Volunteer Youth Worker Podcast

Youth Worker Community

Youth Ministries rise and fall on teams of volunteers, so this podcast is for the WHOLE team. Join the conversation as we tackle the practical questions you’re asking so you'll be encouraged and equipped as you head into your role in your youth ministry this week. Welcome to the Volunteer Youth Worker Podcast.

  1. 11月17日

    256: How can you have a fruitful conversation with an anxious teen?

    Jeremy is joined by Steve Zacharias to explore a topic most youth workers have wrestled with: how do you have meaningful conversations with students who are anxious, shut down, or unsure how to engage? Steve draws from both personal experience and practical ministry to unpack how anxiety shows up in student behavior and how youth leaders can respond with empathy, curiosity, and calm. They talk about fight/flight/freeze/fawn responses, why students often seem resistant or disengaged, and what we can do to build trust, slow the pace, and help students feel seen and safe. If you've ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “Did that even work?” this episode will help you rethink success, show up more helpfully, and ask better questions. Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community or steve@youthworker.community Here are a few of the practical next steps from Steve’s episode… Take a deep breath before youth group—your presence matters more than your pressureLearn to identify the four responses to anxiety: fight, flight, freeze, fawnRegulate your own anxiety first—what tone, pace, and posture are you bringing?Let students choose the space for deeper conversations (not always the foyer!)Ask fueling questions to explore anxiety: “What are you feeling? How do you feel about talking with me?”“What’s it like for you to feel this way?”“When did you start feeling this way?”“What was going on at the time?” Ask flipping questions to reframe the situation: “If you switched places with someone else, what would you see?”“Whose voice do you hear in the pressure you’re feeling?”“What would you imagine Jesus saying to you in this moment?” Avoid “why” questions—reframe with what or how to reduce defensivenessUse Scripture gently to help students reflect, not just correct

    38 分鐘
  2. 10月14日

    251: (Part 2) What role should you play with a student who is experiencing complicated family dynamics?

    In this episode, Jeremy and Sid dive into a big, practical question for youth workers: What do I do when a student shares something heavy about their family? Whether you're at camp, in a small group, or hanging out one-on-one, chances are high that a student will eventually open up about something difficult at home. Sid unpacks what your role is (and what it isn’t) when that happens. They talk about mandatory reporting, emotional boundaries, practical tools, and how to love students without taking on more than you’re called to carry. This conversation is packed with wisdom, stories, and clarity for youth workers who want to care well without burning out or stepping outside their lane. Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these things… Never promise confidentiality; rather, explain that you will only tell people who can helpCreate a simple incident reporting system (here is a sample of some of the questions you might include)Know who to call: have a go-to list of professionals for legal or safety issuesBe clear about your emotional limits—don’t carry what you’re not meant toSpend time with both high-needs and emotionally healthy studentsConsider getting additional training if you’re consistently walking into deep situations Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community. You can also check out the podcast that Sid mentioned where he was a guest with his son Payton here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5g3Mz9Y62HvR8GzBc8WEjb?si=11c90542bf6a4637

    22 分鐘
  3. 10月6日

    250: What role should you play with a student who is experiencing complicated family dynamics?

    In this episode, Jeremy is joined by veteran youth pastor Jonathan Kornelsen from Central Community Church in Chilliwack, BC, to unpack a question that every youth worker eventually faces: How do I care for a student whose family life is messy, broken, or confusing? Jonathan brings 20+ years of youth ministry experience into this honest, compassionate conversation about the limits and opportunities of our role as youth workers. From mandatory reporting to faithful presence, from avoiding the savior complex to knowing when to just take a kid out for ice cream—this episode offers a practical guide for navigating the mess with wisdom and love. Whether you’re a volunteer, point leader, or ministry director, this episode will help you better support students walking through complicated family dynamics. Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these things… Listen to Episode 104 – What Should You Know About Crisis, Trauma, Abuse & Neglect (interview with a police officer and social worker)If you’re unsure about a disclosure, report it or talk to someone who can.Be a calm, safe, trustworthy adult in a student’s life without trying to “fix” them.Know your community’s referral resources (counselors, food banks, support workers)Be quick to pray, often and out loud, for students navigating hard situationsCommit to the long haul—healing takes time, and your presence matters more than you know You should also get Jonathan’s new book Youth Ministry Blueprint, available on Amazon. Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

    34 分鐘
4.9
(滿分 5 顆星)
15 則評分

簡介

Youth Ministries rise and fall on teams of volunteers, so this podcast is for the WHOLE team. Join the conversation as we tackle the practical questions you’re asking so you'll be encouraged and equipped as you head into your role in your youth ministry this week. Welcome to the Volunteer Youth Worker Podcast.

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