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17 Mar 2025

Spring Cleaning Your Youth Ministry: Evaluating What’s Working and What Needs to Change

By |2025-03-17T07:52:15-07:00March 17th, 2025|Leadership|1 Comment

Spring is here, which means it’s time for warmer weather, allergy season, and that moment when students start asking, “Are we still meeting during the summer?” But before you get too far ahead planning beach trips and summer camp, let’s talk about something that doesn’t involve pollen or panicked vacation planning—spring cleaning your youth ministry.

No, I’m not talking about finally throwing away that pile of pizza boxes in the youth room (though, seriously, it’s time). I’m talking about evaluating your ministry, figuring out what’s working, and making changes before summer hits. Just like your house, your ministry can collect clutter—things that once had a purpose but now just take up space.

Step 1: Take a Hard Look at Your Weekly Programming

If you’ve been running the same format for months (or years), it’s easy to get stuck in autopilot. Take a step back and ask: Is our weekly program actually engaging students? Are students growing in their faith, or just showing up for snacks and games? (Snacks are great, but hopefully, that’s not the only reason they come.)

Look at your teaching. Are you addressing what students are dealing with right now? Are your small groups actually facilitating conversation, or is it mostly blank stares and side conversations about TikTok? Take a moment to ask your leaders and students what’s clicking and what’s falling flat.

Step 2: Evaluate Your Volunteers

Your adult leaders are the backbone of your ministry, but even the best volunteers need encouragement, feedback, and sometimes a reality check. Who’s thriving? Who’s barely hanging on? Who maybe signed up to help in 2019 and is still around out of pure momentum?

Spring is a great time to reconnect with your team. Schedule a check-in with each leader, get their honest input, and (if needed) reassign roles so people serve where they’re most effective. If someone seems burned out, don’t guilt them into staying—help them transition well and recruit fresh faces for the team.

Step 3: Declutter Your Calendar

Youth pastors love events. Lock-ins, retreats, game nights, service projects—if there’s an excuse to hang out with students, we’ll take it. But is your ministry calendar jam-packed with things just because they’ve always been there?

Take a look at your schedule and be honest: Are these events actually helping students grow spiritually? If not, cut them. It’s okay to let go of something that no longer serves its purpose. Plus, a little breathing room might help you (and your leaders) avoid burnout.

Step 4: Set Fresh Goals

After decluttering, it’s time to dream again. What do you want to see happen in your youth ministry over the next few months? More student leadership? A deeper culture of prayer? Better engagement from parents? Whatever it is, set a few clear goals and rally your team around them.

Spring Forward

Spring cleaning isn’t just about getting rid of junk—it’s about making space for what really matters. Take time this season to refocus, refresh, and make sure your youth ministry is actually helping students grow in their faith. And yes, go ahead and clean out that storage closet while you’re at it. You might even find that missing dodgeball from last fall’s game night.

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12 Mar 2025

Easter is coming…Let us help you get ready!

By |2025-03-12T14:14:17-07:00March 12th, 2025|Youth Ministry Resources|0 Comments
Easter is rapidly approaching – it will be here before we know it! Grab these easy, fun, and powerful resources to help your students engage with the story of what Jesus has done for us!

 
Jesus was not the King that was expected, but through His powerful entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, students will be challenged to be humble, merciful, kind, gentle, and patient.

Available on Coleader
This four-week series challenges students to ask themselves how they might apply the last words of Jesus to their lives today.

 

Part of the Coleader Curriculum!

 

programming
01_sample_8_47
The message of Easter is often sugar-coated and meaningless. But Jesus death and resurrection is more than a neat story. Help your students experience it… with Him… in this station of the cross resource.

5 star reviews!
JesusPaidItAll_Preview00
Jesus Paid It All is a prayer experience that will encourage students to dwell on the sacrifice that Jesus made for them and how that affects every area of their lives. If you want your students to own their faith, this is a cool way to help them do that.

 

Help students connect to Jesus!

 

games-3
ChubbyBunny_preview01-3
Chubby Bunny is a video-driven “buzzer beater” style game. Participants on stage will do their best to decode the jumbled audio faster than their opponent. Instead of you risking your life by shoving tons of marshmallows in your face, we take that risk for you!

 

“Kids absolutely loved this game!”
EasterCrowdGames_Preview1-1
Games you can play to involve your entire crowd are fantastic, and in this pack, you get three cohesively designed games that will get kids moving and engage everyone! Each challenge is meant to test students in both ability and creativity.

 

This is perfect for any sized group!

