Sparkhouse Youth Ministry Podcast

Social media is everywhere, both in the lives of youth workers and in the lives of the students in their ministries. How do you navigate something that is literally everywhere? What are the best practices? What boundaries do you need to set as a youth leader? In this episode of the podcast, Bryan and Erik remember a time before social media, talk about their own practices, and discuss ways to make it an effective (and safe!) part of your youth ministry.

From job descriptions to youth ministry articles, the words “relational youth ministry” have become standard in the world of student ministry. But…what does it mean? Is it simply going to the mall, buying a hip pair of jeans and learning how to play the latest video game? And how do we relate to students, especially when most youth leaders are adults? Where are the danger zones? What are the benefits? And most importantly: is there a deeper meaning to this phrase that has become so prominent in youth ministry? In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss about what it means to be a relational youth pastor and one of them realizes that maybe he isn’t a good youth pastor. (Spoiler: it’s Bryan)

Even if you don’t have ministerial responsibilities with young children, it’s important to know what’s happening with the toddler set in your church. How are their brains developing? What does it look like for younger children to do faith formation? How are the parents managing everything in their life? And finally, what is the church’s response and role? In this episode, Bryan and Erik are joined by Dr. Dawn Rundman, author of Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child’s Faith. Check the book out here: https://www.beamingbooks.com/shop/product/23763/Little-Steps-Big-Faith-How-the-Science-of-Early-Childhood-Development-Can-Help-You-Grow-Your-Child-Faith

If a youth worker has kids, eventually they will end up in youth group. How do we handle that transition? What are some ways to give your kid an opportunity to have a unique youth group experience without constantly being a hovering parent? In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss having their kids in youth group, how to use this information to train volunteers, and remember times when they, too, were surly teenagers.

We’ve all been there. The lesson is going great and then suddenly a kid asks the sort of question that makes you want to run from the room screaming. Students ask big questions. Does that mean we have to have equally comprehensive and meaningful answers? What if we don’t know the answer? In this episode, Bryan and Erik are joined by Jeremy Steele, author of All the Best Questions (and some answers too) to talk about questions, doubt, and the power of sometimes saying, “I don’t know.”   You can learn more about Jeremy’s book here: https://www.beamingbooks.com/shop/product/23286/All-the-Best-Questions-And-Some-Answers-Too

Curriculum! How do you choose it? How do you use it? Would it be better to just write your own? Using curriculum in youth ministry is as natural as lock-ins and lasertag, but how do you make sure your curriculum is right for your group? In this episode, Bryan and Erik talk about why curriculum matters, when it’s a roadblock, all while trying not to be homers for their company.

You’ve planned the perfect retreat, the sort of weekend experience that is going to change everything in the lives of your students. But then you realize…you scheduled it on the exact same weekend as the All-Regional Dodgeball Competition…and nobody is coming to your retreat. What do you do? Get mad? Reschedule? Wax philosophically about the state of the church and “kids these days”? In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss scheduling conflicts, what it means to communicate effectively, how to come alongside community and school events, and trying your best to not make youth ministry about you.

We’ve all been there before—you’ve designed a perfect lesson. Seminary is finally paying off. You’re about to make the point you’ve been building toward all lesson when you realize…nobody is engaged. They’re staring at their phones, out the window. What happened? In this episode of the podcast, Bryan and Erik are joined by special guest Sarah Logemann to discuss the idea of wonder, how to use it in your youth group, and why it’s integral to keeping students engaged in their life of faith.

We recently opened up our inboxes to YOUR questions about everything related to #youthministry.... and there were so many great questions that we wanted to address, we had to create not just one -- but TWO -- Youth Ministry Podcast episodes to chat through everything! Tune in to this week's episode with Bryan and Erik as they continue the conversation, talking about expanding your calling, volunteer expectations, and everything in between. 

As summer winds down, Erik and Bryan open up the mailbag to answer listener questions about attendance policies, budgeting, and building momentum between middle school and high school ministries.  Thanks to everyone who reached out!

By now, you’ve probably seen a kid Flossing or doing the Best Mates dance. Maybe you’ve heard a kid talk about their recent Victory Royale. Noobs. Bandies. Squads. What is all this, you ask? Fortnite! It’s a game that has taken over the culture in many ways – in both good and not-so-good ways. In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss what Fortnite is, how youth workers should think about it, and are joined by two very special guests.

It's summer and that means one thing--church camp! If you've spent even one summer in youth ministry, you know: church camp is a big deal. For some kids, it's a chance to reconnect with far-off friends. For others, it's an opportunity to grow in their faith. And for most of them, it's an unforgettable experience that lasts well into the program year. In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss mountaintop experiences, cry nights, and one of them is coming to you live! from actual confirmation camp!

Whether you’re starting a new job, or have been in your position for a few years, the importance of reliable, effective volunteers cannot be overstated. But how do you find people who are called to youth ministry? How do you get them onboard? What’s the best way to empower them? And what does God have to do with all of this? In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss how to find, train, and keep effective volunteers.

You’re done with the mission trip – or maybe it’s camp – and it was a week full of hard work, meaningful interactions, and fun. So now it’s back to the grindstone! Unless you’re planning on taking comp time. Do you take comp time? You should be taking comp time. In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss how to determine how much time to take after a trip, the reasoning behind it, and why Sabbath is necessary for youth ministry.

Youth Gathering 2018 is a wrap. Bryan interviewed a bunch of participants and leaders about what they liked, how they were impacted, and why it’s important to gather 30,000 of your closest friends every three years.

Remember the story where Jesus and the disciples play the classic youth ministry game Sardines? While youth ministry games haven’t been along that long, there’s no denying that games are baked into the DNA of youth ministry. From icebreakers and up-front games, to dodge ball and Ultimate Frisbee, youth workers have literally thousands of choices to start or end their weekly programming. In this episode, Bryan and Erik discuss the good, the bad, and the messy.

Students will always have questions about the Bible and part of our job as youth workers is to help them understand, engage, and read Scripture with a certain amount of faith, knowledge, and insight. But how do we do that well? And how do we push back against less-than-helpful theologies that come at students from celebrities, pop culture, and other places? In this episode, Bryan and Erik talk about reading the Bible with integrity, when and how to say, “I don’t know”, and both of them realize that, maybe, they’re not the best communicators.

Youth ministry is a professional position, despite the nights of laser tag and go-carts and pizza eating. And while some of us may have some inherent laser tag skills, there are many opportunities to grow as a youth worker in both the skills we employ and the knowledge we bring to our ministry. In this episode, Bryan and Erik talk about the difference between continuing education and professional development, effective ways of developing skills in ministry, and whether you can get away with taking a class in bread baking.

Starting a new job in youth ministry can be like drinking from a firehose. You’re faced with new students, new coworkers, new parishioners and – naturally – new ways to lose credit card receipts. So how do you get started in a new congregation without losing the trust of the parents and volunteers? How do you set yourself up for a long and effective ministry? In this episode, Erik interviews not-so-special guest Bryan to talk about his new church job, being bi-vocational, and all the mistakes they’ve made in previous positions.