The FYI on Youth Ministry

Latest Episodes:

Reframing the work of youth leaders Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

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

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

We need to talk about anxiety Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

"Google the words "Anxiety is like," and you'll be shocked by the number of comparisons and descriptions you'll find … As the Body of Christ, we can help change the script for young people grappling with anxiety." In this episode, Rachel Dodd shares 4 hope-filled messages the church needs to tell today's anxious young people.

Mentioned in this episode:Lifeway Research: Suicide Remains a Taboo Topic at Churches Faith in an Anxious World Curriculum Youth Ministry and Mental Health Half-Day Online Training

Compassion and deeper connection with teens Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Teaching compassion to teens starts with being compassionate leaders. Tune in to hear Cameron Lee share practical strategies from biblically-informed psychology that will help you cultivate trust-filled discipleship and make a lasting impact in the lives of young people.

Guest: Cameron Lee Hosts: Rachel Dodd, Roslyn Hernández

Mentioned in this episode: Compassion Curriculum The Fog Blog Dr. Kristin Neff on Self Compassion Book: Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

A surprising way to cultivate love and humility Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

What's love and humility got to do with lament? More than we might initially imagine! In this conversation, you'll hear insight, stories, and practical ideas from Soong-Chan Rah about how we can cultivate love and humility with teens in our youth ministry through the spiritual practice of lament.

Guest(s): Soong-Chan Rah

Hosts: Chuck Hunt, Roslyn Hernández

Mentioned in this episode:

Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times

Related FYI resources:

Blog: Teaching young people about lament: Practical ideas from 8 innovative ministries

Blog: Communal ashes: finding God in our lament this Lenten season

Teaching teenagers hope and perseverance: wisdom from immigrant faith communities Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Marcos Canales, and Elizabeth Tamez Méndez share stories, and practical wisdom on teaching teenagers about hope and perseverance. Your students face lots of challenges, and we know you and other caring adults in your ministry want to be there for them. Join this empowering conversation on cultivating hope and perseverance with your students.

Guest(s): Marcos Canales, Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, Elizabeth Tamez Méndez Hosts: Roslyn Hernández

Mentioned in this episode: New Generation 3 Curriculum: JUNTOS (Together) in English Estudio Biblico: JUNTOS en español Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH) La Fuente Ministries

Related FYI resources: Blog: The character of discipleship Blog: Testimonios: The power of stories shared in community

Hip hop, forgiveness, and justice Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Rev. Dr. Dwight Radcliff talks with us about the prophetic truth-telling power of hip hop and its importance to the process of forgiveness and racial justice. Join the conversation to get ideas about spiritual formation practices you can use to teach students in your youth ministry about forgiveness.

Guest(s): Dwight Radcliff

Hosts: Roslyn Hernández, LaTasha Nesbitt

Mentioned in this episode:

Article: Hip Hop Hermeneutic by Dr. Dwight Radcliff

Video: Birmingham and the Children's March (10 mins.)

Masters of Arts in Justice and Advocacy

Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman

Michael Eric Dyson

Related FYI resources:

Blog: Helping young people grieve and take action

Blog: A letter to White leaders about White supremacy and Christian nationalism

Blog: Processing racialized violence with students

Teaching humility in an age of entitlement Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Listen as Rich Villodas shares thoughts and ideas on faith practices that can help support teens' spiritual formation by cultivating humility in ourselves and our Gen Z students.

Guest: Rich Villodas Hosts: Roslyn Hernández and Giovanni Panginda

Mentioned in this episode:

New Life Fellowship Humilitas by John Dickson

Related FYI resources:

Blog: Walk and pray in awe and wonder Blog: How can your church listen across generations

Can teaching character and virtue be problematic? Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Robert Chao Romero talks with us about the historical oppression BIPOC have experienced in the U.S. in the name of character and virtue education. Hear how ministry leaders can safeguard discipleship and spiritual formation models from unintentionally causing harm, along with ways youth ministry can benefit from honoring and including families and cultures in our communities.

Guest: Robert Chao Romero Hosts: Brad Griffin and Roslyn Hernández

Mentioned in this episode:

Brown Church by Robert Chao Romero

Christianity and Critical Race Theory by Robert Chao Romero

Mathew 25 SoCal

South Western U.S. States and Mexico

Americanization programs

Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants In Our Response to Immigration by Karen Gonzales

Related FYI resources:

Blog: Processing racialized violence with students Section 5: Expand your own reading and viewing

Blog: Black joy as resistance

Blog: Three lessons learned while pursuing multidiversity in an Asian American context

Blog: Unity does not equal uniformity

Discipleship that Forms Christlike Character Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

As youth leaders, we all want to disciple our students to be more Christ-like but resources on discipling for character development are scarce. This season, we explore Christ-like characteristics and youth ministry activities that can help you support your students' spiritual formation as they become more like Christ. Jen Bradbury shares highlights from FYI's Character and Virtue Development project and what we've learned about how we can help our students develop Christ-like characteristics like humility, hope, love, perseverance, forgiveness, and compassion.

Hosts: Roslyn Hernández and Giovanny Panginda Guest: Jen Bradbury

SHOW NOTES

Mentioned in this episode:

Book: The Jesus Gap: What Teens Actually Believe About Jesus

Book: Called: A Novel About Youth Ministry Transition

Blog: 5 ways you can nurture faith that goes beyond youth group

Related FYI resources:

Blog: Models matter: Key insights on character-forming discipleship with teenagers

Blog: Testimonios: The power of faith stories shared in community

Honoring our students' immigration realities Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Giovanny Panginda and Roslyn Hernández talk with Kevin Wilson about the intersections between immigration experiences and faith. Join us to hear insights and practical ideas to help you connect with immigrant students and families in your ministry.

Mentioned in this episode:

Cross Culture Christian

Related FYI resources:

Blog: Reading Scripture with immigrant youth: Let the children come to me

Blog: Finding abundance through reclaiming our immigrant stories

Blog: We're not all just alike: Challenges and opportunities in multiethnic youth ministries