Middle School Ministry Podcast

Work and home are now the same. We don’t know about you all, but the shift has been HARD for Michelle and Ronald! This week we talk about how to Sabbath while also being in the exact same room you work from now.Middle School Students are going through a lot right now. Make sure you’re rested up and able to minister to them in a way that benefits you both!Some things we talk about:•Making time to rest and reflect that’s outside of normal work.•Having dedicated work space and dedicated rest space.•How in the world do you “turn off” work when you don’t have a commute?Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/middleschoolministrypodcast/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/middleschoolmi2Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/middleschoolministrypodcast

Wednesday:Trick ShotsWe sent out a text and email request for “Trick Shot Videos” like Dude Perfect. We sent them this link and just asked them to go to town. Our group delivered! It was awesome! I’ve linked our YouTube video below as well!Dude Perfect Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRJmcxCrAOAOur Student’s Video:https://youtu.be/Lt2yv_CfGqc?t=616Teen Driver QuizDuring our Online Youth Group, the high school pastor asked me these questions. It went okay-is. I knew a good few of them, but we like to make students believe I’m a terrible driver. Oh well!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/teen-driver-quizQuarantmemes Again, everyone can handle a couple memes. These were our picks for this week. No clue if these are working, but we had some students send these in to us!BecomingThis week we looked at 2 Peter 1:3-11 and talked about who we are becoming is more important than what we are doing. Or, what we do will influence who we become.Friday:Zoom Lunch:Zoom lunch was great! Except I messed up the password I sent out to students and parents. So there was definitely some confusion about getting into the meeting, which was a bummer. But the students and leaders who did come had a good time. Semi-win!?Download all the free stuff:

We aren’t professionals, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t trying! There’s a balance we’re learning about putting on the best show we possibly can and running into glitches… like the camera turning off or the sound just disappearing from our live stream!And then hearing from our middle school students about their opinion on those glitches!Some things we talk about:•The difference between not trying and trying too hard.•Thinking about ways to use technology, but using what you know well first.•Remembering relationships, not the tech, is what connects you to students!Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/middleschoolministrypodcast/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/middleschoolmi2Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/middleschoolministrypodcast

We had been doing a “This is what happened during our big meeting!” Episode for a long time. Well, everything changed with COVID-19, so here’s what we’re doing now! This will be a quick 5 minute or so weekly episode of how we connected with students online. Some ideas take place during our “youth group online” and others were just during the course of the week. Use, change, and get ideas for your ministry to middle school students!MS Online This Week:Download Everything:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cc6ugzbqrcbknuz/AADMIxCnO8LoxQK3wX9Cxz4qa?dl=1Questions about Your QuarantineYou could ask these during your youth group online, on an instagram story, or to students over text! The graphics in the download are what we used for our online service and were displayed as lower thirds. The five questions we asked are there as well as the blank template. We asked questions like:What are your favorite Quarantine Snacks?What’s been something God is teaching you?Qaurant-MemesJust a few memes to share with students, leaders, or anyone who you’re quarantined with. We reacted to these on camera in our youth group online.The Upper Room QuestionsWe took a look at some of the last words of encouragement from Jesus to His disciples in the Upper Room. In the folder is a document that you could use for small groups. Adapt and use as you see fit!Zoom Lunch …with a Tarantula!We have a zoom lunch three times a week: one for middle school, one for high school, and one for our multisite location. It’s just a change to catch up, pray, and play some games together. Trying to give our students another connection point throughout the week.Quick Draw on SidekickWe played this game just for fun with our students who “came to lunch”. It actually didn’t work at first, so I used the list of stuff and the timer on my phone. Then it started working and we played with the graphics! Great fun!https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/quick-on-the-draw

2019 - Everybody! Stay off your phones and off social media!2020 - Everybody! Get on your phone and check out social media!It feels like everything has gone online! While some middle school parents might have had concerns about their students logging onto social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, now those are some of the most prominent places where ministry is happening!Now the question is, are our students engaging with us now that we're online? This week, Michelle and Ronald talk about how their students have been reacting to the new normal of being online and what they've been doing to increase social engagement!Sometimes boundaries foster creativity!How are you relieving parent concerns about being online?In what ways are you having students interact with your online presence?Do you feel like you're making a difference in students' lives even if you aren't in the same room?Once more for the people in the back, How long, Oh Lord?Mentioned on the podcast: The Best Free Ideas to Navigate COVID-19https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/Sample YouTube Moderator Guidelineshttps://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/sample-youtube-moderator-guidelines/Quarantine Lunch - Online Gamehttps://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/idea-quarantine-lunch/DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Ronald's Student Ministry One-Stop Online Youth Group Pagehttps://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/Got a middle school ministry question?https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/submit-questions/Do you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/middleschoolministrypodcast/Twitterhttps://twitter.com/middleschoolmi2Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/middleschoolministrypodcast

How can you stay connected while remaining six-feet apart, in groups no larger than ten, or sheltering in place?Well, it definitely presents some challenges.In this episode, Ronald and Michelle talk about how they plan to try to stay connected with students, parents, and leaders during a time when we're told to not hang out so much.Sometimes boundaries foster creativity!What are the ways you're going to try to connect? REAL letters? Phone calls?How are you going to reach out to your leaders?In what ways can you encourage parents?No for real, How long Oh Lord?Mentioned on the podcast: The Best Free Ideas to Navigate COVID-19https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/PSA From a Momhttps://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/psa-from-a-mom-me-im-the-mom/DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Ronald's Student Ministry One-Stop Online Youth Group Pagehttps://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/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

Who was really looking forward to re-inventing church and middle school ministry as we know it this month? Anyone?Well too bad, we're doing it anyway! Thanks, COVID-19!For real, churches and ministries everywhere have been completely changing the way student ministry happens in order to help stop the spread of the virus. Michelle and Ronald take a moment to talk about what their churches have been doing. What online platforms have you been using to reach your students?How have you managed to keep doing "youth group" in the midst of a pandemic?What has been the best practices you would take away?What are some changes you would make?How long Oh Lord?Mentioned on the podcast: The Best Free Ideas to Navigate COVID-19https://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/DYM Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/DYMCommunity/Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Ronald's Student Ministry One-Stop Online Youth Group Pagehttps://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/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

Middle School Sundays:Well, the world has been flipped upside down! But we're an adaptive bunch, so here's what we're doing for our Sunday Mornings until this COVID-19 business is all wrapped up!Check out our website:https://waysidechapel.org/echo-online/ Games:Stack It UpI asked students to find five things from five different rooms in their house and then send me a picture of them all stacked up. I told them I'd choose a winner on Tuesday at 1 pm and send that person a prize! Here's to making up games while social distancing!  Bible Study:Crisis ModeThis was a great start to a series we are super pumped to get going! Instead of talking about sex right away, we focused on all relationships. Students were really dialed in!Main Idea:Be wise and care for others!Scripture:Ephesians 5:15-17Resources:Everything you need to survive COVID-19 while still doing ministry:http://youthgroup.downloadyouthministry.com/Get the graphics for my series and the game here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y_HyOjABOREjcEqWohQr706UMY0n1NWQ?usp=sharing

Ministry is hard. Trying to do ministry from an empty cup is impossible.Don't burn out. You're not alone. Get help!This week, Ronald and Michelle talk about what they do when they're feeling spent in ministry. No matter what fills your cup back up, it's important to know when you're bone dry and how you can stop from getting all burnt out.But, when you see the signs that it's coming, there are definitely things you can do to help fill your cup back up and get to ministering to middle school students again!What is the main cause of burn out in YOUR life?Why do you normally burn out?Which activities do you seek out to refresh yourself?How can you avoid burnout?Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Community Podcast NetworkGot 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

Sometimes we get the awesome opportunity to talk to another student pastor's middle school students!Michelle got to go and teach for a retreat for our favorite wizard (David Wood). In this episode, she talks about her experience, what she did to prepare, what she'll do next time, and we both talk about how to set up the next speaker you invite into your group for success!What questions do you ask if you're going to be a guest speaker?What do you want a guest speaker to know about your group?How can you help your next guest get ready to speak to your group?Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Community Podcast NetworkGot 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