Best Tos Ministries Podcasts (2024)

1
TLH137: Loneliness in Youth Ministry—Why So Many Feel Isolated and What to Do About It 53:32

13h ago53:32

53:32

In this conversation, Jody and Zach Wyatt discuss the issue of loneliness in youth ministry and the importance of building community. They highlight the challenges faced by youth pastors and the need for support and connection. They provide practical steps for combating loneliness, such as networking with other youth pastors and finding local assoc…

1
26 - Interview with Riley Green & WinShape Homes 36:25

8M ago36:25

36:25

Today, we're joined by our friends at WinShape Homes. This incredible ministry knows a thing or two about foster care, parenting, and how to raise children in a way that honors the Lord. Take a listen to this podcast for an incredibly insightful conversation on the lessons they've learned from many years of parenting and raising kids.…

1
TLH136: Finding and Landing a Youth Ministry Job 55:54

9M ago55:54

55:54

Brian Aaby, a veteran youth ministry leader now working with Slingshot Group, joins the show today to talk all about finding and landing a youth ministry job. We give practical advice for youth leaders considering a change in ministry roles or transitioning into their first ministry role. Brian stresses the importance of networking, preparing well …

1
TLH135: Essentials for Large Church Youth Ministry 46:46

9M ago46:46

46:46

In this episode, Jody and Shay Osborne discuss the challenges and strategies for effective large church youth ministry. They provide practical insights and advice for navigating the unique dynamics of large church youth ministry. They cover the importance of community and building authentic relationships. Shay shares insights and personal experienc…

1
TLH134: Multi-Site Youth Ministry 50:49

9M ago50:49

50:49

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, Abram Haley joins Jody and they discuss the experiences, challenges, and benefits of working in a multi-campus youth ministry setting. Abram Haley joins us to discuss various topics, including communication challenges, managing teams, handling large-scale events, issues with volunteers and …

1
TLH133: Navigating Bi-Vocational Youth Ministry 52:12

10M ago52:12

52:12

In this episode of the Longer Haul in Youth Ministry, Tommy Burkhart joins Jody on the show to discuss their experiences and insights into working as bi-vocational youth pastors. They dive into the core challenges in bi-vocational youth ministry, such as time management, financial constraints, and balancing expectations. They also discuss the advan…

1
TLH132: Teens and Anxiety with Brock Morgan 51:57

1y ago51:57

51:57

Welcome to a brand-new episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast! Today, we’re diving deep into a critical part of youth ministry and addressing the pressing issue of anxiety among teens. Our guest, Brock Morgan, is here to share invaluable insights on this topic. You don’t want to miss it! Brock, author of the book, “The Anxious Teen,” has…

1
TLH131: Secrets to Youth Ministry Volunteers 45:36

1y ago45:36

45:36

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Samm Simmons joins the show to talk all things youth ministry volunteers. In it we talk through recruiting, equipping, retaining, and encouraging youth ministry volunteers. This episode is filled with some practical ideas that you can take and implement into your youth ministry wherever and …

1
TLH130: Changes in Youth Ministry with Zac Workun and Chad Higgins 51:49

1y ago51:49

51:49

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast longtime friends of the show, Zac Workun and Chad Higgins from Lifeway Students and Youth Ministry Booster join us to talk about the changes we’re seeing in youth ministry today. We dive into all kinds of changes and some history of how we got here as well as some reminiscing on how The Long…

1
TLH129: Secrets to Staying in Youth Ministry 42:41

1y ago42:41

42:41

In this episode, I had a great conversation with Eric about what it takes to thrive and survive in youth ministry. We discuss the importance of prioritizing healthy rhythms, celebrating and supporting other youth pastors and churches, developing effective systems, placing a high value on leadership development, and remembering that ministry is not …

1
TLH128: Five(ish) Books for Youth Pastors 24:29

1y ago24:29

24:29

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, I’m diving back into a list of books that I’m recommending for youth pastors to read. In addition, I give you several tips for selecting the types of books you read. I’m convinced that reading is a discipline everyone who longs to lead better and improve should have—reading challenges you b…

1
TLH127:”Raising Kids in the Fishbowl” Insights from a Youth Pastor and His Wife 57:15

1+ y ago57:15

57:15

In this episode of The Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, my wife and I follow up with part two, if you will, of episode 126. We share our journey of raising kids while serving in youth ministry and offer insights on how to navigate the unique challenges of parenting in the "fishbowl" of ministry.We talk about the joys and rewards of serving in yo…

