If you're a ministry leader or a youth pastor, there are a lot of responsibilities and expectations on your shoulders from week to week. And in the midst of it all, it can be easy to think you have to be the “rockstar” of your ministry to get it all done. This week, join youth leaders for a conversation about what's wrong with the “rockstar student pastor” mentality and how shifting that mindset can be beneficial for your ministry now and in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's be honest: No one loves to be criticized. Especially when the criticism is given the wrong way or by the wrong person. However, if we learn to receive criticism with the right mindset, as ministry leaders, speakers, and youth workers, we have an opportunity to grow from it. This week, join Jamey Dickens, Ben Crawshaw, Crystal Chiang, and Sarah Anderson, for a conversation about embracing criticism and the value of asking those around you, “What's it like to be on the other side of me?”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a lot of things competing with youth group attendance, and for many youth leaders, there's no greater competitor than sports and athletics. Whether it's travel baseball, swim meets, or soccer tournaments, when our students prioritize sports over church, it feels like we're losing them. But are we? This week, join Brett Talley, Ashley Bohinc, Stuart Hall, and Dan Scott as they discuss how to survive the competition and how ministry leaders should respond to the growing tension.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we ask a favor? We want your feedback! We want to know how this podcast can serve you better! Visit RethinkingYMSurvey.org to take our Podcast Listener Survey! And as our way of saying thanks, we're going to giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card to a random survey participant! Thank you so much for listening each week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever looked at one of your students and thought, “What were you thinking?” Well, thanks to new discoveries in adolescent brain development, we’re starting to find out. The truth is, a teenager’s brain changes dramatically throughout their middle school and high school years. This week, join ministry leaders for a conversation with Mark Oestreicher about the teenage brain and how we can leverage the development of the brain to set our students up for a vibrant faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The start of a new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the previous year, set goals for the upcoming year, and refocus ourselves for what's ahead. But as ministry leaders and youth workers coming out of a very busy season, what's the best way to refocus and reset as we begin a new year? This week, join ministry leaders for a conversation about what it looks like to recalibrate your faith, invest in yourself, and prepare for the next season of ministry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that, over time, youth culture has become the dominant culture in our world today. Because of that shift, the way we do youth ministry has also changed. Join ministry leaders for a special episode with Mark Oestreicher, co-founder of The Youth Cartel, as they take an in-depth look at the history of youth ministry, how youth culture has splintered throughout the years, and what that means for our youth ministries today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be easy to measure the success of our youth ministries just by looking at attendance and numbers. But the truth is, attendance tells us more about the school calendar and weather than it does about the spiritual growth of our students. In this episode, join ministry leaders for a conversation on how to best define and measure success in your ministry environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.