<?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>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 03:44:00 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>Battling the Fall Doldrums (Part 2) (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/battling-the-fall-doldrums-part-2-20528.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/battling-the-fall-doldrums-part-2-20528.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 03:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Overcoming the fall doldrums will give you a new pattern and rhythm to your ministry and will encourage your students.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Battling the Fall Doldrums (Part 1) (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/battling-the-fall-doldrums-part-1-20529.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/battling-the-fall-doldrums-part-1-20529.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 03:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The fall doldrums refer to the short season after the end of summer and back-to-school season and before the Christmas holiday ramp-up.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Three Principles (Deep Thoughts by Gman)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/three-principles-20527.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/three-principles-20527.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 02:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Paul wrote, "I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14 



Three Principles that governed Paul's journeys and can apply to us today. They are:



Dependence on God
Acts 13:1-4 tells us Paul was intentional in his reliance on God. His choices were the result of God's promptings. This dependence also enabled Paul to demonstrate joyful perseverance in his travels. Prison couldn't dampen his praise (Acts 16:25). Even when he had been stoned and left for dead, he "got up and went back into the city" (Acts 14:20).We can also depend on the Lord to empower us during difficult circumstances.



No Lone Rangers
Paul understood the value of companions and teamwork. In Acts 9, Ananias restored his sight and Barnabas introduced Paul to the other apostles. On all three of his recorded missionary journeys, Paul traveled with at least one companion. E Paul did not journey alone. Journeying with others provides encouragement and accountability.



Humility
Despite his confidence, Paul had an attitude of humility. He considered himself "the least" of the Lord's people (Ephesians 3:8). Paul was a powerful speaker, but he relied on the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit rather than on persuasive words. We also need humility when relating to others. When we demonstrate humility before God, our traveling companions, and those we serve, God receives all the glory.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZioO]]></description>
<author>fess2@juno.com</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>
<item>
<title>6 Back-to-School Conversation Starters (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/6-back-to-school-conversation-starters-20525.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/6-back-to-school-conversation-starters-20525.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Try these back-to-school conversation starters to invite youth into more substantial discussions. Don't be afraid to go deeper!]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Getting Ready for the School Year (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/getting-ready-for-the-school-year-20526.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/getting-ready-for-the-school-year-20526.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As you're getting ready for the school year, have you thought about how the changes will impact your family?]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>10 Signs You Belong to a Healthy Church (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/10-signs-you-belong-to-a-healthy-church-20524.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/10-signs-you-belong-to-a-healthy-church-20524.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When you plug into a church that is getting it done, it's a true blessing.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Summer Ministry's C+ Temptation (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/summer-ministrys-c-temptation-20522.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/summer-ministrys-c-temptation-20522.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Maybe your summer youth ministry already crushes. If so, keep the momentum! If not, change things up, and don't cave into the C+ temptation.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Summer Is a Liar (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/summer-is-a-liar-20523.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/summer-is-a-liar-20523.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Summer is a serial liar. Summer is NOT a slower time for youth ministry, and it's NOT chock-full of margin as it might claim.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>When Sports Come Before Church: 3 Tips for Christian Families (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/when-sports-come-before-church-3-tips-for-christian-families-20521.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/when-sports-come-before-church-3-tips-for-christian-families-20521.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 04:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How do you react when sports come before church for teens and parents? Read on for one insider's thoughts on this challenging subject.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Solving Your Top 5 Mission Trip Problems (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/solving-your-top-5-mission-trip-problems-20520.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/solving-your-top-5-mission-trip-problems-20520.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We want to attack mission trip problems in creative ways to streamline our trips and tear down barriers that keep us from our ministry focus.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>5 Imperatives for Maximizing Your Summer Recovery Days (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/5-imperatives-for-maximizing-your-summer-recovery-days-20519.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/5-imperatives-for-maximizing-your-summer-recovery-days-20519.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Make the most of your days off during the summer. Here's some "veteran advice" for your summer recovery days.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>30 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Teens (Youth Ministry Edition) (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/30-summer-bucket-list-ideas-for-teens-youth-ministry-edition-20518.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/30-summer-bucket-list-ideas-for-teens-youth-ministry-edition-20518.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Summer is here, and that means youth ministers have all the time in the world. (Ha!) Although my summers are crazy busy, I love these month. That's why I created a summer bucket list for teens.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>Train Students To Be 'In but Not Of' the World (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/train-students-to-be-in-but-not-of-the-world-20516.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/train-students-to-be-in-but-not-of-the-world-20516.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA["In but not of" youth ministry means we stop living in a Christian subculture and we train young people to think critically about their cultural influences.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<item>
<title>What were you like in the 90s? (Deep Thoughts by Gman)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/what-were-you-like-in-the-90s-20517.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/what-were-you-like-in-the-90s-20517.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZioO]]></description>
<author>fess2@juno.com</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>
<item>
<title>Helping Students Transition From Children's Ministry to Youth Group (ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/helping-students-transition-from-childrens-ministry-to-youth-group-20515.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/helping-students-transition-from-childrens-ministry-to-youth-group-20515.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Heading from children's ministry to youth group is so much more than a "new adventure" for kids. It's symbolic of growing up.]]></description>
<author>editorial@churchleaders.com</author>
<category>Articles</category></item>
<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>Jesus First. Country Second. (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/jesus-first-country-second-20511.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/jesus-first-country-second-20511.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Why our ultimate allegiance should be to Heaven, not Earth.]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</category></item>
<item>
<title>Elevating Evangelism (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/elevating-evangelism-20512.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/elevating-evangelism-20512.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 03:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Why your church needs an evangelist on the team]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</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>When Church-Planting Math Doesn't Add Up (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/when-church-planting-math-doesnt-add-up-20513.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/when-church-planting-math-doesnt-add-up-20513.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Why the Church needs more than just church plants]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</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>Get Off the Ladder (Dare 2 Share Ministries International)</title>
<link>http://www.ymnews.com/get-off-the-ladder-20514.htm</link>
<guid>http://www.ymnews.com/get-off-the-ladder-20514.htm</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A simple yet profound object lesson to help you explain the Gospel of grace]]></description>
<author>greg@dare2share.org</author>
<category>Blog</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>

</channel>
</rss>

	
	