Youth Ministry Hacks artwork

Youth Ministry Hacks

1,362 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratings

Justin Knowles and Sean Lord (2 great friends and veterans in Youth Ministry) have open conversations with each other and great guests about real life hacks in youth ministry. They will talk about things they are doing in youth ministry, what is working, what is not, and have some friends join the conversation along the way. The goal is to share real life, helpful, time saving and efficient hacks to help you do ministry better.

Christianity Religion & Spirituality doug fields josh griffin download youth ministry frank gil derry
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Episodes

Episode 119: What God Has Been Revealing To Us In Leading

March 20, 2024 18:55 - 43 minutes - 59.3 MB

In Episode 119 of Youth Ministry Hacks, Justin and Sean are getting raw and real about leadership revelations. No fluff, no sugar-coating—just honest conversations about what God's been showing them and how it's shaking up their ministry game.From battling mental headspace to fine-tuning their strategies, they're laying it all out on the table. Forget the old ways of doing things; Justin and Sean are all about creating genuine moments for students to meet Jesus and ditching outdated practices...

Episode 118: Hacks on Discovering Your Calling w/ Brad Lomenick

January 05, 2024 21:21 - 40 minutes - 55.8 MB

In this episode, Sean sits down with THE Brad Lomenick, leadership consultant, coach, author… lots of other things… and talks through leading in 2024, identity as a leader, calling, mission, and ministry assignment. It is a great and challenging conversation that is perfect to start the new year. Check out Brad’s Stuff here:http://www.bradlomenick.com/ Check out Co-Leader! Coleader.co

Episode 117: Hacks On Keeping Your Small Groups Engaged

December 11, 2023 17:24 - 25 minutes - 46.9 MB

In this episode Sean Lord is solo going through what he walked through his all small group leaders through in their latest training. They walk through how to keep students engaged in groups and how they are to been seen and experienced. Check out his slide presentation:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h420j8fvtvrreufsp1dct/YMH-Sean-Leader-Training.pptx?rlkey=m4k1yqrk2njir947ld7pwbvz1&dl=0 Check out Coleader as well! Coleader.co

Episode 116: Hacks On Multiplying Small Groups Training

November 13, 2023 21:13 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MB

Justin shares some of the content as he and his crew trained their own small group leaders on how they want to multiply their groups, split them, be more “sticky” in welcoming new students placed in them and the vision of why they want to grow them. Check out Coleader as well! Coleader.co

Episode 115: Hacks Q&A

September 27, 2023 20:52 - 49 minutes - 68 MB

Sean and Justin sat down and took your questions! Questions ranged from letting leaders go, to the age old bathing suits rules, to disruptive students, to how midweeks are set up and more. Check out Coleader! Coleader.co

Episode 114: Hacks on being an Emotionally Healthy Leader W/ Matt Manno

September 05, 2023 16:11 - 44 minutes - 60.8 MB

This episode we talk with Matt Manno from Newlife in Queens, New York about what it means to be Emotionally Healthy. We talk about how Emotional Health is a necessity not only for ourselves, but for the leaders and students that we lead. [email protected]://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/ Check out Coleader Now! https://www.coleader.co/

Episode 113: Hacks On Raising Up Leaders w/ Gary Garcia

August 10, 2023 20:09 - 50 minutes - 68.8 MB

Description: In this episode Justin and Sean sit down with Gary Garcia to talk about taking a back seat in leadership roles to raise up new and younger leaders. This is a vital part of building up God’s kingdom and they chat through the in’s and out’s of how they have done that over their time. Gary is 31 years in youth ministry at the same church and the lead pastor of that church now. The conversation is a good one and worth a listen. Gary’s IG:https://www.instagram.com/gary.daniel.garcia/

Episode 112: Hacks On Summer Focuses

June 13, 2023 16:27 - 46 minutes - 63.2 MB

Sean and Justin dive into what are the top 4 things they are focusing in right now in the summer that will set them up better in the fall. Take a few minutes and see if they hit on anything that would be beneficial for your ministry. SPONSOR: APU Youth Leadership Initiative ​​Looking for a discipleship conference this summer for high school students? Join us at the Kaleo Youth Conference at Azusa Pacific University on July 8,, 2023. This one-day conference for high school students (and th...

