Ministry Coach: Youth Ministry Tips & Resources

Kristen Lascola
  • 5.0 (111)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Kristen Lascola from North Coast Church gives weekly insight and tips on how to grow the size and health of your Youth Ministry!  With over 20 years in Student Ministry, Kristen shares her knowledge and experiences and frequently features guests from various ministries, churches and leadership roles so that you can use proven strategies to increase your impact from your leadership role. This podcast will help you grow your leadership skills, enhance your youth group, learn new youth group games, put on impactful youth ministry events, build a thriving volunteer staff, grow your influence and create a healthy environment so that you can help take the ministry God has you in to the next level. Hit subscribe and get ready to advance your youth ministry!  https://www.growyouryouthministry.com/

  1. 1d ago

    5 Things a Small Youth Ministry Can Learn From Larger Ones

    A "bigger" youth ministry, doesn't automatically mean a "better" youth ministry; however there are some important things that a small student ministry can learn from large ones.  In this episode, we’re talking about five things smaller youth groups can learn from larger youth ministries.  We start with a simple shift that changes everything: consistency.  Having been a youth pastor and experiencing everything from a small youth group to a large one, we will be sharing personal accounts of some key takeaways that student ministries of all sizes can benefit from. If this episode helped you, subscribe, share the episode with a youth leader friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more student ministry leaders can find it. Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions! =========== You may also enjoy these episodes: (#031) Training Your Volunteers Part 1 of 2: Onboarding & Acclimation to Your Team (#239) Your Youth Ministry Website is All Wrong! (Here's How to Fix it!) (#047) Youth Pastors & Parents: Best Communication Tips! (#256) Best Practices for Emailing the Parents of Your Youth Ministry Students Youth Ministry Check-In Systems: Simple Processes That Work! ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  2. Oct 8

    The 7 Types of Events That Your Youth Ministry NEEDS!

    Now is a great time of year to plan out your youth ministry calendar of events for 2027!  Instead of having a random mix of events, make sure you get intentional on the type of youth ministry events you want to have.  From outreach style events to community connection, make this next year a huge win for your youth group by balancing out the calendar well to build a healthier, growing youth ministry without burning out yourself or your team. If you’re planning your youth group events for the year, steal this framework, adapt it to your context, and make your schedule work for you. Subscribe, share this with a youth pastor friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review with the event type you want to improve next. Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions! =========== You may also enjoy these episodes: (#071) Youth Ministry Overnighter - Fun Lock-In Games & Theme Idea (#226) Youth Ministry Overnighters - How to Have a Successful Youth Group Lock In! (#179) Youth Ministry Event Ideas - The Ultimate Movie Night! (#251) How to Plan a Worship Night For Your Youth Group - Youth Ministry Ideas! (#110) ULTIMATE GUIDE for Fall Kick Off Events for Youth Ministry - 20 Event Ideas! ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  3. Oct 1

    Is Your Youth Ministry Welcoming or Confusing?!? Here's How to Tell...

    ➡️📝 Interested in an Audit for your Youth Ministry? E-mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com and we can send over more information! ⬅️ *** A brand-new student shows up at church and freezes in the hallway. They do not know where to go, how check-in works, or whether they are even allowed to grab a donut. That moment is where a lot of youth ministries lose students, not because they are unkind, but because the experience is confusing. We want growth, we ask kids to invite friends, yet we sometimes build a system that only youth group insiders can navigate.  In this episode, we get practical about designing a welcoming youth ministry and a clear visitor experience. We talk through the “needs” every newcomer has to accomplish as well as the “wants” that help them feel included. Subscribe for more practical youth ministry coaching, share this with a leader on your team, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more youth pastors can find it. =========== Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions! =========== You may also enjoy these episodes: (#036) How to Get New Students Connected to Your Youth Group (#092) Mistakes to Avoid When a New Students Comes to Your Youth Ministry (#125) Why New Students May Feel Uncomfortable at Your Youth Ministry - 5 Things to Avoid! (#145) Equipping Your Student Leaders to Reach New Students in Youth Ministry ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  4. Sep 24

    What Do Students REALLY Want From Youth Ministry...Is That What You Offer?

