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2 Sep 2024

Handling Academic Pressure and Expectations

By Ronald|2024-08-05T14:19:41-07:00September 2nd, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

As school starts back up and students get into the rhythm of handling homework, tests, projects, and sports, it can be tough to manage all the pressure and expectations that come with it!

As youth pastors, we have an opportunity to speak into students’ lives, offer practical tips on managing busy schedules, and encourage them to observe their academic journey within the grand landscape of their faith journey. Here are some tips for helping students navigate school and faith.

Host Youth Room Study Halls

Students will have difficulty balancing homework and everything else they have going on. If you are a full-time youth pastor, there’s likely an hour or two of overlap where you might be required to be in the office, and students get out of school. Why not offer up the youth room as a study hall for students? They can come in, do their homework, and even consult other friends who might be working on a similar subject. Bonus points here if you can get retired adults in your church who happen to be math whizs or a social studies expert to come in and help tutor. Did somebody ask for intergenerational ministry?

Help Students with Time Management

Time management isn’t just something that students struggle with; it’s something we all need to have a good grip on! As a youth pastor, you can model this to your students and give them tools to help manage their time. Whatever time management techniques you have used in the past, you might be able to share with your students so that they can learn how to better manage their time. We all have timers on our phones and calendars to set for reminders. Why not use our technology to help us get tasks done? This could be a big benefit for you as a youth pastor because you might be helping parents who are also trying to give their students time management tools. We like to say that different voices saying the same things help solidify important lessons! Maybe we can help parents by teaching students helpful time management tools.

Offer Encouragement and Vision

Seven years seems like a short time and also an eternity. Trying to think of seven years is a wild proposition to a student. To a 14-year-old, that’s half of their lifetime! But to those of us who are a little older, seven years goes by pretty quickly. The reality is that school isn’t forever. Yes, we want students to have a good foundation for their lives immediately after their teenage years, but the reality is that school isn’t everything. You might remember that you didn’t use trigonometry well into your 30s. But will it really matter? We must help students understand that their education and school life are important but not the end-all experience. Helping students put their life journey now into context versus where they might be in 10 to 20 years is something that we, youth pastors, can help students grasp. We need to remind students what really matters. And yes, giving students verses reminding them of how much God loves them even when stressed can be incredibly helpful!

What other tips would you suggest here?

23 Apr 2024

Encourage Your Volunteers!

By Ronald|2024-04-23T10:36:35-07:00April 23rd, 2024|Leadership, Volunteers|7 Comments

Springtime might be tough for a Youth Pastor, but it can also be difficult for a Youth Ministry volunteer! These are the people we rely on to help make ministry happen. We can’t do this thing by ourselves! So, how can you show volunteers appreciation and ensure they feel valued as a part of your team? I’ve got three quick ideas!

Send them a text

Sending a quick text message to a volunteer is a great way to show them you appreciate them! Normally, we text volunteers when we need supplies for a game or for them to put out a fire in the youth room. But if you spent the next 10 minutes texting your volunteer team, you could show them that you were thinking about them, appreciate their support, and give them a small encouragement that might carry them through the week! Something like:

“Hey Susan! Thanks so much for being on the team. I saw you having a great conversation with Samantha last night. I’m glad you’re doing Youth Ministry!”

“Hey Scott! It’s always great to see you throwing football and chatting it up with the dudes. Glad you’re on the Youth Ministry team!”

Grab Them a Snack

Ask your volunteers what their favorite snack is. And then next time you meet, have it ready for them. We do this with students all the time. Why shouldn’t we do this for our volunteers? It’s a great way to show them that we know them, we love them, and we were thinking about them. It doesn’t even have to be in the Youth Ministry budget for you to show this type of appreciation! Once you know their favorite snack, you can get it for them again! Think right before the retreat happens or at the end of the school year. You can show your volunteers appreciation just by running to the store real quick.

Sing Their Praises

Maybe not literally singing, but think of it this way: every time you get a microphone, it’s a chance for you to talk about how great your volunteers are. Maybe it’s when you’re making an announcement at church in service or before you break up for small groups. Make sure you tell your volunteers you appreciate them in front of people! It’s definitely not the only way to show people that you appreciate them, but it’s a great way to remind them that you are on their team and you are thankful for them! The next time somebody hands you a microphone, take 30 seconds to talk about how great your Youth Ministry volunteers are!

Did I miss anything? Is there anything you would add to the list? I’d love to hear about it!