Episode 111: Hacks On Effective Follow Up

May 23, 2023 18:26 - 47 minutes - 86.7 MB

Sean interviews Justin about effective follow up. It stemmed from a failure in Justin’s ministry that they are trying to be more intention this year about. They walk through the spiritual implications of follow up and give some practical thoughts on follow up in your ministry. Follow Sean and Justin on IG:@justinknowles3@seanclord Check out DYM Coleader https://www.coleader.co/ Flat Irons College https://flatironscollege.com/

Episode 110: Hacks Q&A

May 10, 2023 00:11 - 48 minutes - 88.7 MB

Show Description: Justin and Sean take questions from youth pastors around the country and answer them on the podcast live! They hit on the following topics as well as let Chat GPT answer one as an experienced youth pastor: Parents Summer events The introverted friend whose mom wants them to make friends How to develop systems in your ministry How to create buy in from your regular attenders Creating a good atmosphere for youth nights And more! Follow Sean and Justin on IG:@justinknowl...

Episode 109: Hacks On Mental Health For Youth Workers w/ Bryan Forbes 

April 11, 2023 16:21 - 59 minutes - 110 MB

Show Description:Justin and Sean sit down with Bryan Forbes COO & Co-Founder Forbes Individual and Family Therapy, Inc. to chat through how youth workers can best be aware of their mental health and best practices from his experience as a former church ministry staffer to help do ministry for the long haul. For people needing a therapist or wanting to connect with me more:https://www.forbesift.com Bryan’s Podcast: Everything Is Finehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everythings-fine/id...

Episode 108: Hacks On Senior Transition, Young Adults and Senior Retreat w/ Vivi Diaz

March 21, 2023 16:56 - 53 minutes - 98.1 MB

Justin sits down with co-worker Vivi Diaz who does a lot with youth and young adults at Sandals Church. They have worked together to create a plan for senior transitions and senior retreat and they talk about how Vivi has set up the young adult ministry in this next season of Sandals Church. Vivi Diaz on IG:https://www.instagram.com/viviiidiaz/ Check out DYM C0-Leaderhttps://www.coleader.co/ Flat Irons Collegehttps://flatironscollege.com/

Episode 107: Hacks On What To Focus On

March 06, 2023 23:04 - 54 minutes - 100 MB

Show Description: Justin and Sean go over a diagram detailing what Justin's ministry is focusing on this year. The diagram is based on where Justin felt they were not doing so well in ministry. Join Sean and Justin as they talk through leader development, retention and outreach. Link to Justin’s diagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CoI91QRPhzm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Check out DYM Coleader https://www.coleader.co/ Flat Irons College https://flatironscollege.com/

Episode 106: Hacks Q&A

February 10, 2023 18:12 - 1 hour - 112 MB

Justin and Sean answer YOUR questions you submitted! They hit on programming, parents, summer camp, leader care and firing, student leadership and more. Check out DYM Coleader https://www.coleader.co/ Flat Irons College https://flatironscollege.com/

Episode 105: Hacks On Habits

January 03, 2023 17:18 - 46 minutes - 84.9 MB

Justin and Sean chat about what they are implementing in this new year to take their leadership to the next level. They talk about weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly habits and hopefully it can challenge you to start your own. EHS Daily Offices Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day: A 40-Day Journey with the Daily Office - Kindle edition by Scazzero, Peter. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Atomic HabitsNEW-Atomic Habits (Lead Title): Clear: Amazon.com: Books Rut...

Episode 207: Butts, Budgets, and Building

December 06, 2022 19:21 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MB

Episode 207: Butts, Budgets, and Building It was a busy ministry weekend for Timmy, but he had the mental capacity to deal with it because HE IS DONE WITH SCHOOL FOREVER. We are embracing to very different styles of program-ming this Advent season, and neither church seems to mind. An-drew has school programs at three different schools this week, Tim has a daughter touring high school. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/...

December 2022 Members Only Podcast

December 01, 2022 08:00 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MB

Join Doug, Josh and Mari as they talk about all the great resources available to members as part of their member downloads!

