Episodes

Knowing how to set goals in Youth Ministry is extremely important. Setting the right goals and setting them correctly is even more important. In today’s episode you’ll find how to set goals in your Youth Ministry. These will help you stay encouraged and moving forward. Links mentioned: Benchmarks in your Youth Ministry (blog post) Seasons in your Youth Ministry (podcast episode) @jodyLivingston The Longer Haul on Facebook Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Audible.com – Grab a free 30 trial ...

If you want to be an effective leader you MUST be a consistent reader. Reading is one of the best (and cheapest) way to learn and grow. Many struggle with reading consistently or at all though. It is a worthwhile discipline to be learned. In today’s episode you’ll find how to build better reading habits and finish at least one book at week (if not more). Links mentioned: @jodyLivingston The Longer Haul on Facebook Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Audible.com – Grab a free 30 trial and free...

What does it mean to really build disciples in your Youth Ministry? What does it take? In today’s episode Duffy Robbins joins me to talk about how to build a youth ministry that builds disciples. This is a great episode and is packed with lots of practical advice and how to’s. Links mentioned: @duffyrobbins Eastern.edu Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Building a Ministry that Builds Disciples by Duffy Robbins The Ministry of Nurture by Duffy Robbins In this particular episode, you will lea...

Every Youth Pastor wants youth who share the gospel at school. Wanting that in our students and creating that in our students is an entirely different thing altogether. In today’s episode David Martin from I Am Second joins me to talk about how to help youth share the gospel at school. This is a great episode and is packed with lots of practical advice, resources, how to’s. Links mentioned: @realdavidmartin I Am Second I Am Second – Students TLH025: Getting Your Youth To Share Their Faith Reso...

I don’t think most Youth Pastors take a position thinking they will leave soon. The reality is though that for many this is the case. Many times Youth Pastors leave too often. The damage left behind as a result can be devastating. In today’s episode I interview on of my students and he shares what it is like to be on the receiving end when Youth Pastors leave too often. This is a great episode and is packed with really helpful insight and perspective. Links mentioned: How to make changes with...

If you’ve been in Youth Ministry for more than a day or two you know that burnout is a real possibility for anyone in ministry. In today’s episode Ben Trueblood joins me to talk about burnout in Youth Ministry and how to avoid it. This is a great episode and is packed with lots of practical advise and how to’s. Links mentioned: @bentrueblood http://www.lifeway.com/studentministry/ 5 Reasons You Struggle To Get Along With Your Pastor TLH007: Why They Stay Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Th...

As a Youth Pastor you often find yourself wearing many hats. There also come times when you must assume additional responsibilities. In this episode I’m giving you six lessons for taking on additional responsibilities. Links mentioned: TLH007: Why They Stay TLH024: Partnering with Parents in Youth Ministry Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Building The All Star Team Course The upcoming book by Jeremy Lee and Jim Burns: Pass it On The upcoming book by Steve Parr: Why They Stay In this parti...

It’s a little Q & A today on the podcast. What things should a youth pastor do when first starting out? How should a volunteer or bi-vocational youth pastor best spend their time? Links mentioned: TLH008: What to do with busy teens with Aaron Helman TLH006: Crafting Vision for Youth Ministry with Nate Turner In this particular episode, you will learn: What kind of things a new Youth Pastor should focus on How to prioritize and make best use of your time as a volunteer Youth Pastor Show Spon...

Youth Pastors often find themselves serving in a dual role within their church. How do you manage it? How do you get it done? In this episode we tackle how to do it well. Links mentioned: DownloadYouthMinistry.com @JustinKnowles3 Resources mentioned in this Podcast: The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration Download Youth Ministry In this particular episode, you will learn: ...

Having the right tool for the job is essential. This is especially important in youth ministry. In this episode I’m giving you the top 5 tools to help manage your youth ministry. Links mentioned: Evernote Essentials Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Click Here to Download The 5 Top Tools I Use To Manage My Youth Ministry In this particular episode, you will learn: Tools to help manage the day-to-day of youth ministry Tools to help you manage your team Tools to help you be more effective a...

Teaching your youth to share their faith is one thing…getting them to actually share it is another thing altogether. In this episode of the podcast Dr. Alvin Reid shares how to help get your youth to actually share their faith. This episode is packed with resources, helps, and practical steps to get your youth to share their faith. Links mentioned: AlvinReid.com @alvinreid ViewTheStory.com gregstier.org Resources mentioned in this Podcast: As You Go by Alvin Reid Get Out: Student Ministry in t...

Are you effectively partnering with parents in your Youth Ministry? In today’s episode Jeremy Lee from ParentMinistry.net shares why this is important, and some helpful tools to do it effectively. Make sure you stick around to the end of the episode where Jeremy gives an AWESOME free resource to listeners! Links mentioned: ParentMinistry.net Parent Ministry Podcast Resources mentioned in this Podcast: A REALLY cool freebie In this particular episode, you will learn: Why partnering with paren...

