Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Jody Livingston
Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Are you ready to build a Youth Ministry that thrives for the long haul? Join Jody Livingston, a seasoned Student Pastor with over 25 years of hands-on experience, as he helps Youth Pastors, Youth Ministers, and Student Ministry volunteers navigate the challenges and joys of ministry. Each episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast is packed with practical advice, expert insights, and actionable strategies designed to help you grow as a leader, build strong partnerships with families, and create a sustainable ministry that makes a lasting impact on teens with the gospel. Jody shares relatable stories, proven principles, and real-world solutions for the everyday struggles of youth ministry. From equipping your team to navigating the unique challenges of today’s teens, this podcast is your trusted resource for staying encouraged and effective in ministry. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode! You can also find more resources, detailed show notes, and exclusive content at thelongerhaul.com. Let’s build a Youth Ministry that lasts—together.

  1. 21 DE NOV.

    TLH140: Developing Student Leaders in Youth Ministry—Best Practices for Impact

    In this episode, Jody and Doug Franklin explore the intricacies of student leadership and the importance of developing leadership skills among youth. Doug shares his journey in youth ministry, emphasizing the need for leadership development resources and the significance of understanding each student's unique gifts and wiring. They discuss the process of leadership development, the role of empathy, and the common mistakes youth workers make in fostering leadership in their ministries. Doug advocates for a holistic approach to leadership that includes understanding one's mission and the importance of serving others. Doug shares insights on developing student leaders in youth ministry. He emphasizes the importance of creating effective training plans, understanding the different zones of experience (comfort, growth, panic), and the need for clear expectations. Doug advocates for a model of leadership labs over traditional leadership teams, highlighting the benefits of personalized mentorship and addressing favoritism in leadership development. He also discusses the significance of long-term investment in students and recognizing potential in those who may not fit the typical mold of a leader. LINKS MENTIONED: LeaderTreks.org DeepDiscipleship.com Re-imagine Student Leadership eBook RESOURCES MENTIONED: Doug Franklin's Contact Information: * Email: Doug@LeaderTreks.com * Facebook Messenger: Available for direct contact LeaderTreks Refuel Retreats: Three-day intensive retreats on discipleship and leadership development, held across the country. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group GET COACHING: The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching TAKEAWAYS: * Leadership development is a process, not a one-time event. * Every student has the potential to be a leader. * Understanding one's unique gifts is crucial for leadership. * Empathy is essential for effective leadership. * Leadership principles can be learned and applied by all students. * Students value service and impact over traditional leadership roles. * Burden, passion, and vision are key to discovering one's mission. * Building relationships is foundational in leadership development. * Natural leaders often exhibit disruptive behavior that can be redirected positively. * Common mistakes include failing to provide actionable steps after assessments. * Youth workers often neglect the training component for student leaders. * There are three zones of experience: comfort, growth, and panic. * The growth zone is where students rely on God and their team. * Clear expectations are crucial for student leadership roles. * Transformational leadership development requires principles, experiences, and debriefing. * Leadership labs are more effective than traditional leadership teams. * Favoritism can be mitigated by combining students who don't know each other. * Identifying leadership potential in troubled students is essential. * Long-term investment in students can yield unexpected results. * Investing in students who are often overlooked can lead to significant growth.

    53min
  2. 14 DE NOV.

    TLH139: AI Tools for Youth Pastors—What to Use and What to Avoid

    In this episode, Jody and Ryan Sebastian, from the Youth and Culture Podcast, discuss the intersection of AI and youth ministry, exploring how AI tools can enhance communication, streamline content creation, and improve overall ministry effectiveness. Ryan shares his journey in youth ministry, the challenges faced, and the innovative ways AI can be utilized to support youth pastors and church leaders. They delve into practical applications of AI, including writing emails, generating graphics, and creating small group questions, while also addressing potential pitfalls and ethical considerations. In this conversation, Ryan and Jody explore the role of AI in ministry, discussing its potential as a tool for crafting messages, brainstorming ideas, and saving time. They emphasize the importance of preparation and the need to maintain a personal touch in teaching. The discussion also touches on the balance between utilizing AI and ensuring it does not lead to laziness or technological dependence. They conclude with a call for wise and cautious use of AI in ministry contexts. LINKS MENTIONED: Youth and Culture Podcast: Youth and Culture Podcast on Facebook AI Episode of Youth and Culture Podcast RESOURCES MENTIONED: * ChatGPT - for generating content, communication, and brainstorming. * Grammarly - AI-assisted writing tool. * Perplexity - for fact-driven content and research. * Canva - for graphics creation and AI-generated images. * Adobe - mentioned for AI-assisted audio clean-up. * Google Docs - has AI capabilities for writing assistance. * Microsoft Word - includes AI tools. * Opus Clip - AI tool for video editing and clip generation. * Riverside - used for podcast recording with Magic Clips feature. * Headliner - AI tool for creating video snippets and audio highlights. * Youth and Culture Podcast - specifically mentioned for an episode discussing AI in ministry. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group GET COACHING! Check out how coaching can help you TAKEAWAYS: * Ryan Sebastian is an associate pastor focused on discipleship and students. * AI can significantly improve communication within church ministries. * Grammarly and ChatGPT are useful AI tools for communication. * AI can generate images and graphics for church content. * Content creation can be streamlined using AI tools like Canva. * AI can help analyze feedback to enhance ministry effectiveness. * Youth pastors can use AI to write small group questions efficiently. * AI tools are becoming integrated into common software like Google Docs. * The landscape of AI in ministry is rapidly evolving. * Ethical considerations are important when using AI in ministry. AI can assist in crafting messages but should not replace personal study. * Utilizing AI for brainstorming can enhance clarity in communication. * There is a distinction between using curriculum and creating original content. * Preparation for teaching should come from personal study and heart overflow. * The drive for platform in ministry can lead to unhealthy practices. * AI tools can save time, allowing for more relational ministry. * It's important to set boundaries when using AI in ministry.