Episode 206: Where Did It Come from?

November 30, 2022 20:02 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MB

The Holidays are fully upon us, which means more activity and more responsibility in the ministry world. We are diving into the differences between writing advent sermons and regular sermons, and between writing a paper vs a sermon. Andrew got an unex-pected gift. Tim’s Jaguars put him in an exceptional mood, but that wasn’t him in the patriotic speedo. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/d...

Episode 104: Hacks On Planning for 2023

November 28, 2022 17:48 - 42 minutes - 77.4 MB

Show Description: Justin and Sean chat about how to plan for the new year most effectively as a leader. They go over “heads up” time, times of training, mindsets to keep in mind to keep a good rhythm and so much more. Make the best of 2023 by listening to this and share the episode with others. The Hill Teen Center Link: https://rogofoundation.com/teencenter/

Episode 205: Survival of the Fittest

November 21, 2022 17:16 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MB

Episode 205: Survival of the Fittest Tim may not be in as good of shape as he thinks he is. Andrew served the city, and is trying to get the city to serve him right back. Has anyone else noticed that it’s the season of sexy Santas? SHCC had a Thanksgiving Sunday, Lakeview is a tri-county hub for Operation Christmas Child, and has has the traffic to prove it. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-...

Episode 103: Hacks On How To Lead Volunteers Well

November 14, 2022 22:58 - 1 hour - 112 MB

Episode Title: Episode 103: Hacks On How Lead Volunteers Well Show Description: Justin and Sean sit down and talk through their thoughts of what they have loved over their 30+ years of youth ministry on how to lead volunteers well. We feel no one in youth ministry has ever said, “Man, we have enough of the right people leading right now” so they thought they would share some of their ideas and things they have learned on how to set up leaders well. Whether you are a newbie or a veteran, the...

Episode 204: Big Sundays and Victory Mondays

November 14, 2022 22:57 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MB

Episode 204: Big Sundays and Victory Mondays Happy victory Monday from everyone in the state of Florida. This morning we are talking about strange requests that will REALLY tick off the neighbors. We are both pastoring our parents, and coming off of big Sundays. We are entering annual review sea-son. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=an-drew+larsen&search-button=&la...

Episode 203: The Spooky Reformation

November 01, 2022 17:55 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MB

Episode 203: The Spooky Reformation Happy Halloween to all you pagans who celebrate. We celebrated our birthdays and did dad stuff. We each bit off another chunk of our academic plates. We are talking through welcoming back returning members, and Christ-mas side hustles. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=an-drew+larsen&search-button=&lang=default Be sure to like The...

November 2022 Members Only Podcast

November 01, 2022 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

Episode 102: Hacks On How To Create An Outreach Culture

October 27, 2022 16:24 - 49 minutes - 91.1 MB

Hacks On How To Create An Outreach Culture Show Description: Justin flies solo and walks through what he has learned on how to build an outreach culture and strategy to where students actually invite friends He walks through 5 big rocks in the bucket for you to think through in hopes you can create your own strategy in your ministry Blog Mentioned: Download Youth Ministry Blog - Dissect Your Ministry Part 1&2 Resource Mentioned: Leader On Boarding Process - DYM Store

Episode 202: It is Birthday Week!

October 27, 2022 16:20 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MB

Episode 202: It is Birthday Week! Turns out that at our advanced ages, we’re not the wun-derkinds we thought we would be, and we’re both ok with that. Tim has a kid going into high school, Andrew though combining the youth group and kids ministry would be a good idea. It was not. It was a rough NFL weekend for us, BUT what about Liberty? Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-S...

Episode 201: No Good Excuse Anymore

October 12, 2022 18:41 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MB

Episode 201: No Good Excuse Anymore We can’t not talk about the elephant sticker in the room. We’re getting into the “learning opportunities” we’ve given ourselves. Andrew has an unhappy parishioner. Tim has lots of things he can’t talk about. It seems to be funeral season around here too. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=an-drew+larsen&search-button=&lang=default ...

