Episode 64 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a brief message of encouragement from me to you, the youth worker. As we head into a new year, I know that many of you have experienced some rough patches and have even thought about giving up at least once or twice, or maybe you know someone … Continue reading Encouragement for Youth Workers (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 64)
Steve’s Blog
5 Youth Ministry Fixtures that Need to Die by 2025
Below is an excerpt of an article I wrote for Youth Specialties. Click the link at the bottom to read the entire piece. Youth ministry does not have a deep history. While some historians point to its mid-19th century roots, modern youth ministry really started in the 1940s. Over the years, we have seen many … Continue reading 5 Youth Ministry Fixtures that Need to Die by 2025
Thank Your Team
This week, I mailed off a handful of handwritten thank you cards to our team. And before you start thinking about telling me I did a good job, I need to tell you they weren't written by me. They were written by someone in our church that has no direct ties to our student ministry. … Continue reading Thank Your Team
Mobilizing Teens with Greg Stier (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 63)
Episode 63 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a conversation with Greg Stier of Dare2Share Ministries. Greg has a reputation for knowing and relating to teens in unique and effective ways. Over the course of the last 20 years, Greg has spoken to over 1,000,000 teens in major venues across the nation and heard countless stories … Continue reading Mobilizing Teens with Greg Stier (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 63)
Youth Ministry Exchange 2020 (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 62)
Episode 62 of The Student Ministry Podcast features a discussion and recap of Youth Ministry Exchange 2020 with fellow ministry podcasters, Tom Bump and Tom Palmer. Listen right here or on your favorite podcast app/site (links near the end of this post). https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ibke4p/Student_Ministry_Podcast_Episode_062_YMX-2020_256kbps.mp3 Subscribe to Tom Bump's podcast: Kids Ministry Collective Podcast Subscribe … Continue reading Youth Ministry Exchange 2020 (The Student Ministry Podcast – Episode 62)
Who am I because of Jesus?
This past Sunday, we started studying the Gospel of Mark in our student small groups. As I walked around and checked on them, talking about chapter 1, I heard a few questions asked by the students' leaders: What is the Gospel? Why is it good news? Who are you because of Jesus? It was great … Continue reading Who am I because of Jesus?
I’m here to play because compassion changes everything (Jon Acuff – Youth Ministry Exchange)
Jon Acuff is an amazing leader in both the church world and the business world. At the Youth Ministry Exchange, he spoke about the importance of compassion, especially during this current season. Here are my notes from his talk: Compassion = kindness + actionThe emotional supply chain has also been disrupted.Isolation has made compassion the … Continue reading I’m here to play because compassion changes everything (Jon Acuff – Youth Ministry Exchange)
Redefining Your Role as a Youth Pastor (Reggie Joiner – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Reggie Joiner is a great leader, whom I've really enjoyed learning from over the years. While I usually hear him talk about bigger vision topics, this was one of the first times I've heard him explain a specific leadership move. During one of his workshops at Youth Ministry Exchange, he talked about redefining our role … Continue reading Redefining Your Role as a Youth Pastor (Reggie Joiner – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
I’m here to play so the rest of the world will want to play as well (Gerald Fadayomi – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Gerald Fadayomi brought a message at Youth Ministry Exchange that focused on Matthew 5:13-14, where Jesus calls us the salt of the earth. It's a passage many of us have probably taught many times to teenagers and kids, but Gerald brought some amazing truths that I had not really considered before. Here are my notes … Continue reading I’m here to play so the rest of the world will want to play as well (Gerald Fadayomi – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
I’m here to play so you can keep playing (Doug Fields – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
Doug Fields not only leads Download Youth Ministry, but he has been a youth pastor for many years. At Youth Ministry Exchange 2020, he spoke about the importance of setting up others to lead. Here are my notes from his talk: As a child, playing basketball… I struggled to leave the court. Over time, I … Continue reading I’m here to play so you can keep playing (Doug Fields – Youth Ministry Exchange 2020)
