For some youth pastors, theology can feel a little overwhelming. This is especially true for youth leaders who are walking into a youth pastor role without formal theological training at a university or seminary. You love teenagers. Someone convinced you to try this whole youth leader thing out. It’s a little scary figuring out something […]
If you’re in youth ministry, you know how tempting it is to plan week to week. You find a topic that fits the moment, prep a lesson on Saturday, and hope it connects. Maybe it does. But over time, that rhythm can leave students with a patchwork understanding of faith—disconnected thoughts instead of a deeper, […]
When youth pastors think about curriculum, they usually focus on how it impacts students. Will it engage them? Will it help them grow? Is it relevant to their everyday lives? But there’s a broader question that often gets overlooked: What if curriculum isn’t just for students? What if it can also be used to develop […]
If you’ve ever finished a school year wondering whether your students are actually growing in their faith, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get wrapped up in planning events, filling calendars, and keeping attendance up without stopping to ask, “Is any of this really helping them get closer to Jesus?” Just because students are busy […]
If you’re leading a small youth group, you’ve probably felt the pressure. Maybe your budget is tight, you don’t have many volunteers, or it just feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. It’s tough, and it can be pretty discouraging at times. But the thing is, having fewer resources doesn’t mean your ministry […]
There’s a common belief floating around church circles: that teenagers can’t handle deep theology. But, actually, they can. And they want to. I think most of us know that as youth pastors. So let’s talk about why theological depth matters in youth ministry curriculum. The problem isn’t student capacity. It’s the assumption that deep theological […]
If you’ve been around youth ministry for any amount of time, you know middle schoolers are in a totally unique phase of life. They’re figuring out who they are, where they fit in, and what they believe about God. So when a new 7th grader walks into your group, it’s a chance to help them […]
I know you’re juggling a lot as a youth pastor, because I’ve been there too. You’re not alone, and I hope what you find here encourages you. Structure can be a gift or a straitjacket. Some leaders love a detailed script that outlines every minute of a program. Others prefer to fly by the seat […]
Getting ready for a new semester in youth ministry is a lot like gearing up for a big road trip. You need the right tools, a solid plan for where you’re headed, and a little flexibility for whatever surprises pop up along the way. When you’re leading students through a semester of growth, joy, challenge, […]
Let’s be honest—some youth ministry curriculums just don’t connect. Some are dry and lifeless. Others feel more like TED Talks than gospel-centered sermons. Some try to be entertaining but lose depth. And when a curriculum fails to engage, it doesn’t matter how well it’s packaged—students won’t connect with it. So what actually makes a youth […]
