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Middle School Ministry Podcast

186 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 65 ratings

The Middle School Ministry Podcast

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Episodes

046 - Practical Parent Ministry Tips

March 21, 2024 08:40 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

Ok, but HOW do you minister to parents well? How do you guide them while doing youth ministry? Ronald and Andrea share some practical tips with you! Questions to consider: What would scheduling out in advance do for your ministry? How do you communicate with parents?

45 - Partnering with Middle School Parents

March 14, 2024 17:29 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MB

 Ronald Long and Andrea Miller talk about partnering with middle school parents and why it’s essential, whether you’re “just” the middle school pastor or everyone’s youth pastor! Questions to consider:How can you relieve the fears of nervous new parents?Why do you communicate the way you do with your parents right now?

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?

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?

Forced Discipleship and Middle School Students

April 11, 2022 16:32 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MB

Forced Discipleship and Middle School Students We’re back after a hiatus and life and stuff. Have you ever had a parent REALLY want you to meet with their student, when their student REALLY doesn’t want to? That’s what we talked about this episode. Questions to consider: How do you “parent” parents? What ways have you broken the tension with an unwilling student? How many times do you typically meet with a student about one topic?

Training New Middle School Leaders

December 21, 2021 16:33 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

The school year is half over in December. Is it a time when you need new leaders to come and help bring in the new calendar year? Andrea Miller comes back for a second episode to talk training new leaders! Questions to consider: Can you make a specific ask for leaders in your group? Can you encourage your leaders today? How can you get everyone trained in the same way? What jobs need to be done in your ministry? How can a new leader help?

Middle School students sharing their stories

December 15, 2021 16:49 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

Andrea Miller and Ronald Long talk about what it would be like to start helping students share what God is doing in their lives. Whether small groups or main stage, middle school students can have something to offer! Questions to consider: Do you have space for students to share? During small groups? During main stage time? In prayer? If not, what would it take to start letting them have the spotlight?

Sabbath and Middle School Ministry

October 08, 2021 14:21 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

Katie Edwards and Ronald Long talk about what a weekly sabbath looks like in the midst of a busy season. Questions to consider: How can you prepare for a Sabbath throughout the week? What things/people fill your cup? What things/people drain the life out of you? Why is a Sabbath such a big deal?

Building Trust with Middle School Students

September 22, 2021 19:02 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

This week I got to have a great conversation with Katie Edwards, Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church, about how she uses fun to help foster community and trust with her middle school students! Questions to consider: How can you add community fun to your weekly program? In what ways can you help build relationships in your group? What can you do to get students to trust each other and move to deeper relationships?

Helping Middle School Students Be Welcoming

September 01, 2021 22:37 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

This Sunday I watched as a now 8th grader who, let’s be real, used to be a big turd, invite a sixth grade student up on stage with her to sing for worship band. It was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen in a long time and it made my heart so happy to see! And of course, it got me thinking: How can we encourage students to be more welcoming and inviting? That’s what we break down today! Questions to consider: Is your group insider focused, or outsider focused? Do you have a place for a ne...

Planning For Next Year’s Promotion NOW

August 26, 2021 16:52 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MB

You’ve just moved up a group of students. Why in the world would you be thinking about promoting the ones you just got!? In this episode, Ronald talks about how he’s trying to plan for the student leadership vacuum that occurs every year by preparing right now! •Who are your leaders now that your leaders have moved up? •Who could be developed? •How can you identify new students to take on new roles? •How can you encourage students who have stepped into the vacuum? Talked about on the episod...

Creating a Safe Space for Middle School Students

August 17, 2021 22:10 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

This was the week! Ronald finally got his own kid in student ministry. And it was heartwarming and hilarious. This week Ronald talks about how to create a safe space for your middle school students to really share their thoughts, doubts, and opinions. •How do you respond when a contrary opinion is shared? Do you judge it or roll with it? •Do students share their doubts in youth group or do they hold back? •How can you encourage students to share if they think they don’t hold the same opinio...

How Not To Freak Out When Your Kid Comes Into Ministry

July 26, 2021 15:05 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MB

This is the year. Tim, our high school pastor, is getting his daughter in the high school ministry, and Ronald, the middle school pastor, is getting his daughter (and another one of Tim’s) in the middle school ministry. Insert generalized anxiety here. Are your kids in your youth ministry? •You’re not just your kid’s pastor. You’re your kid’s FRIENDS pastor! •How are you going to treat your student? •How are you going to treat your student’s friends? •Treat them all the same. Even if it’s...

