Middle School Ministry Podcast

Andrea Miller breaks down her new student leadership team. Ronald takes lots of notes.Questions to consider:What jobs can you give to middle school students?How can you involved students in ministry at your church?

Forced Discipleship and Middle School StudentsWe’re back after a hiatus and life and stuff. Have you ever had a parent REALLY want you to meet with their student, when their student REALLY doesn’t want to? That’s what we talked about this episode.Questions to consider:How do you “parent” parents?What ways have you broken the tension with an unwilling student?How many times do you typically meet with a student about one topic?

Learn about the process of training new leaders for a middle school ministry, including regular trainings and onboarding new recruits. Discover the impact of specific asks and appreciating new leaders. Explore the significance of celebrating and passing on the legacy of ministry and seeking assistance from others.

Andrea Miller and Ronald Long talk about what it would be like to start helping students share what God is doing in their lives. Whether small groups or main stage, middle school students can have something to offer!Questions to consider:Do you have space for students to share?During small groups?During main stage time?In prayer?If not, what would it take to start letting them have the spotlight?

Katie Edwards and Ronald Long talk about what a weekly sabbath looks like in the midst of a busy season. Questions to consider:How can you prepare for a Sabbath throughout the week?What things/people fill your cup? What things/people drain the life out of you?Why is a Sabbath such a big deal?

This week I got to have a great conversation with Katie Edwards, Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church, about how she uses fun to help foster community and trust with her middle school students!Questions to consider:How can you add community fun to your weekly program?In what ways can you help build relationships in your group?What can you do to get students to trust each other and move to deeper relationships?

This Sunday I watched as a now 8th grader who, let’s be real, used to be a big turd, invite a sixth grade student up on stage with her to sing for worship band. It was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen in a long time and it made my heart so happy to see! And of course, it got me thinking: How can we encourage students to be more welcoming and inviting? That’s what we break down today!Questions to consider:Is your group insider focused, or outsider focused?Do you have a place for a new student to fit in?Are there places for current students to step up?

You’ve just moved up a group of students. Why in the world would you be thinking about promoting the ones you just got!? In this episode, Ronald talks about how he’s trying to plan for the student leadership vacuum that occurs every year by preparing right now!•Who are your leaders now that your leaders have moved up?•Who could be developed?•How can you identify new students to take on new roles?•How can you encourage students who have stepped into the vacuum?Talked about on the episode:https://trainmyvolunteers.comGet a glimpse at the type and quality of content that will be available on the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training (NDVYMT). Download a free training session with Doug Fields today!

This was the week! Ronald finally got his own kid in student ministry. And it was heartwarming and hilarious. This week Ronald talks about how to create a safe space for your middle school students to really share their thoughts, doubts, and opinions. •How do you respond when a contrary opinion is shared? Do you judge it or roll with it?•Do students share their doubts in youth group or do they hold back?•How can you encourage students to share if they think they don’t hold the same opinion or story as others?Talked about on the episode:https://trainmyvolunteers.comGet a glimpse at the type and quality of content that will be available on the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training (NDVYMT). Download a free training session with Doug Fields today!

This is the year. Tim, our high school pastor, is getting his daughter in the high school ministry, and Ronald, the middle school pastor, is getting his daughter (and another one of Tim’s) in the middle school ministry.Insert generalized anxiety here.Are your kids in your youth ministry? •You’re not just your kid’s pastor. You’re your kid’s FRIENDS pastor!•How are you going to treat your student?•How are you going to treat your student’s friends?•Treat them all the same. Even if it’s a little strange at first.Talked about on the episode:Follow Tim Nowell on Social!Instagram - @tim.nowellTwitter - @ThatTimNowell