they need most. Not a version of you or what you think they want from you. Youth ministry myths are everywhere. Some make us laugh, some weigh us down, and some quietly shape our decisions. But here's what I want you to remember: your worth isn't tied to how available you are, how many students stay, or how cool you seem. Your worth is found in Christ and your faithfulness to the calling He's placed on your life. So, let's call out these myths. One at a time. Not to shame ourselves, but to lead healthier, longer, and more faithful in the calling that God has given us. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: What myths from this list have you struggled with the most? What are other myths in youth ministry you have experienced or feel pressured by? SOURCES: https://www.barna.com/research/pastor-support-systems https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-quitting-ministry https://www.barna.com/trends/pastors-friendship-gap Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Prays_Be_13431.htm Prays.Be collects Christian sermons and teachings into one simple, distraction-free place. Browse services and series from public feeds and watch/listen with a clean TV-style player (no social feed required). Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Get_Off_the_Ladder_20514.htm A simple yet profound object lesson to help you explain the Gospel of grace Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Student_Driven_Weekend_Service_20504.htm "You Own the Weekend" is a student-driven weekend service that has become the highlight of our high school ministry's calendar every year. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/For_the_Youth_Pastor_This_Easter_20503.htm No matter what our churches' Easter seasons bring, youth pastor, don't get caught up in so much programming that you forget who you worship. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Owning_a_Bible_Can_Mean_Prison_or_Death_in_These_Countries_2026_List_20502.htm Is it a crime to own a Bible? For most of us, God's Word is as close as our nightstand or a smartphone app. But for millions of Christians, the Bible is a dangerous book. You may have heard that the Bible is "illegal in 52 countries." While that specific number is a common shorthand, [...] Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/How_to_Have_the_Next_Step_Conversation_20501.htm In the classic political TV series The West Wing, after a long day of drama dealing with world leaders and even petty problems, President Bartlett often quips to his team, "What's next?" That phrase has become a hallmark of Bartlett's relentless, focused personality, ready to accomplish whatever is next on the agenda. His team is always at the ready with the next debate, memo, or briefing in hand. In the same way, many of our students are internally asking the question, "What's next for my faith?" They are hearing the Bible taught, growing in community, or even just asking questions about Jesus, and are ready to take the next step, but do not know what to do or where to go. It is in that moment that we must be like Bartlett's team, ready with an answer in mind and something in hand to help them know what's next and give them the courage to take that step. One of the ways we can prepare for these next-step conversations is to develop a discipleship pathway, a clear overview of what discipleship looks like at your church. Done well, this will help you determine where a student is in their walk with Jesus and show a next step to help them move from one stage to the next. It brings clarity for your team and your students, so that they are not guessing how to go deeper in their walk with Christ. In the rest of this blog, I'll share our ministry's discipleship pathway, followed by a few quick suggestions for starting one of your own. SEEKER: A TEENAGER WHO DOESN'T FOLLOW JESUS YET One of the best parts of student ministry is being around lost teenagers. Some are curious, and some are callous. Both, in our ministry, are seekers. They don't follow Jesus... yet. But our earnest prayer is that they will, and we help them take the next steps of their own, even before faith in Christ. Their first step is to seek God and get answers to their questions. If they are not ready to follow Jesus, we ask, "What is holding you back?" Then we encourage them to keep seeking God by coming to church, reading the Bible, and asking God to show Himself to them. We get them a study bible before they leave and follow up as the weeks go on. The most important next step is for them to repent of sin and believe the Gospel, at which point they are saved and move on to the next stage of discipleship. SAVED: A TEENAGER WHO IS LEARNING TO WORSHIP AUTHENTICALLY By "saved," we mean a student who has confessed Christ, but is still in the early stages of discipleship. Our immediate next step for them is baptism, which we do as soon as possible to help them establish their new identity with Christ. We then equip them with a study Bible and begin teaching them the basics of the faith, such as prayer, bible study, and new life in Christ. One resource that we always put in a student's hands is from YM360 called New: First Steps for New Christ Followers. By worship authentically, we mean to orient our students to sound doctrine and sound Christian living from the start so they can grow in the right direction going forward. Their participation in their small group is vital for this, since that is where most of the personal discipleship will happen. STUDENT: A TEENAGER WHO IS LEARNING TO GROW INTENTIONALLY Once a student is established and is learning the basics of the faith, we encourage students to go beyond the basics by growing intentionally. In the previous step, most new believers are just trying to get their bearings. In this step, they have their bearings, and they are ready to set sail, so we just need to give them resources and environments to do that. We help them develop key relationships in the church, whether with their small group leader or other mentors in the church. We also use YM360's Next: Growing a Faith that Lasts to spark a student's curiosity about where to go forward. Many of our students have joined men's Bible studies or our church's Bible institute as a result of wanting to go deeper in their faith. SERVANT: A TEENAGER WHO IS LEARNING TO SERVE SELFLESSLY When a student wants to take the next step, and they have already been growing intentionally, I ask, "Where are you serving?" We are never more like Jesus when we serve. Discipling towards service helps us avoid developing Christian students who know a lot of information but aren't making an impact. We have several next steps here that are adjustable based on age and situation that we use in conjunction with YM360's book Now: Impacting Your World for Christ (Right Now). We can help them discover their spiritual gift. They can come join the ministry at our church's next serve day or join a regular serve team, such as preschool or tech ministry. For our high school students, they can join our Servant Leadership Team for our youth group. For our Juniors and Seniors, they can go on our overseas mission trip to put into practice all they have learned over the years. I have found many times that a student who is stuck in their faith just needs an outlet of service, and then they thrive! SUGGESTIONS FOR CREATING A DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY First, align your pathway with your church's vision and values. Our church's core values are worship authentically, grow intentionally, and serve selflessly. We want to build the same kind of disciples that the rest of our church is making. Second, have practical steps for each stage of your pathway, such as a journal, a ministry to join, or a resource to share. Third, use this with a spiritual self-assessment. We have students fill out an assessment, which helps us determine where they are on the pathway and make personal suggestions for what step they can take next. Fourth, remember that these stages are not mutually exclusive. A student can serve right away after becoming a Christian. This is not a rigid test, but a tool to help us know what key elements of the Christian faith students need to grow through. Lastly, train your leaders to have these next-step conversations, too. One of my favorite things is having a leader come up to me to share that one of their students is ready for baptism because they have been talking about it after small group. One last thing to consider: Everybody has a discipleship pathway. Some are implicit, some are disorganized. Some are explicit and organized. My encouragement is that it is easier for both you and your students if you know where you want your students to go and how to take that next step to get there. It doesn't have to be complicated, but it should be intentional and thoughtful. So now we'll know exactly what to say when a student comes up and says, "What's next?" Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: Right now, what is your plan for helping a new believer follow Jesus? Right now, are your volunteers equipped to have next-step conversations? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Bible_Education_in_Public_Schools_During_School_Hours_13430.htm We are a National Christian non-profit that focuses on bringing Bible education and the Gospel to Public School Students DURING SCHOOL HOURS! It's called "Release Time Religious Instruction", a term coined by the US Supreme Court, and allows students to b Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Bible_Education_in_Public_Schools_During_School_Hours_13429.htm We are a National Christian non-profit that focuses on bringing Bible education and the Gospel to Public School Students DURING SCHOOL HOURS! It's called "Release Time Religious Instruction", a term coined by the US Supreme Court, and allows students to b Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Fishing_Isnt_Optional_20500.htm The problem with men's ministry and how to fix it Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/The_Art_of_Good_Questions_20499.htm I stared at a room of blank faces until one student finally asked, "Um...can you repeat the question?" Anyone who has been in youth ministry has felt the awkwardness of this situation. You wonder why your small group is quieter than a family after mom asks who ate the last of the ice cream. But what if the problem isn't our students? What if we're asking the wrong questions? "How does that passage make you feel?" "Is prayer important?" "Have you ever doubted your salvation?" You've probably seen questions like these in several different curricula. At first glance, they may seem run-of-the-mill. However, I believe these types of questions are examples of questions we want to avoid. Asking questions and discussing in a small group setting is our opportunity to see if students understand what we're teaching them. It's their chance to respond. If we don't ask the right questions, we fail in helping them carry these truths outside the church building. Here's what I mean... WORDS MATTER Let's look at the first question: "How does this passage make you feel?" What is a question like that communicating to a student? At best, it's ignoring the author's intent and the biblical message. At worst, it suggests to a student that our feelings about a passage matter more than the truth of God's Word. Rather than making ourselves the center of the question, let's elevate God's Word and ask, "What do you think the author's original meaning was? What truth or truths is God showing us through this passage?" Feelings have their place, but emotion-based questions have a greater chance of keeping a student where they're at than helping them move forward in their faith. Let's look at another question: "Is prayer important?" Put on your sailor hat, because Captain Obvious just made port! Kidding aside, overly simplistic questions that end with a "yes" or a "no" don't move the group along. Instead, it can stop the conversation, leaving students thinking "Did he really just ask us that?" or "That's too easy. Must be a trick question." Our goal as small group leaders is to keep the conversation moving. We want to help students move from a place of comprehension to application. Questions like "Have you ever doubted your salvation?" have the potential to be like a grenade; it may blow up in your face or be a dud. A single student may answer, and instantly feel judged by the group's silence; while everyone is thinking about what that student said, rather than focusing on the discussion. Maybe the question is so exposing that no one answers, and the leader is forced to move on. Questions that uncover a person's vulnerabilities and insecurities in a small group setting have the potential to dramatically affect the vibe in the room, for better or for worse. I heard a story of one student opening up about his sexual addictions in his middle school boys' group, and as time went on, more of the guys opened up about the same struggles and temptations they faced. Their shared struggles strengthened their friendship with each other, and the group was better for it. On the other hand, I've also heard of stories like a young woman who opens up about her eating disorder in her small group, and now the other girls in her youth group avoid talking to her. Questions that risk exposure are a big gamble. Rather than using a question that may call someone out, use a more open-ended and generalized question, like "Who here has ever...? What was that like for you?" Seek to connect students in the group over similarities, instead of risking exposure and isolation. As a small group leader, you may be better off asking those more probing questions in a different setting. RAISING THE BAR Often, a prewritten curriculum may use the same questions for a middle school and high school audience. This saves time for the writers and makes it more universal for their audience. However, middle school and high school students are at very different stages intellectually and emotionally, and require different approaches. Most middle school students are still at a "black-and-white" stage of thought called concrete thinking. At this stage, there's a lot that still may be literal to them, and metaphors may go over their head (Cue Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy: "Nothing goes over my head. My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it.") Middle school students have an easier time hearing and understanding a story from the Bible because it's a straightforward narrative. Other genres, like Jesus' parables, may be more figurative to them and require greater time from you to explain the meaning. As students get older, they move from concrete thinking to abstract thinking, which means they begin to conceptualize, utilizing critical thinking and creativity more often. They understand non-literal ideas better and make connections easier. This is the stage where you, as a small group leader, will (hopefully) have an easier time helping students understand how Scripture relates to their everyday lives. Knowing where your small group is developmentally will go a long way in helping you ask better questions. Are better questions in our small groups the end goal? No, of course not. But by learning how to ask better questions, students will retain, think, and apply what we teach them. Through better teaching and biblical discipleship, we help them grow in their relationship with Christ, and that is the end goal. REEVALUATE AND REWRITE If asking good questions can help us make better disciples, where do we go from here? How can we put this into practice? It's worth taking the time to reevaluate your curriculum to see if it asks good questions. First, think like your audience, the person who's hearing these questions for the first time. Students. Put yourself in a student's shoes. How would they read or hear this question? Make sure the question is phrased in a neutral way and be sure they wouldn't misinterpret it. (Hint: If you ask your middle school boys to list "6 or 7 ways we can apply this", you will never get that group back on track. Ever.) If you use a prewritten curriculum, don't be afraid to rewrite the questions for your context. They even encourage that in the "How to use this curriculum" section, which we all never read. But seriously, make sure you really look over the curriculum before you give it to your small group leaders. Don't make it any harder on them. Maybe the questions you were going to use just aren't landing as you prepare for the lesson. That's okay! Don't be afraid to write your own questions. If you've never done that before, try experimenting. It will become easier the more you do it. You could involve students by asking your leaders what they thought of the questions. You could even challenge them to write questions they feel their friends would answer. At the end of the day, you know your students better than anyone. You know where they're at. When it comes to questions, whether you recite or rewrite, your passion for God and His Word ought to come through as you teach. Praying the Holy Spirit leads you, as you lead students closer to Jesus. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: When leading a small group, how much time do you spend studying the curriculum versus analyzing the questions? How can asking better questions make you a better teacher? Is there another youth worker, or even a student leader, who can review questions in advance with you? Are the questions you're asking clear, concise, and well-constructed? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Making_Your_Message_Impossible_to_Forget_20498.htm People forget stuff. You are probably forgetting something right now. The students you lead also forget. They forget to bring money for lunch, they forget their deodorant for a week-long mission trip to the desert, they forget to tell their parents when to pick them up, sometimes they forget to arrange any ride home at all, and they forget the lessons we teach them. Sometimes it seems like they forget them immediately. There are moments, little glimmers of hope, that we cherish as student pastors and youth workers when a student shows us their message notes from a teaching we taught years ago, or recounts a story we shared with them that stuck with them, or tells us how much a weekend retreat or session of summer camp changed their life. God reminds us that it is possible for students to remember what we are teaching them, and that He is using it to grow students in their faith. It is possible for students to remember, so we should work to make lessons impossible to forget. How can you, as a leader, make the life-transforming truths from God's Word a permanent installation in the mind of a student? GET THEM TO WRITE IT DOWN When a student physically writes down what they hear, it increases their ability to retain it. Build a culture of handwritten notes. Prepare messages and lessons with concise points that clearly capture the truth. Make each point able to stand on its own without context so that if a student only wrote down the points on the screen, they would still have a complete picture of the message's bottom line. Instruct students to write down important things, equip them with notebooks and pens, and reward note-taking by giving an annual award to the person with the best message notes. (This award is called a YOSCAR in our student ministry and is a peer-nominated award given out annually to the student who takes the best message notes.) TELL A STORY Jesus is the master storyteller. One of the benefits of this method of teaching is that it's just easy to remember. There is value in telling a story because it not only helps students know the lesson but also establishes a picture of the lesson in their minds. For instance, if I teach my son not to play with matches, he will hopefully remember what I taught him about matches when I ask him, or maybe even when he sees a match or a lighter. However, if I tell him the story of the boy who found a box of matches in a drawer in his house and tried to do what he had seen his older cousin do by striking the match against the side of the box, got scared by the sudden spark and flame on the end of the match and then dropped the lit match on the rug where it caught the carpet on fire and in his panic he ran outside and watched his house burn down. That story will stay with my 4-year-old because he imagined the consequence of that lesson. Shape a story that can reinforce your bottom line. Stories can be drawn from personal experience (I tell a lot of stories of my childhood growing up in Maine and my high school years working at Zaxby's). God seems to hide so many valuable lessons in our own experiences. ATTACH AN EXPERIENCE There are truths that we know, but sometimes they slip from our minds until we have an experience attached to them. Students understand the importance of keeping their eyes on the road while driving. However, a student will not forget this after that one time they let themselves get distracted while driving and veer onto the rumble strip, slide a tire off the pavement shoulder, or clip a traffic cone. An experience that accompanied that lesson and reinforced the importance of staying focused while behind the wheel. Are we able to create experiences that come alongside our lessons for students? God's Word is full of invitations for this. A few examples of how I have tried to teach in this way: We brought in a falconer who showed the students a Red Tailed Hawk and a Barn Owl during our teaching series about anxiousness in Matthew 6:27, which says to "Look at the Birds..." The students still ask me when the "Bird Man" is coming back. We gave each student a ball of clay to make their own creation with during small group time on the final night of our teaching series about God creating us and being in control out of Isaiah 64:8 which says "we are the clay, you are the potter" We also had a ceramic artist come in and offer two Pottery Workshops which students can learn how to spin pottery on a wheel. We had a pallet of cinder blocks in the room when we talked about Jesus Christ being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20) and each student took home a cinder block the last night of the series, we used a car as a stage all Summer and let students spray paint it and smash it with a sledge hammer when we talked about destroying what is destroying us (Matthew 5:30), we brought in a throne made of swords and gave away a local forging experience when we talked about how the Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). REPEAT IT, AND REPEAT IT CONSISTENTLY There are some things that are more difficult to attach experiences to or tell a story about, but are still important enough for students to remember. These things should be said frequently and consistently each time. An example of this would be opening up the night with the same vision: "Tonight we have gathered because of Jesus, we envision a culture of youth going after the Kingdom of Heaven" or leading your volunteer team "We are here to teach them the TRUTH of God's Word, show them the PURPOSE God has for them and to come alongside their PARENTS as they raise them in the Lord." This takes time and discipline, but what happens is these values become baked into the system of the culture you are building in your ministry. What you are teaching your students is too valuable for it to slip their minds. Students are able to remember, so make it impossible to forget through handwritten notes, storytelling, experiences, and repetition. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: If you were to evaluate the lessons that students in your student ministry seemed to remember the most, what is the reason behind it? How can you recreate that same memorable lesson again in your ministry? Which of these four practices of "making it impossible to forget" would be a good fit as a next step in your ministry? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Knowing_Your_Audience_and_How_to_Lead_Them_20497.htm There's a leadership tension that every youth pastor feels. It doesn't matter if you're brand new or decades in. This tension doesn't care about your passion, budget, work ethic, philosophy, preaching, casting vision, communication, or planning. More often than not, this tension isn't a calling issue or a competency issue. It's not about your age, tenure, or the size of your church. The tension is knowing your audience. LEADERSHIP BREAKS DOWN WHEN UNDERSTANDING BREAKS DOWN At its core, leadership is highly influential. But that influence doesn't start with authority, titles, passion, or even vision. It starts with understanding. And not just a cognitive understanding but a deeply personal and heartfelt understanding. The type of understanding that moves you to action, empathy, and a desire to serve. Proverbs 18:2 says, "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." This verse is a necessary reminder for us as leaders. We must understand who we are ministering to. A wise youth pastor is one who looks to understand what's going on around them. In youth ministry, we don't lead just one group of people. We lead multiple audiences at the same time, and these audiences often have different expectations, pressures, and needs. They require different relationships, communication, and engagement from you. When we fail to recognize that, we tend to lead everyone the same way, and that's where frustration comes in. Effective youth ministry is more than just planning some events or preaching a message. It's about knowing the people you're leading. What took me time to learn is that leadership problems aren't always caused by bad intentions. Sometimes, it's by leading different people the same way. ONE MINISTRY. FOUR AUDIENCES. When I first started out in youth ministry, I failed to realize how important this reality was. I really only focused on or even cared about one audience: students. It took some time, but I quickly realized that my ministry was reaching four primary audiences: Students Parents Volunteers Senior Leadership / Church Staff And the crazy thing is that each group hears me differently. They look at me differently. They experience my actions differently. They filter what I say differently. The important reality to grasp is that what you say to one group won't translate the same way to another group. Here's what I mean by this. Let's say you have an upcoming retreat, and you announce it on a Wednesday night. Students think: FUN! Who's going? How do I get my parents to sign up? That graphic looks awesome. Parents think: Is this safe? What adults will be there? How much is it? What are the details? Why are we just now hearing about this? Volunteers think: What do you need from me? What's the schedule? Will you have my gluten-free food, or do I need to bring it? Do I need to be there the whole time? Senior Leadership / Church Staff think: What else is going on at the church that weekend? Did you reserve the bus and the gym? How much will this entire thing cost? Will you need anything from me? It's the same announcement. Same retreat. But a completely different set of filters. None of these groups' thoughts is wrong. They're just listening and interpreting through a different lens. That's why what you say to one group won't automatically translate to the others. As an effective leader, you have to change your interaction based on who you're engaging with. I just heard a story recently of a father and son who went to see a movie. The dad was dreading it because the movie was based on a kids' game. While at the movie, which was the premier night, the theater was packed. People were dressed up, the entire movie theater was decorated for the movie's release, and they even had merch available. It was a big deal, and theaters rolled out the red carpet for the fans of this game and movie. In the movie, the dad is thinking, "What on earth is this? I don't understand this. What is a chicken jockey? Why are things in squares? What is this?" And as he's watching the movie, he's looking around and realizing everyone is glued to it. People are dressed up, they're clapping when certain things happen, and they are all in. At the end of the movie, people stood and clapped. On the way out, his son is raving about how awesome the movie was, and it was everything he wanted. And it was in that moment that the dad realized: it doesn't matter how good or bad I thought this movie was; the directors and creators knew their audience, and they delivered. They pulled out all the stops and knew exactly what people would have wanted to see in this movie that was created out of the world of this game. The movie was created for the fans...their target audience. That's the power of knowing your audience. The lesson for youth pastors is simple: Effective leadership doesn't start with what you say; it starts with knowing who you're speaking to. That will shape what you say. Knowing your audience doesn't make ministry easier, but it makes you a better leader. When you understand who your audiences are and what they need from you, it changes the way you lead...for the better. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: Which audience do you struggle to engage with the most? Why? What can you do to think through how your ministry rhythms impact each audience member? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Valentines_Day_Youth_Group_Ideas_Celebrate_Gods_Love_20496.htm Valentine's Day youth group ideas offer powerful discipleship opportunities. Point teens toward God's definition of love. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Outdoor_Youth_Group_Games_13_Cool_Activities_20495.htm Outdoor youth group games are a blast. Enjoy these 13 summer activities for teens! Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/A_Homeschool_Parents_Battle_Plan_20493.htm How to raise Gospel Advancing world changers Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Questions_About_Faith_30_Ways_To_Connect_With_Teens_20494.htm Asking (and answering) questions about faith can spark fascinating discussions. Start with these 30 prompts! Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/A_Survival_Guide_To_Students_Dating_In_Your_Youth_Group_20492.htm There have been plenty of times when I'm in my church lobby, greeting new students, catching up with leaders, or finalizing a game setup, when suddenly, two students walk in holding hands. In that moment, I feel like I've got front row seats to The Office. In one episode, Michael is dating his boss, the next he's dating Pam's mom; you never know what's coming next. As they walk in, the thoughts start running through my head. This could be the start of a high school sweetheart relationship where Jesus is honored, they grow deeper in their faith, and one day they will ask me to officiate their wedding... or this could turn into Avengers: Civil War next week when they break up. Either way, I know that everyone is about to feel it, and I (we) are the ones responsible for shepherding them in our Student Ministries. Having students in dating relationships in your student ministry can feel like navigating a minefield. Quick story: We have a "no technology policy" at our student camp (which I highly recommend) to help minimize distractions. Two of my students who are in a dating relationship asked me each separately if they could bring their Apple Watches. Mind you, they don't normally wear Apple Watches, so one could "monitor the weather" and the other could "track their heartbeat". In short, so they could text each other from their watches. This allowed me to have great conversations with both about why we have policies in place, why we want to minimize distractions, and why I care deeply for them, even when I tell them, "No, you can't bring your watch to track the weather at camp." They almost had me. If I'm honest, I used to avoid confrontation in the student dating world because I didn't want to scare students off or make them feel unwelcome in our ministry. However, what I have learned, and what we all know, is that all students desire affection, attention, and community. Often, that desire is expressed through dating. Why miss this chance to point them to Jesus in a way that is full of grace, wisdom, and clarity? This short survival guide is meant to help you be more prepared to disciple students through dating, not to stop it from happening, but to guide it well when it walks through your doors. DON'T CONDEMN DATING, SHEPHERD IT I know there are quite a few opinions on dating out there, even some that emphasize courting over dating. Wherever you stand, dating isn't inherently bad. It can be if it's not guarded or held accountable. If you act like it's forbidden or wrong, students will hide it from you and other ministry leaders within your ministry and instead turn back to social media or TV shows for dating advice, which is not what we want. Instead, shepherd it. Talk to students about what Christ-centered dating looks like. Ask questions, listen, and guide them through choices without shaming