When should you write your own Youth Ministry curriculum and how do you do it well? In today’s episode we are giving you practical and helpful tips for creating curriculum that will really teach your students in a way they will process and learn. Kenny and Elle Campbell share from their experience crafting and creating youth ministry resources and lessons. Links mentioned: StuffYouCanUse.org Youth Ministry Answers Podcast Resources mentioned in this Podcast: It’s Just a Phase In this particula...

What if you could REALLY get Adults to pray for students in your Youth Ministry? In today’s episode we are tackling that very topic. Tony Souder shares about the Pray For Me Campaign and how you can launch it in your church. Links mentioned: Pray For Me Campaign Chattanooga Youth Network THL007: Why They Stay Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship In this particular episode, you will learn: Why having more adults investing in students ma...

Summer in Youth Ministry can look WAY different from the school year. With summer comes huge potential for your Youth Ministry. This doesn’t happen automatically though. It cannot be assumed. So what things are needed to make sure that you really do make the most of your Youth Ministry in Summer? Links mentioned: Building the All Star Team TLH008: What To Do With Busy Teens Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Evernote Evernote Essentials In this particular episode, you will learn: How to acc...

What does a vibrant Youth Ministry look like? You might be surprised. In today’s episode Mark Oestreicher (Marko) shares 4 qualities of a vibrant Youth Ministry. These are qualities that ANY Youth Ministry COULD have. There are some huge takeaways from this episode. Links mentioned: WhyIsMarko.com @markosbeard TheYouthCartel.com Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Hopecasting: Finding, Keeping and Sharing the Things Unseen Saying Is Believing: The Necessity of Testimony in Adolescent Spiritual...

In a culture that tells students it is all about them, how do we inspire teens to serve others? How do we encourage them so see those around them and be moved with compassion to serve? In today’s episode Brooklyn Lindsey shares how to inspire teens to be more and do more, especially when it comes to serving others globally. You’ll also hear some lessons she learned early on in her ministry. Links mentioned: brooklynlindsey.com @brooklynlindsey justicemovement.com @thejustmove Resources mention...

Change is inevitable. Regardless of how long you’ve been serving where you are you will need to make changes in Youth Ministry. This can certainly be tricky and there are tons of examples of how to do it poorly. The question is then, how do you do that without royally ticking everyone off and getting yourself fired? In today’s episode I’m giving you 5 keys to making changes in your Youth Ministry without getting fired. These are easy, actionable items that are essential to making changes the ri...

The transition from Youth Ministry to life that follows is crucial for the longevity of your student’s faith. How do you do that? In today’s episode Shay Osborne shares from his experience working as a Youth Pastor, College Campus Missionary, and Pastor with practical help and direction on successfully transitioning your Youth to College. Links mentioned: TLH007: Why They Stay (Keeping Teens From Graduating From God) WinchesterChurch.com Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Concentric Circles ...

How do you create real community within your youth leaders? How long does it take? In today’s episode Terry Huey dives in with practical help on how to begin building community within the team in your Youth Ministry. Links mentioned: TLH012: What Youth Leaders Need From Their Youth Pastor @TerryHuey Terry Huey on Instagram Turned By Design Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: A Personal and Practical Guide to Starting Right Youth Ministry That Transforms...

What if I could go back and start over? What things would I do differently? In today’s episode I’m giving you the five things I would do differently if I could go back and start over. These things are really simple, but REALLY important! Regardless of whether you are new to Youth Ministry or a Youth Ministry veteran I think you’ll find these important for your ministry. Links mentioned: If I Could Say One Thing To A Youth Pastor TLH003: Youth Ministry Lessons From A Rookie TLH006: Crafting Vi...

Want to be in your ministry for a long time? You’ll need to know this. In every Youth Ministry there are certain seasons that can be expected. Knowing what these are and being prepared for them when they come can make or break you. If you are not prepared for these when they come; you will find yourself looking for greener pastures quickly. Regardless of whether you are new to Youth Ministry or a Youth Ministry veteran, you’ll benefit from knowing these six seasons in your ministry. Links men...

Balancing family and Youth Ministry is an impossible task. Today my guest is my amazing wife Sarah Livingston. We give you an honest inside look at how we manage our family and Youth Ministry. We share what works…what hasn’t always, and give you some practical advice on making it all work. Links mentioned: Dear Youth Pastor, Stop Fighting For Balance The Key to REAL Influence In Youth Ministry @sarahlivingston https://instagram.com/livingladydesigns Resources mentioned in this Podcast: Grace fo...

Having a team around you is SO IMPORTANT. Those Youth Leaders that serve alongside you have things that they need from their Youth Pastor. What are they? Matthew Hart shares from his years of Youth Ministry experience to help you invest well in your Youth Leaders and learn what Youth Leaders need from Youth Pastors. Links mentioned: When You Want To Stay and Can’t (part 1) When You Want To Stay and Can’t (part 2) Communicating with Parents (and what your biggest problem probably is) Communicati...