Articles

6 Back-to-School Conversation Starters

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 2:36 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Try these back-to-school conversation starters to invite youth into more substantial discussions. Don't be afraid to go deeper!

Getting Ready for the School Year

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 2:02 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
As you're getting ready for the school year, have you thought about how the changes will impact your family?

10 Signs You Belong to a Healthy Church

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 @ 11:34 AM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
When you plug into a church that is getting it done, it's a true blessing.

Summer Ministry's C+ Temptation

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 4:04 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Maybe your summer youth ministry already crushes. If so, keep the momentum! If not, change things up, and don't cave into the C+ temptation.

Summer Is a Liar

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 3:42 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Summer is a serial liar. Summer is NOT a slower time for youth ministry, and it's NOT chock-full of margin as it might claim.

When Sports Come Before Church: 3 Tips for Christian Families

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Saturday, June 6, 2026 @ 4:50 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
How do you react when sports come before church for teens and parents? Read on for one insider's thoughts on this challenging subject.

Solving Your Top 5 Mission Trip Problems

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 @ 2:35 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
We want to attack mission trip problems in creative ways to streamline our trips and tear down barriers that keep us from our ministry focus.

5 Imperatives for Maximizing Your Summer Recovery Days

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 @ 4:35 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Make the most of your days off during the summer. Here's some "veteran advice" for your summer recovery days.

30 Summer Bucket List Ideas for Teens (Youth Ministry Edition)

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Monday, May 11, 2026 @ 8:00 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Summer is here, and that means youth ministers have all the time in the world. (Ha!) Although my summers are crazy busy, I love these month. That's why I created a summer bucket list for teens.

Train Students To Be 'In but Not Of' the World

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Thursday, April 30, 2026 @ 4:00 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
"In but not of" youth ministry means we stop living in a Christian subculture and we train young people to think critically about their cultural influences.

Helping Students Transition From Children's Ministry to Youth Group

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Thursday, April 23, 2026 @ 2:41 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Heading from children's ministry to youth group is so much more than a "new adventure" for kids. It's symbolic of growing up.

Ground Rules for Counseling Students

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Monday, March 16, 2026 @ 11:00 AM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Counseling students is a by-product of healthy ministry, and it is essential you develop ground rules for doing so.

Relational Ministry in a Technology-Dominated World

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Friday, March 13, 2026 @ 1:54 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
Relational ministry has changed in the last decade. Honestly, it used to be pretty easy, but now we are in a technology-dominated world.

Student-Driven Weekend Service

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 @ 3:15 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
"You Own the Weekend" is a student-driven weekend service that has become the highlight of our high school ministry's calendar every year.

For the Youth Pastor This Easter

From ChurchLeaders.com Youth Leaders on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 @ 1:46 PM PST
in the "Articles" Category.
No matter what our churches' Easter seasons bring, youth pastor, don't get caught up in so much programming that you forget who you worship.