Kinda Interesting: Thoughts on Youth Ministry

Change! Often needed, always challenging! In this episode, I share five thoughts that have guided me as I have led change over the last two decades in student ministry.

Lately I've been getting a lot of questions about writing for Download Youth Ministry and getting published with them. This episode explores five key ideas that shape my process.

Whether you're speaking, communicating vision, or describing your processes, self deprecating can be a dangerous habit to have.

What does it look like to plan an events calendar? In this episode, I discuss three big thoughts that shape my approach. Resources discussed include: "Sustainable Youth Ministry," by Mark Devries.  "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry," by Doug Fields. 

What does it look like to set volunteers up to win? In this episode, I discuss five critical ways in which I believe youth pastors can encourage effectiveness and longevity in student ministry. Resources discussed include: Live Curriculum: www.group.com/category/ministry-resources/youth-ministry/curriculum.do Books by Mark Oestricher and Kurt Johnston: www.theyouthcartel.com Download Youth Ministry Leader Training Library: www.leadertraining.dymapps.com

What does it look like to have an intentional, long term teaching plan for student ministry? I discuss our seven year plan, it's driving motivations, and how we find flexibility in it. Resources discussed can be found on my blog: https://matthewmcnutt.com/2020/09/08/seven-year-teaching-plan-4/

COVID challenges continue! In this episode I talk about which aspects of our student ministry are moving back to in-person, what we're doing online, and the thought process behind each. Resources discussed can be found at: Socially Distant Games: www.DownloadYouthMinistry.com

Episode two. In which I throw out all my big plans for upcoming episodes and talk about what we're all talking about: ministry in quarantine. This episode focuses on what my student ministry team has landed on, after some trial and error, for youth ministry in our church. Resources discussed can be found at: Viva curriculum: www.TheYouthCartel.com Talksheets: www.YouthSpecialties.com Games: www.DownloadYouthMinistry.com

The premiere episode! In which I discuss an approach I've used for finding new volunteers that weren't on my radar, and share about a resource I recommend. You can find Michael McGarry's "A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry" at https://amzn.to/2TfvnYW