Best Youth Pastor Theologian Podcasts (2025)

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104: Asking Good Questions, Chat GPT, Engaging Students with Scripture 38:21

3d ago38:21

38:21

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the importance of asking good questions that engage students in meaningful conversations. Discussing good and bad questions leads into a conversation about whether or not youth workers should use ChatGPT. The discussion also highlight…

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Psalm Pslam, a Talent Show, and a Listener Complains 36:35

2d ago36:35

36:35

Lauren's youth group did a Psalm Pslam and looked at Psalm 42. Tom's youth group had a talent night. An angry listener emailed us... twice. If you have a question, suggestion, or amazing youth ministry story, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast AI made an episode summary for…

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Women in Ministry, Losing a Kid on Camp, and VCYC 51:22

9d ago51:22

51:22

Tim's youth group got deep into the women in ministry trickiness. Tom's youth group went away to VCYC and had a great time, despite losing a kid. If you have a question, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.au. Find Tim's other podc…

1
103: Student Leadership, Book Recommendations, & Time Wasters 37:10

11d ago37:10

37:10

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of student leadership within youth ministry. They discuss whether all students should be considered leaders, the importance of defining leadership, and how personality traits influence leadership roles. The conversation also touches on em…

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Limbo, Youth Group Merch, and Syncing Youth Teaching with Whole Church Teaching 52:38

16d ago52:38

52:38

Alex's youth group turned three, had a party, and talks about the dying girl and bleeding woman. Tom's youth group did some Bible workshops in a 90's church/Apple store. Correction: Limbo did not originate in voodoo but funeral rites in Trinidad and Tobago. Tom had no idea what he was talking about. You can learn all about it in the episode 'Limbo:…

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102: Missions Trips & Discouraged Youth Pastors 40:31

18d ago40:31

40:31

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the role of missions trips. They discuss the theological implications of these trips, critiques of short-term missions, and share personal experiences—both positive and negative while emphasizing the importance of gospel-centered miss…

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Star Wars, Bunnings, the Fat King, and Regular Bible Reading 40:06

23d ago40:06

40:06

Tim's youth group played a Bunnings/Star Wars game and looked at 1 Timothy. Tom's went for a run and looked at how Ehud and the fat king teaches us about the Bible. If you have a question, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.au. Fi…

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101: Podcast revamp, Our Ministry Journeys, D.Mins. and Spouses in Youth Ministry 44:25

24d ago44:25

44:25

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner introduce the new format of the show, focusing on their journeys into youth ministry. They discuss their unexpected paths into youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, why they each pursues a D.Min., and how they integrate their spouses into thei…

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The Theological Youth Group (with Mike McGarry from Youth Pastor Theologian) 57:09

1M ago57:09

57:09

Mike McGarry, author of A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry, joins Tom to talk about how to run a youth group that is theological without being boring. Mike is also our first ever international guest, which means we're really in the big leagues now. If you have a question, suggestion, or just want to make us feel better about ourselves, email us:…

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The Best Books, Podcasts, Movies, and TV Shows for Your Youth Ministry 49:12

1M ago49:12

49:12

Tim and Tom chatted about the best books, podcasts, movies, and TV shows for your youth ministry, just like the title says. Full list of the resources mentioned down below. If you have a question, suggestion, or more resources for us to check out, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrou…

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100: Revisiting "What is a Youth Pastor Theologian" (Engle, Hartman, Tufano) 1:04:38

2M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

In this celebratory 100th episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, host Mike McGarry and guests Nick Hartman, Jason Engle, and Alex Tufano reflect on their experiences in youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, and memorable podcast episodes. They discuss the significance of the Youth Pastor Theologian identity, the need for pra…

1
Hot Cross Bun Competition, Intergrating Youth into Church, and Navigating Demographic Changes 27:54

2M ago27:54

27:54

Alex's youth group had a hot cross bun bracket competition and kept talking about Luke. Lauren's crew slightly changed a game to not be offensive and finished off Galatians. If you have a question, suggestion, or amazing youth ministry story, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodc…

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99: Equipping Youth to Live with Wisdom (Rich Griffith) 45:45

2M ago45:45

45:45

In this conversation, Mike talks with Rich Griffith about the importance of guiding our youth to live with wisdom and discernment, and encouraging them to live with godly courage. Conversation includes: How can we help our youth grow in biblical wisdom and to live with courage to live accordingly. Why is that so important to you as you raise your o…

