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15 May 2025

Youth Ministry in the Summer? Should You Shut It Down or Show Up Strong?

By |2025-04-29T21:23:56-07:00May 15th, 2025|Help Me With..., Hybrid Ministry, Mental Health, online youth group, Podcast, Technology, Volunteers, Youth Ministry Hacks, Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

Summer is coming, and youth pastors everywhere are asking—do we keep programming or hit pause?

In this video, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both options and help you decide what’s right for your ministry this summer.

Stick around till the end for a FREE resource: 100 social media ideas to keep students engaged—even if you hit pause.

Plus 3 tips for summer ministry, regardless of the direction you choose

And if you’re interested in seeing more of what the Hybrid Ministry Show has to offer, I’d love to encourage you to check out more!

12 May 2025

5 Conversations to Have With Parents Before Summer Hits

By |2025-05-12T06:00:48-07:00May 12th, 2025|Parents|0 Comments

Summer is knocking on the door, and you’re about to dive headfirst into the chaos of camp, retreats, and endless youth group activities. But before you buckle up for the whirlwind ahead, make sure you have these five essential conversations with parents. Trust me, a little proactive chatting now can save a world of headaches later.

1. Expectations Chat
Kick things off by clearly setting expectations for the summer. What should parents anticipate in terms of involvement, costs, schedules, and the likelihood of their kids coming home covered in mud, sunscreen, or glitter? Clarity now means fewer frantic midnight texts later (well, hopefully).

2. “The Tech Talk” (Youth Group Edition)
Yes, this is like the awkward parental “birds and bees” talk but about phones and devices. Clarify your policy on tech use during events and camps. Remind parents that the “no phones” rule isn’t cruel—it’s to make sure their teen actually sees something other than the glow of their screen for at least a week.

3. Summer Goals and Spiritual Growth
Discuss your ministry’s spiritual goals for the summer. Parents love to hear that you’re intentionally planning beyond just keeping their kids busy. Outline what you’re teaching and how parents can support the same spiritual themes at home—yes, even when their child rolls their eyes dramatically.

4. The Emergency Protocol Chat
Have an honest (but humorous) conversation about emergencies. Clarify your procedures and reassure parents you’ve thought about everything from bee stings to homesickness to zombie apocalypses. Being prepared never hurt anyone, especially when you’re responsible for a van full of teenagers.

5. The “We’re on the Same Team” Pep Talk
Remind parents you’re allies, not adversaries, in this whole “raising a teenager” business. Emphasize open communication and mutual support. Bonus tip: throw in a casual reminder that Starbucks gift cards go a long way in securing extra blessings (just kidding…kind of).

Taking time for these five conversations now will not only smooth the road ahead—it will make you look like a ministry rockstar who really has their act together. Happy chatting!

8 May 2025

How I’m Doing 3 Months of Social with THIS One Resource

By |2025-04-30T14:32:05-07:00May 8th, 2025|Help Me With..., Hybrid Ministry, Mental Health, online youth group, Podcast, Technology, Volunteers, Youth Ministry Hacks, Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

This is your youth ministry summer social media game-changer.

With 3 months of ready-to-go posts, training videos, and templates, you’ll never stress about what to post again.

Designed for youth pastors by a youth pastor using a proven hybrid ministry model.

This video unveils 8 dynamic [custom] post types, we walk through how to use, edit and post in this video!

You’ll never worry about it, again! (Oh, and look like an absolute pro while doing it!)

And if you’re interested in seeing more of what the Hybrid Ministry Show has to offer, I’d love to encourage you to check out more!

5 May 2025

What to Do So You Don’t Lose it in July

By |2025-05-05T06:52:09-07:00May 5th, 2025|Youth Ministry Ideas|1 Comment

May is sneaky. It lures you in with warm weather, graduation parties, and the promise of summer freedom. But blink too long, and suddenly it’s July, you’re sweating through your fourth back-to-back event, your phone is vibrating with “What time are we supposed to be there again?” texts, and your soul quietly whispers, “You did this to yourself.”

Let’s not let July you down. July You deserves better. July You should be sipping something cold in the shade, not frantically reprinting medical forms because the intern used Comic Sans again.

So here’s a short list of things you can do right now in May that will save your future self a ton of stress—and maybe even a meltdown or two.

