Middle School Ministry Podcast

Ronald Long and Andrea Miller discuss the importance of partnering with middle school parents in ministry, addressing ways to relieve new parents' fears and improve communication strategies. They also touch on accommodating parents' schedules for activities and effective communication for camp dates, emphasizing the value of engaging with parents through various channels.

Ronald Long and Andrea Miller talk middle school parent meetings: what they could be and why you should have them!Questions to consider:How do you communicate to your parents?Why is it good to keep parents in the loop?

Andrea Miller breaks down her new student leadership team. Ronald takes lots of notes.Questions to consider:What jobs can you give to middle school students?How can you involved students in ministry at your church?

Forced Discipleship and Middle School StudentsWe’re back after a hiatus and life and stuff. Have you ever had a parent REALLY want you to meet with their student, when their student REALLY doesn’t want to? That’s what we talked about this episode.Questions to consider:How do you “parent” parents?What ways have you broken the tension with an unwilling student?How many times do you typically meet with a student about one topic?

Learn about the process of training new leaders for a middle school ministry, including regular trainings and onboarding new recruits. Discover the impact of specific asks and appreciating new leaders. Explore the significance of celebrating and passing on the legacy of ministry and seeking assistance from others.

Andrea Miller and Ronald Long talk about what it would be like to start helping students share what God is doing in their lives. Whether small groups or main stage, middle school students can have something to offer!Questions to consider:Do you have space for students to share?During small groups?During main stage time?In prayer?If not, what would it take to start letting them have the spotlight?

Katie Edwards and Ronald Long talk about what a weekly sabbath looks like in the midst of a busy season. Questions to consider:How can you prepare for a Sabbath throughout the week?What things/people fill your cup? What things/people drain the life out of you?Why is a Sabbath such a big deal?

This week I got to have a great conversation with Katie Edwards, Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church, about how she uses fun to help foster community and trust with her middle school students!Questions to consider:How can you add community fun to your weekly program?In what ways can you help build relationships in your group?What can you do to get students to trust each other and move to deeper relationships?

This Sunday I watched as a now 8th grader who, let’s be real, used to be a big turd, invite a sixth grade student up on stage with her to sing for worship band. It was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen in a long time and it made my heart so happy to see! And of course, it got me thinking: How can we encourage students to be more welcoming and inviting? That’s what we break down today!Questions to consider:Is your group insider focused, or outsider focused?Do you have a place for a new student to fit in?Are there places for current students to step up?

You’ve just moved up a group of students. Why in the world would you be thinking about promoting the ones you just got!? In this episode, Ronald talks about how he’s trying to plan for the student leadership vacuum that occurs every year by preparing right now!•Who are your leaders now that your leaders have moved up?•Who could be developed?•How can you identify new students to take on new roles?•How can you encourage students who have stepped into the vacuum?Talked about on the episode:https://trainmyvolunteers.comGet a glimpse at the type and quality of content that will be available on the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training (NDVYMT). Download a free training session with Doug Fields today!