<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<!-- RSS generated by YouthMinistryNews.com -->
<rss version="2.0">

<channel>
<title>YMNews.com</title>
<link>http://www.YMNews.com/</link>
<description>Youth Ministry News and Information</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<lastBuildDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:44:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<copyright>Copyright 1999-2026, YMNews.com</copyright>
<docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
<generator>SunStar Media - https://www.sunstarmedia.com/</generator>
<managingEditor>James Moberg - info@YMNews.com</managingEditor>
<webMaster>info@YMNews.com</webMaster>
<ttl>60</ttl>
<image>
	<title>YMNews.com</title>
	<width>139</width>
	<height>52</height>
	<link>https://www.YMNews.com/</link>
	<url>https://cdn.ssmedia.com/ymnews/webart/YMNewsTag.gif</url>
</image>

<item>
<title>Communicating With Parents (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/communicating-with-parents-20510.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/communicating-with-parents-20510.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA["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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Empowering Students to Take Ownership (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/empowering-students-to-take-ownership-20509.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/empowering-students-to-take-ownership-20509.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Ground Rules for Counseling Students (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/ground-rules-for-counseling-students-20508.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/ground-rules-for-counseling-students-20508.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Counseling students is a by-product of healthy ministry, and it is essential you develop ground rules for doing so.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Relational Ministry in a Technology-Dominated World (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/relational-ministry-in-a-technology-dominated-world-20507.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/relational-ministry-in-a-technology-dominated-world-20507.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Relational ministry has changed in the last decade. Honestly, it used to be pretty easy, but now we are in a technology-dominated world.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>From Middle School to High School - A Concert of Takeaways (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/from-middle-school-to-high-school-a-concert-of-takeaways-20506.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/from-middle-school-to-high-school-a-concert-of-takeaways-20506.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>5 Myths of Youth Ministry Part 2 (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/5-myths-of-youth-ministry-part-2-20505.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/5-myths-of-youth-ministry-part-2-20505.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Student-Driven Weekend Service (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/student-driven-weekend-service-20504.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/student-driven-weekend-service-20504.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 03:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA["You Own the Weekend" is a student-driven weekend service that has become the highlight of our high school ministry's calendar every year.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>For the Youth Pastor This Easter (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/for-the-youth-pastor-this-easter-20503.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/for-the-youth-pastor-this-easter-20503.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Owning a Bible Can Mean Prison or Death in These Countries (2026 List) (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/owning-a-bible-can-mean-prison-or-death-in-these-countries-2026-list-20502.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/owning-a-bible-can-mean-prison-or-death-in-these-countries-2026-list-20502.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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, [...]]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>How to Have the Next Step Conversation (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/how-to-have-the-next-step-conversation-20501.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/how-to-have-the-next-step-conversation-20501.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Fishing Isn't Optional (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/fishing-isnt-optional-20500.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/fishing-isnt-optional-20500.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The problem with men's ministry and how to fix it]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>
<item>
<title>The Art of Good Questions (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/the-art-of-good-questions-20499.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/the-art-of-good-questions-20499.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Making Your Message Impossible to Forget (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/making-your-message-impossible-to-forget-20498.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/making-your-message-impossible-to-forget-20498.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:26:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Knowing Your Audience and How to Lead Them (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/knowing-your-audience-and-how-to-lead-them-20497.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/knowing-your-audience-and-how-to-lead-them-20497.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Valentine's Day Youth Group Ideas Celebrate God's Love (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/valentines-day-youth-group-ideas-celebrate-gods-love-20496.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/valentines-day-youth-group-ideas-celebrate-gods-love-20496.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Valentine's Day youth group ideas offer powerful discipleship opportunities. Point teens toward God's definition of love.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Outdoor Youth Group Games: 13 Cool Activities (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/outdoor-youth-group-games-13-cool-activities-20495.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/outdoor-youth-group-games-13-cool-activities-20495.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Outdoor youth group games are a blast. Enjoy these 13 summer activities for teens!]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>A Homeschool Parent's Battle Plan (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/a-homeschool-parents-battle-plan-20493.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/a-homeschool-parents-battle-plan-20493.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How to raise Gospel Advancing world changers]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>
