Episodes

  • TLH148: Navigating Change from the Second Chair with Jake Mulder

    TLH148: Navigating Change from the Second Chair with Jake Mulder
    Mar 28 2025
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we're joined by Jake Mulder to discuss what it means to lead change in youth ministry—especially when you're not the lead pastor. We unpack practical ways for you to influence vision, build trust, and lead transitions well. What You’ll Learn: How to lead effectively when you’re not in charge Key principles for navigating change in youth ministry How to balance innovation with honoring the church’s past Ways to build trust and cast vision for the future Practical steps for creating long-term impact in your ministry If you’re in youth ministry and looking for ways to lead through change while keeping your church moving forward, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you make a lasting impact. LINKS MENTIONED Fuller Youth Institute RESOURCES MENTIONED Books: The Future-Focused Church (BRAND NEW!) Growing Young by Jake Mulder JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    51 mins
  • TLH147: What Every Youth Pastor Needs to Know About Middle Schoolers

    TLH147: What Every Youth Pastor Needs to Know About Middle Schoolers
    Jan 30 2025
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Ashley Bohinc, a leader with over 22 years of experience working with middle schoolers, to talk about how to communicate effectively with this unique age group. Middle schoolers aren’t just “younger high schoolers” or “older kids”—they require a specific approach to teaching, engaging, and discipling them well. Ashley shares key insights into breaking down messages for middle schoolers, avoiding common mistakes, and making youth ministry environments more engaging. If you’ve ever struggled with getting middle schoolers to listen, connect, or apply what you’re teaching, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical strategies to help you communicate in a way that sticks. What you'll learn Why middle schoolers need messages that are broken down, not "dumbed down." The importance of engaging their senses and making messages concrete. How to balance structured teaching with the energy and unpredictability of middle schoolers. The science behind how middle schoolers process and retain information. Tips for leading mixed-age groups when middle and high schoolers are combined. If you want to better engage and disciple middle school students, this episode will equip you with the tools to do it well. LINKS MENTIONED Make It Middle School: MakeItMiddleSchool.com Ashley Bohinc’s Book - Communicating to Middle Schoolers: Get the Book RESOURCES MENTIONED Ashley Bohinc on Instagram: @ashleymariebohinc Ashley Bohinc on Facebook: Ashley Bohinc JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    45 mins
  • TLH146: Helping Parents Understand Today’s Youth Culture

    TLH146: Helping Parents Understand Today’s Youth Culture
    Jan 23 2025
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Walt Mueller, founder of the Center for Parent and Youth Understanding (CPYU), to discuss how youth pastors can better understand and respond to today’s rapidly changing youth culture. They explore the unique challenges students face, strategies for equipping parents, and how youth leaders can stay current without compromising biblical faithfulness. Walt shares insights on balancing relevance with truth, addressing issues like online gambling and social media addiction, and empowering parents to navigate cultural trends with wisdom and discernment. This episode is packed with practical advice to help you disciple students and support families in your ministry. What you'll learn How to equip parents to understand and engage with youth culture. Why staying current with cultural trends is essential for ministry. Strategies to balance cultural relevance with biblical faithfulness. Tips for addressing tough topics like online gambling and social media addiction. The importance of being proactive, not reactive, in addressing cultural changes. If you’re looking to grow as a youth pastor and support families in discipling students, this episode offers invaluable wisdom and actionable steps. LINKS MENTIONED Center for Parent and Youth Understanding (CPYU): CPYU Website Northeast Youth Ministry Summit: NYM Summit RESOURCES MENTIONED Youth Culture Matters Podcast: Youth Culture Matters Parent Prompts from CPYU: Parent Prompts Jonathan Haidt’s Book – The Anxious Generation: Get the Book JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    54 mins
  • TLH145: The Challenges and Joys of Being a Volunteer Youth Minister

    TLH145: The Challenges and Joys of Being a Volunteer Youth Minister
    Jan 16 2025
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Jody sits down with Ben Compton, a volunteer youth leader with nine years of experience building a thriving ministry while working full-time. Ben shares his journey of balancing work, family, and ministry, offering practical advice for volunteer leaders on how to manage time, recruit volunteers, and stay focused on discipleship. What you'll learn The unique challenges and benefits of volunteer youth ministry leadership. How to balance ministry, work, and family effectively. The importance of efficient time management and saying no when necessary. Tips for recruiting and empowering volunteers you can trust. How to disciple students through relationships and everyday life. If you’re a volunteer youth leader or know someone serving in this role, this episode is full of wisdom to encourage and equip you in ministry. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    49 mins
  • TLH144: Making Changes in Youth Ministry Without Getting Fired