 

videos
BunnyCountdownPreview00
Chubby Bunny is a video-driven “buzzer beater” style game. Participants on stage will do their best to decode the jumbled audio faster than their opponent. Instead of you risking your life by shoving tons of marshmallows in your face, we take that risk for you!

 

Nothing’s cuter than bunnies
WYR Easter Video Preview00-1
In this fun Would You Rather game your students will be asked 10 interactive ‘Would You Rather’ questions about Easter using emojis! This game comes with three different versions so you can play as a crowd game, a 5-minute countdown video before youth group, or an interactive video for online ministry.

 

Get your students connecting!
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28 Feb 2025

Leaders Are Learners

By |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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20 Jan 2025

I’m a youth pastor and I took a day off. Am I a sinner now?

By |2025-01-07T10:50:05-08:00January 20th, 2025|Leadership|0 Comments

Let’s start with a confession (because we’re all about those): I took a day off. I know, shocking, right? Somewhere, there’s a well-meaning youth worker whispering, “But what about the students?” Don’t worry—they’ll survive without you for one day.

Taking time for self-care in ministry can feel downright rebellious. But here’s the truth: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s holy. Yes, holy. Let’s talk about why prioritizing yourself isn’t just okay—it’s essential.

Why Self-Care Matters

1. It Prevents Burnout

Youth ministry isn’t for the faint of heart (or the short of patience). The endless stream of events, parent emails, and late-night texts can leave you feeling like a wrung-out sponge. Self-care is how you recharge before the burnout sets in, leaving you emotionally and spiritually fried.

2. It Makes You Better at Your Job

When you’re rested and recharged, you’re a better youth pastor. You’ll find more patience for that kid who keeps flipping water bottles mid-sermon and more creativity for engaging lessons. Self-care equips you to serve with energy and joy—not just survival mode.

3. It Sets a Good Example

Your students are watching you, and they’re learning from your habits. By modeling healthy boundaries, you’re teaching them that it’s okay to say no, to rest, and to care for their own well-being. That’s a lesson they’ll carry for life.

Practical Self-Care Tips for Youth Workers

If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a cheat sheet:

1. Schedule Rest

Treat your rest time like a non-negotiable meeting with the most important person you know—because it is. Whether it’s a full day, a few hours, or an unplugged evening, carve out space to recharge and guard it fiercely.

2. Set Boundaries

Repeat after me: It’s okay to say no. You don’t have to be at every event or take on every task. Saying no to one thing is saying yes to your health and longevity in ministry.

3. Delegate Like a Pro

You’re not the ministry superhero. (Sorry, but capes are out of style anyway.) Train your volunteers, empower your team, and let others share the load.

4. Pursue Hobbies

What do you love that has nothing to do with ministry? Reading? Baking? Kayaking? Whatever it is, make time for it. Life isn’t all lock-ins and sermon prep.

5. Invest in Relationships

Surround yourself with people who refresh your soul—friends, family, mentors. These connections remind you that you’re more than just a youth pastor.

6. Prioritize Your Spiritual Practices

Your relationship with God is the foundation of your ministry. Spend time in prayer, read your Bible, and worship without it being tied to planning your next talk.

7. Seek Professional Help When Needed

There’s no shame in getting extra help. If you’re struggling emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, a counselor or therapist can offer tools to get back on track.

Self-Care Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Here’s the thing: what refreshes someone else might make you cringe. Love hiking? Hit the trails. Hate it? That’s cool—stay home and watch a movie. Experiment and find what genuinely recharges you.

The Big Picture

Taking a day off doesn’t make you a sinner—it makes you human. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for sustainable ministry. By caring for yourself, you’re better equipped to care for others and fulfill your calling.

So, go ahead: take that day off. Pursue that hobby. Build those relationships. And for goodness’ sake, stop feeling guilty about it. Your ministry (and your sanity) will thank you.

And hey, if you need more encouragement (or just want to hear some great stories about burnout and surviving it), check out the video conversation I had with Josh Boldman, Derry Prenket, and Todd Pearage [You can watch it here].

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7 Jan 2025

I’m a Youth Pastor and I Punched My Senior Pastor. Is that bad?

By |2025-01-07T10:33:01-08:00January 7th, 2025|Leadership|0 Comments

Okay, okay. I didn’t actually punch my senior pastor, but let’s be honest, we’ve all had those days where we felt like it. And if you’ve ever caught yourself fantasizing about throwing a folding chair in the staff meeting, there’s a good chance burnout is knocking on your door.

