28 Feb 2025

Leaders Are Learners

By Matt McGill|2025-02-28T13:02:30-08:00February 28th, 2025|josh griffin, Leadership, Podcast|4 Comments

As youth workers, we’re called to lead and guide the next generation. But how can we do that effectively if we’re not continually growing ourselves? Here are six crucial steps to becoming a learning leader in youth ministry:

1. Choose Humility

Recognize that you don’t know everything
Be open to new ideas and perspectives
Understand that learning is a lifelong process

2. Identify Your Learning Strengths and Weaknesses

Reflect on how you learn best (reading, listening, discussing, etc.)
Recognize barriers that prevent you from learning effectively
Develop strategies to overcome these barriers

3. Be Intentional

Schedule time for learning in your calendar
Set specific learning goals
Follow through on your learning commitments

4. Go Wide

Explore a variety of topics, not just ministry-related ones
Learn from diverse sources (books, podcasts, conferences, conversations)
Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone

5. Go Deep

Once you find a topic that resonates, dive in
Explore multiple perspectives on the subject
Apply what you’ve learned to your ministry

6. Share and Apply Your Learning

Discuss what you’re learning with others
Implement changes in your ministry based on your new knowledge
Be innovative and willing to try new approaches

“When you stop learning, you stop leading.”

By committing to these steps, you’ll not only grow as a leader but also set an example for the youth you serve. Your continuous learning will translate into a more dynamic, relevant, and impactful ministry.

So, which of these steps will you focus on this week to sharpen your leadership ax?

Listen to the whole conversation here:

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28 Aug 2023

4 Hacks to Communicate Better!

By Ronald|2023-08-28T09:20:48-07:00August 28th, 2023|Youth Ministry Hacks|6 Comments

Hey there, fellow youth ministry adventurers!

Picture this: You’re embarking on an exciting journey through uncharted territory. You have a map that guides you, but imagine if you were the only one with that map. You’d be navigating the twists and turns alone, right? Well, that’s where the power of communication comes in!
Don’t just hold your map close to your chest. Let others see the path and everything on it so you can get there together!

Connecting with Parents:
Parents are like your trusty co-pilots on this journey. They’re just as invested in the growth and well-being of their students as you are. When you communicate your youth ministry plans, goals, and activities with parents, you’re not just informing them – you’re inviting them to be active participants in their student’s spiritual journey. Imagine the impact when parents know what their students are learning, where they’re going, and how they can support the process.
Think of how you can regularly communicate to parents! Is it a weekly email? A blog? Social media groups? Whatever you plan to do, make it consistent and let parents know how you primarily communicate with them!

Guiding Your Leaders:
Your youth ministry leaders are the compass that helps steer the ship. When you communicate your plans and goals clearly with them, you’re aligning everyone’s efforts toward a common purpose. They can better prepare, engage, and lead when they have a clear understanding of the destination and the path you’re taking to get there.
If your group is small enough, a text thread might serve as the best way to communicate with leaders. If it’s a little larger, think of using email. Same with parents: be consistent!

Engaging Your Students:
Your youth ministry participants are the explorers on this journey. When you communicate what’s in store for them – from upcoming events to the heart behind the teachings – you’re fueling their excitement and curiosity. Clarity breeds enthusiasm, and when students are excited, they’re more likely to actively engage and participate.
You can do this from the stage just as easily as social media. Just make sure when you communicate to students, you’re telling leaders and parents the same information at the same time!

Involving the Whole Church:
Your church is the ultimate support system on this journey. When you communicate your youth ministry plans and activities with the larger congregation, you’re inviting everyone to rally behind the youth. Whether it’s through prayer, encouragement, or even participation, involving the whole church community strengthens the bonds within your church family.
Your church may have a weekly bulletin, or a website, or just lots of posters everywhere. However your church communicates, make sure you’re on the same page and giving them all of the information that they need!

Navigating the Adventure Together:
In a youth ministry, effective communication isn’t just a tool – it’s a lifeline. It’s the bridge that connects parents, leaders, students, and the church community. It transforms your journey from a solo expedition into a shared adventure, full of camaraderie, support, and growth.

So, fellow adventurers, let’s remember the power of communication as we navigate the uncharted territories of youth ministry. Share your plans, goals, and activities with everyone onboard. Let’s journey together, united by a common purpose, and create a lasting impact that echoes through the years.

Stay tuned for more insights and guidance on this incredible journey we’re all on. 🌟

Need some help letting everyone know the game plan? Grab this fully editable calendar from DYM and look like a pro!

7 Aug 2023

Starting the Fall Off Right!

By Ronald|2023-08-07T08:55:53-07:00August 7th, 2023|Youth Ministry Ideas|3 Comments

Fall is finally upon us, and if you’re anything like me, you’re buzzing with excitement for what this new season holds for your student ministry. There’s something inherently invigorating about the start of the school year – new faces, fresh enthusiasm, and endless opportunities for growth in faith. So, how do we harness this energy and create an unforgettable fall kick-off for our students? Let’s dive into some tips to help you make the most of this exciting time!

Seize the Moment: Plan a Memorable Kick-Off

The start of the school year is a golden opportunity to create a memorable kick-off event. Whether you’re dedicating an entire evening or even an entire month to the kick-off, make it a big deal! Organize engaging activities, games, and maybe even a theme that resonates with your students. This sets the tone for the rest of the season and builds anticipation.