Handing Off 8th Grade Students

July 19, 2021 14:03 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MB

Tim Nowell, the high school pastor I get to work with every week, sits down with me to talk about moving up 8th grade students to the high school ministry. He’s a thirteen-year veteran at Wayside Chapel and we have a strategy. Mostly. •We have a conversation about each student by talking through a list. •We highlight who will show up, who was involved, and who we’ve never seen. •Leaders loving students for years. •Welcoming incoming students into the high school ministry the week before prom...

When the Numbers are LOW

July 12, 2021 14:16 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

After COVID has a lot of us remembering “before the pandemic” either with fondness or envy. It’s a season of rebuilding for our whole church, but our Stone Oak campus is rebuilding… harder. Listen in as Ronald and Cameron talk about what to do when the numbers are down. •Focus on who is there. •When students aren’t around, you are the energy. •Try to not take it personally. •Look inward to see if changes need to made: to your ministry or to yourself. Talked about on the episode: Follow Cam...

Calling Middle School Students Up

July 06, 2021 16:07 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MB

In this episode Ronald talks to Cameron Contrestano, the Student Ministry Pastor at Wayside Chapel, Stone Oak Campus. Ronald and Cameron work together a lot! Cameron’s group is 6th through 12th grade and he often has to “call up” the middle school crew. That’s the topic of today’s podcast! •Utilize middle school student’s natural curiosity. •Treat them like teenagers, not like children. •Middle School students can handle MORE than we usually give them credit for. •Think: Ministry BY students...

Let's Get Some Momentum in 2021!

January 19, 2021 16:59 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

Recently, Doug and Josh made a video about how to get Momentum in 2021! In this episode, Michelle and Ronald talk about the ways they are planning to work on one of the ten things they talked about! Talked about on the episode: Momentum in Ministry Facebook Video: https://blog.downloadyouthministry.com/how-to-get-momentum-in-2021/ The Quick List: 1. Align With Adult Services 2. Get Big-Picture Buy-In 3. Communicate 4. Dig Deeper 5. Combine with a Kickoff 6. Perk Attendance 7. Incentivize N...

2020 Wasn’t A Complete Dumpster Fire

January 11, 2021 17:19 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

Ok, it wasn’t ALL a dumpster fire. Some good things did come out of 2020! This week, Michelle and Ronald look back at 2020 and talk about the things they saw that were positive from the year! Got anything to add? We’d love to hear about it! Talked about on the episode: 2020 - It Wasn’t All Bad https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/2020---it-wasn%27t-all-bad/games-6045.html The Life and Legacy of Allison Williams https://scholarship.downloadyouthministry.com/allison-williams/ What did w...

The Dangers of Putting Middle School Students In Charge

December 22, 2020 06:39 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

These kids are squirrely. You’ve got to be careful or they’ll run around on you if you put them in charge of things! They might even get going even when you aren’t ready! This week, Michelle and Ronald talk giving students responsibilities. And the good and the bad of doing so! Questions to Consider •How can you help students lead from the front? •How can you help students lead from behind the scenes? Mentioned in the Podcast: Student Job Descriptions https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

Christmas Fun & Plans During Coronavirus

December 14, 2020 18:27 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MB

Christmas Fun and Plans During Coronavirus It’s December! That means Christmas parties and lots of plans. And maybe changing plans. This week Ronald and Michelle talk about what Christmas looks like during Covid. Got any suggestions? Send them on! Talked about on the Podcast: Escape the North Pole: Digital Escape Room https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/escape-the-north-pole%3A-digital-escape-room/online-ministry/special-events-6000.html Actin’ Sus https://www.downloadyouthministry.c...

It's Not Cancelled, It's Postponed

December 07, 2020 18:57 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MB

Did you spend a lot of time planning an event that had to get canceled or postponed due to the pandemic? This week, Ronald and Michelle talk about having to make contingency plans and calling audibles during this wild season. And what to do when you don’t really agree with the decisions that get made. Questions to Consider •What do you do with the plans you had for an event that didn’t come together? •How can you support the leadership of your church even if you don’t like a decision? •What ...

Are We Shutting Down Again?