Episode 200: Hurricanes and Growing Pains

October 05, 2022 21:09 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MB

Well, Hurricane Ian came to our neighborhood and killed power and caused havoc; for some of us at least. Lake-view had a missions weekend, and Safety Harbor had lin-gering storm issues that killed the internet. All of our teams lost, and Andrew had a surprisingly deep conversation about past religious trauma, and we both somehow found our way to Disney. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/d...

October 2022 Members Only Podcast

October 01, 2022 07:00 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MB

Join Doug, Josh, Jessica and Mari as they dive into the member downloads for the month of October!

EPISODE 101: Hacks On How To Minister To Anxious Teens w/ Brock Morgan

September 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 133 MB

Justin and Sean sit down with Brock Morgan, a youth pastor and author, about his new book called “The Anxious Teen: Ministry With Stressed and Fearful Students” and how we can best care for an anxious generation post-covid. This episode is longer than most but full of practical gold. You can check out his book in the link below.

Episode 199: Why'd It Have To Be Snakes

September 22, 2022 23:33 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MB

What happens when you know there is about to be a wild animal loose in your worship space? Tim set up a guest preacher to win. Andrew is the official pray-er of Safety Harbor. We are talking about best ways to minister to sen-iors, and what happens when you have to watch your own livestream. BE SURE TO JOIN US ON OCTOBER 3 FOR OUR 200th EPISODE! Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/...

044 - Middle School Parent Meetings

September 19, 2022 21:18 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MB

Ronald Long and Andrea Miller talk middle school parent meetings: what they could be and why you should have them! Questions to consider: How do you communicate to your parents? Why is it good to keep parents in the loop?

Episode 198: Two Service Timmy

September 14, 2022 17:43 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MB

Lakeview Church returned to their school year schedule of two services, and Tim is tired. Andrew took his family to Disney on a Saturday before preaching on Sunday, and he is also tired. We are talking the busy wedding season (in Florida it's the fall, not the summer), and being too scheduled. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=an-drew+larsen&search-button=&lang=defau...

043 – Middle School Student Leadership Team

September 12, 2022 17:38 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MB

Andrea Miller breaks down her new student leadership team. Ronald takes lots of notes. Questions to consider: What jobs can you give to middle school students? How can you involved students in ministry at your church?

EPISODE 100: Live Recording, Q&A Episode, Josh Griffin & Doug Fields Pop In!

September 12, 2022 17:35 - 1 hour - 65.8 MB

Justin and Sean celebrate 100 episodes of helpful hacks in youth ministry! This episode was recorded live on September 8th (so all prizes, competitions and codes were for the live audience only). The guys answered questions that were in the live chat and they even had Josh Griffin and Doug Fields pop in for a little bit!

September 2022 Members Only Podcast

September 01, 2022 07:00 - 14 minutes - 20 MB

Josh, Jessica and Mari talk about September's resources, ALL 7 of them! #goldmemberperks

Episode 197: Are We Hosting Refugees or the Insurrection?

August 31, 2022 16:53 - 51 minutes - 47 MB

It’s always nice to have new people at church, but what if they are all from the church down the street? Andrew is being recruited to some grown-up youth group/fraternity hybrid. Tim re-preached a sermon from three years ago…no one noticed. Apparently, something happened at The Village? Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=an-drew+larsen&search-button=&lang=default Be s...

Episode 196: The Bible is Not PG Rated

August 22, 2022 22:12 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MB

Episode 196: The Bible is Not PG Rated It is really weird how much circumcision comes up in the Bible. Andrew didn't seem to notice until his nieces were listening to a sermon. Tim’s church is going through a ren-ovation project. We had a “ministry frat party” on Friday night. We are diving into the world of curriculum and who has veto power over it. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/def...

Episode 195: Getting Handsy At Church

August 17, 2022 16:16 - 33 minutes - 30.2 MB

Episode 195: Getting Handsy at Church It's back to school season, which means for families it's back to church season as well. Tim's church brought back the greeting time, Andrew's church is trying to find best practices for serving an adult with intellectual disabilities. We are talking construction projects, weddings, & church fantasy football leagues. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site...