Set the Course: Reset Goals and Cast Vision

As you welcome both new and returning students, take the time to reset your goals and cast a clear vision for the year ahead. Ensure that everyone in your student ministry knows the ‘why’ behind what you’re striving for. This could involve sharing your ministry’s purpose, goals, and values during the kick-off event. A strong sense of purpose can fuel enthusiasm and commitment among your students.

Facilitate Connections: Highlight Opportunities to Engage

Fall is all about restarting and building new routines, so emphasize the various opportunities for students to connect and get involved. During the kick-off, make it crystal clear how they can plug into small groups, service projects, worship teams, and any other activities your ministry offers. Provide sign-up sheets or online forms to streamline the process and ensure everyone can find their place in the community.

Capture the Magic: Document the Kick-Off

In the whirlwind of events, it’s easy to forget to capture the special moments. Make an effort to document your fall kick-off with plenty of photos and even videos. Not only do these mementos serve as heartwarming reminders for the students, but they can also be wonderful to look back on as they move up or graduate in the future. Plus, sharing these memories on social media can help build a buzz for your ministry and attract even more students.

Nurture Lasting Relationships

Remember, a successful fall kick-off isn’t just about the event itself; it’s about building lasting relationships. Encourage your leadership team to be intentional about forming connections with both new and returning students. Whether it’s through one-on-one conversations, mentoring programs, or casual hangouts, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere can help students feel valued and supported.

So there you have it, fellow youth pastors – a roadmap to creating an amazing fall kick-off for your student ministry! This is a season of renewed energy and eager hearts, and by implementing these strategies, you can set the stage for a year full of growth, community, and spiritual development.

Remember, each student who walks through your doors is on a unique journey, and your role is to guide, encourage, and inspire them as they navigate their faith. Have an incredible fall kick-off, and may this season be one of transformation and abundant blessings for both you and your students.

Need a game to kickstart your fall?

Get your group up and active in this classic game that will have students grouping up and performing festive actions.

Have your students up and milling around. You will show a number and a school-themed action on the screen. Participants then need to get in groups (aka “clumps”) that match the number and perform the action displayed. If you play it as an elimination game, the last group to form, or without enough people to form the group, is out.

Click here to download and play!

20 Dec 2016

What’s The Next Step For Your Ministry?

By Christopher Wesley|2016-12-13T11:39:55-08:00December 20th, 2016|Leadership|0 Comments

When has your ministry finally reached success? Is it when you hit a certain attendance milestone or you raise a certain amount of money? Is there a point when your ministry has finally arrived?

Your youth ministry should constantly be growing and not just bigger but deeper too. But, it’s important to note that growth doesn’t just happen it needs a plan, which starts with the question: (more…)

28 Oct 2016

GUEST POST: Busting Growth Barriers

By Josh Griffin|2016-10-28T20:30:49-07:00October 28th, 2016|Leadership|0 Comments

GUEST POST by Jeff Cochran

Every youth ministry faces growth barriers. No ministry grows all the time without facing a plateau or season of struggles. The question isn’t if we will face growth barriers, it’s what will we do when they come?

We will all face growth barriers, but we don’t have bow down to them! You can overcome them and continue to reach more students for Christ. You can bust through the barriers in your youth ministry!

Growth seasons are great, but as great as they are, plateau seasons are just as hard on the other end. It takes intentionality, hard work, and creativity to bust through the barriers, but it can be done. So here are three things Jesus gave us that can help bust through growth barriers.

3 Steps to Busting Growth Barriers

1) ASK
The first step to busting growth barriers is to ask the question: “What are our lids?” Your lids are the things that are keeping the youth ministry from growing. They’re your limiters, and your ministry won’t grow until they’re lifted. This step is about being intentional about finding the barriers in your youth ministry.

This is a difficult question and one that can take weeks or months to answer. However, it’s one question you must answer if you want to grow. Asking it will help you identify and overcome the limiters in your youth ministry.

ACTION STEP: Ask “What are our lids?” Then write down at least three lids, pray over them, and share them with your team.

2) SEEK
After identifying your ministry’s lids, it’s time to seek solutions. It’s time to seek ways to get better. It’s time to seek current opportunities in your ministry to facilitate growth.

This is where you seek practical ways to lift the lids on your ministry and put in the work to employ potential solutions. It’s one thing to know your lids, but it’s something entirely different to find workable solutions. Seeking is all about working hard to find solutions with your team and put them into practice.

ACTION STEP: Brainstorm about possible solutions with your team. Then break down the list of possibilities into 3 action steps to lift each lid.

3) KNOCK
To bust through growth barriers, you have to try new things. This is where knocking comes in. You won’t bust growth barriers by simply identifying lids. You’ll also need to knock on new doors and try new ideas.

Knocking is all about finding new growth opportunities. It’s less about systems and processes and more about creativity and ingenuity. What new opportunities for growth are available and how can you seize them going forward?

Sometimes you will knock on the wrong door, but if you keep knocking you will eventually find a next level opportunity!

ACTION STEP: Brainstorm new ideas on paper and ask yourself the question: “What would I do in youth ministry if I knew I could not fail?”

If your youth ministry is facing growth barriers, it’s time to ask, seek, and knock. When you do, I believe you will bust through the barriers and find a new level of success! Which step do you need to take?