Youth Ministry Garage

Episode Archive & Blog

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Episode 188 - We Count People Because People Count

by Seth Bartlette
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
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A cheesy slogan or a theological truth? More on the "numbers' game." Wish it wasn't true, but that is one of the realities of the modern church. We take it on as well as talk about the right ratio of students to volunteers in small groups and at events, as well as discuss ways to get fired back up when you're out of it. Matt contributes much more than he did last episode, but the verdict is still out if he's "losing it…

by Seth Bartlette
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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Oh my! It was like Matt was a podcast rookie! He gets dogged for being "out of it" and of course his "out of it" is better than the rest of us (in Matt's opinion). Lots to talk about: How do you respond when someone says your youth ministry is shallow? What do you do if you don't enjoy preaching? What are the obstacles in relational ministry? Are there many paths to youth ministry? I need help with my relationship with my senior pastor…

by Seth Bartlette
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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I am planning our first ever "Graduating Seniors" dinner and would like to do something special to honor them. Ideally, I’d like to plan something that helps them transition from high school to adulthood. I would ask our leaders to say something amazing & life-changing to the students, but then I would like to do some sort of ceremony. I'm sure someone else has done an epic job with this, and rather than spend hours/days trying to figure out something to do, I'd rather steal someone else's brilliant idea…

by Seth Bartlette
Monday, July 09, 2012
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I was wondering if anyone has ever developed a WWJD app for students? There are some students in our youth group that are facing teen trials everyday and I know they would LOVE to have God's Word handy to guide them. Has anyone developed an app where students could click on a broad category (life, family, friends, school, etc.) and then choose a corresponding situation (“I am super frustrated with my mom...” “My friend is doing dope..…

by Seth Bartlette
Thursday, July 05, 2012
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How do you keep yourself motivated (“skin in the game”) when you feel tired and used up? Summer time has hit and there is a lot going on. It's different then the school year but it really doesn't slow down, it just shifts to a different gear.

by Seth Bartlette
Monday, July 02, 2012
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Help! Nearly all of my high schoolers (20 some) are obsessed with their sports/ band/work commitments. All I hear from them and their parents is that they “can't participate in the small group, praise band, mission trip because they have football, basketball, band practice." It seems to be all about getting their scholarship. They are on travel teams that play tournaments every weekend, they have practice every day of the summer from 7AM to 12PM…

by Seth Bartlette
Monday, July 02, 2012
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We're back this week on our march to our LIVE show #200 at YS' NYWC in San Diego in October (www.nywc.com). We're so close! This is a historic show because it's the first time someone other than Matt has been edited (now we have something on Doug)...oh yeah, Matt gets another edit in this show (or at least he should)…