    TLH144: Making Changes in Youth Ministry Without Getting Fired
    Jan 9 2025
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we kick off 2025 with a practical episode on how to make changes in youth ministry—without getting fired. As youth ministers reflect on the past year and plan for the future, change often feels inevitable. But making changes can be tricky, especially when it comes to timing, communication, and managing resistance. I share actionable advice for identifying what needs to change, understanding the "why" behind it, and implementing changes with purpose, positivity, and clarity. Whether you're tackling a small adjustment or a major shift, this episode will help you lead change effectively in your ministry. What you'll learn How to identify what needs to change and why it matters. Why timing is crucial when implementing changes in youth ministry. How to navigate resistance by framing change as a win. Tips for clear communication with students, parents, and leadership. Strategies for making changes methodically to avoid unnecessary backlash. If you’re looking to lead your ministry into the new year with clarity and purpose, this episode is packed with practical steps to help you make meaningful changes without unnecessary conflict. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    21 mins
  • TLH143: Staying the Course: Longevity and Mental Health in Ministry

    TLH143: Staying the Course: Longevity and Mental Health in Ministry
    Dec 19 2024
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody explores the crucial topic of mental health and longevity in youth ministry. Jeff Glenn, a veteran youth pastor with over 26 years of experience, shares in this episode practical ways to manage stress, avoid burnout, and thrive in ministry. What you'll learn: How to prioritize your spiritual and mental health for long-term success in ministry. The role of accountability and networking in sustaining resilience. Practical strategies for managing stress and navigating team dynamics. Why rediscovering your calling can reignite your passion for ministry. How to support students and leaders with their own mental health challenges. If you’re feeling the weight of ministry or want to stay grounded for the long haul, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable steps to help you thrive. LINKS MENTIONED National Network of Youth Ministries: NNYM Website Jeff Glenn's NNYM Page: http://NNYM.org/jeffglenn Jeff Glenn’s Email: jglenn@nnyouthministries.org RESOURCES MENTIONED Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join the The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group: Join Now GET COACHING Interested in personalized coaching to help you thrive in youth ministry? Click here to learn more about The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching: Get Coaching
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    53 mins
  • TLH142: Moving Students from Consumers to Disciples

    TLH142: Moving Students from Consumers to Disciples
    Dec 12 2024
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody sits down with Dr. Dave Coryell to discuss his new book, Less Like Hippos, More Like Honeybees. They explore how to move students from passive consumers of faith to active participants who live for Christ every day. Dr. Coryell shares practical insights on empowering students, shifting the culture of youth ministry, and creating lasting spiritual impact. What you'll learn: How to empower students to live out their faith 24/7, not just during youth group. Practical steps to move students from being passive consumers to active leaders in their faith. The importance of discipleship that goes beyond youth events and into everyday life. Strategies for creating a culture of leadership and ownership within your youth ministry. How to partner with parents and the church community for long-term student growth. If you’re looking to rethink how you engage and disciple your students, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead a thriving, sustainable ministry. LINKS MENTIONED: Christian Endeavor Fernling Creative RESOURCES MENTIONED: Less Like Hippos More Like Honeybees by Dr. Dave Coryell JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group GET COACHING: The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    1 hr
  • TLH141: 10 Common Youth Ministry Traps and How to Avoid Them

    TLH141: 10 Common Youth Ministry Traps and How to Avoid Them
    Dec 5 2024
    In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Jody explores 10 common youth ministry mistakes—and how to avoid them. These traps, from focusing too much on attendance to neglecting personal spiritual health, can hinder the growth and effectiveness of your youth group. Jody shares practical strategies to help youth pastors build sustainable ministries that thrive. What you'll learn: How to move from measuring attendance to fostering deeper engagement. Tips to empower volunteers and avoid leadership bottlenecks. Balancing fun with meaningful discipleship and teaching. Partnering with parents for effective youth ministry. Setting clear goals and welcoming feedback for ministry growth. If you’re looking to avoid common pitfalls and take your youth ministry to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with purpose and focus. JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP! Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook Group GET COACHING: The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Coaching
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    33 mins