1
TLH126: Growing Up in Youth Ministry: A Youth Pastor’s Kids’ Perspective 49:06

1+ y ago49:06

49:06

In this episode of the Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast, we sit down with four special guests: my kiddos. They share their unique perspective on growing up in youth ministry and how it has impacted their lives. The conversation touches on the joys and challenges of being a youth pastor's kid, navigating faith and family dynamics, and how youth mi…

1
TLH125: Where Have All The Youth Pastors Gone? 56:23

2+ y ago56:23

56:23

It has become a regular occurrence for me. At least once a week I have someone reach out asking if I know of anyone I could recommend for their Youth Pastor search.Sadly, the answer is the same every time these days...no.It seems that nearly everyone is looking to hire a Youth Pastor and the cupboard is bare.So, where have all the Youth Pastors gon…

1
TLH124: When “Other Duties As Assigned” Includes Design 51:58

2+ y ago51:58

51:58

We all have it. It's the dreaded "other duties as assigned" disclaimer at the bottom of the job description. So what happens when those "other duties" are design, website, newsletter, social media?Maybe you're great at that, but it is a lot to manage on top of your "real job." Maybe you're not so great and don't know where to start. Or, maybe it's …

1
TLH123: The End of The Longer Haul? 36:45

2+ y ago36:45

36:45

As the old saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." In this episode podcast, we talk about what's ending, why it's ending, and what if anything the future holds for The Longer Haul.As always, thanks for being a part of The Longer Haul and for all you do! We're so thankful to have you as a part of this community.JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!Cli…

1
TLH122: How To, What To, And Why Evaluate Your Youth Ministry 50:12

3y ago50:12

50:12

How often do you evaluate your youth ministry? Stop and think for a minute about the last time you sat down, blocked out some time, and REALLY evaluated your youth ministry.Maybe it has been a while or you're not sure how to do it. Maybe you're not sure what to evaluate or why you even should evaluate your youth ministry. Well, have no fear! In thi…

1
TLH121: Growing and Learning 41:16

3y ago41:16

41:16

Longevity in youth ministry definitely requires growing and learning. There's always more to learn and areas to grow. In this episode, we share lessons we're learning, books that we've found helpful, and a few hints at what is ahead.Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community!JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!Click here to join our …

1
TLH120: Partnering with Parents in Youth Ministry 44:13

3y ago44:13

44:13

Partnering with parents in youth ministry can be a challenge. Depending on what stage of life and ministry you are in, knowing how and where to start can leave you frustrated.Never fear! In today's episode we're diving in with practical advice and tips on how to partner more effectively with parents in your youth ministry.Thanks for listening and f…

1
TLH119: And We’re Back 43:34

3y ago43:34

43:34

Annnnd we're back!It's been a long summer, and we're excited to be back recording new episodes. In this episode, we give you an update on where we've been, what's ahead, and what things we're currently working on.Thanks for listening and for being a part of the longer haul community.JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Mi…

1
TLH118: Rebuilding Your Youth Ministry 1:01:21

3+ y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

It's no secret that youth ministry over the last year and a half has been incredibly difficult. What your ministry will look like after Covid is probably still up in the air. One thing seems to be true for almost everyone, what your youth ministry looks like will largely require rebuilding your youth ministry.On the surface, this can look and feel …

1
TLH117: Engaging Gen Z 48:50

3+ y ago48:50

48:50

How do we engage Gen Z? The largest generation we've ever seen certainly brings with it challenges and opportunities.In today's episode, Dr. Tim McKnight joins the show to talk about Engaging Gen Z. There's a lot to learn and this interview is SO good. So grab some coffee, something to take notes with, and enjoy!Links Mentioned:Engaging Gen Z by Dr…

1
TLH116: What if they DO come back? 43:21

3+ y ago43:21

43:21

In our last episode, we gave some helpful thoughts and tips for how to approach your youth ministry as we come out of Covid. Part of this is the reality that for most of us we won't see the same number of students we saw involved in our programs before Covid.But we don't want to be all doom and gloom so in this episode we're talking about, "what if…

1
TLH115: What If They Don’t Come Back 39:54

3+ y ago39:54

39:54

It's been a LOOOONNG year. With many churches now reopening for in-person gatherings, the question looms over many of us, "What if they don't come back?"To be fair, even before the pandemic we were often faced with the question of "What if no one comes?" So in this episode, we're diving in with some practical advice for what to do and how to handle…