1
Shark Tank, Building a Culture of Supportive Leadership, and Youth Prayer (with Jocelyn Bignill) 46:00

2M ago46:00

46:00

Jocelyn Bignill from All Saints, Petersham joined to share about her youth group, and their culture of prayer and leadership support. Tom's youth group had a night about the future and Shark Tank. If you have a question, suggestion, or amazing youth ministry story, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrenc…

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98: Building a Culture of Question-Asking in Youth Ministry (Valerie O'Brien) 52:11

2M ago52:11

52:11

Teenagers are full of questions. The big question, is who are they discussing those questions with?! It can be a challenge to cultivate a ministry culture where students feel the freedom to ask their questions without being afraid of getting belittled or receiving cheap answers. In this conversation, Valerie O'Brien discusses her approach to inviti…

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Teen Friendships, Lego Masters Night, and Pizza Extravaganza 20:42

2M ago20:42

20:42

Alex's youth group had a Lego Masters night, Tom's talked about friendship and ate pizza. If you have a question, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.au. Alex doesn't have a website so you can't find her anywhere. AI made us an epi…

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97: Jesus is Worth It (Chris Morphew) 48:52

2M ago48:52

48:52

Can Jesus really make a positive difference in your life? What about when being a Christian puts you at odds with the values of your friends and with society in general? Is following Jesus worth it? This episode is a conversation with Chris Morphew about his new book, "Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated", which highlights the tru…

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Romance Nights, Teaching Judges, and Running Panels 45:32

2M ago45:32

45:32

Tim's youth group learnt about Jeptha and how not to make stupid vows. Tom's group talked about romance and went to a big youth event. If you have a question, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.au. Find Tim's other podcast, Family…

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96: Teaching the Old Testament to Youth (Chelsea Erickson) 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

It can be tempting to stick to the New Testament when teaching the Bible to youth. But doing so will only short-change teenagers and limit their understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ. Some parts of the Old Testament can feel foreign or intimidating, and therefore easy to avoid. Today's conversation with Chelsea Erickson will highlight the …

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The Biggest Challenges Facing Youth Today, Getting Called to Youth Ministry, and Valuing Youth Ministry in the Church 56:15

3M ago56:15

56:15

This week you get an interview with Tom recorded at the Wimmera Easter Convention 2023 with Paul McCrohan. We'll be back to regular programing next week. To get Tom's books head to https://tomfrench.com.au/books Sign up for the Ridley Children's and Youth Ministry Training Day: https://www.ridley.edu.au/event/childrens-and-youth-ministry-training-d…

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95: Speaking to Teenagers (Duffy Robbins) 52:48

3M ago52:48

52:48

Duffy Robbins shares insights on effective preaching and teaching in youth ministry, including a discussion about how long to teach for. Robbins emphasizes that youth will listen for as long as they're engaged, but they'll check out once they're bored. So, how do we teach with biblical and theological depth that engages them with the gospel? What i…

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Photo Scavenger Hunts, Gospel Sharing, and Youth Dance 39:52

3M ago39:52

39:52

Alex and Tom did a Photo Scavenger Hunt together. Alex's husband did a talk about Jesus. Sign up for the Ridley Children's and Youth Ministry Training Day: https://www.ridley.edu.au/event/childrens-and-youth-ministry-training-day-from-little-things/ If you have a question email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://t…

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94: Reflecting on the Asbury Outpouring (Zach Meerkreebs) 46:29

3M ago46:29

46:29

The Asbury Outpouring gripped religious news and social media two years ago. People had a wide range of opinions about it then, but it's been long enough that we can look with greater clarity about what was and was not happening. In this episode, Mike talks with Zach Meerkreebs, the preacher whose sermon God used to spark the outpouring. Listen in …

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Phone Free Camps and Chilled Out Small Groups 43:52

3M ago43:52

43:52

Tim had a chilled out afternoon at youth group where the girls did MMA and everyone ate a bucket of curry. Tom took his churches youth on camp and they got rid of phones and electricity eventually. Sign up for the Ridley Children's and Youth Ministry Training Day: https://www.ridley.edu.au/event/childrens-and-youth-ministry-training-day-from-little…

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93: Theology of Art and Ministry to Artsy Youth (Melody Bellefeuille-Frost) 47:22

3M ago47:22

47:22

Youth Group isn’t always a place where artsy youth feel a sense of belonging. And yet, the Church, historically, has been a haven for the arts. How can youth workers develop a biblical appreciation for art and serve our students who are artistically-minded? Discussion Includes: Historically, there’s been a rich relationship between the church and t…

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Bonus Episode: The Best Book to Buy For Youth This Year (with Chris Morphew) 36:57

3M ago36:57

36:57

Tom chats to world-famous author Chris Morphew, who got his start right here on The Youth Group Podcast. Chris is shamelessly promoting his new book, which he wrote only for the money and to fulfill hie contractual obligations. (Community users have disputed some of this information.) Get Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated here -…

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Love Song Dedications, Expectations, and Answers to Prayer 34:06

3M ago34:06

34:06

Lauren leant into Valentine's Day with some love song lip-sync battles, and Tom's had some prayers get answered, not always how they wanted. Sign up for the Ridley Children's and Youth Ministry Training Day: https://www.ridley.edu.au/event/childrens-and-youth-ministry-training-day-from-little-things/ If you have a question email us: hello@youthgrou…

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92: Trends in Youth Ministry (Walt Mueller) 51:44

3M ago51:44

51:44

What's happening in the youth ministry world today and how did we get here? This is an important question that we need to ask from time to time, and who's better to ask than Dr. Walt Mueller? Walt Mueller has been ministering to young people for over 45 years and is the founder/director of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. He’s also the au…

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Leaders' Retreats, Poo Swords, and Prayer Empires 37:43

4M ago37:43

37:43

Tim went away on retreat with his leaders and then ran youth group while half asleep. Tom fed a lot of people and launched a (slightly) gamified year-long prayer activity. If you have a question email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.…

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91: The Church and Youth Sports (Paul Putz) 52:27

4M ago52:27

52:27

Talking about the church and youth sports is a sure way to spur strong opinions. Many pastors feel like parents are choosing sports over faith, while parents and kids feel like the church doesn't respect sports or team culture. How can faithful Christian parents and church leaders navigate this tense issue in a way that is distinctively Christian, …

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Meet the New Crew, Year Launches, and Youth Group Mistakes 34:31

4M ago34:31

34:31

Meet the new hosts, hear about the start of the year, and the time Tom called a girl at youth group fat, twice. If you have a question email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from from Tom at https://tomfrench.com.au.By Tom French, Lauren Mahaffey, Alex Sheely, and Tim Blagg

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90: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Will Standridge) 44:53

4M ago44:53

44:53

At some point, every youth pastor faces the question, "Should I stay or should I go?" Sometimes God's wisdom leads us to stay and endure through seasons of tension and conflict, but sometimes the Lord provides freedom to move into a new ministry (or an entirely new vocation!). Discussion Includes: You’re still in your first year as a senior pastor……

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89: The Significance of Eating Together (Seth Stewart) 46:29

4M ago46:29

46:29

Food and “the table” show up throughout Scripture in significant ways. And yet, it’s easily overlooked. How does “theology of meals and eating together” shape Christian fellowship and ministry to youth? Could you explain what you mean by “theology of meals and eating together”? When I hear this, I immediately think about the Lord’s Supper. That’s a…

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88: The Best Teaching Advice I've Received (Kyle Hoffsmith) 49:16

4M ago49:16

49:16

There’s so much that can be said about how to teach the Bible with depth and clarity, it’s almost as if we could build an entire podcast around it! That’s why we’ve invited Kyle Hoffsmith from “The Word in Youth Ministry” to share some of the best preaching and teaching advice that he’s heard. When you were new to youth ministry, could you tell us …

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87: Managing Expectations in Youth Ministry (Joseph Bradley) 58:22

5M ago58:22

58:22

Everyone has expectations: you do, and so do your students, parents, volunteers, and church leaders. How can you identify people's expectations and respond with humility and confidence when you don't quite "meet expectations"? Of all the topics we could be discussing today, why do you think it’s important for us to talk about managing expectations …

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The End (sort of) 35:38

6M ago35:38

35:38

Chris is back, just so he can leave again. Tom has the gossip about the future of the podcast and he had his last week of youth group. Chris bought plane tickets like a rich man. If you have a question, have a segment idea, or want to suggest a podcast host, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tom…

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86: Leading a Youth Ministry While in Seminary (Nick Hartman) 48:41

6M ago48:41

48:41

It can be difficult to find a healthy rhythm when serving in full-time youth ministry while also in seminary. This can lead some people to never pursue formal training, and it can lead others to burn out. Today’s conversation highlights the benefit of seminary training while providing some practical counsel about navigating it well. What’s the bene…

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85: Apologetics and Doubt in Youth Ministry (Mary Jo Sharp) 49:10

6M ago49:10

49:10

As teenagers move from middle school through their high school graduation, they begin to ask increasingly difficult questions about life and faith and God. If we are only telling them answers without creating space for meaningful conversations about the questions they have, then they’ll find answer to their questions somewhere else. Today’s convers…

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Water Games, Teaching Tips, and Graduation Rituals (with Josh Daniel) 52:16