    If you’ve ever wondered why students stop inviting friends to youth group or why your regulars start drifting away from youth ministry, the answer is often simpler than a new game night or a better message. Students are looking for a youth ministry that feels built for them and for their friends, not an insider club they feel they can't invite anyone to. In this episode, we talk through five core needs we see again and again in healthy, growing student ministry, and we challenge you with one question: does your youth group actually offer these things right now?  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share this with a youth pastor friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more pastors can find the help they need. =========== Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions! =========== You may also enjoy these episodes: Youth Room Tour: https://youtu.be/LFfWFZ5_fsc (#040) How to Start a Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry (#064) What's the BIG DEAL About SMALL GROUPS in Youth Ministry? (#052) Small Group Leader Training for Youth Ministry (#160) Youth Pastors: Are You Challenging Your Youth Group Enough? (#156) How to Minister to the 4 Different Types of Students in Youth Ministry ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  5. Sep 17

    11 Books to Make You a Better Teacher in Youth Ministry!

    Teaching in youth ministry can be a weekly pressure cooker - junior high attention spans, high school skepticism, limited prep time, and the real weight of opening the Bible and preaching responsibly. In this episode, we’re sharing 11 books that have genuinely sharpened how we teach & preach in student ministry, especially when we need clarity, better structure, and illustrations that actually help students understand.  Besides giving you a list of 11 books, we break down why each one individually will make your teaching vastly better! If you’re ready for stronger youth sermons and healthier youth ministry rhythms, listen now, subscribe, share this with a youth ministry friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more youth pastors can find it. ========== 📚 List of Books Mentioned in this episode: 📕 "Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart" by J.D. Greear  https://amzn.to/4dmYyTR  📗 "In the Grip of Grace" by Max Lucado https://amzn.to/46sqCBv 📘 "Preaching" by Tim Keller https://amzn.to/4rnDUZB 📙 "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan https://amzn.to/4iqxR45 📕 "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis https://amzn.to/4xnvFxZ 📗 "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis https://amzn.to/4hv47lu 📘 "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Athiest" by Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek https://amzn.to/3UWeTIT 📙 "Thriving in Babylon" by Larry Osborne https://amzn.to/46srl5H 📕 "Accidental Pharisees" by Larry Osborne https://amzn.to/4y0Ls7c 📗 "Didn't See it Coming" by Carey Nieuwhof https://amzn.to/4Ah2X4E 📘 "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn https://amzn.to/4iwNpDn =========== Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions! ======= You may also enjoy these episodes: (#272) Best Books for Youth Pastors: Must-Read Books for Youth Ministry (2026 Edition) (#015) Best Books for Youth Pastors - 9 Must-Read Books!!! (#195) 3 Impactful Tips to Refine Your Preaching Skills (Youth Ministry Tips) (#241) 3 Ways to Immediately Improve Your Youth Ministry Sermons (#107) How to Deliver Better Sermons - Youth Pastor Tips! ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  6. Sep 10

    The 5 MUST-HAVE Youth Ministry Resources for NEW Youth Pastors!

    The fastest way to burn out as a new youth pastor is trying to create everything from scratch: games, graphics, sermons, small group questions, student leadership training, and a communication system that parents will actually use. Don't wear yourself thin!  Use time saving resources to help you in student ministry!  In this episode, we’re laying out five must-have youth ministry resources that can save you hours every week, especially in a small church or low-budget setting. Looking to grow the size & health of your youth ministry?...Let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info - or feel free to email us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com with any questions! Resources Mentioned in this Episode: ➡️ Download Youth Ministry (DYM)  https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/ ➡️ Life.Church https://open.life.church/categories/315-youth ➡️ YouVersion Bible App https://www.youversion.com/bible-app ➡️ Discord (Internal) https://discord.com/download ➡️ Band App (External) https://www.band.us/about/intro ➡️ Student Leadership Journey https://studentleadershipjourney.com/ ➡️ Coleader https://www.coleader.co/ ➡️ G Shades https://youthministrycurriculum.com/ 📚 Books: 📕 "Purpose Driven Youth Ministry" by Doug Fields https://amzn.to/4AbARYD 📗 "Jesus Centered Youth Ministry" by Rick Lawrence https://amzn.to/4xOR5VX 📘 "So the Next Generation Will Know" by Sean McDowell & J. Warner Wallace https://amzn.to/4An8gzJ If you’re building a youth group with limited time, limited money, and big hopes, this will give you a simple starting stack you can trust. Subscribe, share this with a youth pastor friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more leaders can find tools that help them last in student ministry! ======= You may also enjoy these episodes: (#040) How to Start a Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry (#304) 5 Mistakes that Youth Pastors Make With Student Leadership Teams (#139) YOUTH MINISTRY CURRICULUM - Should You Use It Or Not? (#041) Youth Pastors & Parents - Best Communication Tips (#158) Why New Youth Pastors FAIL at Youth Ministry (3 Things You MUST Know!) ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  7. Sep 3