them. Remember, you were once a student navigating these same questions. SET THE TONE EARLY My boss helps coach football at one of our local high schools. Recently, I was able to go with him to participate in their 7 on 7 tournaments and practices, where they were teaching fundamentals, getting a feel for the game, and growing as a team. It would be foolish of any team to wait until the real games start back up to teach the basic fundamentals of football. I say that to say, don't wait for the first drama or heartbreak to teach students about dating relationships. Set a clear vision of what healthy, Christ-centered dating looks like early on and often in your ministry. For you, this could look like a sermon series on dating, bringing in a solid couple from your church to lead a panel on dating (maybe even some of your leaders with strong, healthy marriages), and offering gender-specific studies or breakouts that challenge students to go deeper. Find things that will help teach students to approach dating with intentionality, respect, and to have faith at the center. HELP THEM HANDLE BREAKUPS WELL AND PROTECT THE GROUP CULTURE We all know the stats aren't in favor of teenage relationships lasting long. So, hurt feelings, gossip, and cliques forming are all a part of the aftershock of a breakup. Teaching students how to respond with grace, work through all the emotions, and maintain community can be used as a discipleship opportunity. Breakups teach forgiveness, humility, and emotional maturity. Shepherd the students who experience breakouts, don't shame them or throw up a "See, I told you that you shouldn't date." With that, understand that your ministry's culture is more important than any single couple's dating drama or gossip. When those things creep in, it can fracture friendships and cause students to lose trust. Encourage your leaders to step in, shut down any disunity or gossip, redirect conversations, and remind students that Jesus and the community matter most. FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT Student dating doesn't have to be a nightmare or a distraction in your ministry. If we're willing to approach dating with grace, truth, and intentionality, dating becomes one of the best discipleship opportunities we will have with students. At the end of the day, our job is not to police their relationships but to shepherd them toward Jesus through every stage of life, which includes crushes, dating, and breakups. PRACTICAL TIPS Create safe spaces for honest conversations about dating relationships Teach boundaries, respect, and Christ-centered dating before students start dating Model healthy relationships in how you talk about marriage, singleness, and dating. Be intentional with how you talk about love, sex, and commitment. Protect group culture at all costs by shutting down gossip and celebrating both single students and couples Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: How does your ministry currently address dating-do you avoid it, or disciple through it? Are you equipping your leaders to handle dating drama, or leaving them on their own? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Winter_Retreat_Planning_Tips_for_Youth_Ministry_20490.htm A winter retreat creates core memories for youth group. Plan, promote, and pull off a life-changing event. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/How_to_Spread_the_Gospel_21_Evangelism_Tips_for_Teens_20491.htm Knowing how to spread the gospel is vital in youth ministry. Challenge teens to try these 21 evangelism ideas! Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Protecting_Your_Time_As_A_Bi_Vocational_Youth_Pastor_20488.htm Time. We all need more of it, yet there is only a certain amount allotted to each of us in a day, week, month, year, and lifetime. Time is both a friend and a foe, and let's face it, most of us in bi-vocational or fully volunteer ministry all have one thing in common: we are always feeling the pressure of time. As we all know, time is limited, and there can never be any more time created than what God has already given us. That's why, for those of us who God has called to bi-vocational or volunteer ministry, time is something that must be managed well and efficiently, both for our personal and spiritual health and for God's glory. I hope that these next few moments that you take while you read this blog are a good way to spend some of that time. IS 40 ACTUALLY 80? If you are like me, you work a normal, everyday job that is the main source of your income. But let's address the elephant in the room: working 40 hours a week at a secular job and then being in ministry feels like working 80 hours a week at any job, minimum. Even though people in your church and on your staff might not fully grasp the idea of this, ministry is a full-time commitment, even for the part-timer. No matter the size of your group, balancing your schedule between family time, study time, ballgames, parent meetings, band competitions, cheer tryouts, planning events, recruiting volunteers, spending time with your spouse, being a parent to your own kids, discipling your students collectively and individually, prepping for Sunday school and Wednesday nights and so much more is super-hard and time consuming for the bi-vo or volunteer pastor. Oh yeah, let's also throw in sleeping somewhere in there! This is why we must make our time count. While all of those things mentioned above are SUPER IMPORTANT, we have to understand that time is limited. Bi-vo and volunteer ministers have to learn how to prioritize and control how they spend their time. We've all been guilty of doomscrolling at some point. We have also all said yes to something that has really stretched our study time or our time with family. Learning to put the phone away, to turn off the TV, and to say no to things that stretch your time are healthy habits needed to continue in ministry. If you always say yes to every student's request to come to a game or wait until the last minute to plan or prepare a message, you won't be in ministry long. Lack of time management leads to stressful situations, and stress leads to burnout. STUDY TIME IS SCARCE...SO MAKE IT COUNT Finding time to study for sermons or Bible studies that you are preparing to preach or teach is HARD WORK. My personal time is from 9 pm-12 am, 2-3 nights a week, typically after my family all go to bed. Who said sleep is needed in a world where caffeine is sold at every corner?! By doing this, I give myself the freedom to be husband and dad when I get home from work. My primary focus when I get home is my wife and my son. I can have this focus because I know that I am going to focus on studying for my message later that night. The hard part about this is being disciplined enough to actually study after you've played with your kids for a couple of hours, eaten dinner, cleaned the kitchen, and fed the dog. As a bi-vocational minister, I have to be a good steward of my time because time is scarce. And it is not just family that is pressing for my time. The high school football game on Friday night, the band competition on Saturday, and the staff meeting on Monday afternoon are all fighting to get some of my precious time. We must have our priorities in line when trying to decide what to put on the calendar and what not to. For me, my priorities come down to a couple of questions: Have I spent time with the Lord today? Have I spent time with my family today? Have I interacted with one of my students today? I believe that when I ask myself these three questions, my time is then allotted to my priorities that God has called me to: Him, a family, and a flock. RESTING ISN'T A GUILTY PLEASURE The word "rest" to a bi-vocational minister can be comical because every second seems to be taken. Personal "rest" in Christ through personal devotion is HUGE for keeping the focus on Christ. If you get to a point where you are just opening your Bible to prepare to teach or preach, it may be time to take some time off to reset your priorities as a person. You have to be ready to teach and preach out of the overflow from your personal rest in Jesus. But spiritual rest isn't the only type of rest that you should be seeking to get. Physical rest is a close second for us bi-vo and volunteer peeps. Our minds and bodies need time to rest. Find something that you enjoy doing, take a nap, and spend some time with your family without your phone. That parent can wait a couple of hours to find out how much they owe for camp. Your physical and mental well-being are important. Be willing to say no to Saturday morning plans. Be willing to allow yourself to nap after a hard week's work. Schedule rest breaks throughout your week, giving yourself permission to rest. If you have a job that gives you PTO days, take one here and there just to stay home and rest. Your mind and body need it and will thank you later. But more than you spiritually, physically, and mentally need it, your ministry needs it. I am all about doing things excellently. If I am doing something, I want to be all in, but I can only give what I have. And if I have no energy, I can't teach well. If I'm carrying a mental load, I can't be mentally present at a volleyball game on Tuesday night. And neither can you. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your flock and your ministry. Your students need a healthy you. YOUR TIME MATTERS BECAUSE YOU MATTER! Lastly, let me encourage your heart: what you do MATTERS! The work the Lord has called you to matters so much. Don't grow weary in your work. Do it to the best of your ability and to the glory of our Savior. Lean into Him and be diligent with your time. Keep plowing away at the fields. Keep planting seeds. Keep showing up. Keep studying. Keep diving into God's word personally. Keep growing. Keep trusting the Lord to provide. You can do it. I believe in you! Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: Do you have a time within your week that is dedicated to your physical, mental, and spiritual rest? If not, is there a time during your week that you could dedicate to rest? What is something coming up on your calendar that you can say no to in order to gain some time to rest? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Great_Youth_Pastor_6_Ways_to_Improve_20489.htm Eager to become a great youth pastor or church leader? To excel in ministry, follow these 6 steps. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Battle_of_Angels_13428.htm Fun Idea: Have each member play and record their rank upon their first loss in the boxing ring Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Youth_Group_Spiritual_Habits_for_Teens_Shape_Faith_for_Life_20487.htm Youth group spiritual habits for teens help them walk with God in everyday life. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/How_To_Ruin_a_Sermon_for_Teens_or_Adults_20486.htm This list of how to ruin a sermon offers valuable advice about what not to do while preaching. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/A_Christian_School_Parents_Battle_Plan_20485.htm Why parents-not programs-are the spark that ignites a child's faith. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Help_Students_Build_a_Bible_Habit_They_Wont_Abandon_by_February_20483.htm Help teens develop a Bible habit and get to know Jesus through Scripture. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/10_Ways_To_Get_Fired_from_a_Youth_Ministry_Job_20482.htm Are you at risk of getting fired from youth ministry? These 10 "sins" will get you booted from a church. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/The_Heart_of_Tracking_Attendance_20481.htm THE NUMBERS GAME "How many students showed up last night?" Have you ever heard that before and wondered if that's all people really care to ask when it comes to your ministry? No doubt, numbers have long been a big focus in the church, mainly because they provide a somewhat tangible way to measure ministry health, and also because it's sometimes impossible to measure the spirituality of a 6th-grade student whose main topics of conversation are Fortnite, their crush of the week, what's trending, or maybe World War 2 planes. Numbers can provide us with something to strive for or to work on as leaders, or they can be a crutch in our ministry. We know, and I hope you all agree, that numbers are not everything. It may be easy to fall into sin and put our hope in numbers and highly attended events. But sometimes, in an effort to combat that extreme, we fall to the other extreme of never looking at numbers or attendance. I want to challenge us leaders with something the Lord has challenged our ministry with: the ministry of attendance tracking. Not for the sake of patting ourselves on the back, but to help lead, shepherd, and care for our students and families week in and week out, that God has called us to serve. Now, we come from a mid-sized regional church and have been running an average of 90-115 students over the last two years of ministry. Throughout those years, we chose to supplement the trusty Planning Center check-ins system with manual attendance tracking. Our Student Director created an Excel spreadsheet that could only be compared to a Picasso-level work of art for us to track attendance and communications with. (I am not a formulas or math gal, so praise God for teammates with skills I don't have.) We update this Excel sheet every week with who attended that week, who we reached out to via text or postcard that week, and which kids we've been missing. We also share it with our small group leaders for them to be able to contact their group members or students who are listed but aren't currently engaged. NAMES AND FACES We created the spreadsheet for two main reasons: student retention and student engagement. Our Excel sheet helped us see names and faces versus numbers. We can see who attends regularly, who our first-time guests are, which kids don't participate in the student ministry, and which kids have been MIA for a few weeks. Though our process is somewhat overkill, it helps us to ensure that no student slips through the cracks without hearing from us to invite them back or to keep up with what's going on in their lives. No matter the size of your youth group, this can be done in any context. I think every student ministry can benefit from having someone sit down each week and mark the names of those who attended that week, as well as review the list of students who aren't currently engaged in your ministry. Constantly putting your students' names in front of your eyes helps to drive creativity in ministry. It helps us ask our team: How can we pour into our core group of students? How can we reach this family that hasn't been involved in the last year? Why do we have kids come on Sunday Morning who don't come Sunday Night? Why did we have 80 first-time guests, and 75% of them never came back? AREAS OF WEAKNESS The last one is a problem we discovered over the summer, thanks to our attendance tracking. We had 80 first-time guests over the year (Praise God!), but 75% of them never came back. Realizing this forced us to see that we were failing somewhere along the way. We had a wide-open back door that made it easy for students to bring their friends, but just as easy for them to never come again. So, now we have made that our project for the 2025-2026 school year - closing the back door. And again, it's not about the numbers, but it's about souls that showed up with a friend and never wanted to come back for whatever reason. Our goal for our ministry is for it to be a place where we equip our students to minister to other students, to bring their friends, to serve, to build community, and to worship. If they bring friends, and those friends don't want to come back, we have a problem to work on. As all youth ministers know, we are always finding ways to grow as leaders, grow our students, and grow the Kingdom. Attendance tracking has been one thing that has served us over the years to expose areas of weakness in our ministry, areas that the Lord wants us to fix to serve our students more effectively, and areas where we need to grow. And so, I challenge you! Whether you are ministering to 12 or are ministering to 500, the logistics side of your ministry can be just as impactful as turning your worship center into a dodgeball arena (like we just did) or preaching a memorable message. Who knows, maybe you're a rockstar and can preach a memorable message while you're playing dodgeball! Either way, keeping up with your students is important. They will remember you sending a birthday postcard, or a text inviting them to come back, or a call asking how they've been when you haven't seen them in a few weeks. It may not be an Excel Sheet, but even just a Word document or a section of your whiteboard will serve you well in keeping up with your kiddos. Find somewhere to keep a roster of all the students attending your church with their families through regular worship, events, or holidays. Keep up each week with the students who attend, first-time guests, and those you haven't seen in a while. At the end of the year, you will be able to look back and see more tangible ways that God has used you beyond just nameless numbers. Maybe it's a student who started coming with a friend and then attended every week the rest of the year - that's a huge win! Maybe it's a student who went MIA for a while and a phone call brought them back into the community (WIN!). Keeping statistics will actually help you see who your core kids are and who you need to pursue. So, keep attendance. PS - If you want to check out our Attendance Sheet, feel free to CLICK HERE and make a copy to download yourself. It really only works in Google Sheets with the formulas, but you can see how it works! Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: How can I better disciple the core group of kids I have and equip them to minister? How can I pursue students who are not currently engaged in church and bring them into the community? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/A_Public_School_Parents_Battle_Plan_20484.htm Why sending your kids to public school isn't a failure of faith-and how to disciple them well if you do. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/A_Public_School_Parents_Battle_20480.htm Why sending your kids to public school isn't a failure of faith-and how to disciple them well if you do. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Starting_From_Scratch_20479.htm Picture with me: You walk into your youth room for the first time. There's an old couch placed in the center of the room that's got a few rips and stains, but it's not too bad. You've got a few mismatching folding chairs scattered around the room. The walls, well, they're there. The ministry's budget line feels like pennies. You've got a handful of students and a whole lot of empty room. While you're in that room looking, the question hits: Where do I even start? How do I build something from this? I've been there. A new role. A new church. Very little to "show off." I had a few faithful parents and a couple of students who shared the same last name. That first week we gathered, I remember thinking: Okay, Lord. It's just us. What do we do? Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming...well, because it kind of is. But, buried inside that moment is an incredible gift. From day one, you get to build something healthy. You get to create a culture and vision that makes a difference. You're part of the story that's helping create something that's never existed in your church before. So, whether you're relaunching a ministry, inheriting a group, or staring at an empty youth room with an old couch and a whole lot of questions, this is for you. Let's talk about how to build a youth ministry from scratch and where to start. PRAY AND CLARIFY THE VISION This is where it all begins. It's not with a logo. Not with a calendar. Not even with a budget request. It starts with your why. Why? Because if you skip this step, you'll end up just drowning in activities without a real purpose. You'll be busy, but why? You'll have programs, but not a purpose. Eventually, you'll look up and think, Why are we even doing this? Slow down long enough to ask some important questions: What do I want students to become because of this ministry? How do we want to make disciples? What would a clearly defined "win" look like for our ministry? Don't just think about these things. Write them out. Block out time to sit with these questions to pray and process them. Ask God: "Lord, what do You want to do through this ministry, this church, these students, and this team?" Then, take these thoughts to your pastor and a mentor and ask: "Does this align with where our church is going?" Don't create a vision in a vacuum. Seek the Lord and have trusted input. Before you head in a direction, find a clear purpose. BUILD WITH PEOPLE, NOT PROGRAMS Once you've clarified the vision, the next question isn't "What should we do?" It's "Who am I going to do this with?" You can have some of the best ideas out there, but if you're flying solo, you're missing a key piece to your ministry. Ministry is always about people. Look around your church and ask: Who loves Jesus? Who loves teenagers? Who wants to see faith passed down to the next generation? Then, you can begin to invest in them, pray with them, share that vision with them, and talk about what you hope God will do through this ministry. Building with people isn't about trying to just "fill positions" but finding a team to partner with. And what do you do if someone can't serve consistently in your group? Invite them to a prayer team. Ask them to pray for your students, leaders, and gatherings. That's a major need and a way to join in. If you're not sure where to start, maybe you could try this out on someone. "Hey, I'm praying about building something with our student ministry, and I think you'd be great at this. Can we grab coffee and talk about it?" Then, in that conversation, don't just pitch a role to fill. Share the vision and let them see how God might