    49min
  3. 7 DE NOV.

    TLH138: Why Youth Ministry Coaching Could Be the Game-Changer You’re Looking For

    In this episode, Brian Wallace joins the show to explore how coaching sparks powerful conversations with teenagers. He highlights the vital role of the Holy Spirit in these interactions, guiding both youth leaders and teens to gain valuable insights and awareness. Brian also contrasts coaching with consulting and teaching, emphasizing how coaching fosters deeper, more meaningful connections with your students. LINKS MENTIONED: National Association of Youth Ministry The Youth Cartel RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group Takeaways * Coaching creates space for transformative conversations. * The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in coaching. * Insights gained during coaching can be profound. * Coaching differs significantly from consulting and teaching. * Transformation can be visually observed in coaching sessions. * Meaningful dialogue is a hallmark of effective coaching. * Awareness gained through coaching can lead to personal growth. * Coaching allows for deeper connections between individuals. * The process of coaching can lead to spiritual breakthroughs. * Coaching is a powerful tool for personal and professional development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Coaching and Background 07:21 Defining Coaching: The Process and Its Importance 16:01 Coaching vs. Counseling: Understanding the Differences 18:49 The Coaching Process: Initial Steps and Expectations 25:09 The Role of the Coach: Listening and Facilitating Growth 28:29 The Humbling Journey of Coaching 32:00 The Role of Coaching in Personal Growth 34:42 The Importance of Humility in Coaching 37:25 Navigating Challenges in Ministry 39:17 When to Seek Coaching vs. Consulting 42:16 Exploring Coaching Certification Opportunities 50:28 Coaching Benefits 51:28 Encouragement for Personal Growth and Community Engagement

    53min
  4. 31 DE OUT.

    TLH137: Loneliness in Youth Ministry—Why So Many Feel Isolated and What to Do About It

    In this conversation, Jody and Zach Wyatt discuss the issue of loneliness in youth ministry and the importance of building community. They highlight the challenges faced by youth pastors and the need for support and connection. They provide practical steps for combating loneliness, such as networking with other youth pastors and finding local associations or denominations. They emphasize the importance of humility, intentionality, and protecting time for meaningful conversations. They also address the issue of sharing in a network and offer guidance on what to share and what to keep confidential. Finally, they discuss the unique challenges of finding community in rural areas. This conversation explores the challenges of loneliness in ministry and offers insights on finding community and support. The chapters cover topics such as finding community outside of the church, the role of online communities, supporting spouses in ministry, the dangers of isolation and loneliness, the importance of being known, and the need for authenticity and support. LINKS MENTIONED: Pray for Me Campaign Youth Leader Conference RESOURCES MENTIONED: Youth Leader Collective National Network of Youth Ministries JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group Takeaways * Loneliness is a common issue in youth ministry and can lead to burnout and attrition. * Building a network of supportive relationships is crucial for combating loneliness. * Youth pastors should be intentional about reaching out to other youth pastors in their area and joining local associations or denominations. * Humility and a willingness to learn from others are key in building meaningful connections. * It is important to protect time for networking and to create a safe space for sharing and encouragement. * In rural areas, youth pastors may need to look outside the church for community and support. Youth pastors and their spouses can find community outside of the church by joining Bible studies or groups in other churches. * Online communities, such as Facebook groups, can provide support and resources for youth pastors, but it's important to be discerning and cautious about the advice given in these groups. * Spouses of youth pastors often experience loneliness and should be intentionally included in community-building efforts. * Isolation and loneliness can be detrimental to ministry, and it's important for youth pastors to prioritize their own community and support networks. * Being known and fostering authentic relationships is crucial for combating loneliness and maintaining emotional and spiritual health in ministry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:16 The Importance of Community 03:25 Loneliness in Youth Ministry 06:02 The Need to Thrive in Youth Ministry 08:58 Practical Steps to Combat Loneliness 13:06 Networking and Building Relationships 20:06 Guidelines for Sharing in a Network 24:32 Finding Community in Rural Areas 25:23 Finding Community Outside of the Church 28:37 The Role of Online Communities 34:19 Supporting Spouses in Ministry 39:11 The Dangers of Isolation and Loneliness 41:25 The Importance of Being Known 45:08 The Need for Authenticity and Support

    54min
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de 5
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Sobre

Are you ready to build a Youth Ministry that thrives for the long haul? Join Jody Livingston, a seasoned Student Pastor with over 25 years of hands-on experience, as he helps Youth Pastors, Youth Ministers, and Student Ministry volunteers navigate the challenges and joys of ministry. Each episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast is packed with practical advice, expert insights, and actionable strategies designed to help you grow as a leader, build strong partnerships with families, and create a sustainable ministry that makes a lasting impact on teens with the gospel. Jody shares relatable stories, proven principles, and real-world solutions for the everyday struggles of youth ministry. From equipping your team to navigating the unique challenges of today’s teens, this podcast is your trusted resource for staying encouraged and effective in ministry. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode! You can also find more resources, detailed show notes, and exclusive content at thelongerhaul.com. Let’s build a Youth Ministry that lasts—together.

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