November 30, 2020 19:38 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MB

Have you and your church stayed open this whole time? Did you have to shut down and then got to re-open? After all that, are you having to shut down AGAIN? This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about having to go back to online. Again. Questions to Consider •How do you communicate with parents and students about going back online? •Who makes the call in your church about the youth group being online? •What things did you learn from the last shut down that you’re going to use if you have to go ...

Talking Politics without being a Jerk

October 12, 2020 06:51 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MB

It’s time to vote. And this election cycle has been extra spicy for us and our students. So when politics come into the conversation during small groups and hanging out, how do we talk about politics without being a jerk? Today, Ronald and Michelle talk about how to do just that. Things we talk about this episode: •Reading good books •Listening to both sides of the news •Talking with leaders and when it’s right to talk politics •Listening to students process what’s happening

Starting Back... Again

September 29, 2020 03:29 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MB

After a crazy break, student ministry is getting started back in force! This week, Ronald and Michelle talk about what that looks like in their ministries. Things we talk about this episode: •Starting small groups and big program •Outside versus inside •Communicating to everyone •The great NDOVYMT!

National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training 2020

September 08, 2020 20:21 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MB

We’re pumped for this year’s NDOVYMT! In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about the big day of training, how they’ll use it, and how it’s helped train their middle school leaders! Things we talk about this episode: •Talks and topics at this year’s events •Ways to use the training AFTER the event •Sweet ways to experience the training even during a pandemic

How to Have Small Groups without Getting Covid

August 31, 2020 16:39 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

*Ronald and Michelle are not medical doctors* This week we talk about trying to make small groups happen without making Covid-19 happen. We talk about how we communicated to parents, small group leaders and students. We also talk about the interesting ways we’re trying to make this stuff happen! Things we talk about this episode: •A couple ways we’re making small groups happen •What we tell leaders in the meantime •How to encourage in this crazy season

Sharing Space (But Not Pandemics)

August 24, 2020 18:04 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

Everyone has some time of guidelines in place for their space. But what if that space doesn’t belong to your church? This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about the challenges of sharing space in the midst of a pandemic. It’s challenging for sure. It could also be a great chance for you to show middle school students what it’s like to be a great neighbor. Things we talk about this episode: •Not comparing yourself to other churches who had dedicated space •Thinking creatively and outside the ...

Complaints & Compliments in Middle School Ministry

August 19, 2020 07:42 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MB

You’ve never gotten a complaint before, right? HA! In youth ministry, we’re dealing with parents and their kids. Parents care deeply about what goes on with their students and students often have lots of opinions anyway. In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about how to not let complaints go to your heart and compliments go to your head! Things we talk about this episode: •All the complaints we’ve gotten. Or most of them. •Asking if the complaint has any truth to it •Trying to reflec...

Plans for the Fall (So Far!)

August 10, 2020 05:48 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

School would be starting up soon (normally). Youth ministry would be finishing up its last summer trips (usually). Parents would be excited about their student promoting into the next grade (in normal circumstances). This year has been anything but normal! Michelle and Ronald talk about the crazy lives they’ve been living and the plans for the fall they’re making! Things we talk about this episode: •How to meet in person when everyone is mad/scared/sick of wearing masks •What steps to take ...

Michelle Got a Job!

August 10, 2020 05:08 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MB

In the craziness of COVID-19, churches still need middle school pastors! This week we’re really excited to talk about Michelle’s new job. We also talk about some of the weirdness of starting in a ministry where you might not meet in person for… a long time. Join us! Things we talk about this episode: •Meeting with leaders and parents while socially distancing •Introducing yourself to your group (online and in person!) •Practicing handshakes, then not needing that skill •Getting ready for ho...

Welcome 6th Graders (To Pandemic Youth Ministry)

July 23, 2020 05:45 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MB

We’re getting ready to welcome 6th grade students to the youth ministry! Also, we’re not entirely sure what we are welcoming them to… So we’re putting together a strategy to welcome students in the crazy COVID season. Ronald and Michelle talk about Ronald’s plan and see what in the world will happen! Things we talk about this episode: •Ronald’s three step welcome plan •Getting the children’s ministry on board •Helping parents feel at ease