use them in it. START SIMPLE AND STAY CONSISTENT At the beginning of all of this, you'll be full of ideas. You'll be thinking about weekly gatherings, small groups, monthly events, camps, retreats, trips, and maybe even that weekend lock-in someone keeps mentioning. You're excited, which is great. But trying to launch everything at once is a quick way to burn yourself and everyone else out. Instead, try this: pick one rhythm to start that you can sustain for the next 6+ months. That's it. Just pick one thing. Maybe it's a: midweek 60-minute gathering with a game, Bible teaching, and time of discussion. monthly hangout plus a short Bible study. Sunday morning Bible study with a snack. Whatever it is you choose, make sure it's something you and your team can do consistently without getting overwhelmed or stressed. You don't need all the bells and whistles to be simple and consistent. Show up. Do what you said you'd do. Do it again. And do it again. As your ministry grows, you can do more. But if you try to do everything at once, you'll run out of gas. And, there's something special about these early days. Enjoy the simplicity of this season. You're laying a foundation. Foundations aren't flashy. They're solid, stable, and essential. DO EVERYTHING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." That's incarnational ministry. Jesus didn't love people from a distance. He came close. He ate with them, walked with them, listened to them, and loved them well. If you've never considered this before, let me encourage you: programs don't disciple students. People do. Discipleship is carried out through relationships. You need them. Yes, you'll have services, events, and systems. But the heart of your ministry must always be relationships. Without them, you're just hanging out, filling seats, and going through the motions. And remember, your relational circle isn't just students. It includes students, parents, volunteers, and other church staff or leadership. Strong leaders prioritize that entire circle. A FEW THINGS NOT TO DO As you're starting from scratch, here are a few final cautions: Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle. That church down the road with 50 students and their own youth building? They didn't start there. Learn from them, sure. But don't let comparison rob you of the joy of where you are. Don't say yes to everything. Remember, start simple. People will have all kinds of ideas for you. Those aren't bad or harmful, but they may not be what's best first. Don't skip these early phases because you're anxious to grow. If you try to simply sprint toward filling a room, your vision and focus are lacking. Focusing only on attendance is building a crowd, not a ministry. So, back to that empty room. That old couch, folding chairs, and a handful of students. It may not look like much on paper, but it's fruitful ground. You're at the starting line of something God can use in some powerful ways. In fact, the ministry you're helping build right now might become the very place students talk about 20 years from now as the place they met Jesus, where they found community, where they found someone who knew their name. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: What's one rhythm you can commit to starting and sustaining for the next six months? Who is one person you need to invite into this ministry with you this week? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/MLK_Day_Lesson_Ideas_for_Youth_Ministry_20478.htm An MLK Day lesson is powerful for youth groups. So much of what Dr. King said is still relevant. Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/THE_TOP_3_BLOGS_OF_2025_20477.htm We hope that 2025 was a fantastic year for you and your youth ministry. We are grateful to serve alongside the great work that you are doing and to bring encouraging and equipping blogs to help you win. We hope each blog was able to serve you in a special way. As we look back on the year, here are the top 3 blogs of 2025! Check them out below! If our team can ever do anything to serve you, don't hesitate to reach out. Happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2026! 1. Building a Parent-Focused Discipleship Culture The church has plenty of dry-cleaner parents. These are parents who drop their student off at the youth group and expect them to be cleaned, pressed, and spiritually ready to go. In other words, they hope the church (specifically the youth group) will "fix" their kids. Anyone who has done youth ministry for five minutes knows that strategy won't work. As youth pastors, our job isn't to be the primary disciple-makers of students. That role belongs to the parents. Our calling is to help them see that truth and step into it. We need them to understand that we aren't dry cleaners... we are Home Depot - "You can do it. We can help!" READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE 2. Post Camp Follow-up Camp is a BEAST. You prayed, you went, and you SURVIVED! That's a true miracle of summer camp right there. Right? At camp, you probably logged 20,000 steps per day, got dehydrated, smelled the boy from across the camp who refused to put on deodorant because his mom wasn't there to remind him, told students to drink water at least 10x a day, called a mom because their baby got homesick, told your kids goodnight over the phone because they couldn't come, squashed the drama from the couple that broke up on night 3 and even managed to roll an ankle going down the water slide. Congratulations. You made it. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE 3. Leading Like Jesus Led: A Guide to Leading Your Volunteers Leading a volunteer team is much more than managing; it's a stewardship of people who are themselves shepherding young lives. In an environment full of challenges and the constant shifting of the culture, your leadership approach shapes not only your volunteers but ultimately the spiritual direction of the students they serve. Whether you lead staff, volunteers, or both, chances are you've seen many different models of leadership, but three biblical approaches form the foundation for Christ-centered leadership: leading with empathy, example, and equipping. CLICK HERE TO THE READ THE FULL ARTICLE Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Teen_Discipleship_Tips_for_Lasting_Faith_20476.htm Teen discipleship is central to every Christian youth ministry. Learn 12 tips to build rooted, resilient faith in Jesus. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Before_the_Year_Ends_Get_Clear_A_Challenge_for_Every_Youth_Pastor_20475.htm If you've ever tried to communicate something important to students or parents and watched eyes glaze over, you may know the pain of too many words. Recently at YM360, we experienced this firsthand. For years, our mission and vision statements were true, accurate, and representative of who we are, what we do, and why we do it, but they were long. Really long. Really, really, really long. Our old mission statement? 31 words. Our old vision statement? 25 words. Want to see them? Deep breath: Old Mission Statement: Youth workers wear many hats, so we create high-quality, life-changing resources and gospel-centered events which allow youth workers to lead students in growing a meaningful relationship with Jesus. Old Vision Statement: To be the most customer-centric youth ministry organization, providing the most compelling discipleship-driven resources and event experiences for youth pastors anywhere on earth. They said good things. They said the right things. But they didn't say them simply or with clarity. And nobody could remember these on a regular basis. So we asked: How do we say the heart of our mission in a way anyone can remember, anyone can repeat, and everyone can rally behind? After a lot of work and examination, here is where we landed: New Mission Statement: Helping Youth Pastors Disciple Students New Vision Statement: Helping Youth Pastors Win Thirty-one words. Now five. Twenty-five words. Now four. It's not that the old language was wrong. It wasn't. But mission and vision statements only serve you well if they are clear, simple, and understood by everyone who hears them. And as the year closes, that's something I want you to consider! WHY CLARITY MATTERS IN MINISTRY Clarity brings focus. And focus brings fruitfulness. I think of 1 Corinthians 9:26 and what it means to lead with purpose: 1 Corinthians 9:26 (ESV): "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air." Here, Paul is emphasizing that a Christian life should be intentional and focused, not random or without a goal. Paul's running is purposeful. He is aware of his goal and the path to achieve it. He's clear. What about us? What happens when clarity fades in our ministry's mission and vision? When clarity fades, ministry can feel busy, but aimless ... active, but tired ... over-programmed, but not effective. Paul reminds us that our aim matters. YOUR MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS You don't need me to tell you - Youth Pastors wear a hundred hats from teacher, counselor, event planner, preacher, volunteer wrangler, pizza calculator, and spiritual shepherd... to name a few. But the weight of ministry doesn't only come from what you do. It comes from the why behind what you do. This is where your mission and vision come in. Without a clear mission and vision, your ministry can easily turn into a collection of disconnected activities. A mission clarifies: "This is what God has called us to do." A vision clarifies: "This is where we're going as we do it." When you know the "why," the "what" and "how" fall into place more naturally. Let me give you some examples that may help illustrate this: If your "why" is: We exist to disciple students... Then the "what" becomes clear: You choose a teaching plan that builds long-term spiritual growth, not just weekly topics. You prioritize relationship-driven small groups over conversational formats. And the "how" becomes simple: You equip small group leaders to shepherd students, not just facilitate discussions. If your "why" is: We exist to reach lost students... Then the "what" becomes clear: You focus on evangelistic opportunities and outreach events. You teach students in your group how to share their faith. And the "how" becomes simple: You empower students to invite friends to your ministry events, small groups, etc. You build environments where new students feel welcomed, seen, and valued. You can see in these illustrations that when you know your "why," the "what" becomes focused, and the "how" becomes simpler and more intentional. The end of the year is the perfect time for this. I know it probably feels like you don't need another item on your to-do list. But you may need to pause and recalibrate before stepping into a new season. Here's why now is the time to do this: 1. You have perspective, another year behind you. 2. You're already evaluating a full year of ministry. 3. Your team(s) need alignment. And those teams may be changing. 