1. Lock In Your Calendar—Then Actually Share It

You’ve probably already picked your camp dates, mission trip windows, and a handful of “we should totally do that again” ideas. Awesome. Now put those dates in a place your team, your parents, and your students can see.

Seriously. Google Calendars. Parent handouts. Text threads. GroupMe. Carrier pigeons. I don’t care. Just get it out there. Uncommunicated dates are the leading cause of youth ministry chaos and passive-aggressive parent emails.

2. Recruit Early and Often (Like, Yesterday)

There’s nothing worse than begging for volunteers two days before camp. Except maybe having to room with the middle school boys because nobody else volunteered.

Start your asks now—clearly, personally, and with enthusiasm. People want to help when they know what they’re saying yes to. “Come die with me in a cabin of junior high boys” is oddly less appealing than “Help make camp the most impactful week of a student’s year.”

3. Make Your Packing Lists and Checklists Now

The brain you have in May is sharp. It’s well-rested. It remembers things. That July brain? That’s marshmallow fluff inside a sunburned skull.

Write out your packing lists now—for you, your leaders, and your students. Then double-check your bins, label your supplies, and buy those extra extension cords you always forget. You’ll thank yourself when you’re not doing a midnight Wal-Mart run in a different state.

4. Create Your “While I’m Away” Plan

If you’re going to be out for a week or two (or hey, maybe you have a vacation planned—you wild rebel), leave a plan. A schedule. A contact list. Even a cheat sheet for whoever’s covering Sunday.

That way, you can actually rest on your trip, instead of getting 14 texts that start with, “Hey, sorry to bother you, but…” You’re not the Messiah. It’s okay to step away and not have the whole ministry hinge on your data plan.

5. Automate the Boring Stuff

Schedule your emails now. Set your Remind texts in advance. Preload your social media with reminders, encouragement, and bad memes. (Just double-check the memes. What was funny in 2020 might now be classified as spiritual malpractice.)

Automation isn’t lazy—it’s strategic. Every task you don’t have to do during your busiest weeks is one more breath you can take.

6. Have One Clear Win for the Summer

What do you want your students to remember most from this summer? A moment? A theme? A spiritual challenge?

Decide now. Build your events, messages, and games around it. Don’t let summer be a chaotic highlight reel of “fun stuff.” Give it a thread that points to Jesus and sticks in their soul longer than the glitter from that one craft night.

Bottom Line: If May You does a little prep, July You will weep tears of gratitude (and probably only one type of tears, not the meltdown kind). So take a few intentional steps this month and give yourself the freedom to be present this summer—not buried in duct tape and schedule edits.

You’ve got this. And even if you don’t, at least you’ll have a laminated packing list. And sometimes, that’s enough.

1 May 2025

From No Budget to Pro – Summer Camp 2025 Photography & Videography Setup Guide

By |2025-04-11T08:53:53-07:00May 1st, 2025|Help Me With..., Hybrid Ministry, Mental Health, online youth group, Podcast, Technology, Volunteers, Youth Ministry Hacks, Youth Ministry Ideas|1 Comment

Want pro-level camp content without a pro-level budget?

In this episode, Nick Clason, of Hybrid Ministry, breaks down the exact gear, tips, and hacks you need to capture incredible summer camp photos and videos—even if you’re starting from scratch.

Whether you’re using a phone, DSLR, or just your creativity, we’ll help you level up your visual game to create that momentum back at your church that camp deserves!

And if you’re interested in seeing more of what the Hybrid Ministry Show has to offer, I’d love to encourage you to check out more!

28 Apr 2025

Accountability Without Awkwardness

By |2025-04-30T11:33:45-07:00April 28th, 2025|Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

You’ve trained your team.
You’ve clarified expectations using the Diamond Strategy.
You’ve even started looking for the block when things go sideways.

But now what?

How do you actually have the conversation when a volunteer drops the ball?

Let’s be real—most youth pastors either:

  • A) Avoid it and hope it doesn’t happen again 🙈

  • B) Come in too hot and make things weird 😬

  • C) Let it build up until there’s a dramatic team shake-up 🔥

There’s a better way: Coach with the Diamond.


💎 Use the Diamond as a Check-In Tool

If a volunteer doesn’t follow through, pull out the Diamond—figuratively or literally—and walk through it with them.

Try something like:

“Hey, I noticed [task] didn’t get done. Can we walk through the Diamond together real quick? I just want to make sure you had everything you needed.”

