Josh Griffin, Author at Blog | Download Youth Ministry Blog

About Josh Griffin

Josh Griffin is one of the leading voices in youth ministry with 25+ years experience in the trenches, currently serving as the junior high pastor at Mariners Church and before that the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. He's the co-founder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com, YMUniversity.com and heard in 400+ episodes of the DYM Podcast w/Doug Fields. He's created more than 50 youth ministry resources and authored several books including 99 Thoughts for Small Group Leaders. Josh and his wife Angela have 4 kids, which are now all teenagers! Contact Josh | Speaking Requests

7 Mar 2017

Gray Hair, Yellow Shirts

By Josh Griffin|2017-03-07T09:09:52-08:00March 7th, 2017|Volunteers|0 Comments

I was at a DNOW retreat this weekend in Georgia – and was BLOWN AWAY by something I experienced.

Now this was a big event, huge really. 24 churches combined, who have been doing it for like 24 years – …

6 Mar 2017

Bloom

By Josh Griffin|2017-03-05T22:21:40-08:00March 6th, 2017|Leadership|0 Comments

I have a hard time being patient waiting for the next thing. I’m not a sustainer. I’m an entrepreneur, a builder, a pioneer. I don’t wait well. My eyes wander for more and bigger crowd what’s next. I …

2 Mar 2017

FREE Download: Appreciating Small Group Leaders

By Josh Griffin|2017-03-02T10:08:05-08:00March 2nd, 2017|Podcast|0 Comments

On a recent podcast, Katie Edwards mentioned a simple tool to help get to know how to best communicate, appreciate and encourage your volunteers. We promised the free download here on the blog – so here you go! Enjoy!…

9 Feb 2017

GUEST POST: Dreaming on the Road

By Josh Griffin|2017-02-09T22:40:31-08:00February 9th, 2017|Youth Pastor Life|0 Comments

When was the last time you just sat and dreamed about God?

I have a hard time remembering my dreams. In fact, I’m convinced I don’t even have any most nights. I’m not talking about that kind of dreaming, though. …

8 Feb 2017

GUEST POST: Building Authentic Community in Small Groups

By Josh Griffin|2017-02-08T23:31:43-08:00February 8th, 2017|Small Groups|2 Comments

Is there anything more relational yet difficult than a small group? Maybe for some of you, your small group is a close knit group, or maybe you’re like most small groups and it feels like you’re pulling teeth to get …

26 Jan 2017

Download Youth Ministry Podcast: Episode 306

By Josh Griffin|2017-01-26T13:54:44-08:00January 26th, 2017|Podcast|4 Comments

*Episode 306:*
• Katie was a Varsity Basketball Team Captain
• What’s the most successful ministry program/event/strategy/aspect you’ve ever been part of?
• Transition from JH to HS ministry…and from HS to JH ministry
• An affirmation of Fadi
• …

26 Jan 2017

Tales from the Small Group

By Josh Griffin|2017-01-26T13:02:06-08:00January 26th, 2017|Leadership, Small Groups, Youth Pastor Life|0 Comments

I offered to just buy the coffee table from the host home family.

Why, you ask? Because one of the small group members managed to discreetly carve his initials in it during our short stay in their home that night. …

19 Jan 2017

NEW RELEASE: Inauguration Day Game Just Added!

By Josh Griffin|2017-01-19T15:18:47-08:00January 19th, 2017|Teaching/Programming, Youth Ministry Resources|0 Comments

We just had a great submission we had to sneak into the lineup today! Check out this terrific idea – FLASH: inauguration is a hilarious game which shows images of inaugurations of various presidents and makes you remember certain colors …

18 Jan 2017

Download Youth Ministry Podcast: Episode 305

By Josh Griffin|2017-01-18T08:52:22-08:00January 18th, 2017|Podcast|0 Comments

*Episode 305:*
• Star Wars or Pro Athlete
• New Year’s Resolutions
• Encouragement from Joel Friend
• Helping a Student stay connected after a break-up
• Questions to ask when partnering with parents
• How to throw an even …