The FYI on Youth Ministry

Latest Episodes:

Young Adulthood Transitions: #Adulting Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

The tenth season of The FYI on Youth Ministry is all about young adults! In this episode, we introduce you to the 7 transitions young adults experience in their twenties. Whether you're a youth leader in your twenties, or you have students about to become young adults, this season is for you! Sign up for our email list

Free Resource: 7 things you need to know for successful young adult ministry

Related FYI resources: Blog: Two mantras for young adult ministry now

Helping teens practice everyday faith Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

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

Related FYI resources: Blog: Character: It's not just about teaching teens to be "good"

How to build trust with teens in youth group Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

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

Creating safe spaces for teens' tough questions and meaning making Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

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

Youth ministry teaching that transforms Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

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

Modeling spiritual growth for teens Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

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

Discipling teens to live their faith beyond our youth groups Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

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

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

5 ways to cultivate trust with teens in your youth ministry Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

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

Models matter: Key insights on character-forming discipleship with teenagers Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

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?

Bonus episode: Compassion and inclusion in God's kinship with Fr. Greg Boyle Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

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

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