One of the biggest debates in youth ministry is how structured teaching should be. Some leaders prefer a laid-back, discussion-based approach, while others believe in following a structured teaching plan. But here’s the reality: Students thrive when there’s a plan.Faith grows deeper with intentional teaching.A structured approach doesn’t kill flexibility—it enhances it. So what does […]
Youth ministry looks different in a small church. You probably don’t have a big production budget. That’s probably an understatement.You might have students spread across multiple grades. Some of them might not even be in middle school yet.You likely have a small (or even volunteer-only) leadership team. Nobody’s getting paid to do this. So why […]
If you’re feeling conflicted, hurt, or even a little lost about what’s happening with Orange, you’re not alone. If you’re not aware of what’s happening with Orange right now, here’s the overview: Last year, it came out that there was sexual misconduct and abuse between Orange’s Founder and the President of Orange. Both leaders resigned […]
In youth ministry, the term “gospel-centered” gets thrown around a lot. Every youth ministry curriculum claims to be Christ-focused, biblically sound, and faith-building. But when you take a closer look, a lot of what’s out there is more behavior modification than true gospel transformation. So what actually makes a youth ministry curriculum gospel-centered? And how […]
Every few years, the landscape of youth ministry shifts in major ways. Sometimes, it’s because of cultural movements. Other times, it’s the result of changes in technology, education, or even church leadership strategies. But 2025? This year is different. This year, we’re standing at a major crossroads for youth ministry curriculum. Churches are re-evaluating their […]
How the Right Youth Ministry Curriculum Gives You More Time for What Really Counts I don’t have to tell you that youth ministry is demanding. Between planning events, training volunteers, following up with parents, counseling students, and occasionally wondering if your senior pastor remembers you exist, you’ve got a lot on your plate. And then […]
I was 20 years old when I graduated from Bible college and began my professional youth ministry career. I. Knew. Nothing. You would think a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry would equip you with a little something for the real world, but I knew absolutely nothing about healthy staff culture, sustainable systems for youth ministry, […]
There are an endless supply of curriculums on the market. How do you evaluate which one is the best fit for your ministry? Check out this podcast episode from Student Ministry Conversations to learn some best practices for evaluating and utilizing youth ministry curriculum in your ministry! The entire podcast episode is fantastic, but in […]