<item>
<title>Questions About Faith: 30 Ways To Connect With Teens (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/questions-about-faith-30-ways-to-connect-with-teens-20494.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/questions-about-faith-30-ways-to-connect-with-teens-20494.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Asking (and answering) questions about faith can spark fascinating discussions. Start with these 30 prompts!]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>A Survival Guide To Students Dating In Your Youth Group (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/a-survival-guide-to-students-dating-in-your-youth-group-20492.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/a-survival-guide-to-students-dating-in-your-youth-group-20492.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Winter Retreat Planning Tips for Youth Ministry (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/winter-retreat-planning-tips-for-youth-ministry-20490.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/winter-retreat-planning-tips-for-youth-ministry-20490.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A winter retreat creates core memories for youth group. Plan, promote, and pull off a life-changing event.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>How to Spread the Gospel: 21 Evangelism Tips for Teens (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/how-to-spread-the-gospel-21-evangelism-tips-for-teens-20491.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/how-to-spread-the-gospel-21-evangelism-tips-for-teens-20491.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Knowing how to spread the gospel is vital in youth ministry. Challenge teens to try these 21 evangelism ideas!]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Protecting Your Time As A Bi-Vocational Youth Pastor (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/protecting-your-time-as-a-bi-vocational-youth-pastor-20488.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/protecting-your-time-as-a-bi-vocational-youth-pastor-20488.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>Great Youth Pastor: 6 Ways to Improve (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/great-youth-pastor-6-ways-to-improve-20489.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/great-youth-pastor-6-ways-to-improve-20489.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Eager to become a great youth pastor or church leader? To excel in ministry, follow these 6 steps.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Youth Group Spiritual Habits for Teens Shape Faith for Life (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/youth-group-spiritual-habits-for-teens-shape-faith-for-life-20487.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/youth-group-spiritual-habits-for-teens-shape-faith-for-life-20487.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Youth group spiritual habits for teens help them walk with God in everyday life.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>How To Ruin a Sermon for Teens (or Adults) (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/how-to-ruin-a-sermon-for-teens-or-adults-20486.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/how-to-ruin-a-sermon-for-teens-or-adults-20486.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[This list of how to ruin a sermon offers valuable advice about what not to do while preaching.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>A Christian-School Parent's Battle Plan (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/a-christian-school-parents-battle-plan-20485.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/a-christian-school-parents-battle-plan-20485.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Why parents-not programs-are the spark that ignites a child's faith.]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>
<item>
<title>Help Students Build a Bible Habit They Won't Abandon by February (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/help-students-build-a-bible-habit-they-wont-abandon-by-february-20483.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/help-students-build-a-bible-habit-they-wont-abandon-by-february-20483.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Help teens develop a Bible habit and get to know Jesus through Scripture.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>10 Ways To Get Fired from a Youth Ministry Job (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/10-ways-to-get-fired-from-a-youth-ministry-job-20482.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/10-ways-to-get-fired-from-a-youth-ministry-job-20482.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Are you at risk of getting fired from youth ministry? These 10 "sins" will get you booted from a church.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>The Heart of Tracking Attendance (youthministry360)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/the-heart-of-tracking-attendance-20481.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/the-heart-of-tracking-attendance-20481.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[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!]]></description>
<author>info@youthministry360.com</author>
<category>Resources</category></item>
<item>
<title>A Public School Parent's Battle (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/a-public-school-parents-battle-20480.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/a-public-school-parents-battle-20480.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Why sending your kids to public school isn't a failure of faith-and how to disciple them well if you do.]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>

</channel>
</rss>

	
	