127 episodes

The Longer Haul's Jody Livingston helps you survive and thrive in your Youth Ministry or Student Ministry by giving you practical helps, tips, resources, and how-to's. Get help through interviews and training to be more effective in your preaching, teaching, leading, partnering with families, building Youth Ministry teams, Youth Ministry events, managing your Youth Ministry and more. Whether you are a veteran, rookie, paid, or volunteer Youth Pastor, Youth Minister or Youth Worker, you will find encouragement and practical, scalable tools to have a greater influence on teens with the gospel. Find show notes at http://www.youthministrypodcast.com/

Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast Jody Livingston: Youth Pastor | Youth Speaker | Youth Ministry Blogger

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.2 • 135 Ratings

The Longer Haul's Jody Livingston helps you survive and thrive in your Youth Ministry or Student Ministry by giving you practical helps, tips, resources, and how-to's. Get help through interviews and training to be more effective in your preaching, teaching, leading, partnering with families, building Youth Ministry teams, Youth Ministry events, managing your Youth Ministry and more. Whether you are a veteran, rookie, paid, or volunteer Youth Pastor, Youth Minister or Youth Worker, you will find encouragement and practical, scalable tools to have a greater influence on teens with the gospel. Find show notes at http://www.youthministrypodcast.com/

    TLH127:”Raising Kids in the Fishbowl” Insights from a Youth Pastor and His Wife

    TLH127:”Raising Kids in the Fishbowl” Insights from a Youth Pastor and His Wife

    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, my wife and I follow up with part two, if you will, of episode 126. We share our journey of raising kids while serving in youth ministry and offer insights on how to navigate the unique challenges of parenting in the "fishbowl" of ministry.



    We talk about the joys and rewards of serving in youth ministry as a family, as well as the difficulties of balancing ministry demands with the needs of our kids. We share personal stories and experiences that have shaped our parenting approach and offer practical tips and principles for other youth pastors and leaders who are also raising families.



    The conversation covers various topics, from setting healthy boundaries between work and family, prioritizing relationships and intentional family time, and navigating the challenges of being in the public eye. We hope you will be encouraged and inspired by the vulnerable and honest stories we share and will come away with practical strategies for thriving in both ministry and family life.



    JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!



    Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

    • 57 min
    TLH126: Growing Up in Youth Ministry: A Youth Pastor’s Kids’ Perspective

    TLH126: Growing Up in Youth Ministry: A Youth Pastor’s Kids’ Perspective

    In this episode of the Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we sit down with four special guests: my kiddos. They share their unique perspective on growing up in youth ministry and how it has impacted their lives. The conversation touches on the joys and challenges of being a youth pastor's kid, navigating faith and family dynamics, and how youth ministry has shaped their own beliefs and values.



    They give honest insights into what it's like to be in the spotlight as a pastor's kid, and the expectations and responsibilities that come with it. They also talk about how their dad's role as a youth pastor has influenced their own involvement in church and ministry.



    This episode is a must-listen for youth pastors and leaders who want to better understand the experiences and perspectives of the next generation of church leaders. So give this one a listen as we explore the unique world of growing up in youth ministry through the eyes of those who know it best.



    JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!



    Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

    • 49 min
    TLH125: Where Have All The Youth Pastors Gone?

    TLH125: Where Have All The Youth Pastors Gone?

    It has become a regular occurrence for me. At least once a week I have someone reach out asking if I know of anyone I could recommend for their Youth Pastor search.



    Sadly, the answer is the same every time these days...no.



    It seems that nearly everyone is looking to hire a Youth Pastor and the cupboard is bare.



    So, where have all the Youth Pastors gone?



    In this episode, I'm joined by my friends Dr. Tim McKnight (author of Engaging Gen Z), Dr. Scott Pace (author of Student Ministry by the Book), and Todd Jones (from Stoked on Youth Ministry) to discuss what led to the lack of Youth Pastors and what we can do to solve this problem.



    LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE



    Baptist Press Article: Why is there a shortage of student ministers and what can be done about it?