4. You can start the new year with clarity and purpose. HOW TO CLARIFY YOUR MISSION STATEMENT (WITHOUT STRESSING OUT) I realize this could be a daunting task. After all, clarity is not a luxury for healthy ministry; it's a requirement. So I feel this is something all leaders must do! Here are some questions you should ask yourself when clarifying mission and vision: 1. What has God called you to do in your ministry? (this is your "why") 2. How would you say this in one sentence? 3. How could we reduce that sentence even further? (remember, we went 31 to 5) 4. Will my students and leaders know how to summarize your mission/vision? Questions like this helped us at YM360. From 31 words to five. From 25 words to four. I don't know every single context from those reading this blog, but I do know some will face resistance, some will have to get executive leaders to agree, and some may be able to tackle this right here, right now. Regardless of your situation, let me encourage you to take small, faithful steps in this. One of my favorite books is Atomic Habits, and I love the principle of getting 1% better each day. This is one of the big concepts James Clear lays out in Atomic Habits, and I want you to think about this as you consider what this process looks like for you: Clear writes, "You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than your current results." That's permission to stop stressing about what may be lacking in these areas. What matters is that you're pointed more intentionally toward your mission ahead. Clear says, "If you can get 1 percent better each day for a year, you'll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you're done". Imagine what your ministry might look like next Christmas if you're 37X better in this area by small incremental changes that compound over and over. BUT FIRST, PRAY! Before the whiteboards, planning, or leadership meetings: pray. Mission and vision are not only strategic exercises, but they're also spiritual ones. When we stop long enough to seek God before addressing needs, goals, or dreams, we're reminded that direction doesn't start with our insight but with God's voice. Through prayer, allow God to reveal where He's already at work in your ministry and allow Him to shape the desires of your heart as you go forward. A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM ALL OF US AT YM360 AS YOU END THE YEAR As you wrap up the year, please hear this: You matter. Your leadership matters. Your students' discipleship matters. And because of that, your clarity matters. If you want help bringing clarity, focus, and fresh energy to your ministry in the new year, check out YM360+ for a yearlong discipleship solution. Or GENERATE for your Camp or Weekend Conference solutions. Let us help you win in the year ahead. From all of us at YM360: Merry Christmas, and thank you for giving your life to see students grow in Christ. We're cheering you on! Alongside, Les Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: How clearly can you state your mission in one sentence right now? How can you help your leaders, parents, and students rally around a shared, memorable mission? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Youth_Ministry_Volunteer_Roles_for_Youth_Groups_20474.htm Youth ministry volunteer roles are crucial. No youth worker can do everything alone! Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/7_Examples_of_Bad_Friends_Who_Will_Ruin_Your_Life_20473.htm These 7 examples of bad friends can derail your life. Instead, find godly friends who love Jesus and love you. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Charlie_Mr_G_Brown_20472.htm http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZioO Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Should_Christians_Send_Their_Kids_to_Public_Schools_20471.htm Why the school-choice debate misses the real issue Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Crazy_Youth_Group_Games_Play_If_You_Dare_20470.htm Check out these 10 crazy youth group games. Which ones will your teens go crazy over? Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Seeing_God_Through_the_Details_20469.htm "Can I get a volunteer?" A question that all of us have asked in student ministry at one point in time or another. Whether it be for a kid to volunteer to play some silly, made-up-on-the-spot game or for an adult to step up and be that final chaperone needed for camp, we have needed a volunteer. Every single one of those volunteers, no matter how small their job may seem, makes an impact for the Kingdom. Every small detail makes an impact for the Kingdom. One of my all-time greatest volunteers was a dear friend of mine named Gene. Gene was willing to do anything that I asked of him except speak in public! Gene was the epitome of being a servant to the Lord. Every year on our journey to beach camp, Gene was faithful to take off work and drive the luggage trailer. While we were there, he would make runs to Walmart, Taco Bell, Starbucks, or anywhere else needed to serve his church, support our students, and just be a blessing to those around him. Every Sunday, you could find him in the nursery, walking a crying baby up and down the hallway so that the baby's parents could worship together and never for a moment be worried about the care that the child was receiving. No matter the task, Gene was willing. Even in the simplicity of driving a trailer, my friend Gene made an impact on the Kingdom of God. In 2022, the Lord called Gene home. His impact on the Kingdom is still felt today. God used Gene because he was always willing to answer the call. Friends, that is the challenge for all of us. To be willing and ready to do whatever God asks of us and watch Him work through the details, plans, and prayers. With Winter Retreats, D-Now's, and Ski-Trips right around the corner, planning all the things is in full effect. It might be finding host homes, budgeting for t-shirts, or making sure the speaker has everything they need; it feels like all our time and energy are going into the planning for an upcoming event. One initial reminder that I must give myself, and I want to give each of you, is that God is in all those details! No matter how mundane room assignments may feel, we don't realize how putting certain students together just might lead to the exact Christ-centered, Gospel conversations that need to happen amongst a certain group. God is working in those details, even if all we see is a tedious task. ALL THE PLANNING...IT'S WORTH IT! There have been many times that all this planning has felt overwhelming, exhausting, and, quite honestly, not even worth it. But what we must remember is that when the Gospel is proclaimed, when students draw closer to Jesus, when a student's eternity is changed because they are entering a relationship with Christ, all that planning shows its worth. It shows that Christ is in those details. We can turn to Psalm 138 and see clearly God's goodness in these details. Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Man, isn't that exactly the reminder we all need? There are so many instances where we all feel like this exhausting work is overwhelming. Our mind wants to tell us that the work is too hard, and we question, "Is it worth it?" Repeatedly, the answer is yes! Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." His goal for all those plans will be fulfilled. I tell our team often that if the Gospel is clear and lives are changed for Jesus, all the plans are worth it. Maybe your role in the plan is "small" in your eyes. Don't ever take for granted how God can use you to impact and grow the Kingdom. You might be opening your home to a group of students, cooking a meal for students, or you might have the luxurious job of driving a bus full of middle school students to a weekend retreat. Don't underestimate how the Lord can and will use you according to His plan. The Lord uses faithfulness and the little things to continue His work. TO FOLLOW THE PLAN, WE'VE GOT TO PREPARE What do we have to do to be ready for these moments? Full obedience is the only answer. Friends, we must be in this constant state of preparedness for God to use us. For any plan to work, we must prepare well. Prior to my answering the call to ministry, I was a football and baseball coach, along with being a history teacher. Any time that I prepared well, whether teaching or coaching, the plan went off better than when my preparation was minimal. If we truly want to live on mission for Christ, our preparation must be a daily task. Yes, these big evangelistic events are great, and we see much life-change in each one of them. But if those events are going to match our desire, we must be in daily preparation with the Lord. After all, the results belong to Him. The plans that we set out, the schedule that we create, all belong to Him. And there may be moments when God will change the plan. It isn't our job to keep that plan simple for us; it's our job to stay obedient to Him and give the Holy Spirit room to work and move as only He can. Youth leader, as you plan and pray for your next big event, remember that whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23) God is going to use and honor your hard work. The plan ultimately belongs to Him. Honor Christ as you plan, prepare yourself for what God is going to do, and honor Him with your effort. Your reward will be great in eternity! So, get ready, God is about to do something incredible! He wants to use you in mighty ways. Even in those details that seem so simple, God is at work. No matter what your role might be, be prayed up, studied up, and ready to have an impact on the Kingdom of God. Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: How have you seen the Lord work through the planning of a trip or event? How can you take more opportunities to include Christ in all the details? What areas of your student ministry need more of His attention to detail? Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Support_Parents_at_Christmas_With_These_Tips_20468.htm Learn how to support parents at Christmas with these simple yet meaningful steps. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/20_Christmas_Party_Ideas_for_Youth_Ministry_20467.htm Christmas party ideas for youth group lead to creative, low-stress events for teens. Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/news/index.cfm/Creating_A_Ministry_of_Fun_20466.htm It's safe to say that those who work in student ministry have unique skill sets in their toolbelts. Our student team has recently taken on the task of becoming fluent in Gen-Z lingo and Memeish (although we are failing miserably). As student ministers, we are counselors, parental advisors, event planners, disciple-makers, teachers, and much more. One notable tool in our toolbelt is the ability to create fun in any and all situations. In fact, creating fun is such a part of our job description that I am sure many of you have heard the infamous line "all you do is play games" at least once, either from a parent, a volunteer, a student, or a pastor. While we do play games, we all know that we don't spend all our office hours focused on them, nor do we spend all our time at youth group just having fun. However, having fun is a huge part of our ministry, and for a good reason! This has been one of the biggest lessons I have learned over the last five years. CATCHING VISION FOR THE MINISTRY OF FUN When I took my first job in youth ministry, which is my current position, I had just come home from doing ministry to college students in a closed country. Talk about a major life change. Coming from that extreme ministry environment, I struggled a little to adjust to student ministry in our context. One thing I struggled with most was the fun elements of our job. Coming from the mission field, I was zealous for our students to know Jesus and be discipled, but I didn't realize at the time that part of that discipleship came through having fun together. Students, just like regular church members, need to feel connected and have a sense of belonging at church in order for them to stay. Unlike adults, who might have a little bit of an easier time making conversation with one another, students need a little help forming connections with one another. More often than not, students form bonds through shared experiences like camps, retreats, D-Now Weekends, or playing a silly game together. These FUN experiences break down any barriers that prevent students from making new friends and engaging people in conversation who are different from them. Having a shared experience provides common ground for students to bond over. One of my most memorable shared experiences with our kids was having a makeshift movie night on a mission trip. I happened to have brought a small portable projector (you can never be too prepared), and the church we were staying at had an accordion wall divider that made a great makeshift screen. We put on Nacho Libre and laughed and laughed together, at the movie, at the quotes that kids knew, and at how ridiculous the characters' faces looked on the curves of the accordion wall. It was a moment that we all still talk about - not because it was the most exciting thing ever, but because we were able to sit down and enjoy time together on what was a more difficult week physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Movie Night turned out to be exactly what our kids (and our team) needed. FUN is something that our kids need, whether we realize it or not. From that trip, a massive group chat formed that our kids still use today to plan pickleball hangouts, late-night food runs, and participation in the student ministry. Now, am I saying that Nacho Libre brought our kids closer to Jesus - not really - but, having fun together brought them closer together, which now allows them to sharpen one another and encourage one another in their walks with the Lord. Having strong bonds with other believers leads teenagers to be more likely to have long-term discipleship and church involvement. CASTING VISION TO PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS For Parents and Volunteers who may not understand why we dress up in silly costumes, play gross games, or have quarterly nights just dedicated to fun, we need to cast a clear vision. Now that I have a clear vision of why we play games every other week before teaching or why we go on retreats at Spring Break time, I can more easily convey our "why" to curious parents and volunteers. One of our beloved volunteers, David, was curious one Sunday Night why we did not have any small groups that night. It was our annual costume party, and we typically do a short teaching, then lean more heavily on the fun (particularly launching pumpkins with a slingshot). David loves his group and serves us so well, and he had an honest question. I was able to share with David that our costume party week is not our norm. We have a shorter teaching time and no small groups, so that our kids can have some fun together launching pumpkins, playing basketball, and hanging out. That time just having fun is important for our kids, maybe not to the same level as teaching and small groups, but it still plays a functional role in connecting them with other believers. David caught the vision, and now their group has fun party nights for each holiday season on their own, and their group has grown in number and in depth. CHALLENGE TO US AS YOUTH MINISTERS For all youth workers, I want to challenge all of us (including myself) to be intentional when it comes to FUN. Colossians tells us, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Now, I'm not trying to say that Paul tells us to only have fun all the time as long as we do so in the name of Jesus. But I do believe we can use this verse to guide us in our ministry of fun. We want to utilize fun in a way that is faithful to our call to Gospel Ministry, honoring to the Lord, and beneficial for our kids. To do so, we can ask ourselves a few questions: Share your thoughts with others in our YM360 community: How am I currently creating opportunities for our students to build relationships? Do I have a good balance of faithful teaching and creating fun? Ready for more articles and training? Check out these top posts! 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Includes scripts, training materials, and tons of helps for religious trunk or treats. Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Family_Devotions_Guide_for_Parents_13419.htm Helping families create family Bible time together at the dinner table, based on Dr. Matt Friedeman's book "Discipleship In the Home." Includes the free audiobook and a downloadable resource guide. Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Trunk_or_Treat_Ideas_Guide_for_Churches_13418.htm For churches wanting a set of planning guidelines and trunk or treat ideas, this 23 page planning guide will help you put on the best Gospel-centered trunk or treat event you've ever seen! Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/EdgzKutz_Music_Videos_13410.htm "EdgzKutz Music Videos...'the Coolest Tunes This Side of Heaven!' featuring some of today's 'Hottest' Christian recording artists." "Extreme, alternative, video tuneage." EdgzKutz.com is a subsidiary of Eaglewing Enterprises Creative Services™ Wed, 21 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/A_Magical_Tribute_to_G_K_Chesterton_13243.htm It was through reading Chesterton's "Orthodoxy" that C.S. Lewis finally converted to Christianity, and it's easy to understand why. It's easy to fall in love with the magic of Chesterton's imaginative vision of life and Creation. Interweaving quotes f Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Illusionist_Evangelist_Matt_Adams_Ministries_13116.htm Matt Adams is an evangelist and illusionist with a passion for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with his audiences. Matt has a masters in global studies from Liberty University and has traveled worldwide with his illusion show. Matt has the awesome privil Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/x_13064.htm Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Big_Creek_Missions_Appalachian_Missions_12990.htm Bring Your Group to Big Creek Missions! At Big Creek Missions, we operate two year-round mission centers focused on sharing Christ through meaningful outreach like children's ministry, construction projects, and community outreach. We make it easy for Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Challenges_of_Faith_Radio_Program_12840.htm Biblical, Educational, Motivational, Relational,Humorous and Spiritual discussions. Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Candace_Cameron_Bure_11375.htm Most widely known at "DJ Tanner" from the hit show Full House, Candace speaks on growing up as a believer as well as many other topics. 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We operate two year-round mission centers where students and leaders serve side-by-side, sharing Christ through childr Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/xxxxxxxxx_11276.htm Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Brad_Breaux_10918.htm I am a Christian. I do believe that there is one God and that He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. I get asked this question a lot "If you're a Christian should you be performing magic?" The only answer I can give people is this one; didn't Jesus us Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Christian_Guys_Ministries_10882.htm Christian Guys Ministries is an online resource dedicated to empowering young men aged 16-30 with practical, faith-based guidance for life's challenges. Through a biblical worldview, we provide resources and support for personal growth, relationships, car Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Epic_Destiny_10601.htm Mel Jeffrey is a dynamic speaker with a passion to see people released into their destiny! Mel carries the heart of Catch the Fire Toronto, ministering in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit wherever she goes. Whether she is teaching on Destiny Li Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Christian_Endeavor_USA_10215.htm Christian Endeavor exists to INSPIRE, EQUIP & ENCOURAGE churches to Biblically develop youth as Christ-centered leaders in their youth group, church and beyond. CE WORKS because it is SIMPLE, BIBLICAL & RELEVANT. Contact us to learn how to Empower Youth I Mon, 21 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Military_Community_Youth_Ministries_10100.htm We are currently providing incarnational youth ministry to teens of military families at many military installations around the world. You will have the opportunity to lead and oversee the overall Young Life Military? program, known as Club Beyond, which Wed, 05 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/brianeberly_com_9951.htm The musings of but one Northwest Youth Pastor, trying to make a difference in this world. Join me in the journey. I invite you to leave a comment. I'd love to know what you think. Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/VBS_Program_9645.htm This is VBS that comes to you with all the extras, leaving you free to focus on the purpose of VBS, the kids! Sat, 10 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Loon_Watchman_Blog_9632.htm An Awesome Jesus Blog! Biblical insights and humor!!! Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/Anthony_Stephens_8386.htm Anthony has a passion for students to know the Lord and grow closer to Him through His word and worship. He has spoken to students in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. He is available to speak at camps, retreats, DNOWs, or any event. Fri, 10 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT http://www.YouthPastor.com/resource/index.cfm/COLORME_Art_Spa_Ministry_8078.htm Experience the Word of God through Art. Find the artist in yourself while applying biblical principles to your daily study of the Word. Ask me to come speak and share my story while I get your whole group creating. Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT