Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

Jody Livingston
  • 4.2 (140)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Jody Livingston, a dedicated Student Pastor with boots-on-the-ground experience, as he guides both new and veteran Youth Ministry leaders toward sustainable success in The Longer Haul podcast. Whether you’re a Youth Pastor, Youth Minister, or a volunteer in Student Ministry, Jody delivers principle-based, practical advice that transcends the typical how-to’s. Each episode is packed with actionable insights to help you foster longevity in your ministry. Delve into topics that bolster your preaching, teaching, and leadership skills, learn to forge stronger partnerships with families, and discover the best practices for building cohesive Youth Ministry teams. Jody’s hands-on approach to ministry planning and management will provide you with scalable tools designed to amplify your influence on teens with the gospel. By focusing on the core principles that promote staying power, this podcast is your go-to resource for thriving in a Youth Group setting, no matter your level of experie

  1. 11/18/2025

    TLH155: How to Reach Students, Parents, and the Church Together

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Dr. David Odom, Professor of Student Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, to talk about the three arenas of youth ministry—students, parents, and the church. Dr. Odom challenges youth pastors to expand their vision beyond just teenagers in the youth room to include intentional ministry to parents and deeper connection between students and the larger church body. He also discusses practical strategies for balancing these arenas and shares a free assessment tool designed to help leaders evaluate their ministry’s health in each area. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why youth ministry must expand beyond only students How to build stronger partnerships with parents and families Practical ways to connect students with the larger church body How to measure the health of your ministry using the Youth Ministry Arenas Assessment How to avoid creating an isolated “youth group bubble” Why serving and intergenerational relationships are key to long-term faith The value of encouraging parents and affirming their influence Insights from Dr. Odom’s upcoming book, Youth Ministry Deconstructed LINKS MENTIONED Youth Ministry Arenas Assessment New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary RESOURCES MENTIONED Youth Ministry Deconstructed by Dr. David Odom (releasing Jan 2026) Staying Power by Jody Livingston JOIN THE YOUTH MINISTRY COLLECTIVE! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Collective: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    48 min

  2. 10/14/2025

    TLH154: Tips for Mastering Youth Ministry Programming

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody talks with Josh Griffin about how to bring creativity, intentionality, and structure to your youth ministry programming. From midweek nights to camps and retreats, programming matters more than ever—and Josh shares proven ways to make it engaging and gospel-centered. Whether you’re a new youth pastor or a veteran looking to freshen things up, this conversation will help you reimagine how you design your weekly gatherings for maximum connection and impact. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: How to define what “programming” really means in youth ministry Why creativity and emotion are essential to building engagement How to take “baby steps” toward a better program (without chaos) The power of variety and when to introduce change Programming pitfalls to avoid: too much change, copy-paste ideas, or doing nothing How to use fun and humor strategically Why connecting your ministry’s program to the larger church culture matters Simple, creative programming ideas (like LEGO walls, blessings, and Extreme Bingo) LINKS MENTIONED Download Youth Ministry Youth Ministry University RESOURCES MENTIONED Sidekick JOIN THE YOUTH MINISTRY COLLECTIVE! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Collective: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    52 min

  3. 10/07/2025

    TLH153: Rethinking Your Fall Calendar (Before It Wrecks You)

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody shares a timely reminder for youth pastors heading into the busy fall season: you don’t have to choose between being faithful and being fried. This episode walks through practical strategies for creating a fall rhythm that fuels your ministry without burning you out. What You’ll Learn: Why busyness doesn’t always equal fruitfulness How to re-center your calendar around purpose, not pressure Weekly, monthly, and quarterly rhythm ideas for sustainable ministry The value of protecting a weekly night off (and honoring it) How to build in margin for rest—on purpose The “delegate or delete” rule for avoiding leadership bottlenecks Why your rhythm sets the culture for your ministry and your family Whether you're feeling overloaded or just want to stay healthy long-term, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you lead intentionally—and avoid burnout. JOIN THE YOUTH MINISTRY COLLECTIVE! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Collective: https://thelongerhaul.com/skool/ GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    25 min

  4. 09/02/2025

    TLH152: Why Your 20s Aren’t What You Think—and Your 50s Are Better

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with veteran youth pastor Paul Turner to talk about longevity in ministry—what it takes to stay faithful through the decades, the different challenges of each stage of life, and what youth pastors need most in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Paul brings nearly four decades of ministry experience to the table with vulnerable stories, practical insights, and honest encouragement for youth workers at every level. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How youth ministry changes as you grow through the decades Advice for each decade of ministry (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s) Why 22-year-old you isn’t always your best self in ministry What brokenness teaches you about leadership and calling How to keep showing up, even when the dream falls apart What makes you more effective with age, not less Why surrender, self-denial, and listening matter more than trendiness LINKS MENTIONED Paul Turner's Website: The Disciple Project RESOURCES MENTIONED Lost in the Middle by Paul David Tripp Crucified by Christians by Gene Edwards Halftime by Bob Buford Staying Power by Jody Livingston JOIN THE YOUTH MINISTRY COLLECTIVE! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Collective: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    51 min

  5. 07/31/2025

    TLH151: Burned Out After Summer Youth Ministry? Start Here

    In this episode, we dive into the crucial topic of rest and planning for youth pastors. As the summer winds down, many youth pastors find themselves exhausted from camps, mission trips, and events. Steve Cullum from the National Network of Youth Ministries joins the show as we explore strategies to transition smoothly into the school year. Discover practical insights on scheduling breaks, building supportive teams, and finding personal rejuvenation. Whether you're a seasoned pastor or new to the ministry, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive in your calling. Tune in for wisdom, encouragement, and actionable advice to ensure you're not just surviving but thriving in your ministry journey. What you'll learn Why so many youth pastors limp into fall What true rest looks like for ministry leaders How to build rhythms that sustain you year-round The value of mentors, margin, and letting go Where to start if you’re already running on empty This is the episode for youth pastors who feel like they’re crawling into the fall semester. LINKS MENTIONED Youth Leader Survey RESOURCES MENTIONED stevecullum.com National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM) - www.nnym.org JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    47 min

  6. 07/10/2025

    TLH150: What Youth Ministers Need to Last: The Story Behind Staying Power

    In this special 150th episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Chris Trent returns to the show—but this time, he’s asking the questions. Chris interviews Jody Livingston about his new book, Staying Power: 10 Essentials for Longevity in Youth Ministry. Together, they talk about the heart behind the book, what led Jody to write it, and why staying in youth ministry is more possible—and more important—than ever. This conversation is packed with honest reflections, encouragement, and practical advice for youth workers who want to serve with faithfulness for the long haul. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why longevity in youth ministry is so hard—and so needed The stories and convictions that shaped Staying Power How to persevere through discouragement, burnout, and seasons of doubt Why staying matters more than being impressive What Jody hopes youth pastors will walk away with after reading the book LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Staying Power Book JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    1h 3m

  7. 06/03/2025

    TLH149: Reaching Gen Z in a Post-Christian Culture

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody is joined by RJ McCauley to talk about what it really takes to reach the next generation—and why calling students to more than just showing up matters now more than ever. RJ shares lessons from years in youth ministry and gives practical advice on connecting with Gen Z in meaningful ways. They discuss the importance of gospel clarity, the hunger students have for truth, and how to create environments that move students from passive consumers to passionate followers of Jesus. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How to reach Gen Z in a culture of distraction and confusion Why entertainment isn’t enough—and what students actually crave How RJ encourages students to own their faith and follow Jesus boldly The importance of building gospel-centered, intentional ministries Why we can’t underestimate the influence of the Holy Spirit LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Staying Power Book JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    50 min

  8. 03/28/2025

    TLH148: Navigating Change from the Second Chair with Jake Mulder

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we're joined by Jake Mulder to discuss what it means to lead change in youth ministry—especially when you're not the lead pastor. We unpack practical ways for you to influence vision, build trust, and lead transitions well. What You’ll Learn: How to lead effectively when you’re not in charge Key principles for navigating change in youth ministry How to balance innovation with honoring the church’s past Ways to build trust and cast vision for the future Practical steps for creating long-term impact in your ministry If you’re in youth ministry and looking for ways to lead through change while keeping your church moving forward, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you make a lasting impact. LINKS MENTIONED Fuller Youth Institute RESOURCES MENTIONED Books: The Future-Focused Church (BRAND NEW!) Growing Young by Jake Mulder JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching

    51 min
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4.2
out of 5
140 Ratings

About

Join Jody Livingston, a dedicated Student Pastor with boots-on-the-ground experience, as he guides both new and veteran Youth Ministry leaders toward sustainable success in The Longer Haul podcast. Whether you’re a Youth Pastor, Youth Minister, or a volunteer in Student Ministry, Jody delivers principle-based, practical advice that transcends the typical how-to’s. Each episode is packed with actionable insights to help you foster longevity in your ministry. Delve into topics that bolster your preaching, teaching, and leadership skills, learn to forge stronger partnerships with families, and discover the best practices for building cohesive Youth Ministry teams. Jody’s hands-on approach to ministry planning and management will provide you with scalable tools designed to amplify your influence on teens with the gospel. By focusing on the core principles that promote staying power, this podcast is your go-to resource for thriving in a Youth Group setting, no matter your level of experie

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