This puts the conversation on the process, not their personality.


🔍 Start with Curiosity, Not Criticism

Here’s what a Diamond Coaching conversation might sound like:

  • What – “Was it clear what the task actually was?”

  • Why – “Did it feel like the task mattered?”

  • When – “Was the timeline realistic for you?”

  • How – “Did you feel equipped to pull it off?”

  • Block – “Was there anything that got in the way?”

When you ask these five questions, you’re not interrogating—you’re inviting clarity and care.


📣 Phrases That Work

Sometimes it’s less about the process and more about how you say it. Try these:

  • “Let’s troubleshoot it together.”

  • “I want to set you up to win.”

  • “I care more about you than the task.”

  • “You’re not in trouble—I just want to make sure you’re good.”

  • “This isn’t a guilt thing—it’s a growth thing.”


✅ Accountability Builds Trust (Not Tension)

Too often, leaders are afraid that addressing failure will scare off volunteers.

But here’s the truth: a lack of follow-up communicates that you don’t care—about the person, the role, or the ministry.

When done right, accountability:

  • Shows you’re paying attention

  • Reinforces team culture

  • Increases ownership and commitment

  • Builds trust over time


🧠 A Real Story from the Trenches:

I had a guy who totally forgot to lead his game two weeks in a row.

Instead of roasting him or ghosting him, I just said,
“Hey—can I ask if that task was clear? Did something get in the way?”

Turns out, he was overcommitted with his job and had been afraid to step back.

We reshuffled his role, and he’s still one of my strongest leaders—because I chose a conversation over a confrontation.


Final Thought:

You don’t need to choose between being the Nice Pastor or the Boss Pastor.

You can be the kind of leader who clears the path, coaches the team, and checks in with grace.

Use the Diamond. Talk it through. Build the team you’ve always wanted—one honest, growth-focused conversation at a time.

24 Apr 2025

How I Produce a [Weekly] Leader Podcast in under 1 hour

By |2025-04-01T08:02:32-07:00April 24th, 2025|Help Me With..., Hybrid Ministry, Mental Health, online youth group, Podcast, Technology, Volunteers, Youth Ministry Hacks, Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

You need to train your volunteer youth leaders, but how do you produce a podcast, which gives you the outlet to offer more trainings than you even know what to do with?

And how do you not lose your life to it?

In this epsiode I outline and detail how I produce a weekly leader podcast in only one hour per month!

Yes, I’ll show you everything I do from getting started, the gear, and maintaining it!

And if you’re interested in seeing more of what the Hybrid Ministry Show has to offer, I’d love to encourage you to check out more!

21 Apr 2025

What’s Blocking Them? Diagnosing Volunteer Drop-Off

By |2025-04-21T06:48:18-07:00April 21st, 2025|Leadership|1 Comment

Remember the diamond?

So you gave them the What.
You inspired them with the Why.
You clarified the When and handed them the How.

And still… nothing.

No game led. No follow-up email sent. No small group questions printed. Just a well-meaning volunteer who left the ball sitting squarely on the floor.

Before you fire off a passive-aggressive group text, let me introduce you to the middle of the diamond—the Block.


💎 The Diamond, Revisited:

Each point of the Diamond Strategy helps your volunteers succeed:

  • What – What do you want them to do?

  • Why – Why does it matter?

  • When – When should it happen?

  • How – How should they do it?

But in the center is the Block—that invisible, unspoken thing that gets in the way even when everything else is clear.

And let’s be honest: most of us skip over it. Why? Because it’s messy.


What Could the Block Be?

Here are some of the most common “blocks” I’ve seen in 16 years of youth ministry:

🚧 Emotional Blocks

  • “I didn’t feel confident enough to lead that discussion.”

  • “I was afraid I’d mess it up in front of the students.”

  • “Honestly, I don’t think the students like me.”

🚧 Situational Blocks

  • Sick kid at home

  • Last-minute work shift

  • “I forgot my kid had a recital.”

🚧 Relational Blocks

  • Ongoing drama with another leader

  • A student who triggers anxiety

  • A parent who corners them every week with complaints

🚧 Ministry Culture Blocks

  • They don’t feel empowered—they feel used.

  • They don’t know how to give feedback, so they go silent.

  • They feel like they’re just filling a spot, not part of the team.


So What Do You Do?