Episode 194: Back & Better than Ever

August 11, 2022 21:51 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MB

After several weeks of crazy summer schedules, we’re back to discuss things like, crazy summer schedules, meetings, plagiarism, and as always chapter 7. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=andrew+larsen&search-button=&lang=default Be sure to like The Morning After Ministry on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morningafterministry/ instagram.com/morningaftermin and ...

99: Hacks On How To Be An Analog Chrisitan In A Digital World w/ Jay Kim

August 08, 2022 15:58 - 55 minutes - 102 MB

Justin and Sean sit down with Jay Kim, Pastor of Westgate Church and author of Analog Christian & Analog Church, to chat through how youth workers can think through how to lead and minister in person better and more effectively in a digital world. Check out Jay’s Books: Analog Christian Analog Church SPONSORS: Onward Leadership Coaching https://onwardleader.com/ 1st Few Years Conference https://1stfewyears.com/ @youthministryhacks on IG https://www.instagram.com/youthministryhacks/ ...

August 2022 Members Only Podcast

August 01, 2022 07:00 - 11 minutes - 15.8 MB

Episode 193: Andrew Has WiFi Problems...

July 13, 2022 15:16 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MB

We’re doing the remote broadcast thing today, and this time we’re in two different states, two different timezones, with two different qualities of internet connection. Tim is home in Florida while Andrew is at a coffee shop in rural Arkansas. We’re talking vacation church, turning responsi-bilities over to others, going to camp, and family vacations. Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/def...

Update From Justin and Sean

July 11, 2022 21:01 - 4 minutes - 8.44 MB

Check out this quick little episode with updates before episodes 99 & 100. SPONSORS: Onward Leadership Coaching https://onwardleader.com/ 1st Few Years Conference https://1stfewyears.com/ @youthministryhacks on IG https://www.instagram.com/youthministryhacks/ Justin’s Resources https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/search?q=justin+knowles&search-button=&lang=default

July 2022 Members Only

July 01, 2022 07:00 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MB

July is here and so are your new member resources!

98: Hacks For Summer Camp

June 27, 2022 16:12 - 46 minutes - 84.9 MB

Notes: Justin and Sean sit down and go through some ideas on how to care for youth, leaders and prep for all things summer camp. They talk training, decision night, not leading your own group and much more. SPONSORS: Onward Leadership Coaching https://onwardleader.com/ 1st Few Years Conference https://1stfewyears.com/ @youthministryhacks on IG https://www.instagram.com/youthministryhacks/ Justin’s Resources https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/search?q=justin+knowles&search-button=&...

Episode 192: Waffle Stomp 2

June 14, 2022 17:02 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MB

Andrew dreamed a dream...and it was weird. We're talking all summer church things. Lakeview had a baptism Sun-day, Safety Harbor hosted a one day VBS. Have you ever been zinged by your own zinger? Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search-Show?q=an-drew+larsen&search-button=&lang=default Be sure to like The Morning After Ministry on facebook: https://www.face-book.com/morningafterm...

June 2022 Members Only Podcast

June 01, 2022 07:00 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MB

It's June, come and get your Member resources!

Episode 191: V.I.Pastoring

May 31, 2022 18:06 - 1 hour - 56.1 MB

Serious question, if you're preforming a celebrity wedding in Italy, do you have to take a personal day? We're diving into all of the end of the school year/beginning of the sum-mer church calendars. We're discussing awkward visitor interactions, and how to deal with people leaving. Ever wondered what John Crist would say about your church? Check out our resources in the DYM store here: https://www.downloadyouthminis-try.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DownloadYouthMinistry-Site/default/Search...

97: Hacks On How To Use & Care About Metrics

May 24, 2022 17:39 - 45 minutes - 83.1 MB

Justin and Sean sit down and talk about metrics. Everyone’s favorite topic. Why do numbers have to be weird? Now they don’t talk about specific numbers but they talk about best practices of what to track and why. It’s something every youth pastor should know. SPONSORS: Onward Leadership Coaching https://onwardleader.com/ 1st Few Years Conference https://1stfewyears.com/ @youthministryhacks on IG https://www.instagram.com/youthministryhacks/ Justin’s Resources https://www.downloadyouth...

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