Middle School Ministry Podcast

You’ve never gotten a complaint before, right?HA! In youth ministry, we’re dealing with parents and their kids. Parents care deeply about what goes on with their students and students often have lots of opinions anyway. In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about how to not let complaints go to your heart and compliments go to your head!Things we talk about this episode:•All the complaints we’ve gotten. Or most of them.•Asking if the complaint has any truth to it•Trying to reflect instead of get defensive•Looking for the deeper issue

School would be starting up soon (normally). Youth ministry would be finishing up its last summer trips (usually). Parents would be excited about their student promoting into the next grade (in normal circumstances).This year has been anything but normal! Michelle and Ronald talk about the crazy lives they’ve been living and the plans for the fall they’re making!Things we talk about this episode:•How to meet in person when everyone is mad/scared/sick of wearing masks•What steps to take to communicate the plan to parents•Why its important to be on board with the rest of your church

In the craziness of COVID-19, churches still need middle school pastors! This week we’re really excited to talk about Michelle’s new job. We also talk about some of the weirdness of starting in a ministry where you might not meet in person for… a long time.Join us!Things we talk about this episode:•Meeting with leaders and parents while socially distancing•Introducing yourself to your group (online and in person!)•Practicing handshakes, then not needing that skill•Getting ready for home groups and postcards!

We’re getting ready to welcome 6th grade students to the youth ministry! Also, we’re not entirely sure what we are welcoming them to…So we’re putting together a strategy to welcome students in the crazy COVID season. Ronald and Michelle talk about Ronald’s plan and see what in the world will happen!Things we talk about this episode:•Ronald’s three step welcome plan•Getting the children’s ministry on board•Helping parents feel at ease

Michelle has finally moved to Idaho! In this episode, she and Ronald talk about resting, new starts, and trying to adapt in the crazy covid climate.Things we talk about this episode:•Figuring out what rest looks like•Getting excited for new/unknown chapters•What a staycation actually looks (and sounds) like

In the season of COVID, youth ministry looks really different! This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about going out and doing youth ministry while trying to practice social distancing. It’s a challenge, but we’re up to it!Things we talk about this episode:•Doing ministry with COVID on the brain•Being in LARGE spaces so you can spread out students•Being outside and playing disc golf and a cornhole tournament•Working with leadership to see what you can do and what you can’t

In a time when leaders are just as quarantined as our students, what are you doing to help encourage them to continue to serve? How are you as a leader shepherding the leaders of your students? Michelle and Ronald spend some time talking about how they can make their leaders feel loved on and cared for in the weirdest season of ministry ever.In this episode we talk about:•Sending leaders care packages•How to encourage leaders in the era of COVID•How to KEEP leaders with all this going onLinks:The Art of Group Talk – Teenage Girlshttps://amzn.to/3equvKEThe Art of Group Talk – Teenage Guyshttps://amzn.to/317uKGq

This week Michele and Ronald talk about the possibility of re-opening in Texas and meeting a youth group in person! While it’s really exciting to think about being together, it’s super important to make sure parents feel like you are doing everything you can to keep their students safe.Some things we talk about:•The protocols and procedures we put in place•Throw whatever was normal out the window! We’re in new territory•Social distancing and masks are a thing•Over communicating to parents everythingLinks:The Guidelines we sent to parentshttps://www.dropbox.com/s/rsviss318lv3moy/Hello%20students%20and%20parents.docx?dl=0Our “Instructional Video”www.shorturl.at/bgCWZ

These last few weeks have highlighted the need for everyone who has any influence or voice to step up and speak for those who have been silenced. Michelle and Ronald are both white (spoiler alerts) but care deeply about making sure they are doing whatever it takes to use their voice for the black community that’s hurting.This week they break down Theo Davis’ DYM Blog Article “8 Things White Youth Pastors Can Do About Racism”. Join us for a serious conversation and think about what you can do in your context.Things we talk about this episode:•What are you DOING to actively fight racism?•Who are the black people in your life you can check in on?•Who are the black authors/bloggers/youth pastors you need to hear from?•What is your church’s current feeling on the black lives matter movement?

Michelle is moving! While it’s always sad to leave a church, there’s definitely a WAY to leave that helps out the people who will continue to carry the torch after you’re gone.In this episode, Michelle and Ronald talk about leaving well and what not leaving well might look likeThings we talk about this episode:•Who do you tell you’re leaving and when?•How can you plan ahead for your departure?•What’s the best way to lay out the plan?