When a volunteer doesn’t follow through, ask yourself this first:

“Did I check the diamond before assuming they just didn’t care?”

Then—don’t attack the person. Just go block hunting.
Try these phrases:

  • “Hey, I noticed [task] didn’t happen—was there something that got in the way?”

  • “You’re usually super reliable. Anything we need to troubleshoot together?”

  • “Was it clear what I was asking, or was there something that made it hard to follow through?”

Those kinds of questions open a door for honesty—and healing.


A Real-World Example:

I had a volunteer once who skipped leading her small group three weeks in a row. I was ready to pull her from the team.

Then I sat down and asked what was going on. She broke down in tears and told me her husband had just lost his job.

The block wasn’t rebellion—it was real life.

That conversation didn’t just save her spot on the team—it deepened her connection to our ministry.


Final Thought:

When volunteers drop the ball, they don’t need shame.
They need clarity, care, and curiosity.

Look for the block, talk about it, and walk with them through it. That’s what great leadership looks like.

17 Apr 2025

10 Simple and Effective Partnering with Parent Tips that REALLY work!

By |2025-03-23T07:30:04-07:00April 17th, 2025|Help Me With..., Hybrid Ministry, Mental Health, online youth group, Parents, Podcast, Youth Ministry Ideas|2 Comments

In this conversation, Nick Clason (Hybrid Ministry) and Josh Boldman (Download Youth Ministry) discuss the importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry.

Josh gives 10 tips from the perspective of a parent NOT working at a church, which is such a valuable and needed perspective in this conversation!

Several tips are incredibly Hybrid, and best of all, it’s not going to add anymore work to your plate!

Let’s check it out!

And if you’re interested in seeing more of what the Hybrid Ministry Show has to offer, I’d love to encourage you to check out more!

14 Apr 2025

Clarity is Kindness: How to Nail the What, Why, When, and How

By |2025-04-21T06:50:06-07:00April 14th, 2025|Youth Ministry Ideas|1 Comment

You’ve been there.

You asked a volunteer to “help with the event,” and on the night of said event, they’re holding a Starbucks cup and vibing by the snack table. They’re confused why you’re frustrated… and honestly? You might not have actually told them what “help” meant.

That’s where the Diamond Strategy saves the day. At each point of the diamond—What, Why, When, and How—you have a chance to serve your volunteers with clarity. Not control. Not micro-managing. Just clear, kind leadership.

Let’s break it down.


1. What – Define the Win

🔸 Unclear: “Can you help with Wednesday night?” 🔹 Clear: “Can you greet students at the door from 6:15 to 6:45 and help new guests find their group?”

🧠 Tip: Always define what success looks like. If your volunteer completes the task, how will they know they nailed it?


2. Why – Anchor the Task in Mission

This is the heartbeat. If you don’t connect the dots between the job and the Jesus stuff, your volunteer may check out emotionally—even if they show up physically.

🔸 Unclear: “We need another adult in this room.” 🔹 Clear: “We want every student to feel seen and known—and having one more caring adult makes that possible.”

🧠 Tip: You don’t need to preach. Just tie the “what” to why it matters.


3. When – Put a Clock on It

Vague timing breeds last-minute scrambling or “I thought that was next week” texts. Your “when” should be as exact as your “what.”

🔸 Unclear: “We’ll need that video soon.” 🔹 Clear: “Can you record that testimony and send it to me by Tuesday at 4 PM?”

🧠 Tip: Use calendar invites or Planning Center deadlines where possible. It’s not nagging—it’s clarity.


4. How – Set Them Up to Win

Even the most confident volunteer appreciates a playbook. Whether it’s how to lead a game or how to handle a tough conversation with a student, clarity around how helps them step up instead of second-guess.

🔸 Unclear: “You’ll lead the game.” 🔹 Clear: “Here’s the game rundown: 7 minutes, students in 3 teams, supplies are in the blue bin backstage. Start as soon as the countdown ends.”

🧠 Tip: When in doubt, over-communicate and over-resource. Then check in and see what else they need.


Final Thought:

Clarity isn’t just a communication tool. It’s a form of kindness. When you define the What, Why, When, and How, you give your team the chance to show up with confidence and purpose.

And guess what? When they don’t follow through, it’s way easier to follow up without guilt trips or drama—because you know what was expected.


Let’s keep building strong, confident teams—one clear conversation at a time.

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