6M ago52:16

52:16

Tom chatted to Josh Daniel from Canterbury Gardens Community Church about their water games and how to graduate year 12s. If you have a question or want to be a guest, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast resources at https://tomfrench.com.au/youthgrouppodcast Find more from Chris at https://chrismorphew.com and from T…

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84: Leading and Equipping Volunteers (Alex Tufano) 54:58

6M ago54:58

54:58

Sooner or later, every youth pastor learns that their youth ministry is only as strong as their volunteers. If that’s true then how do we identify, recruit, train, and support faithful volunteer leaders to serve our students? Discussion Why are volunteers so important? What should we look for in volunteers, and what are some flags that should give …

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Talking about Dating, Combined Nights, and Distractible Kids (with Tim Blagg) 48:40

6M ago48:40

48:40

Chris is still in retirement, but Tom is back from parental leave and joined by Tim Blagg from Trinity Church, Adelaide. Tim talked about dating with a hoard of youth boys, and Tom went to a combined night and did virtually nothing. If you have a question or want to be a guest, email us: [email protected] Get more podcast reso…

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83: Translating Youth Culture for Student Discipleship (Evan Barber) 52:05

6M ago52:05

52:05

Youth culture can feel like a foreign language, especially with how rapidly it changes. How can youth workers understand the culture of our students… and why is that important anyways? Why is it important for youth workers to understand youth culture? How would you describe the default approach most adults take toward interpreting and translating y…

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82: How to Respond When Teenagers Get Pregnant (Sara Loy) 45:35

7M ago45:35

45:35

How do we respond with love and grace when teenagers in our ministry get pregnant? This is a huge surprise for everyone and often turns entire families upside-down. The gospel shapes the way you support and care for the expectant mom, dad, and their families. What are some of the initial feelings that our teen girls likely experience after finding …

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81: Leading Youth to Lead Worship in Youth Ministry (Dorothy Lau) 48:40

7M ago48:40

48:40

How can youth ministries encourage teenagers to worship God? Obviously, worship is more than singing and music, but that’s often where we begin how to worship. So what kinds of songs should we sing, and what should we avoid in our worship music? Discussion Questions What are some of the benefits of incorporating worship in your youth ministry? Can …

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80: Cultivating a Churchwide Commitment to Intergenerational Relationships (Annika Bangma) 46:29

7M ago46:29

46:29

Youth workers are increasingly realizing the importance of intergenerational ministry. But it remains a challenge to promote a churchwide commitment to these cross-generational relationships. Why is this so important and how do we make progress in this area? Discussion Includes: Could you tell us a little about Generation Spark's vision for interge…

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79: How Catechesis Can Strengthen Your Discipleship (Skyler Flowers & Parker Hudson) 52:31

7M ago52:31

52:31

Every youth leader wants to see their teenagers grow into mature and godly adults. At the same time, we often struggle to clearly define what discipleship is and what it looks like. After all, if everything in our youth ministry falls under the category of discipleship then we’ve probably watered down the category of discipleship so much it doesn’t…

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78: Discussing Gender and Sexuality with Youth (Andrew Bunt & Ashleigh Hull) 56:32

8M ago56:32

56:32

Discussing gender and sexuality with teenagers has never been more important... or intimidating. It seems so easy to step on landmines, lose credibility with either students or parents or church leadership, which can make it tempting to avoid the topic altogether. But students are hearing about gender and sexuality, and every ministry has youth who…

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77: Ministry to Teen Boys (Jonathan Denton) 45:09

8M ago45:09

45:09

It’s no secret that boys and girls mature differently. That doesn’t only happen in terms of emotional maturity but also cognitively and spiritually. So, how does that shape the way we minister to the teen guys in our youth ministries? Discussion Includes: Tell us a little about your book, Disciplemaking With Guys. Why did you write it and what’s th…

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76: Calling Youth to a God-Centered Faith (Richard Ross) 42:40

8M ago42:40

42:40

The Christian faith is not about “me and Jesus,” but about the glory of our Triune God. What does it mean for youth workers to call teenagers into lives that are marked by faithful worship and a vital union with Christ? Instead, many teenagers have a me-centered faith that treats Jesus like their therapist. This conversation with Dr. Richard Ross h…

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75: Ministry to Kids in Crisis (Seth Teegarden) 47:18

8M ago47:18

47:18

Youth Ministry often brings us into students’ lives during difficult and painful times. Instead of avoiding that because it’s messy or complicated, the gospel calls us to walk beside youth and their families with love and compassion. Today we’re talking with Seth Teegarden about his experience as a house parent for kids in crisis, and about how tha…

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