Sparkhouse Youth Ministry Podcast

“You’re in ministry? Interesting! How did you get started?” People often wonder how and why someone would enter into the vocation of ministry. Some ministers can identify a major milestone which pointed them on their career path. (See: Luther, Martin) For others, the discernment came with slightly less fanfare. In this episode Jake interviews Erik about his ministry origin story and invites listeners to reflect on how they got involved in ministry as well.

Youth trips and retreats are special times for young people and adults to connect with one another and with their faith. A great adult chaperone can make a huge impact on the overall success of the trip. How do you go about selecting and training the right adults for this mountaintop experience? Erik and Jake have some thoughts!

Youth ministry rarely happens without the support of volunteers.  Your ability to equip these volunteers will profoundly impact young people for the rest of their lives. No pressure, right? Fortunately, Jake and Erik are here to offer their insights on how to recruit, train, and retain the adults who participate in your ministry.

Everyone feels a little nervous energy before a big event. Youth ministers are no exception. It may look like we thrive on chaotic events, meaningful service projects, and severe sleep deprivation – but there are a lot of logistics that go into preparing for these experiences. Sometimes the details of a big event are still in flux days (or hours) before go-time. In this episode Jake and Erik discuss the ways they’re getting their mind, body, and spirit ready for upcoming events. And one of us forgets how to spell the other guy’s name.

Vacation Bible School is one of the most high-profile events of summertime ministry. It’s an opportunity for the church to connect with young families and teach Bible stories in fun and creative ways. What does VBS Week mean for youth ministers? How might churches modify their VBS experiences to better meet the needs of the community? In this episode Jake and Erik take a deep dive into all things VBS and figure out how long this cultural phenomenon has been around.

Summer is here, which means Jake and Erik have a little extra time to read and reflect. In this episode they discuss an article called, “The Dark Forest Theory of the Internet” and its implications for youth workers. They also suggest some ways to assess the recently concluded program year.

Jake and Erik have been in youth ministry for a while—more than 25 years between them. In that time they’ve developed some habits, mindsets, and practices which have enhanced their professional experience. In this episode they offer ten pro tips for people in all stages of life and ministry.

There are more than 2 million mobile apps available to the public. Many of these can be used to make your ministry life easier and more efficient. But how do you know which ones to use or how to use them? Jake and Erik (to be honest, mostly Jake) discuss some of their favorite apps and offer some practical tips for how to use these apps to enhance your ministry.

Summer is only a few weeks away. For many youth ministers, summer means Mission Trips. No matter if this is your first or twenty-first trip, you have a lot to keep in mind before, during, and after this experience. Jake and Erik offer their insights on effective pre-trip communication, engaged leadership during the mission trip, and healthy recuperating after you come home.

Being in ministry often means accompanying people during difficult times in their lives. It’s an honor to be invited into these circumstances because it means you’ve earned the trust of the people in your community. But not everyone in ministry is sufficiently trained to handle all pastoral care circumstances. Jake and Erik discuss the joys and challenges of this kind of ministry, how to maintain integrity and healthy boundaries, and when it’s time to reach out for extra help.

Youth Ministry is important, difficult work. It’s easy to get so focused on daily tasks that you forget the ways you make a difference. This week, Jake and Erik invite you to take a deep breath and reflect on the moments your ministry inspires and encourages people.

Committees can be a burden and a blessing for people in ministry. Ideally, they provide accountability, support, and inspiration for staff and programs. But sometimes they feel obligatory and directionless. In this episode Jake and Erik draw on their experiences and offer some best practices for healthy youth committees.

Communication is a crucial element in any relationship, especially among church workers and congregation members. But how can youth ministers effectively communicate with all the people about all the things? Which forms of media are best suited for which events? How to strategies change depending on the audience? How often should you be reaching out? Jake and Erik offer their thoughts on some of their communication successes and failures. (And they crown a Youth Ministry Madness winner!)

The next several weeks are filled with “lasts” for high school seniors – exams, performances, dances, parties, and commencement. These are exciting and time-consuming experiences for your teens. How can you stay connected with kids who are busy doing important activities outside of church? Jake and Erik offer some ideas for how the church can come along side graduates and their parents to nurture them through these special moments.

The fastest growing religious group in America is called “The Nones” – people who self-identify as having no religious affiliation. The Nones are now the same size as Evangelicals and Catholics and twice the size of Mainline Christians. What does this mean for people in youth ministry? Jake and Erik offer their thoughts about ways to faithfully nurture young people’s faith in this current context.

These next few months can be incredibly busy and stressful for youth ministers. It’s important to take care of yourself as you prepare for Holy Week, wrap up the program year, and coordinate all the special summer events. Join Jake and Erik for a conversation about the benefits of self-care, what it is (and isn’t), and how you can begin to establish helpful habits in your daily life.

Spring is finally here, so it’s time for Erik and Jake to spring open the ministry mailbag and answer questions from you, the listener. Topics discussed include retreats, vocation, and innovation fatigue. Also, be sure to join in the fun and fill out your Youth Ministry Madness bracket.

It’s March, and that can only mean one thing. (Nope, not Lent.) Time for March Madness, baby! Sparkhouse is once again bringing you Youth Ministry Madness, a bracket-style game where you pick your favorite youth ministry clichés, leader tips, challenges, and oops. In today’s episode Erik and Jake go through each region, discuss the matchups, and make their predictions. You can participate in Youth Ministry Madness by going to go.wearesparkhouse.org/youthministrymadness

Like it or not, fundraisers are a regular part of youth ministry. This week Jake and Erik discuss their favorite way to generate money for youth trips: auctions. You’ll hear lots of practical advice about how to plan, promote, and implement this all-church fundraising event.

One of the best ways to connect with young people is to meet them in a public place like a coffee shop or bakery. Why is this approach to ministry so important? How do you go about having meaningful and grace-filled conversations with young people? And most important of all—who’s buying? Jake and Erik address these questions and more, but first they discuss a recent article about kids who are inheriting a pre-existing online identity.