1
TLH114: Youth Ministry Beyond the “In-Person” Gathering 49:44

4y ago49:44

49:44

Over the past year, youth ministry has been one of constant reimagining. We've made plans, to make plans, only to make plans again. The "in-person" gathering is no longer a given.Turns out a global pandemic makes an in-person gathering difficult at best...impossible at worst. This has caused many of us to rethink our ministries beyond the in-person…

1
TLH113: Ten Things We Learned in 2020 53:37

4y ago53:37

53:37

This year has been a year like no other. In this episode, we talk through the BIG lessons we learned over the year. Some are personal lessons and some are ministry lessons. So take a listen and we would love to hear what lessons you've learned as well.JOIN THE PODCAST GROUP!Click here to join our Longer Haul Youth Ministry Podcast Facebook GroupSPE…

1
TLH112: Helping parents with the Social Dilemma 54:36

4y ago54:36

54:36

In this episode, our friend Barrett Johnson from I.N.F.O. for Families joins us to talk about helping parents navigate devices and social media. We talk about the documentary The Social Dilemma as well as some practical bits of help and takeaways for you and for the parents you serve.LINKS MENTIONEDThe Social DilemmaI.N.F.O for Families - https://w…

1
TLH111: Helping Gen Z Navigate Life in a Pandemic 51:28

4y ago51:28

51:28

The generation of students we’re all ministering to right now is going through unprecedented times… or are they? More on that in a minute.Ok, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us. Like you, Jody and I have been trying to navigate doing youth ministry in COVID and learning new rhythms for how we do…

1
TLH110: Crucial Question for Longevity in Youth Ministry 43:52

4+ y ago43:52

43:52

If you've been around the show you know that the focus of what we do here at the Longer Haul is helping Youth Pastors stay put and experience longevity in ministry.In this episode, we're tackling a crucial question you have to be able to answer when things get tough. Without considering and resolving the answer to this you're likely to leave when t…

1
TLH109: Youth Ministry After Quarantine 1:11:27

4+ y ago1:11:27

1:11:27

I think it is safe to say we're all tired of doing youth ministry under quarantine...In this episode, Chris had the chance to jump on (yet another) Zoom call with our friends at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board to talk through post quarantine opportunities you need to consider for your youth ministry. It's packed with some really practical thought…

1
TLH108: Listener Episode! What We’re All Going Through 1:06:31

4+ y ago1:06:31

1:06:31

WE LOVE OUR LISTENERS!!! Because our listeners LOVE teenagers!Last week we got a bunch of YOU together for a zoom call where we talked about what we're all going through. It turned out to be a great episode as we heard from listeners from different parts of the country. We talk about a little bit of everything in this episode, but perhaps the reaso…

1
TLH107: Recovering from Illness and from Social Distancing 1:01:20

4+ y ago1:01:20

1:01:20

A couple of weeks ago Chris got word through social media that his friend, Patrick Thompson, like many, right now had gotten sick. It was super encouraging to hear over the last few days that he has recovered and is doing much better.Patrick and Chris have been friends for over 10 years now from back when he was a youth pastor living in Georgia. Pa…

1
TLH106: Youth Ministry in Quarantine 32:03

4+ y ago32:03

32:03

Like all of you, it has been a CRAZY couple weeks for us as we've adjusted to our current normal of not meeting with teenagers in person. So, we decided to take a moment and share a quick update regarding what we're doing and what we've learned in the last couple of weeks of doing youth ministry in quarantine.We're praying for you as you lead your …

1
TLH105: Radical Reevaluation of Youth Ministry 1:02:17

4+ y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Have you ever wondered if we're doing all we can do to reach students for Jesus in a way that will last into their adult years? After hanging out with teenagers and trying to point them to Jesus for over 30 years now, I have and still do.Jody and I believe that part of experiencing youth ministry for the longer haul means we're willing to evaluate …

1
TLH104: The Heart of Fundraising 38:19

4+ y ago38:19

38:19

For many youth workers, fundraising is a necessary part of helping our student experience programming that we believe could help point them to Jesus. We know that for many of our students to be able to experience events like camp, mission trips or weekend retreats, they're going to need financial help.In this interview with Bubba Crowder we get to …

1
TLH103: The Importance of Helping Students with Identity 40:03

4+ y ago40:03

40:03

We are just returning from attending a great conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We had a BLAST at Conclave!While there, we were able to sit down with some great youth ministry thinkers. Today we're sharing with you a great interview with Dr. Scott Pace where we talked about the importance of how students understand identity.Scott and Ed Newton h…

