The FYI on Youth Ministry

In this conversation with Jonathan Banks, Chief Operating Officer at Urban Outreach Foundation in Chicago, we explore the vital role of practicing faith with young people through service and leadership. Jonathan shares how to cultivate agency and ownership in young people’s faith journey. Guest(s): Jonathan Banks Hosts: Giovanni Panginda, Jen Bradbury Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group UOF Financial Empowerment Course Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Character: It’s not just about teaching teens to be “good”

Join us as Eric Vasquez, the visionary founder of Just Us 4 Youth, delves into how to build trust with teenagers. Eric underscores the role of consistency and closeness, and imparts practical strategies for nurturing connection—from active listening, to the power of meaningful one-on-one interactions, to engaging parents. Eric shares actionable advice for cultivating genuine relationships with young people. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Just us 4 Youth T.R.E.E. program for parents  Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Cultivating teenagers’ trust one small act at a time Blog: 5 ways to cultivate trust with teens in your youth ministry    

Join our conversation with Fredy Romero and Vanessa Cruz as we explore the vital topic of guiding teenagers through doubts and tough questions, what we call the meaning-making process. Fredy and Vanessa share tips on how youth leaders can create an environment where teenagers feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore their beliefs. Guest(s): Fredy Romero and Vanessa Cruz Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, Brad Griffin  Mentioned in this episode:Faith Beyond Youth Group Growing Young Workshops uywi.org lifeatrevive.com Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources:Blog: Why doubt needs to have a place in your youth ministry this year Blog: Youth ministry's pivot in the faith and science conversation

Are you questioning your teaching and discipleship strategies? Let’s explore ways to infuse Christian youth ministry teaching with transformative power that inspires teens to genuinely trust in God (not just follow rules). This rich conversation with, pastor and author Meredith Miller is full of wisdom, experience, laughter, and actionable insights to inspire your youth group lessons—and your students.  Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group Meredith’s Book: Woven  Pedagogy of the Oppressed  Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: How to adapt youth ministry curriculum for your youth group Blog: The volunteer's guide to cultivating faith beyond youth group

As youth leaders, the example we set extends beyond the youth group. In this episode, Matt Manno  (Nextgen Pastor at New Life Fellowship in Queens) shares how his team models growth for students. Listen for practical insights on how to be emotionally healthy youth leaders can help volunteers face the pressure to be perfect, and help students reflect on what they model for each other. Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org  Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Blog: Models matter: Key insights on character-forming discipleship with teenagers    

Welcome back to a new season! In Season 9 we’re talking about discipleship to cultivate a faith in our students that goes beyond the youth group. In this episode the coauthors of FYI’s latest book Faith Beyond Youth Group, Jen Bradbury, Brad Griffin and Kara Powell, introduce us to the 5 points of the Faith Beyond Youth Group Compass.   Mentioned in this episode: Faith Beyond Youth Group   Sign up for our email list   Related FYI resources: Blog: Faith beyond youth group: A new framework for discipling teenagers Blog: The volunteer's guide to cultivating faith beyond youth group

When students trust you, opportunities for discipleship will abound. Building trust requires relational consistency and proximity. So, tune in to hear about the practical steps you can take to cultivate the relational proximity needed to form trust with your students! Mentioned in this episode: Blog: Learning to listen to teenagers Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources:Blog: 5 ways you can nurture faith that goes beyond youth group Blog: Telling stories for identity-forming discipleship Blog: Your new mantra for game-changing youth group games Book: Faith Beyond Youth Group

Why are models important in character-forming discipleship? “The way we live our lives is the greatest sermon we will ever preach because our students are paying close attention to how we talk, what we share, how we react, and especially how we treat others.” In this episode, Giovanny Panginda shares how we can be models for our students and how we can help them find other healthy models.   Mentioned in this episode: Luke Burgis: What is Mimetic Desire?   Sign up for our email list   Related FYI resources: Blog: Models matter: Key insights on character-forming discipleship with teenagersBlog: We need to talk about compassion

How can youth ministry leaders cultivate compassion and kinship in their youth ministry?  “What always works is not the hard message, but the care [people] feel immediately and the fact that they felt seen. You learn that lesson over and over again. Cherishing people is not hard.” Tune in to hear more of Father Greg Boyle’s story and practical wisdom!  Mentioned in this episode: Homeboy Industries A Good Man is Hard to Find Flannery O’Connor Father Greg’s books Sign up for our email list Related FYI resources: Curriculum: Compassion from the Inside Out Blog: Innovating your way forward with compassion, creativity, and courage Blog: We need to talk about compassion

What is the role of a youth leader? What are the qualities of a good youth leader? Andy Jung shares 4 ways youth leaders can change the way we understand our calling from youth ministry “superstar” on the verge of burnout, to the ones charged to lead all adults in the church as they invest relationally in our teenagers. Mentioned in this episode: Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries Adopted Church by Chap Clark SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST Related FYI resources: Book: Sticky Faith Book: 3 Big Questions Blog: 4 ways to partner with parents (even when you aren’t one) Blog: What you need to know about today's teenagers