    How to Create a Student Leadership Team with a Small Youth Ministry

    Looking for Student Leadership Curriculum?  We've just launched our own called "Student Leadership Journey!"  Grab yours here: Student Leadership Journey.  *** If your youth ministry is small, “student leadership team” can sound like something for bigger churches with bigger budgets and a bigger youth group. We see it the opposite way. A small youth group is the perfect opportunity for building a healthy core of students who serve, grow, and set the tone the second a new kid walks through the door. When the culture is concentrated, it is instantly noticeable, for better or worse, and that is why a student leadership team can become your biggest lever for youth ministry health. We get practical about the fear almost every youth pastor has: “What if everyone applies?” We also talk about how to keep leadership from becoming a carbon copy of youth group by making it a different tempo with a clear focus on biblical leadership, character, and real responsibility. Along the way, we share hands-on coaching ideas, from assigning roles that fit students’ gifts to giving simple weekly challenges that train students to notice and include first time visitors. Then we dig into the “close vs closed” tension that shows up fast in smaller ministries. We lay out how to build a core that is genuinely close without feeling cliquey, and we give concrete ways to train students to welcome first-time visitors. You will also walk away with a list of serving roles inside the church and service projects outside the church that work especially well with a small, mobile student leadership team. This Fall, we are teaming up with Onward Leadership for a Fall Cohort!!!  If you are interested in joining or simply looking for more information, please visit: www.onwardleader.com If you are ready to build a student leadership team that fuels real discipleship and sustainable growth, listen now, then subscribe, share this with another youth pastor, and leave a quick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more leaders can find it.  ======= You may also enjoy these episodes: (#040) How to Start a Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry (#254) 5 Secrets to Creating a Strong Student Leadership Team in Youth Ministry! (#253) 3 Ways to Encourage Your Youth Group to Join Your Student Leadership Team (#203) Create a Student Leadership Team that Your Youth Group WANTS to Be a Part Of! (#304) 5 Mistakes that Youth Pastors Make With Student Leadership Teams Navigating the Cliques in Youth Ministry Student Leadership Teams ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

  8. Aug 27

    5 Youth Ministry Leadership SUPERPOWERS You NEED to Thrive!

    This Fall, we are teaming up with Onward Leadership for a Fall Cohort!!!  If you are interested in joining or simply looking for more information, please visit: www.onwardleader.com  In this episode, we break down five “leadership superpowers” that help youth pastors and youth ministry leaders stay in the game for the long haul without losing joy.  Youth ministry leadership is not about finding the perfect church setup. It is about becoming the kind of leader who can thrive in reality with thick skin and a tender heart, focused on the mission even when criticism, low encouragement or even church politics show up.  If you are ready for healthier church leadership and a more sustainable student ministry, join us and then share your biggest takeaway.  Subscribe, share this with a youth pastor friend, and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review so more leaders can find the help they need. 📚 Books Mentioned in this Episode: 📕 "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis - https://amzn.to/3UbwEnh 📗 "Lead Like IT Matters" by Craig Groeschel - https://amzn.to/3Uiq4vb ======= You may also enjoy these episodes: (#301) Youth Pastor Leadership Training - 5 Tips for Success! (#058) Leadership Skills for Youth Pastors - 9 Effective Leadership Traits (#080) Youth Pastor Leadership: 8 Skills You Need to Master (#131) How to Level Up Your Leadership Skills in Youth Ministry (#224) 5 Leadership Habits of Highly Effective & Visionary Youth Pastors ======= We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need. If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com! If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach ========= 🔄 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱: Ministry Coach Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinistryCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ministrycoachpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrycoachpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ministrycoachpodcast Kristen Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klascola/ Jeffrey Lascola: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmasterbengal/ ========= Audio Equipment: Microphones https://amzn.to/3V9GrrT Microphone Preamp https://amzn.to/3QVB3WQ Digital Recorder https://amzn.to/3eXmvkj *This episode is not sponsored. Some of the links are affiliate links which simply means, if you buy something, we will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) Thank you!* Have a question? Reach out to us here! Support the show

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About

Kristen Lascola from North Coast Church gives weekly insight and tips on how to grow the size and health of your Youth Ministry!  With over 20 years in Student Ministry, Kristen shares her knowledge and experiences and frequently features guests from various ministries, churches and leadership roles so that you can use proven strategies to increase your impact from your leadership role. This podcast will help you grow your leadership skills, enhance your youth group, learn new youth group games, put on impactful youth ministry events, build a thriving volunteer staff, grow your influence and create a healthy environment so that you can help take the ministry God has you in to the next level. Hit subscribe and get ready to advance your youth ministry!  https://www.growyouryouthministry.com/

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