1
TLH102: Youth Ministry Lessons Learned From the Past Year 57:18

5y ago57:18

57:18

Our hope for you as 2019 comes to an end is that 2020 gets off to a great start. We can't thank you enough for trusting us with your time each week. We don't take that for granted, so we want to be sure to continue to help you accomplish your goal of experiencing longevity in youth ministry for both your current gig and potentially your lifetime.In…

1
TLH101: Family Ministry with Nick Blevins 1:16:32

5y ago1:16:32

1:16:32

Family ministry can mean a lot of different things in the context of ministry. For some, it means that their entire ministry is family-focused and inclusive. For others thinking in a youth ministry context, they think of family ministry as their efforts to minister to the families of the students in their ministry.Regardless of your definition, I t…

1
TLH100: Leading in a World of Distraction 56:22

5y ago56:22

56:22

Here we go! Episode 100!!! Wha what! Thanks for hanging with us and trusting us with your time.We're celebrating episode 100 with Clay Scroggins, Lead Pastor of Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Clay is also the author of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge and a brand new book called, How to Lead in a World of Distraction.In this episode, Cla…

1
TLH099: Encouraging and Equipping your Youth Ministry Volunteers 53:33

5y ago53:33

53:33

We all love to be appreciated! I know I do! When it comes to volunteers in our youth ministries, we big-time need to know how to encourage and appreciate what they do for teenagers.In this episode, we interview Erin Wells. Erin works with Jody at High Desert Church in California as the Student Ministry Director. It wasn't long after Jody got to Hig…

1
TLH098: Networking in Youth Ministry 1:02:43

5y ago1:02:43

1:02:43

It's safe to say that the reason Jody and I are doing the Longer Haul Podcast together is that we first met while attending a network meeting. We've both greatly benefited from networking with others over the years and we think you can too.In this episode, we interview Zach Wyatt, a networking guru from Chattanooga, TN who knows youth ministry and …

1
TLH097: Navigating your first year at a new church 57:29

5y ago57:29

57:29

We believe in longevity, but we know that all of us eventually have to experience a transition and work for a new church. How you approach the first year of ministry at your new church is crucial.Jody recently experienced this when he left Georgia and headed to California. As he approaches the end of his first year of ministry there, he's here to t…

1
TLH096: Summer Recap 48:17

5y ago48:17

48:17

Whoa! What a summer!We both had an amazing summer, but we have been BUSY! If you're like us, you LOVE summer youth ministry. But by the end of summer, you're completely worn out. Youth ministry without a summer, though? NO THANKS!In this episode, we take a look at what we've been up to all summer and we couldn't help but to throw a few tips in alon…

1
TLH095: Discipling Students During Short Term Missions 41:38

5+ y ago41:38

41:38

By Jody Livingston: Youth Pastor | Youth Speaker | Youth Ministry Blogger

1
TLH094: Raising Kids in Youth Ministry 54:33

5+ y ago54:33

54:33

By Jody Livingston: Youth Pastor | Youth Speaker | Youth Ministry Blogger

1
TLH093: Youth Ministry Budgeting 101 51:49

5+ y ago51:49

51:49

By Jody Livingston: Youth Pastor | Youth Speaker | Youth Ministry Blogger

1
TLH092: 5 Great Summer Youth Ministry Ideas You Can Use Now 51:09

5+ y ago51:09

51:09

By Jody Livingston: Youth Pastor | Youth Speaker | Youth Ministry Blogger

1
TLH091: Dealing with Discipline in Youth Ministry 1:12:48

5+ y ago1:12:48

1:12:48

Recently on our super secret Facebook Group, we were asked to address the topic of how to deal with discipline with teenagers. We immediately loved the idea as we remembered how much of a challenge this issue has been over the years.Because we knew it was a tough topic, we decided to invite back as a special guest, veteran youth pastor Seth Buckley…

1
TLH090: Old School Youth Ministry 55:02

5+ y ago55:02

55:02

Episode 90! We're pumped!We both started doing youth ministry in the '90s so we thought it'd be fun to do an episode highlighting all of the things we've seen change over the years... can you say overhead projectors???It turned out to be a fun one with a few great tips along the way. If you didn't serve in youth ministry back then, you'll definitel…

1
TLH089: Staying Encouraged in Youth Ministry 49:08

5+ y ago49:08

49:08

Trust us when we say that there comes a time in all ministry callings where something will not go your way and you will face discouragement. Don't get us wrong! We love what we get to do! Youth ministry can truly be one of the most rewarding gigs out there. But with great potential for reward comes the great potential for disappointment.When that h…

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