Youth ministry is one of the most rewarding gigs out there. Seriously, who else gets to eat pizza for lunch and call it a strategy meeting? But it’s also exhausting, demanding, and sometimes downright soul-crushing. Burnout? It’s not just a buzzword; it’s a very real threat. So, how do you know if you’re headed for trouble? Let’s talk about the warning signs.

Red Flags You’re on the Road to Burnout

1. A Shorter Fuse
Do you find yourself snapping at volunteers who show up late, or silently plotting revenge against that one kid who keeps asking, “Can we just play dodgeball today?”? If your patience is wearing thinner than the youth budget, it’s time to pause and take stock.

2. Constant Exhaustion
Sure, we all get tired. Late nights, lock-ins, and last-minute sermon rewrites will do that. But if you’re waking up more tired than when you went to bed—even after a full weekend off—you might need more than just a nap.

3. Inability to Disconnect
Are you checking emails while binge-watching Netflix? Answering texts about this week’s game night during family dinner? If your phone is practically an extension of your hand, you’re never giving yourself a chance to fully recharge.

4. Feeling Like You’re the Only One
Does it seem like you’re carrying the entire ministry on your back? Like no one else cares as much as you do? That “it’s all on me” mindset can be a fast track to burnout. Spoiler alert: it’s not all on you.

5. Loss of Passion
When was the last time you were genuinely excited about youth ministry? If you’re just going through the motions or secretly dreading the next Wednesday night, you’ve lost more than energy—you’ve lost your spark.

What to Do When Burnout Hits

So, what’s the game plan when these red flags start waving? Here are a few ideas to keep you from going full-on WWE in the staff meeting:

  • Talk It Out
    Call up a friend, mentor, or counselor and let them in on what’s going on. Trust me, venting to someone other than your reflection in the youth room window can work wonders.
  • Take a Break
    No, really. Step away. Whether it’s a weekend retreat or just an afternoon nap, give yourself permission to rest. Your ministry will survive without you for a hot minute, I promise.
  • Re-evaluate Your Priorities
    Are you saying “yes” to everything? Stop it. Seriously. Jesus took naps, and you can too.
  • Seek Professional Help
    If burnout has you in a chokehold, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor. Sometimes you need a little extra help to find your footing again.

You’re Not Alone

Here’s the thing: burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. Recognizing the signs and taking action isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s the exact opposite. And hey, if you need more encouragement (or just want to hear some great stories about burnout and surviving it), check out the video conversation I had with Josh Boldman, Derry Prenket, and Todd Pearage [You can watch it here].

Hang in there, friend. You’ve got this—and the next time you’re tempted to throw hands in a staff meeting, just remember: pizza solves most problems.

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9 Dec 2024

Are You Frustrated with Volunteers?

By |2024-12-09T06:36:56-08:00December 9th, 2024|Volunteers|1 Comment

If you’ve been in youth ministry for a while, you’ve likely faced some common frustrations. I recently polled youth pastors in the DYM Facebook group to find out what challenges they face most often, and four key themes kept popping up:

  • Parental involvement
  • Lack of attendance
  • Fundraising issues
  • Volunteers

Let’s focus on the big one: volunteers.

Here are three of the most common frustrations youth pastors experience when it comes to volunteers—and one tip to address each:

  1. Lack of Volunteers
    It’s hard to find people willing to step into ministry, but sometimes, we make it harder than it needs to be. One tip: stop asking for “volunteers” and start asking for specific help. Instead of saying, “We need more volunteers,” try something like, “We’re looking for two adults who can connect with students in small groups twice a month.” People are more likely to step up when they know exactly what’s expected of them.
  2. Commitment Issues
    Many volunteers burn out or drop out because they feel overcommitted or underprepared. One tip: create a clear timeline for service. Instead of asking for an open-ended commitment, ask people to serve for a semester or six months. This allows them to evaluate their availability without feeling trapped, and you can use these intervals to check in, train, and encourage them to continue.
  3. Maturity Concerns
    Sometimes, well-meaning adults jump in but aren’t ready to handle the challenges of youth ministry. One tip: provide consistent training and mentorship. Don’t just throw volunteers into the deep end. Offer regular opportunities for them to learn skills like leading discussions, dealing with conflict, and understanding student culture. Investing in their growth will help them feel confident and capable in their roles.

These strategies can help you build a strong, committed team to support your ministry.

What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn what’s worked for you when it comes to recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers. Let’s help each other create ministry environments where volunteers thrive!

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14 Oct 2024

4 Things I Would Change if I Were Starting Today

By |2024-10-14T09:53:37-07:00October 14th, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas|6 Comments

I’ve been in youth ministry for 16 years, which is wild—my youth ministry career could practically drive a car by now! Though, I’d probably need to take the test at least twice.

