The FYI on Youth Ministry

Are you questioning your teaching and discipleship strategies? Let's explore ways to infuse Christian youth ministry teaching with transformative power that inspires teens to genuinely trust in God (not just follow rules). This rich conversation with, pastor and author Meredith Miller is full of wisdom, experience, laughter, and actionable insights to inspire your youth group lessons—and your students. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Meredith's Book: Woven Pedagogy of the Oppressed Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: How to adapt youth ministry curriculum for your youth group Blog: The volunteer's guide to cultivating faith beyond youth group

As youth leaders, the example we set extends beyond the youth group. In this episode, Matt Manno (Nextgen Pastor at New Life Fellowship in Queens) shares how his team models growth for students. Listen for practical insights on how to be emotionally healthy youth leaders can help volunteers face the pressure to be perfect, and help students reflect on what they model for each other. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Models matter: Key insights on character-forming discipleship with teenagers

Welcome back to a new season! In Season 9 we're talking about discipleship to cultivate a faith in our students that goes beyond the youth group. In this episode the coauthors of FYI's latest book Faith Beyond Youth Group, Jen Bradbury, Brad Griffin and Kara Powell, introduce us to the 5 points of the Faith Beyond Youth Group Compass. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Faith beyond youth group: A new framework for discipling teenagers Blog: The volunteer's guide to cultivating faith beyond youth group

When students trust you, opportunities for discipleship will abound. Building trust requires relational consistency and proximity. So, tune in to hear about the practical steps you can take to cultivate the relational proximity needed to form trust with your students! Mentioned in this episode: Blog: Learning to listen to teenagers Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources:Blog: 5 ways you can nurture faith that goes beyond youth group Blog: Telling stories for identity-forming discipleship Blog: Your new mantra for game-changing youth group games Book: Faith Beyond Youth Group

Why are models important in character-forming discipleship? "The way we live our lives is the greatest sermon we will ever preach because our students are paying close attention to how we talk, what we share, how we react, and especially how we treat others." In this episode, Giovanny Panginda shares how we can be models for our students and how we can help them find other healthy models. Mentioned in this episode: Luke Burgis: What is Mimetic Desire? Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Models matter: Key insights on character-forming discipleship with teenagersBlog: We need to talk about compassion

How can youth ministry leaders cultivate compassion and kinship in their youth ministry? "What always works is not the hard message, but the care [people] feel immediately and the fact that they felt seen. You learn that lesson over and over again. Cherishing people is not hard." Tune in to hear more of Father Greg Boyle's story and practical wisdom! Mentioned in this episode: Homeboy Industries A Good Man is Hard to Find Flannery O'Connor Father Greg's books Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Curriculum: Compassion from the Inside Out Blog: Innovating your way forward with compassion, creativity, and courage Blog: We need to talk about compassion

What is the role of a youth leader? What are the qualities of a good youth leader? Andy Jung shares 4 ways youth leaders can change the way we understand our calling from youth ministry "superstar" on the verge of burnout, to the ones charged to lead all adults in the church as they invest relationally in our teenagers. Mentioned in this episode: Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries Adopted Church by Chap Clark SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST Related FYI resources: Book: Sticky Faith Book: 3 Big Questions Blog: 4 ways to partner with parents (even when you aren't one) Blog: What you need to know about today's teenagers

"Google the words "Anxiety is like," and you'll be shocked by the number of comparisons and descriptions you'll find … As the Body of Christ, we can help change the script for young people grappling with anxiety." In this episode, Rachel Dodd shares 4 hope-filled messages the church needs to tell today's anxious young people. Mentioned in this episode:Lifeway Research: Suicide Remains a Taboo Topic at Churches Faith in an Anxious World Curriculum Youth Ministry and Mental Health Half-Day Online Training Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources:Blog: Why young people need mental health-friendly youth ministry Podcast: Faith in an Anxious World Parenting Podcast Blog: Supporting young people when they are suffering

Teaching compassion to teens starts with being compassionate leaders. Tune in to hear Cameron Lee share practical strategies from biblically-informed psychology that will help you cultivate trust-filled discipleship and make a lasting impact in the lives of young people. Guest: Cameron Lee Hosts: Rachel Dodd, Roslyn Hernández Mentioned in this episode: Compassion Curriculum The Fog Blog Dr. Kristin Neff on Self Compassion Book: Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Innovating your way forward with compassion, creativity, and courage

What's love and humility got to do with lament? More than we might initially imagine! In this conversation, you'll hear insight, stories, and practical ideas from Soong-Chan Rah about how we can cultivate love and humility with teens in our youth ministry through the spiritual practice of lament. Guest(s): Soong-Chan Rah Hosts: Chuck Hunt, Roslyn Hernández Mentioned in this episode: Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Teaching young people about lament: Practical ideas from 8 innovative ministries Blog: Communal ashes: finding God in our lament this Lenten season