Let’s talk about leader training. Not the kind where you put together a PowerPoint and read every bullet like your volunteers haven’t been up since 6 a.m. with their actual jobs. I mean real training. The kind that builds trust, casts vision, and sends your team into fall feeling prepared instead of panicked.

August is the perfect time for it. Students are squeezing out the last drops of summer. Parents are buying school supplies. And your leaders? They’re hoping you don’t call a mandatory meeting that lasts longer than an Avengers movie. So here’s the goal—train them well, respect their time, and make it fun. Yes, fun. Even for the serious ones.

[Hey, did you know National Day of Youth Volunteer Training is amazing? You should check it out!]

Start with the why. Remind your team why student ministry matters. Not in a guilt trip way. In a “you get to show up for students at a time when so few adults do” kind of way. Give them stories, not just stats. Share a moment from the past year that reminded you why this ministry is sacred. When your team remembers the why, the what and how go down a lot easier.

Then, give them the tools. Not the entire ministry playbook. Just what they’ll need to walk into the room and lead with confidence. This might include how to lead a small group discussion, what to do when a student shares something serious, or how to stay off their phone during worship (without you saying it like a passive-aggressive threat). Think practical. Think useful. Think “could I use this on a Wednesday night with no warning?”

And for the love of all things caffeinated, don’t forget team bonding. You don’t have to go full-on trust fall, but find a way to help your leaders laugh together. Shared laughter builds loyalty faster than a binder of policies ever will. You could play a ridiculous game, tell your most awkward youth ministry story, or bring back that weird snack challenge your students loved but your leaders are still recovering from. Whatever it takes, break the ice and build the connection.

Finally, end with clarity. Leaders want to know what’s expected of them. Be honest about time commitments, weekly roles, and what “showing up” actually looks like. It’s better to lose someone now than halfway through the semester when they ghost you. Respect their time, but raise the bar. People rise to expectations when they’re clearly and kindly communicated.

August is the launchpad. If you want your fall ministry to soar, don’t skip this chance to refuel your team. You don’t need a fancy retreat. You need an honest conversation, a few laughs, a little equipping, and a whole lot of vision.

Your leaders are ready. Now let’s get them on the same page—and maybe even the same group text.