If I were starting at my very first church with all the experience, knowledge, and mistakes I’ve made along the way, what would I do differently? Or, if I were starting brand new at a church right now, what are the four things I would change?

Here they are!

  1. I’d Have More Fun

I’ve heard it said many times, “What you win them with is what you win them to!”—as if having fun and being joyful in ministry is a bad thing.

Maybe it was my youth and lack of experience, but when I started out, I wanted to make sure everyone knew how serious I was.

If I were starting today, I’d be more willing to have fun with students, volunteers, parents, and the church as a whole. I’ve learned there are plenty of ways to show people I’m mature and capable, but only one way to show them I can have fun!

What would that look like? I’d be more comfortable incorporating games into lessons. I’d enjoy having fun with students outside of youth group without needing to add a spiritual element to everything. I’d also be okay with having fun just for fun’s sake.

  1. I’d Focus More on Parents

This was definitely because of my youth, but I didn’t reach out to parents as much as I should have when I was starting out.

I was laser-focused on students, which is great—but now, if I were starting again, I’d make time for more coffees and lunches with parents. I’ve come to realize I didn’t need to have kids of my own to minister to parents effectively.

I’d take parents out to coffee and ask them about the challenges their families were facing. I’d ask how I could pray for them and find ways the ministry could better support them.

I’d listen a lot and communicate even more.

Speaking of…

  1. I’d Over-Communicate Everything

We live in a world where communication is easier than ever. We have free email services, free social media platforms, free texting services, and free graphics tools.

What a time to be alive!

I’d make sure I was sending out consistent and well-thought-out communication every week. For parents, that would be an email with what we studied that week and the details of our most recent event. For students, I’d post frequently on social media about upcoming events and ask questions related to what we studied in youth group.

  1. I’d Have an Easy-to-Communicate Vision

For both parents and students, I’d want them to clearly understand why we were doing what we were doing. I’d develop a ready-to-share “elevator pitch” to explain the purpose of our ministry.

At my last church, I communicated that we aimed for students to “Belong, Believe, and Become.” We wanted students to feel a sense of belonging at youth group, believe the Gospel, and become the people God created them to be by giving them opportunities to grow into that identity.

I also told parents that we’d focus on teaching students about the Attributes of God, the Gospel, Spiritual Disciplines, and Relationships. Could we cover more? Absolutely. But we wanted to ensure those four pillars were solid foundations for everything we did.

More than anything, I’d want parents to feel confident that I had a clear grasp of what we were doing and why.

Those are the four things I would change and focus on if I were just starting out today.

How about you? Any thoughts or suggestions? I’d love to hear them!


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30 Sep 2024

Avoiding Fall Burnout

By |2024-09-30T11:22:10-07:00September 30th, 2024|Youth Pastor Life|7 Comments

As the fall season arrives, youth pastors often juggle a packed calendar full of events, retreats, and holiday planning. While the season is full of exciting opportunities to impact students’ lives, it can also be a prime time for burnout. The fast pace and growing demands can make it easy to neglect your own well-being. To avoid falling into this trap, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care, not only for your personal health but also for the long-term effectiveness of your ministry.

Spiritually, staying grounded is essential. Amid a busy fall schedule, carve out time daily to connect with God. Whether through personal devotions, prayer walks, or simply finding moments of quiet reflection, these rhythms are necessary to keep your heart aligned with the purpose of your calling. Just as you encourage your students to seek God’s presence, make sure you model this in your own life. Set aside specific times during the week to rest in God’s word and be filled up so you can pour into others from a place of abundance rather than exhaustion.

Emotionally and physically, finding balance is key. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to your team or volunteers. Sometimes, youth pastors fall into the trap of thinking they need to do everything themselves, but allowing others to share the load not only lightens your burden but empowers others to serve. Take intentional breaks, prioritize sleep, and make room for activities that rejuvenate you, whether exercising, spending time with family, or enjoying a hobby. Physical care goes hand-in-hand with emotional health, and if your energy is depleted, it will eventually impact your ministry and relationships.

Finally, setting boundaries in ministry is essential for long-term health. It’s easy to say yes to everything, but protecting your time and energy is vital. Create clear expectations with your church leadership, volunteers, and even students about your availability, especially during busy seasons. Saying no to certain commitments is not a failure but a necessary step to ensure you can fully invest in the areas where God has called you. By setting these boundaries, you protect both your personal well-being and the sustainability of your ministry.

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