    Anderson University



    The College at Southeastern



    Stoked on Youth Ministry



    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE



    Engaging Gen Z by Dr. Tim McKnight



    Student Ministry by the Book by Dr. Scott Pace and Dr. Ed Newton



    Navigating Student Ministry: Charting Your Course for the Journey by Dr. Tim McKnight



    JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!



    Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

    • 56 min
    TLH124: When “Other Duties As Assigned” Includes Design

    TLH124: When “Other Duties As Assigned” Includes Design

    We all have it. It's the dreaded "other duties as assigned" disclaimer at the bottom of the job description. So what happens when those "other duties" are design, website, newsletter, social media?



    Maybe you're great at that, but it is a lot to manage on top of your "real job." Maybe you're not so great and don't know where to start. Or, maybe it's just an area you want to be better in.



    Well in today's episode Matt Curtis joins us and drops some really helpful and practical tips and tricks for getting it all done and doing it well.



    Oh, and did I mention he's also giving away about $50 in freebies to Longer Haul listeners as well?



    GRAB THE FREEBIES!!



    thelongerhaul.com/lunchtime



    JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!



    Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group

    • 51 min
    TLH123: The End of The Longer Haul?

    TLH123: The End of The Longer Haul?

    As the old saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." In this episode podcast, we talk about what's ending, why it's ending, and what if anything the future holds for The Longer Haul.



    As always, thanks for being a part of The Longer Haul and for all you do! We're so thankful to have you as a part of this community.



    JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!



    Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group



    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!



    ym360.com



    YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360.



    Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com



    For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*



    I.N.F.O for Families



    Check out their brand-new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com!



    AirOSport.fun



    AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance!



    Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

    • 36 min
    TLH122: How To, What To, And Why Evaluate Your Youth Ministry

    TLH122: How To, What To, And Why Evaluate Your Youth Ministry

    How often do you evaluate your youth ministry? Stop and think for a minute about the last time you sat down, blocked out some time, and REALLY evaluated your youth ministry.



    Maybe it has been a while or you're not sure how to do it. Maybe you're not sure what to evaluate or why you even should evaluate your youth ministry. Well, have no fear! In this episode, we're sharing how to, what to, and why you should.



    We also drop a few practical tools in as well. We hope you find this episode practically helpful as you finish out the year and look ahead to next year.



    Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community!



    RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:



    Start by Jon Acuff



    Finish by Jon Acuff



    MinHubApp



    JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!



    Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group



    SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!



    ym360.com



    YM360 is the premier provider of youth ministry Bible study curriculum, student devotionals, DiscipleNow resources, youth leader development, and summer camp experiences through GENERATE Camp by YM360.



    Check out YOUTH MINISTRY THREE SIXTY at YM360.com



    For being a loyal listener use promo code: LONGERHAUL4U for 20% off your next order. *some exclusions apply*



    I.N.F.O for Families



    Check out their brand-new resource for helping families navigate smartphones.  Use the promo code: LONGERHAUL for 25% off of your order of Smart Phones 101.  Head over and check it out at smartphones-101.com!



    AirOSport.fun



    AIR O SPORT is a new engaging, multi-use game that's guaranteed to get everyone in on the fun!  Easy to learn, challenging to master...boredom never stood a chance!



    Be sure to use the promo code: LONGERHAUL to save on shipping and get a free upgrade on your discs.

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
135 Ratings

135 Ratings

Ryan.ATL20 ,

Best Youth Ministry Content Out There

I have been listening to the Longer Haul for over 3 years now. Jody and Chris do a great job at balancing great interviews with guests, along with their own unique perspectives as youth pastors in Georgia and California. With over 100 episodes of amazing material, I have loved the conversations that Chris and Jody engage in. I am an avid podcast listener and the Longer Haul is at the top of the heap. Keep up the great work guys, you have been super helpful for me in my walk with the Lord. Thanks!

geoffmgetts ,

Best YM Podcast Out There

Only 1 month into ym and I’ve scoured the podcast world bi he listening to 8 now. This is the best one out there. Personalities are great and everything is so practical. Keep it up gentlemen!

Tholt576 ,

Really helpful

Listening to these guys is super helpful to bring up both things I already know but have forgotten about and to think about new things and see how different people do youth ministry. Plus they are fun to listen to. I can tell they genuinely like each other and youth.

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