12 Feb 2024

Surviving the Spring Slump

By Ronald|2024-02-12T07:52:10-08:00February 12th, 2024|Leadership|26 Comments

Springtime is usually tough for youth pastors and student ministry. Somewhere in between the hectic schedule of spring sports and seniors getting ready to graduate, it seems like showing up for youth group becomes less and less of a priority.

So, as a Youth Pastor, how can you get through the slump and stay encouraged? I’ve got four tips!

Focus on who is there.

A big pet peeve of mine is hearing students ask “where is everybody?” or even worse, “nobody’s here!” Both of those statements signal that everyone who made the time to actually show up and be invested in youth group today isn’t worthwhile. I know that’s probably not how you feel as the pastor, but it’s an important thing to remember. The students who showed up are there! Minister to the students you have!

I would have small group leaders who only had three kids show up for a meeting. Instead of moaning that their regulars couldn’t come, they loaded up the car and went to Sonic! What a great way to encourage the students who made the effort to come!

Stay in touch!

Just because a student isn’t there doesn’t mean that they don’t wish they could be. Getting reminders from you or messages of encouragement for the big game they’ve got coming up can be really helpful. Make sure you stay in contact with students even when they’re not there. This way, you can let them know that they matter to you even when they don’t show up to youth group. It’ll give you something great to talk about when you do finally get to connect with them in person again!

Ask them for their sports schedule and put their games on your calendar so you can send them a text the day of and let them know you’re praying for them. It can be a really game-changing opportunity!

Go to where they are.

If students are really focused on getting ready for the spring musical, then you can show them how much they mean to you by going to watch their play. We ask students to come hang out with us at church all the time. If, in the spring, they find themselves really busy with their extracurricular activities, we can return the favor and go to where they are! When you show up at the student sport event or band concert, you let them know how much they mean to you! It’ll go a long way in the future.

Take care of yourself.

The spring can be a really tough time. You can feel discouraged and beat down. Take a moment to plan some self-care into your spring routine. Schedule a day where you get away from the office and pray for your students and your next season of ministry. Invite your leaders out for coffee and hang out. Spend some time cleaning out the youth room so you’ll be ready for the wild Summer months. Take some moments to read scripture and reflect on what God has done in your own life. Spring can be tough! But, if you work on these four things, by the grace of God, you’ll make it through!

Need an easy win for youth group this spring? Check out these games:

13 Nov 2023

Network and Build Stronger Youth Ministries

By Ronald|2023-11-06T06:48:51-08:00November 13th, 2023|Youth Pastor Life|8 Comments

Ministry can be a solitary journey, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post, we’ll explore the immense value of networking with other youth pastors. Building a community of like-minded individuals can lead to more vibrant and effective youth ministries.

Ministry Can Be Lonely, But It Doesn’t Have to Be

As a youth pastor, you might have experienced the occasional loneliness that comes with the territory. The weight of guiding young souls can be isolating. However, by connecting with fellow youth pastors, you can find a support system that understands the unique challenges and joys of youth ministry. No one should navigate this journey alone, and with a network of colleagues, you won’t have to.

We Get Better Ideas in Community with Others

Youth ministry thrives on creativity and fresh ideas. While you might have a wealth of innovative concepts, imagine how much richer your arsenal of ideas can become when you network with other youth pastors. Sharing experiences and brainstorming together can spark new, exciting approaches to engage and inspire your students. When we pool our collective wisdom, everyone benefits.

Encouragement Comes Best from Those Who Get Us

There’s nothing quite like the encouragement that comes from someone who truly understands your role. Fellow youth pastors can offer a unique perspective and empathetic support. They’ve been there, experienced the challenges, and found ways to overcome them. Their encouragement can be the fuel that keeps your passion for youth ministry burning brightly.

Wins Are Sweeter with Someone to Celebrate With

Every victory, no matter how small, is worth celebrating in youth ministry. Whether it’s a student’s spiritual breakthrough, a successful event, or personal growth in your role, sharing these wins with a network of youth pastors makes them even more meaningful. When you have someone who understands the significance of these moments, the celebration becomes more profound and fulfilling.

In conclusion, networking with other youth pastors is not just about connecting; it’s about creating a web of support, idea-sharing, and shared victories. By building this community, we can alleviate the loneliness, amplify our creativity, draw encouragement from those who understand our journey, and make the sweet moments in youth ministry even sweeter. So, reach out to your fellow youth pastors, connect, and start building stronger youth ministries together.

2 Oct 2023

4 Tips for Working with a Church Staff

By Ronald|2023-10-02T03:33:00-07:00October 2nd, 2023|Uncategorized|12 Comments

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! This may mean your church celebrates you, or it might mean that the senior pastor is celebrated while you’re not. Either way, we’re so glad you’re a part of the Download Youth Ministry community. We recognize that you probably work with staff almost daily, whether it’s just you and the senior pastor or you and a whole team of pastors striving to reach the lost and equip the saints. Regardless, you still need to relate to these people!

Here are four tips for thriving on staff with other pastors:

Avoid Gossip
Do your best not to speak ill of anyone on staff to other pastors or, even worse, to someone in your congregation, even if it’s true. We constantly encourage our students to avoid gossip, and this principle applies to us when interacting with our co-workers. If you have an issue with someone on staff, do the right thing and talk to them directly about it. Even if it creates discomfort or awkwardness, you’ll know you did the right thing and avoided office gossip.
Offer Encouragement
If you notice a staff member doing something great, ensure they know it! Give compliments freely and encourage your fellow staff members when you see them doing something exceptional, especially tasks that others in your congregation might not recognize as unique. For example, if your associate pastor did an excellent job with announcements on Sunday, acknowledge it. As a children’s pastor, if someone delivers an inspiring staff devotion, follow up and express how much they bless you. Encouragement can be the driving force that keeps someone going when they’re ministering from an empty cup!
Lend a Helping Hand
Whenever someone on the staff needs assistance with a task, and you can help, be as supportive as possible. For instance, if the children’s ministry needs pool noodles and you have some leftovers from last summer, offer them up. Yes, I understand they didn’t come from their budget line item, but you’re all on the same team, right? If a pastor asks you to visit someone in the hospital whom you don’t have a relationship with, go ahead and make the visit. You might be doing your pastor a significant favor. Be known as a staff member willing to lend a helping hand whenever possible.
Be Reliable
Submit your work on time. When you commit to attending an event, ensure you show up. If you’ve promised the older members that the Youth Ministry will help with a big sale, put in the effort required to be there. Youth Pastors can sometimes get a bad reputation for being chaotic and juvenile. Wouldn’t it be better if we were known as the responsible and dependable people on staff? Keep your promises and appointments. Strive to be the most reliable person on staff, showing up and delivering on time.

October can be challenging, especially if others get recognized, and you feel left out. Don’t worry about it. We don’t do this for the paycheck or the recognition anyway. Be the best coworker you can be this month. I promise it will benefit you later!

Want to be the type of encouragement you want to see? Start with your own leaders! Use these thank-you cards to encourage your volunteers and keep them around!

25 Sep 2023

How to Follow up Volunteer Training

By Ronald|2023-09-25T12:49:52-07:00September 25th, 2023|Leadership|1 Comment

We all know that training is a crucial step in equipping our volunteer leaders for effective ministry. It’s a time to share knowledge, build skills, and connect with one another. But what happens after the training? Well, that’s where the magic really starts to happen! Once a great training, like the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training concludes, what do you do next?

1. Express Gratitude

First and foremost, let’s express our sincere appreciation to our volunteer leaders. Tell them how grateful you are for their commitment and dedication to our youth ministry. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in making them feel valued and recognized for their hard work.

2. Recognize Their Efforts

Take the time to recognize the efforts of our volunteer leaders. Celebrate their successes, both big and small. Whether it’s a successful youth event, a breakthrough moment with a young person, or their unwavering dedication, let them know you see and appreciate their contributions.

3. Provide Feedback

Feedback is a powerful tool for growth. Offer constructive feedback to help them improve their skills and leadership abilities. Highlight what they’re doing well and gently suggest areas where they can grow. Remember, it’s all about helping them become the best leaders they can be.

4. Support Their Growth

Encourage our volunteer leaders to invest in their own growth. Whether it’s attending training sessions, reading relevant books, or seeking mentorship, let them know that their personal development matters to us. Offer resources and opportunities for them to expand their knowledge and skills.

5. Foster a Supportive Community

Our youth ministry teams should feel like a family. Create an environment where our volunteer leaders can connect with one another, share experiences, and offer support. Hosting regular meetings or gatherings can foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

6. Empower Them

Empower our volunteer leaders to take ownership of their roles. Encourage them to bring their creativity and ideas to the table. When they feel a sense of ownership and responsibility, they’re more likely to be motivated and engaged.

7. Be a Listening Ear

Sometimes, our volunteer leaders may need someone to talk to. Be that listening ear. Create a safe space where they can share their joys and challenges. Remember that we’re here to support them not only in ministry matters but in their personal lives as well.

8. Pray Together

Lastly, let’s not underestimate the power of prayer. Pray together as a team for the youth ministry, for each other, and for the young people we serve. Prayer not only strengthens our bonds but also reminds us of the greater purpose behind our ministry.

Encouraging our volunteer leaders is not just a nice thing to do; it’s an essential part of nurturing a thriving youth ministry. When our leaders feel appreciated, supported, and empowered, they can, in turn, pour that positivity into the lives of our students.

Let’s continue to inspire one another, share our successes and challenges, and build a community of youth pastors who are passionate about equipping the next generation. Together, we can make an incredible impact.

Need some resources for your leaders? We’ve got you covered!

1 May 2023

A summertime prayer for youth pastors

By Ronald|2023-05-01T08:56:39-07:00May 1st, 2023|Youth Pastor Life|23 Comments

As we approach the summer season, I want to take a moment to encourage you in your ministry. You have been called to shepherd the hearts and minds of young people, and that is no small task. But, with God’s help and your dedication, I am confident that you will make a significant impact on the lives of those you serve.

As you prepare for a summer of activity, it is essential to remember that you are not alone. God is with you every step of the way, and He will give you the strength and wisdom you need to lead your youth group effectively. Take time to pray and seek His guidance as you plan your activities and events.

Remember that your ultimate goal is not just to keep your young people busy, but to help them grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. So, as you plan your activities, keep that in mind. Ask yourself, “How can this event help my students connect with God and each other?”

I know that this summer may bring some challenges, but I also believe that it will be a time of tremendous growth and transformation for your youth group. So, keep pressing forward, even when it feels difficult. Trust in God’s plan for your ministry, and He will use your efforts to bring about His kingdom work.

So let me offer this prayer over you:

Father God, we come before you today with humble hearts, asking for your guidance and wisdom as we begin this summer of activity with our youth groups. We pray that you would bless our efforts and use them for your glory. Give us strength and perseverance when we feel weary or discouraged, and fill our hearts with your love and grace. We ask that you would use this summer to bring about transformation in the lives of our young people, and that they would come to know you in a deeper way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Remember, fellow youth pastors, you are doing important kingdom work, and we are in this together. Let us continue to support and encourage one another as we serve the Lord and His people. May God bless you and your ministry abundantly this summer.

Hey, want to make some more time for yourself and your summer? Check out this free training hosted by DYM! Click the photo to sign up and learn how to reclaim your time and thrive in ministry on May 9th at 10 AM PST!

31 Oct 2016

3 Ways Students Can Encourage Their Youth Pastor

By Josh Griffin|2016-11-01T13:08:39-07:00October 31st, 2016|Youth Pastor Life|0 Comments

Most people think I never have a bad day.

I mean, working for the church must be great, right? All of these perfect people serving a perfect God must equal a perfect job. But you know what? The church isn’t perfect! And the people in the church aren’t perfect and, well … I’m not perfect either. Which means I have bad days. It means I get discouraged. It means things get tough sometimes.

So when someone takes the time to encourage me, it is a BIG deal. When someone says something genuine and kind it makes my day. When I get a note or a pat on the back it fills me right back up. Here are a few SMALL ways you can be a BIG encouragement to the youth pastor or small group leader in your life:

The good old-fashioned “thank you” note
I have a whole drawer filled with thank you notes! I LOVE them! They meant the world to me. Cards … and gift cards (hahahahha) are huge. So meaningful.

A simple but thoughtful gift
It doesn’t have to be big – just a small, thoughtful gift is so encouraging. The other day someone left me a Darth Vader™ mug on my office door – I use it every day and it is so uplifting. Cost isn’t the concern, the thought counts for so much!

Babysit for our family!
If you really want to make my day, watch our kids so we can go catch a movie and catch up. It would be a huge gift to me!

One last thought – words mean far more than you’ll ever know. If I could encourage you to do just one thing – I would say give him or her the gift of your words. Words are so big, a passing comment to you may just fuel them for another season of ministry. There are no perfect people or perfect churches, but your words could come at a perfect time.

Be encouraging to your youth pastor this week!

JG