Staycations & Life Updates

July 16, 2020 17:49 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

Michelle has finally moved to Idaho! In this episode, she and Ronald talk about resting, new starts, and trying to adapt in the crazy covid climate. Things we talk about this episode: •Figuring out what rest looks like •Getting excited for new/unknown chapters •What a staycation actually looks (and sounds) like

Social Distancing & Middle Schoolers

July 07, 2020 04:57 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MB

In the season of COVID, youth ministry looks really different! This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about going out and doing youth ministry while trying to practice social distancing. It’s a challenge, but we’re up to it! Things we talk about this episode: •Doing ministry with COVID on the brain •Being in LARGE spaces so you can spread out students •Being outside and playing disc golf and a cornhole tournament •Working with leadership to see what you can do and what you can’t

Bless Those COVID-19 Leaders

June 23, 2020 17:20 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MB

In a time when leaders are just as quarantined as our students, what are you doing to help encourage them to continue to serve? How are you as a leader shepherding the leaders of your students? Michelle and Ronald spend some time talking about how they can make their leaders feel loved on and cared for in the weirdest season of ministry ever. In this episode we talk about: •Sending leaders care packages •How to encourage leaders in the era of COVID •How to KEEP leaders with all this going on...

A Reopening of Sorts

June 18, 2020 04:41 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MB

This week Michele and Ronald talk about the possibility of re-opening in Texas and meeting a youth group in person! While it’s really exciting to think about being together, it’s super important to make sure parents feel like you are doing everything you can to keep their students safe. Some things we talk about: •The protocols and procedures we put in place •Throw whatever was normal out the window! We’re in new territory •Social distancing and masks are a thing •Over communicating to paren...

What Can Two White Middle School Pastors Do?

June 15, 2020 17:59 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

These last few weeks have highlighted the need for everyone who has any influence or voice to step up and speak for those who have been silenced. Michelle and Ronald are both white (spoiler alerts) but care deeply about making sure they are doing whatever it takes to use their voice for the black community that’s hurting. This week they break down Theo Davis’ DYM Blog Article “8 Things White Youth Pastors Can Do About Racism”. Join us for a serious conversation and think about what you can d...

Boise, Idaho and Leaving Well

June 04, 2020 19:31 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MB

Michelle is moving! While it’s always sad to leave a church, there’s definitely a WAY to leave that helps out the people who will continue to carry the torch after you’re gone. In this episode, Michelle and Ronald talk about leaving well and what not leaving well might look like Things we talk about this episode: •Who do you tell you’re leaving and when? •How can you plan ahead for your departure? •What’s the best way to lay out the plan?

Plan to Gain Trust

May 27, 2020 17:24 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

Parents are freaking out. Whether it’s because we’re asking their students to wear masks or because we aren’t social distancing enough, everyone seems to be on edge. It doesn’t matter where you fall on the spectrum of “Open up now!” or “Wait until Christmas!” we still have to deal with parents and their students and do our best to gain their trust in this crazy season. Things we talk about this episode: •How can you gain the trust of parents with planning? •Who needs to know your plan? •Why...

What We Did This Week 5.24.20

May 26, 2020 18:18 - 3 minutes - 3.3 MB

Bread Head Part 2 This was a quick game I cooked up after last week. It’s in the resource folder! Dad Jokes Ask students to record their dads telling jokes. You’ll groan AND laugh! A quick bumper is in the resource folder. Qaurantmemes Images to make your quarantine a little better. Trials Our campus student pastor gave the lesson. Our leaders got the question sheet in the resource folder! Show and Tell This great DYM sidekick game was a hit in our group! https://www.downloadyouthminist...

Making the Plan

May 20, 2020 13:20 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

In this week’s episode Michele and Ronald brainstorm a little bit about what the first phase of bringing back student ministry will look like in their churches. No matter what stage of re-opening or quarantining your area is in, having a plan is a great first step to meeting in person again! Things we talk about this episode: •Getting creative with a plan •Holding onto that plan loosely •Being ready to keep doing what you’re doing •How not to stress out your senior leadership

What We Did This Week 5.17.20

May 18, 2020 06:04 - 3 minutes - 3.64 MB

It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online! Wednesday Online Youth Group: Bread Head Last week we made a joke about having bread in the shape of our heads. Then we made it into a challenge! Boy did our students deliver! It was awesome! And really funny too! Maybe ask your students to bake likenesses of your pastors this week! Who’s That Leader? We played this game but with a twist! We shot silly string at one of the three of the pastors on camera who we...

Bacon and Budgets

May 13, 2020 17:01 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MB

From bacon to Kahoot, things cost money! In this crazy Covid-19 season, is your church on a spending freeze, being really cautious about funds, or letting all things go on like normal? This week, Michelle and Ronald talk budget. There’s a lot of ministry that can happen for almost zero dollars! And middle school students tend not to care if you’re spending a ton of money or very little. Here’s some things we talked about: •The cost of bacon for the average household. •What we spend our mone...

What We Did This Week 5.10.20

May 11, 2020 15:40 - 3 minutes - 3.64 MB

It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online! Wednesday Online Youth Group: Star Wars Enactment We asked students to retreat their favorite scene from any of the 9 Star Wars movies! It went pretty well! This time we learned our lesson though and DIDN’T use copyrighted music of any kind. Quick on the Draw Easy game from DYM! We actually had students submit ideas to us and we put those into Pick Me. You should pick up this game for your next Zoom! https://w...

Summer is Canceled (kind of)

May 06, 2020 07:20 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

How do you plan for things that may or may not be happening? Have you decided to cancel everything for the summer or are you holding out hope that things will be good enough to happen again sometime this summer? With sign-ups stopped or at least at an all time low, what are your summer plans? Are you going digital? Are you going to try to make SOMETHING happen even if it’s social distancing cook outs? Let us know! Some things we talk about: •Plans while COVID is still happening •How long d...

What We Did This Week 5.6.20

May 04, 2020 07:17 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

Ms online 05.03.20 It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online! Wednesday Online Youth Group: Dance Competition So last week we let the Freshman dictate the challenge to the student ministry. They said we should have a dance competition. It was a hit and lots of small groups completed virtually! I Love My Phone We stole this from Derry Prenkert and his church’s student ministry. It was a total blast and the students really loved interacting with it ove...

Will It All Go Back To Normal?

April 29, 2020 07:25 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

We all can’t wait for things to go back to normal! But what is normal? And will it be something we even get back to eventually? This week Michelle and Ronald talk about getting back, being a little beat up, and what things may or may not look like in middle school ministry once we’re allowed to hang out in person again. Some things we talk about: •Are you going to keep doing online shows? •Is this like 9/11 in that some things will change and NOT go back? •Games, teaching time, interaction,...

What We Did this Week: 4.26.20

April 27, 2020 18:40 - 4 minutes - 4.22 MB

Masterpiece Theater A DYM winner! We posted this game to our Insta-story and emailed parents to let them know how to compete and then showed the compiled video with some classical music during our live show. A hit AND for DYM Gold Member’s only! https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/masterpiece-theater Thank You Quarantine We totally ripped off Justin Knowles who ripped off Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes” segment and did “Thank You Quarantine” during our show. Here are the ones we used. Wha...

More Like Sabbath From Home

April 22, 2020 18:15 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MB

Work and home are now the same. We don’t know about you all, but the shift has been HARD for Michelle and Ronald! This week we talk about how to Sabbath while also being in the exact same room you work from now. Middle School Students are going through a lot right now. Make sure you’re rested up and able to minister to them in a way that benefits you both! Some things we talk about: •Making time to rest and reflect that’s outside of normal work. •Having dedicated work space and dedicated re...

MS Online 04.19.20

April 20, 2020 16:26 - 4 minutes - 4.52 MB

Wednesday: Trick Shots We sent out a text and email request for “Trick Shot Videos” like Dude Perfect. We sent them this link and just asked them to go to town. Our group delivered! It was awesome! I’ve linked our YouTube video below as well! Dude Perfect Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRJmcxCrAOA Our Student’s Video: https://youtu.be/Lt2yv_CfGqc?t=616 Teen Driver Quiz During our Online Youth Group, the high school pastor asked me these questions. It went okay-is. I knew a good fe...

Technical Glitches

April 14, 2020 15:03 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MB

We aren’t professionals, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t trying! There’s a balance we’re learning about putting on the best show we possibly can and running into glitches… like the camera turning off or the sound just disappearing from our live stream! And then hearing from our middle school students about their opinion on those glitches! Some things we talk about: •The difference between not trying and trying too hard. •Thinking about ways to use technology, but using what you know well fi...

Twitter Mentions

@ms_squirrels 15 Episodes
@middleschoolmi2 3 Episodes