Middle School Ministry Podcast

One Month Trial of Download Youth Ministry Gold MembershipAre you swamped for time in your ministry?Do you wish your church would pay for you to have an intern?What if you could get back hours of preparation and planning in your week?That's what the DYM Gold Membership is all about!If you've ever used any of the Download Youth Ministry resources, you already know they offer trench-tested youth ministry products that are designed to help you and save you time!The Gold Membership is a game changer!Try for 1 Free Month!DYM Gold Members save 35% on already affordable DYM Store prices--EVERY DAY. But that’s not all! Free trial Members also receive $5 in DYM Store Credit to spend on any of the thousands of resources available at downloadyouthministry.com! DYM Members also have unlimited access to DYM Apps designed specifically to help you win with students, parents, and leaders: Sidekick™, DYM Newsletter Builder™, and DYM Leader Training Library™.What are you waiting for?I use the Gold Membership and it helps me minister to my middle school students better.If you want to see what it's like, click the link and try it out for free!Time-saving, game-changing, fantastic resources!See you next week!

I met Jeff Selph at the DYM 100 three years ago. We sat and talked because we were at a trampoline place and A) I had just gotten out of my cast for my broken leg, so jumping wasn't really the best for me and B) Jeff used to be a bigger dude, so jumping wasn't really the best for him.That friendship has been really good for me (and for him I hope!) the last few years. He came to speak at our middle school retreat and these are some thoughts we had after things had wrapped up.Bonus points for a cute girl voice towards the end.Speaking to all middle schoolers versus a "normal" youth groupUsing sarcasm, but sparinglyTaking leadership principles from smaller churches and scaling them up, rather than the other way aroundSpending time with the difficult kids, rather than the best and the brightestThanks Jeff! You're a rockstar and my kids loved hearing from you!Mentioned on the podcast:Go find Jeff on Social Media. He's a cool dude.InstagramTwitterGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.com.It's how Jeff and I met and it'll save you a ton of time during the week.Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

Sometimes students are at youth group, but they have no interest in BEING there.That may look like sitting off in a corner by themselves.Or maybe it looks like crocodile tears.I've seen both.What do you do when you have a student who would rather be ANYWHERE else than your program? Well, I've got some thoughts, but I'd love to hear your suggests as well! Scroll down to find my email. Shoot me a message. I'd love to hear from you!Train your students and your leaders to look for the lonersBe ok when a student doesn't want to fully participateEncouraging versus demanding participationKnow when it's time to call and have them picked upYou know what makes doing this worthwhile? Hearing that it's helpful to you guys and gals! Let me know how you like the podcast below!Mentioned on the podcast:Write a Review Please!Got a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

This middle school pastor struggles with pride.I want to be upfront, be seen, and be an important part of the church body.But pride can really do damage to a ministry, a church, and the people who go there.In this episode, I talk about how I fight my pride and offer some suggestions on how you can too.God doesn't need us. He uses us anyways.Someday somebody will take over for you and the church will be just fine.Remembering the unnamed faithful in the Bible.We can do great harm from a point of pride than from a point of humility.Thanks guys and gals, you're fantastic listeners!Mentioned on the podcast:Write a Review Please! It's for my pride ;-)Got a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

There are two minutes in this show that are gold and I don't talk during any of them.I just got to spend the weekend down in south Georgia with some amazing bi-vocational and volunteer youth leaders who are really making a difference in the lives of students.I learned a lot and was reminded that MOST of our churches in America are 150 or fewer, meaning they have smaller youth groups and even smaller groups of middle school students.It changes how some things happen when it comes to middle school ministry and I talk about those in today's episode.But, more importantly, a good friend of mine gave me her two minutes of pure gold as well. The whole episode is worth listening to just to hear Allison Williams talk about her ministry in rural Indiana.Check it out!Thanks guys and gall!Mentioned on the podcast:Write a Review Please!Got a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

There's a brand new IKEA opening up around the corner from my house. That's a big deal for us. We got in early to scope it out and honestly, I love the store. It all looks cool, it's set up well, and everything is intentional!They had a big WHY WALL on the exit, talking about why they do what they do with their stores and it got me thinking: when it comes to middle school ministry, what would be on our why wall?Check out what I talked about in this episode. I hope it's helpful to you!If it is, leave a review!Thanks guys and gall!Mentioned on the podcast:Write a Review Please!Got a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

How do you handle "that one kid" who always disrupts your talks? They constantly draw attention to themselves (both positively and negatively) and sometimes, if you're honest, you kind of deflate when they walk in the room.I have that kid in my group. And I want them to keep coming! But right now it's a challenge. In this episode, I talk about my game plan, as well as what's happened in the past.Suggestions welcome!(PLEASE)Here are some things I talk about in this episode:Connecting with the parents of that kid (are they like this at home!?).Getting your volunteers on board (and in that kid's space).Remembering grace and peace and self-control other important fruits of the Spirit (for that kid and for you)Have any additional thoughts here? I'd love to know!Send me a message and let's connect!Mentioned on the podcast:DYM Facebook CommunityGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook 

The Spring Semester is underway! Students are getting busy and sports are ramping up!That usually means students have to begin to decide if they are going to do homework, practice, or come to church?The Spring Slump is a real thing! How are you going to deal with it in your ministry?Here are some things I talk about in this episode:Make sure your leaders are aware of the Spring Slump and let them know about your plan!Spend time investing in the students who are present!Take a look at your systems: How do you track who is present and who isn't?Invest in leaders who are there through the slump!Have any additional thoughts here? I'd love to know!Send me a message and let's connect!Mentioned on the podcast:Divorce and Student MinistryDYM Facebook CommunityGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

MLK has come and gone. We went on a march and led to some neat conversations with my daughters.It reminded me of the deeper conversations I had with my students over the last semester. The stereotype of a middle school student is that they are carefree or at least careless. The reality, however, is that a ton of our students are going through deep hurts.How do you deal with them?Here are some things I talk about in this episode:Students are going through difficult circumstances: from porn to divorce to bullying.We tend to want give a quick answer or verse. Instead, let's focus on listening!Being present is hugely influential. Don't just talk. Be there!Don't just make it one conversation. Follow up!Get the parents involved in their student's hurt.Have any additional thoughts here? I'd love to know!Send me a message and let's connect!Mentioned on the podcast:Divorce and Student MinistryDYM Facebook CommunityGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook 

Do you know what my busiest day during the week is? Monday. I'm thinking podcasts are now going to be a Tuesday thing.Cool? Cool.Something I love to do is spend time with other youth workers and student pastors! I love to bounce ideas off of them, listen to what they are struggling with and hear about the wins they are having with their ministries.Networking is a huge thing that can save a youth pastor from burn out, making some really tough decisions in a bubble, and give you the encouragement you need to fight through another Spring semester slump.Here's some things I talk about in this episode:Social media is a great tool to let you connect with other youth pastors. You should use it!Figure out how to get some video conferencing going so you can see the faces of people you can network with from far away!Get together with other youth workers in your area over coffee (or cheap burgers) and see if there are events you can coordinate on!There are enough lost students in your area to fill every church twice over. It's not a competition. We're on the same team!Have any additional thoughts here? I'd love to know!Send me a message and let's connect!Mentioned on the podcast:DYM Facebook CommunityGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook