Youth Pastor Theologian

In this episode, Mike and John share a glimpse into their own experiences with "church hurt" and "church abuse" and reflect on what they've learned the hard way. There's no "one size fits all" approach to these things, but it's disappointing how many youth pastors have been on the receiving end of church hurt and gaslighting.  If you have been through a painful situation, we strongly recommend you to find someone local to talk with... a counselor, mentor, friend... someone who will listen, and someone who will speak the truth in love to you. You don't need someone who will simply get angry with you, but someone who will love you enough to weep with you but will also help you see where you may need correction or repentance to break the cycle.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike and John talk about youth ministry during the Summer. Do you keep meeting weekly as usual, or keep meeting but differently, or do you cancel weekly programming? It seems like every church has a longstanding tradition, and many of them feel like they're "doing it wrong." In this conversation, we talk about different approaches, priorities to keep in mind, and offer assurance that God is still at work during the summertime.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike and John discuss the different seasons of ministry we often experience. Some seasons are like "Philippians" (Joy! Joy! Joy!) and others are like "Job" (seasons of suffering and grief). Then, we discuss how to evaluate our ministry differently depending on which season we're in.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

Editor's note: There was a mistake (all Mike's fault!) in publishing episodes that led to titles and shownotes being added to the wrong episode recording. The title/shownotes are now added to the correct recording file... sorry for any confusion.  In this episode, Mike and John discuss a statement youth pastors often hear, "Youth Ministry isn't even in the Bible." People often say this with so much confidence, as if it's glaringly obvious. But is it?! Since God's people have always been called to pass the faith from generation to generation, there's a lot in Scripture for us to draw from as we discern biblical foundations for youth ministry.  We conclude the conversation with three priorities that must be true if you want your ministry to be a biblical youth ministry. That's a bold statement, but we'll stand by it.  For more, order (and read!) Mike's book, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry: Teenagers in the Life of the Church (affiliate link)    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.   

Editor's note: There was a mistake (all Mike's fault!) in publishing episodes that led to titles and shownotes being added to the wrong episode recording. The title/shownotes are now added to the correct recording file... sorry for any confusion.  This episode explores effective strategies for integrating students into the church, the importance of church leadership support, and the long-term calling of youth ministry. Hosts Mike McGarry and John discuss practical ways to integrate youth in the church and common challenges before discussing the need for some youth pastors to stay in youth ministry long-term. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike and John discuss a Christian theology of education. School is a major part of teenagers' lives - how do we help them think biblically and Christianly about school and education? Is this only possible for those who are homeschooled or go to Christian schools? This episode wraps with a conversations about how churches and youth ministries can honor High School graduates without making it all about who's going to the best and most impressive university.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

This episode explores the vital role of practical theology in youth ministry, emphasizing how it guides practices, decisions, and teaching strategies. Mike and John discuss how to integrate practical theology into planning, teaching, and engaging with students to foster deeper faith and understanding. We also respond to a listener-question about how to plan a teaching calendar.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

This episode, Mike and John discuss the significance of historical theology: What it is and how it can help youth workers disciple students. They offer some specific examples of ways that understanding history can help you identify false teachings that are wrapped in new packaging. Then, they discuss a listener-question about what to do when attendance at youth group shrinks for various reasons, and how to fight discouragement.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike and John focus on biblical theology: what is it, why it matters, and how to practice biblical theology in youth ministry. Biblical theology races themes, keywords, or types of events throughout Scripture in order to highlight what they say about the character and work of God.  Recommended books:  A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Theology (Abraham Karuvilla) The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament (Edmund Clowney) According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible (Graeme Goldsworthy) The Two-Fold Gospel is Narrow and Broad (YPT Blog) The above books include affiliate links, which provide a small financial benefit. Thank you for your support.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike and John welcome Danny Kwon to discuss a book he wrote with his wife, Monica Kim, Teenagers and Mental Health. The conversation encourages youth workers to think biblically about how mental health struggles affect the discipleship process and how to (and how not to) address it in your teaching. Ultimately, youth pastors can approach mental health issues with compassion, biblical wisdom, and pastoral care as they seek to lead students to Jesus.   Order Danny and Monica's book, Teenagers and Mental Health (affiliate link above provides a small financial benefit, thank you for your support)   Dr. Danny Kwon is the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives for the Rooted Ministry. Before Rooted, he served as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church for almost thirty years. He has authored three books and is an adjunct professor at Eastern University. He is married to Monica, and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia.   Dr. Monica Kim is a Christian counselor and licensed psychologist who has been counseling for over twenty years. She is also currently an adjunct faculty member at Lehigh University and facilitates a biblical counseling consultation group for the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). She is married to Danny, and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the blessing of systematic theology for youth workers. It's not just dry, stuffy, lifeless ideas about God; it's a way to really understand what makes Christianity "tick", in order that you can do faithful evangelism and discipleship. Next, they answer a listener-question about how to serve a student whose family has chosen to leave their church and attend another.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss effective strategies for engaging students in small group settings within youth ministry, and how to create an environment where students love one another. They highlight the importance of asking good questions, creating an interactive environment, and fostering deeper relationships among students... while bathing your ministry in prayer.    Recommended Resources: Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers, by Mike McGarry You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches, by Sam Allberry & Ray Ortlund YPT Curriculum (designed to promote discussion among teenagers, with special attention to "quieter" groups) Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss two questions: how much youth culture should a youth pastor know, and how do we incorporate fun and games into ministry without becoming "attractional"? They explore the influence of social media and influencers on today's youth, the necessity of fun in building relationships, and the challenges of maintaining theological integrity while creating a fun and engaging youth ministry.    Helpful resources:  Blog: Fun and Games in Youth Ministry Blog: Incentivizing Discipleship Blog: Rethinking Attractional Youth Ministry Book: Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers Podcast: Youth Culture Matters Website: Center for Parent/Youth Understanding Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of the way you deliver your message. They explore the necessity of integrating your content with the way you present it to students. The conversation also touches on the role of effective communication in ministry and the importance of being authentic while delivering God's word.    New Update on the YPT Teaching Workshop! Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip volunteers to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. We've restructured the cost of these workshops and are providing them at-cost for host churches. Please visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.   

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of discipleship in youth ministry. They explore the difference between "ministry" and "discipleship", and the various layers of what it means to be a disciple. The conversation emphasizes the need for grace in ministry and practical steps for effectively discipling students, including the significance of corporate worship and reading the Bible together.   Relevant articles:  "Not everything is discipleship" by Mike McGarry (YPT Blog) "What does relational discipleship actually look like?" by Mike McGarry (Rooted Ministry Blog) Following the Master, by Michael Wilkins Grounded in the Gospel, by JI Packer & Gary Parrett (note: above includes Amazon Affiliate links, which provide a small financial benefit to YPT.) New Update on the YPT Teaching Workshop! Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip volunteers to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. We've restructured the cost of these workshops and are providing them at-cost for host churches. Please visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner tackle the contentious question of whether communion and baptism should be observed in youth groups and camps. They explore the biblical and theological teaching about the ordinances, emphasizing the importance of understanding the local church's role in administering them. While the answer to the question isn't a clear-cut "The Bible explicitly says THIS", both hosts express concerns about observing baptism and communion without proper understanding or support from the church community. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the role of apologetics in leading students through through questions and doubts. After discussing apologetics, they each share some of their favorite teaching series.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of evaluation in youth ministry. As you conduct a "halftime evaluation" at the beginning of the calendar year, we want to encourage you to remember your goals for the school-year and how to finish strong. To do that, we break from our typical format and Mike leads John through an evaluation of his own youth ministry for the '25-26 school-year.   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.   John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.   Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.   Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner engage in a lively discussion that begins with some reflections on 2025. The rest of the episode highlights the importance of understanding the Trinity, how to teach it effectively to teenagers, and its relevance in daily life, especially during the Christmas season. The conversation emphasizes the relational nature of God and the significance of the Trinity in shaping Christian identity and community.   Recommended Resources:  YPT Blog: Teaching the Trinity to Students (excerpt from Mike's book, Lead Them to Jesus) YPT Blog: Theological Words Every Youth Worker Should Know: Trinity Edition Michael Reeves: Delighting in the Trinity Matthew Barrett: Simply Trinity Mike McGarry: Iconic (book links above are Amazon Affiliate links, which provide YPT with a small financial benefit without costing you anything extra. Thank you for your support.) Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.   

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the findings of the State of Theology 2025 report, filtering the responses to focus on those who are most likely to serve in youth ministry. We exploring the theological beliefs of evangelicals and the cultural influences that shape these beliefs. Conversation digs into topics like the nature of sin, the role of the Holy Spirit, biblical authority, and the importance of engaging youth in theological discussions. This episode highlights many of the foundational reasons Youth Pastor Theologian exists.    Read & Explore the State of Theology 2025 To explore stats that we used in this episode, visit the "Data Explorer" and select: Age: 18-34, Affiliation: Evangelical, Beliefs: Evangelical, Attendance: Several Times a Week/Once a Week/Once or Twice a Month. This brings the sample size down to 45 people, which is insufficient for empirical research but is helpful for sake of this podcast discussion.    Note: this episode was inspired by a roundtable discussion by our friends on The Word in Youth Ministry Podcast. Go listen to their conversation for a response to the overall State of Theology 2025 results.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the challenges and skills necessary for onboarding new youth directors, emphasizing the importance of courage, writing, and effective communication. The discussion covers practical tips for setting up youth rooms, understanding dietary needs of students, and planning engaging events. They also delve into the necessity of mental toughness in ministry. The episode concludes with encouragement for new youth directors to celebrate their students' growth and keep their focus on the gospel.   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss their recent experience at the Rooted Conference, sharing a few key highlights for each of them. While at the conference, multiple attendees asked about how to discern whether to remain in youth ministry or to move into other areas of ministry. The conversation affirms the dignity and the need for gifted youth pastors to stay in youth ministry, while also recognizing that some are called to pastor a generation... so it makes sense to grow in ministry along with them.   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike and John discuss Christmas and busyness. First, we talk about how we handle Christmas in our teaching calendar and what types of Christmas series we've done. Next, we address a question from someone in the YPT Facebook Group about how many camps/retreats/trips per year is too many.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

Mike and John couldn't line up their schedules, so Mike is flying solo! In this episode, he brings you behind the pulpit and walks you through his process of developing a sermon. This isn't intended as THE way you ought to do it... it's simply the process that works for Mike. Hopefully this example on a recent sermon from Romans 8 will encourage you on multiple fronts.  For more training on how to study the Bible and how to develop then deliver a message, check out YPT's Teaching Workshop. This is a daylong training session that brings Mike and John to your church to equip your youth volunteers... just imagine getting your whole team on the same page as they open God's Word with students. Even better, co-host the workshop with other youth ministries in your area, so there are multiple churches participating, which will fuel new opportunities for partnership and collaboration. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter. John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram. Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner focus on sanctification, spiritual disciplines, and apply a theology Law & Gospel. They discuss the importance of teaching youth about spiritual growth while avoiding pitfalls like legalism and antinomianism. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of empowering students in ministry roles and the necessity of oversight in youth leadership. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the critical importance of addressing sexuality and gender issues within youth ministry. They explore the biblical foundations for teaching on these topics, the role of youth pastors, and the need for open conversations about sexual holiness. The discussion also touches on the implications of purity culture, the importance of engaging parents, and practical approaches to teaching these sensitive subjects. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the need for compassion, clarity, and intentionality in addressing these sensitive issues with youth.   Recommended Resources: Affiliate links provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to provide the content you enjoy. Thanks for your support.  For Youth: Mike McGarry, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World For Youth: Jennifer Kvamme, More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships For Parents: Rachel Gilson, Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus' Truth and Love For Biblical Study: Dennis Hollinger, The Meaning of Sex: Christian Ethics and the Moral Life Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.     

In this episode of the podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner reflect on some of their failures as youth pastors. While it's easy to laugh about silly mistakes (and we do), we also share some of the weightier mistakes we've made and reflect on what we've learned the hard way. Then they respond to a listener-question about how to not be a know-it-all when you genuinely know more than the other people in the room. Whether they're the best guys to respond or not, they take a crack at offering some helpful advice.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner talk about gospel-centered teaching in youth ministry. In particular, they give an overview to different exegetical approaches to preaching Christ from Genesis through Revelation. The conversation also addresses the question of how to address important topical issues in a ministry that's committed to expository teaching.  Special Invitation: Join Mike and John for "Teaching with Confidence," a pre-conference session before the Rooted Conference on October 22nd, from 11:30-3:00. The cost is only $35 and includes lunch. REGISTER HERE.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the vital role of volunteers in youth ministry. They explore the challenges of training and retaining volunteers, effective onboarding processes, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for leaders. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust and buy-in from volunteers, and they share some practical counsel for how to train and cultivate trust with your volunteer team.    Order Mike's book, Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers (affiliate link provides the author with a small financial benefit, thanks for your support!)   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner talk about discipleship: What is it? What isn't it? And what pulls us away from it? The conversation also addresses the question of whether or not we should use video and social media to "extend" our regular discipleship efforts.    Articles Referenced in this Podcast: Not Everything is Discipleship (on YPT) What Does Relational Discipleship Actually Look Like? (on Rooted) Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the biblical theology of safety and risk in youth ministry. They explore the balance between ensuring safety and encouraging healthy risk-taking among youth. The conversation also touches on the role of parents, the significance of failure in discipleship, and practical safety measures for youth activities, including mission trips. Additionally, they address the unique needs of students with disabilities and offer suggestions for how youth workers can care for them and their parents well.   Resources Mentioned: YPT Podcast and Article on ministry to students with disabilities Camp Barnabas Sandra Peoples: “Accessible Church” book & Website Ashley Belknap: Engaging Disability with the Gospel Note: Book links are affiliate links and provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to create the content you so enjoy, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the complexities of doubt and deconstruction in youth ministry. They delve into how to navigate students' doubts in a way that fosters faith rather than leading to apostasy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the different types of doubt, the role of deconstruction in faith, and the necessity of engaging with students' questions. They also respond to a listener question about the involvement of parents in youth ministry and the balance needed to ensure a healthy environment for students.   Resources mentioned:  Doubter's Welcome Barnabas Piper, Help My Unbelief Note: Book links are affiliate links and provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to create the content you so enjoy, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner tackle two significant listener questions. The first question revolves around cell phone usage in youth ministry, particularly during retreats and camps. The second question addresses the benefits and challenges of partnering with other youth ministries in your area.  Learn more about the National Network of Youth Ministry here, to find other youth workers near you.  Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of being created in the image of God and its implications for youth ministry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity as image bearers of God and how this shapes the way we disciple youth into Christian maturity.   Pre-order Mike's new book, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World, which invites youth to discover who they are by remembering what they are... image-bearers of the Living God.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the how and when to use curriculum in youth ministry. They share what to look for, how to support your volunteers who are teaching curriculum, and then move on to answer a listener-question about how to focus on youth ministry while fulfilling "other duties as assigned" in your church.  Keep an eye out for the YPT Curriculum, available in late-July 2025 See our list of recommended curriculum Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss essential advice for first-time youth workers, each focusing on five key things to avoid in youth ministry. The conversation provides practical insights and encouragement for new youth leaders navigating their roles.  Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the significance of catechesis in youth ministry, emphasizing its relational nature and the importance of intentional discipleship. They discuss the need for a structured approach to teaching that considers the different stages of spiritual maturity among youth. Ultimately, they advocate for a return to historical practices of catechesis as a means to effectively disciple the next generation. Chapters 1:00 - What do we mean by discipleship? 6:50 - The Role of Catechesis in Youth Ministry 12:30 - Components of Effective Discipleship 17:01 - Challenges and Misconceptions in Discipleship 18:58 - The Nature of Catechesis 21:06 - Understanding Different Stages of Catechesis 23:39 - Cultural Sensitivity in Youth Ministry 25:26 - Intentional Discipleship in Youth Ministry 27:21 - The YPT Curriculum!  36:32 - Learning from Historical Practices Recommended Books: A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry, by Mike McGarry Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, by JI Packer & Gary Parrett The New City Catechism (Note: Amazon Affiliate links are shared above, which provide a small financial benefit to YPT without any additional cost to you, which we use to develop the resources you enjoy. Thank you for your support) Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the importance of asking good questions that engage students in meaningful conversations. Discussing good and bad questions leads into a conversation about whether or not youth workers should use ChatGPT. The discussion also highlights the need for youth to engage with scripture outside of church settings.   Chapters 1:00 - The Importance of Asking Good Questions 5:49 - Asking Bad Questions 11:09 - Crafting Effective Questions 16:04 - Building Trust Through Questions 20:45 - Understanding Cognitive Dissonance in Youth Ministry 21:28 - The Role of AI in Asking Good Questions 23:18 - Debating the Use of ChatGPT in Ministry 30:04 - Our Spiritual Responsibility to Teach 33:33 - Engaging Youth with Scripture Outside of Church Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of student leadership within youth ministry. They discuss whether all students should be considered leaders, the importance of defining leadership, and how personality traits influence leadership roles. The conversation also touches on empowering students, cultural misunderstandings of leadership, and the significance of recognizing natural leadership qualities. They also share their recommendations for non-youth ministry books that youth pastors would benefit from reading before closing with a listener-question about ways youth pastors are tempted to mis-use their time.   Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the role of missions trips. They discuss the theological implications of these trips, critiques of short-term missions, and share personal experiences—both positive and negative while emphasizing the importance of gospel-centered missions. They also discuss the reality and challenge of discouragement in youth ministry. Finally, they promote the YPT Teaching Workshop as a great way to equipping youth leaders (paid and volunteers).   Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Chapters 3:07 - The Role of Missions Trips in Youth Ministry 5:57 - Critiques of Short-Term Missions 9:00 - Theological Foundations for Missions 11:56 - Positive and Negative Experiences in Missions 18:08 - Effective Missions Practices 23:56 - Encouragement for Discouraged Youth Pastors 30:01 - Conclusion and Teaching Workshop Promotion Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. GO HERE to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner introduce the new format of the show, focusing on their journeys into youth ministry. They discuss their unexpected paths into youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, why they each pursues a D.Min., and how they integrate their spouses into their ministry roles.    Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tell us you've left a rating/review to get bumped to the top of the list.    Chapters 0:00 - Introduction to the New Podcast Format 3:00 - Journey into Youth Ministry: John Gardner's Story 5:45 - Mike McGarry's Unexpected Path to Youth Ministry 12:00 - The Development of Youth Pastor Theologian 17:00 - The Importance of Theological Depth in Youth Ministry 24:00 - Integrating Spouses into Youth Ministry   Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is releasing in August '25, Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.    John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this celebratory 100th episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, host Mike McGarry and guests Nick Hartman, Jason Engle, and Alex Tufano reflect on their experiences in youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, and memorable podcast episodes. They discuss the significance of the Youth Pastor Theologian identity, the need for practical theology, and the positive trends emerging in youth ministry today.  Discussion Includes: What does being a youth pastor theologian mean to you, practically speaking. How has that vision shaped your own ministry?  What are some of the positive trends you’ve seen happening in youth ministry today?  What are some ongoing concerns and needs that you’ve seen, and how do you think YPT could help? Jason, Nick, and Alex ask Mike a few questions, too...  Favorite Podcasts Mentioned Include: Jason Engle: ep.76: Calling Youth to a God-Centered Faith, with Richard Ross Nick Hartman: ep.77: Disciplemaking with Teen Boys, with Jonathan Denton Alex Tufano: ep.29: Evangelism and Discipleship, with Greg Stier Mike McGarry: ep.89: Theology of Eating Together, with Seth Stewart Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

In this conversation, Mike talks with Rich Griffith about the importance of guiding our youth to live with wisdom and discernment, and encouraging them to live with godly courage.  Conversation includes: How can we help our youth grow in biblical wisdom and to live with courage to live accordingly. Why is that so important to you as you raise your own boys and minister to youth?  When you talk about the “voices” students are prone to listen to, where are those voices coming from?  What do you think teenagers wish they could say to the adults in their lives?  Why do you believe leadership development is an important aspect of discipleship?  Where do we see “discipleship as leadership” in Scripture? Can you point to a few examples?  Rich Griffith is an Associate Professor of Youth Ministries at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia and the author of Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel and most recently, Discipleship is Leadership. We’ll be talking about helping youth grow in wisdom.  Follow Rich on Instagram Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

Teenagers are full of questions. The big question, is who are they discussing those questions with?! It can be a challenge to cultivate a ministry culture where students feel the freedom to ask their questions without being afraid of getting belittled or receiving cheap answers. In this conversation, Valerie O'Brien discusses her approach to inviting youth to ask their questions, and how she equips youth leaders to respond.  Could you share a little about Aspen, and especially about your 10,000 question project? What are some of the most common questions you’ve received?  What can we learn about our students by listening carefully to the questions they’re asking?  What’s the anatomy of a good question? How can youth leaders start to ask better questions in order to open up meaningful conversations?  What do we risk by being so answer-driven that students don’t ask their questions?  How do we help students ask their questions and lead them to find answers without either spoon-feeding them or leading them into an endless cycle of question upon question? Valerie O’Brien has over 12 years of experience in youth ministry, has trained youth workers through Sonlife Ministries, and now leads Aspen, a ministry that helps youth leaders engage the heart of the next generation.  Follow Aspen on Social Media: Facebook, Instagram Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

Can Jesus really make a positive difference in your life? What about when being a Christian puts you at odds with the values of your friends and with society in general? Is following Jesus worth it? This episode is a conversation with Chris Morphew about his new book, "Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated", which highlights the truth that however good you think the good news of Jesus is, it’s better.  Conversation Includes: What are some challenges Christian youth face that motivated you to write your book?  In the book you say that discovering they are loved is the most important discovery of all. What do you mean by that?  One of the most common objections I’ve come across is suffering and God’s judgment. But you say that God’s judgment actually gives hope in the midst of a world of brokenness and suffering. Could you elaborate on that?  Bonhoeffer famously talks about “the cost of discipleship.” What would you say is the cost of discipleship for Aussie youth in a very post-Christian culture?  In general, why do you think it’s important that we establish a ministry culture that makes space for doubt? When students are doubting, how do we support them with wisdom and patience and mercy without enabling them to remain in doubt?  Any final encouragements for youth workers about ministering to youth who are living with uncertainty and doubt?  Chris Morphew is an author, teacher, and school chaplain living in Sydney, Australia. He’s the author of the Big Questions series, as well as over 20 novels for children and youth.  View (and buy!) Worth It! and Chris's other books Follow Chris on Social Media: Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

It can be tempting to stick to the New Testament when teaching the Bible to youth. But doing so will only short-change teenagers and limit their understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ. Some parts of the Old Testament can feel foreign or intimidating, and therefore easy to avoid. Today's conversation with Chelsea Erickson will highlight the importance of teachign the Old Testament and will equip you with some good tools to help you do so with confidence.  Why is it so easy for us to accidentally overlook the Old Testament in our teaching calendar? How do you respond to those who say we should prioritize the NT and stop teaching things like the Ten Commandments because we’re under grace, not law?  What are some gospel themes that bind the whole Bible together that can help us teach the OT in light of the gospel?  Can you walk us through some of the different genres in the OT and offer some reflections on how youth workers can teach them well?  Many OT books are very long or confusing, so they’re easy to skip over. How did you approach the longer and complicated books in your youth ministry?  Can you give us an example of an OT character that you’ve taught on, and share how you taught their story in a gospel-centered way?  Chelsea Erickson served in full-time youth ministry for over a decade and is now the Director of Publishing for the Rooted Ministry. She’s been on the YPT podcast.  Recommended Resources Exodus Old and New, Michael Morales  According to Plan, Goldsworthy The Unfolding Mystery, Clowney Delighting in the Old Testament, Derushi  How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth, Fee and Stuart How Tread the Bible Book by Book, Fee and Stuart CASKET EMPTY, Kaminski Chelsea’s article on Rooted about the conquest: Is the God of the Old Testament Unjust?  Bible Project  Follow Chelsea on Instagram Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

Duffy Robbins shares insights on effective preaching and teaching in youth ministry, including a discussion about how long to teach for. Robbins emphasizes that youth will listen for as long as they're engaged, but they'll check out once they're bored. So, how do we teach with biblical and theological depth that engages them with the gospel?  What is it about youth ministry that keeps you invested in doing it?  As people talk about teenagers’ shortened attention spans and how they don’t really listen to what we teach from up-front anyways… is Bible teaching still important?  Could you bring us into your process for crafting a message and delivering it to youth?  How do you think social media and GenAlpha’s hands-on approach to learning in schools should affect the way we teach them the Bible in youth group?  What are some trends you’re seeing in youth ministry today, both positive and concerning? How do you think we should respond to those?  Duffy Robbins has been one of the leading thinkers and practitioners in youth ministry for over 40 years. He’s a professor at Grove City College, co-leads the D.Min. program at GCTS on “Ministry to Emerging Generations”, has written dozens of books over the years, and is still on the road speaking to youth most weekends at camps and retreats.  Follow Duffy on Instagram: @duffyrobbins Find Duffy's books on Amazon Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

The Asbury Outpouring gripped religious news and social media two years ago. People had a wide range of opinions about it then, but it's been long enough that we can look with greater clarity about what was and was not happening. In this episode, Mike talks with Zach Meerkreebs, the preacher whose sermon God used to spark the outpouring. Listen in to hear about what's happening at Asbury now and what lessons we can learn.  Discussion Includes: Could you tell us the story about what happened on campus during the Asbury Outpouring? What happened? What was it like to actually be there and to be part of it?  What were the different reactions to this, and how did you process that?  The Outpouring was two years ago… are you still experiencing some fruit from that? What are you seeing now, both big picture on compass, but also in individual students?  When something like this happens, how do you keep the emotions grounded in Scripture rather than giving in to the allure of emotionalism?  What are some ministry lessons or principles that you’ve been able to discern through the Outpouring?  Zach Meerkreebs is a pastor, writer, and speaker who is the pastor in residence at Asbury University. Many of us know him as the preacher who God used at the beginning of the Asbury Outpouring in 2023. He’s recently published a book, reflecting on the Outpouring entitled Lower: Igniting Spiritual Awakening Through Radical Humility.  Follow Zach on Instagram: @zachmeerkreebs  Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

Youth Group isn’t always a place where artsy youth feel a sense of belonging. And yet, the Church, historically, has been a haven for the arts. How can youth workers develop a biblical appreciation for art and serve our students who are artistically-minded?  Discussion Includes: Historically, there’s been a rich relationship between the church and the arts. But what have you observed about the church’s posture towards the arts in today’s church?  Could you walk us through the biblical and theological significance of art?  Can you share a little about the creative mindset, and how artists might think through things like the bible and theology differently from others? Do you think the church is doing a good job ministering to and discipling artists?  What are some of the unique challenges of youth ministry to teenagers who are artsy? If a youth pastor isn’t artsy, what are some ways they could connect better with students in their ministry who are?  Melody Bellefeuille-Frost is a PhD candidate at the Instute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at the University of St. Andrews and is a minister in the Wesleyan Church. Her research examines the images of Christ from European Jesuit and Japanese Christian religious cultures.  Recommended Resources:  Art and Faith: A Theology of Making, by Makoto Fujimura Visual Faith, by William Dyrness For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts, by W. David Taylor Visual Commentary on Scripture  Melody’s Website: https://www.melodybellefeuillefrost.ca/ Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

What's happening in the youth ministry world today and how did we get here? This is an important question that we need to ask from time to time, and who's better to ask than Dr. Walt Mueller?  Walt Mueller has been ministering to young people for over 45 years and is the founder/director of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. He’s also the author of many books for youth and youth leaders, and he’s one of the professors for the Doctor of Ministry program at GCTS in “Ministry to Emerging Generations”.  Discussion Features:  Can you talk us through the different eras of youth ministry that you’ve experienced? What was happening in the youth ministry world and how did we get to where we are today?   Sometimes I hear people talk really critically about previous generations of youth ministry, and that really bothers me. How can we learn critically from previous generations of youth workers while still appreciating and respecting their legacy?  What are some positive trends you’re seeing in YM today? What trends are concerning and how do you think we should respond?  We share a concern about those who intentionally separate theology from youth ministry. How do you respond to those statements?  When you hear the phrase “youth pastor theologian,” what do you think that should look like? Learn more about CPYU (Center for Parent/Youth Understanding) Follow CPYU on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.