Episode Archive & Blog

Read about the YMG community & catch up on past episodes

Question for the Community: An Inexpensive Check-In App

I’m looking for an efficient check-in system and event management system that can be used on an iPad that connects to my existing contact. I hate having multiple databases and I also HATE paper. Mostly because it ends up with a coffee stain and/or in the bottom of my car later on. Please don’t respond with an expensive program like the Simply Youth Ministry Tools…

Read more →

Special Discount from Our Sponsor: LeaderTreks

"We just set up a special 15% OFF coupon code on LeaderTreks.org for anyone connected to the Youth Ministry Garage. This is an exclusive deal for your YMG team members that gives them 15% OFF their subtotal for every purchase. All you have to do is enter the coupon code YMGARAGE in the coupon code area…

Read more →

Question for the Community: Lengthening Tenure of Youth Ministers

In January, I just began my Ph.D. in Leadership. I want to focus on the Theology of Leadership track, specifically within youth ministry. My goal is to teach youth ministry at the collegiate level. I want to pick your brain about areas of youth/youth ministry leadership that need to be researched. I really have a passion for seeing the next generation of youth ministers succeed beyond the typical 5 year ministry window. Our churches need stable youth ministers that can stay with it for the long haul…

Read more →

Question for the Community: Teens Who Have Lost a Parent

I was recently asked this question, “What is a good gift to give a pre-teen and a teen who have just lost a parent…

Read more →

Question for the Community: Resources for Families of Divorce

What are good resources for helping with families of divorce? In my church, 90% of the students that attend are in a split or remarried home. Help! I came from a great home and I need help bridging the gap.

Read more →

Question for the Community: Merging Youth Ministries

There’s a great opportunity on the horizon for our church as we have been approached by another church whose looking at the possibility of combining youth ministries (they are having financial troubles)…

Read more →

Question for the Community: Visiting Other Ministries

My senior pastor has tasked me with an interesting assignment. He wants me to find one youth ministry anywhere in the United States which is doing outreach events really well. He also would like me to find one youth ministry that is doing discipleship really well; i.e., placing kids in distinct environments and assessing where they are and moving them through some sort of process. If these churches happen to be one in the same, then great…

Read more →

Question for the Community: How to Find Balance

I work part time running a junior high ministry in a growing church & have been there for the past 4 years. Two years ago I got married and this year had a baby girl. Since these major I have been struggling to balance youth ministry, family time, and working a full time job…

Read more →

Question for the Community: Ways to Kick Start a New Youth Ministry

I am about to become a youth pastor of a small but growing congregation in Arkansas. The student ministry is very small (less than ten students). What do you recommend/advise I should do to create awareness of the churches' student ministry? What would be some good ways to kick-start growth in ministry? I am currently reading Doug's book, First Two Years, but would always appreciate additional advice.

Read more →

Question for the Community: Ministry in a Slow Economy

What are you all doing in ministry to accommodate for the recession? I'm feeling the need to be more conservative in my budget and I am also seeing the need for events/trips to cost less for families (even though the prices of gas and food keep increasing)…

Read more →
1234567891011Next