Middle School Ministry Podcast

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?

Parents are freaking out. Whether it’s because we’re asking their students to wear masks or because we aren’t social distancing enough, everyone seems to be on edge.It doesn’t matter where you fall on the spectrum of “Open up now!” or “Wait until Christmas!” we still have to deal with parents and their students and do our best to gain their trust in this crazy season.Things we talk about this episode:•How can you gain the trust of parents with planning?•Who needs to know your plan?•Why is it important to over communicate what you plan to do?

Bread Head Part 2This was a quick game I cooked up after last week. It’s in the resource folder!Dad JokesAsk students to record their dads telling jokes. You’ll groan AND laugh! A quick bumper is in the resource folder. QaurantmemesImages to make your quarantine a little better. TrialsOur campus student pastor gave the lesson. Our leaders got the question sheet in the resource folder!Show and TellThis great DYM sidekick game was a hit in our group!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/show-and-tell-online-gameQuiet Time Part 2This week we talked about HOW to have a quiet time. We also sent out the quiet time guide included below. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lhbaiqrk5q2ov85/AACR5AaqwnuoCVliJ-SAMj3Ga?dl=0

In this week’s episode Michele and Ronald brainstorm a little bit about what the first phase of bringing back student ministry will look like in their churches.No matter what stage of re-opening or quarantining your area is in, having a plan is a great first step to meeting in person again!Things we talk about this episode:•Getting creative with a plan•Holding onto that plan loosely•Being ready to keep doing what you’re doing•How not to stress out your senior leadership

It’s everything we did this week to interact with Middle School students online!Wednesday Online Youth Group:Bread HeadLast week we made a joke about having bread in the shape of our heads. Then we made it into a challenge! Boy did our students deliver! It was awesome! And really funny too! Maybe ask your students to bake likenesses of your pastors this week!Who’s That Leader?We played this game but with a twist! We shot silly string at one of the three of the pastors on camera who we all thought was the leader the screen mentioned. Funny and messy!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/whos-that-leaderQuarantmemes Quick images. Use them in your social or on your livestream. Make it happen! They’re in the folder below!IntegrityThis week our high school pastor encouraged us to live a life of integrity like Daniel! It was a great talk for us and our students! You can find the leader sheet we gave our small group leaders in the folder below.Friday Zoom Lunch:What’s Behind The Mask?A great game from Derry Prenkert! My students had a blast with this one! You should definitely give it a shot, whether on zoom or somewhere else! Great idea!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/what-is-behind-the-mask-gameSunday Lesson:This was the third week of Scott Huff’s “Unplugged” series. I’m taking each week he planned and making it into two. The thought of putting out a 20 minute YouTube lesson gives me the twitches. We started the “Why Have a Quiet Time” lesson and I included some quiet time guides in the resource below!Unplugged series:https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/unplugged-teaching-seriesAll the Free Resources:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7nje3ohbu733ziz/AACLkstckCwndsLe_fuv6QGta?dl=0