Back in 2020, I wrote an piece for Youth Specialties on 5 youth ministry fixtures that need to die. Click here to read that article. Now it's time to kill 5 more fixtures! Youth ministry is still a fairly modern development within the church. Based on my research, we have had specialized ministry to teenagers … Continue reading 5 More Youth Ministry Fixtures that Need to Die
Steve’s Blog
Strange Things in the Bible
I recently had a three-part teaching and small group series published on Download Youth Ministry entitled Strange Things in the Bible, based off a series we did with our high school students a couple years ago. We were, of course, playing off the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things, but the main idea was to cover the … Continue reading Strange Things in the Bible
Family Camp with The Skit Guys (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 83)
Episode 83 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a conversation with Tommy Woodard and Eddie James of The Skit Guys. We discuss their stories, but we also spend time talking about their upcoming movie, Family Camp, which releases on May 13, 2022. Tommy and Eddie will tell you exactly why you should watch the movie … Continue reading Family Camp with The Skit Guys (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 83)
What about Cell Phones at Youth Group?
Modern technology is incredibly helpful it also creates some interesting issues that youth workers did not have to deal with "back in the day." One of the frequent questions I see in youth ministry groups is all about cell phones. Many of your students are walking in with phones, but what do we do with … Continue reading What about Cell Phones at Youth Group?
Recap from Orange Conference 2022
Be human. If you were like me, you immediately thought, “Well, that’s not difficult!” In spite of the statement’s simplicity, Orange Conference still chose that as its 2022 theme, and over the course of two and a half days, they unpacked in a such a way that made me think about my own humanity and … Continue reading Recap from Orange Conference 2022
Wearing Many Hats with Jeremey Veal (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 82)
Episode 82 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a conversation with Jeremey Veal, the pastor of student ministries at GFN Church in South Carolina. As Jeremey currently leads out in a number of areas in his church, he has had to shift his focus to empower his volunteers and students, simplify the student ministry calendar, … Continue reading Wearing Many Hats with Jeremey Veal (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 82)
Download Youth Ministry with Josh Griffin (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 81)
Episode 81 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a conversation with Josh Griffin of Mariners Church and Download Youth Ministry. Josh is a veteran youth worker with over 25 years of experience who not only loves ministry to teenagers, but he absolutely loves equipping and empowering other youth workers. Before coming in staff with Mariners, … Continue reading Download Youth Ministry with Josh Griffin (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 81)
The 24-Hour Rule
It didn't take me too long to realize that working in ministry is not an easy job. To start with, we are responsible to help people grow in the most important ways--their relationship with God. That's a giant role that I am glad really falls upon God, but still, He chooses to use you and … Continue reading The 24-Hour Rule
Youth Pastor Compensation Update with Dan Navarra (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 80)
Episode 80 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a conversation with Dan Navarra around youth pastor compensation. For the last 5 years, Dan has been providing amazing research around salary, benefits, and all things compensation within the world of student ministry. Dan does ministry coaching through Chemistry Staffing and has also recently begun a new … Continue reading Youth Pastor Compensation Update with Dan Navarra (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 80)
Young Life with P.T. Smith (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 79)
Episode 79 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a conversation with P.T. Smith, who is on staff with Young Life in the Denver, Colorado, area. Not only does P.T. share some of his incredible story, he also explains the ministry of Young Life and some ways you can partner with them in your area, and … Continue reading Young Life with P.T. Smith (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 79)
Steve Cullum 