Making Sense of Ministry is the Youth Ministry and Children's Ministry podcast designed to guide you toward success. Why? Because we want young people to know the love God has for them. This podcast, presented by the Youth Ministry Institute, is hosted by Brian Lawson and Kirsten Knox. So whether you're full-time, part-time, or a volunteer in ministry, we're glad you are here!
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February 6, 2024Episode 922 min
Navigating Volunteer Leadership: Fostering Growth and Confidence in Ministry Volunteers | Season 5: Episode 9
Have you ever had a team of volunteers but had no idea how to help them develop? Should you provide training for them? If so, how often and what in the world do you teach them?That’s the kind of challenge Kirsten Knox and Brian Lawson address head-on as they unpack the journey of shaping volunteer leaders in youth and children's ministries.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
January 23, 2024Episode 84 min
Five-Minute Mentoring: Guiding Volunteers Beyond the Welcome Mat in Ministry | Season 5: Episode 8
Have you ever considered that welcoming new volunteers is just the first step on a much longer journey? That's precisely the focus of our latest episode on Making Sense of Ministry. In this Five-Minute Mentoring episode, Brian Lawson walks you through a critical step in nurturing a volunteer toward long-term success. Get ready to discover the secrets to building a committed, long-term team—because the truth is, when you think you can finally take a breath after onboarding, that's when the real work begins.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
October 17, 2023Episode 722 min
Onboarding Volunteers in Ministry: Insights and Strategies to Enhance A New Volunteer's Experience | Season 5: Episode 7
How do you onboard a new volunteer? We know that if you don't welcome and guide a new volunteer in your Youth Ministry or Children's Ministry well, they will likely not last. So if it's time for you to up your onboarding skills, then give this episode a listen.Resources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
October 3, 2023Episode 63 min
Five-Minute Mentoring: Turning 'No' Around in Volunteer Recruitment | Season 5: Episode 6
Do you struggle with asking for help? You're not alone. Join me, Kirsten Knox, as I divulge my own trials with this issue, particularly how it influenced my effectiveness in recruiting volunteers for youth ministry. Learn how changing my perspective from seeking help to inviting others to partake in the transformative work God is already doing in our youth's lives made a significant impact. Resources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
September 26, 2023Episode 523 min
From Guacamole to Four Square: Secrets to Reducing Frustration with Volunteers | Season 5: Episode 5
Have you ever found yourself spiraling in frustration? Join us as we share our personal tales – Brian's tussle with a guacamole-less Chipotle visit and Kirsten's fiery four-square showdown. And the truth is, we can feel frustration with volunteers - ever been there? We spill the beans on the essentials - from documents like background screenings to laying down clear expectations. Our candid discussion offers practical advice to bypass roadblocks that often lead to leadership frustrations. This episode is your guide to ensuring your volunteers hit the ground running in their respective roles.Resources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
September 19, 2023Episode 45 min
Five-Minute Mentoring: Making The Ask of Potential Volunteers | Season 5: Episode 4
Ready to ask a potential volunteer to join your Youth Ministry or Children's Ministry? In this episode, Brian uncovers how to successfully connect with potential volunteers, from choosing the ideal setting for your conversation to effectively communicating your ministry's vision. The way you ask may just make or break whether the person will say yes to joining your ministry team.This episode will give you a clear understanding of the BEST way to ask a potential volunteer to serve in your ministry. Subscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
September 12, 2023Episode 321 min
The Power of Diversifying Volunteer Teams | Season 5: Episode 3
Ever wondered how a NASCAR risk manager or a post office worker could be the best addition to your ministry team? Buckle up! We’re about to take you on a unique journey about unique volunteers. We've learned the immense value of diversifying our volunteer teams, drawing from our volunteers' skill sets, backgrounds, and ages, even when they defy the ‘typical’ volunteer image. It's easy to overlook the quiet ones, like the tireless administrative volunteer ensuring birthday postcards are sent out - but trust us, their impact is far-reaching and deeply meaningful to young people. We'll also delve into the depths of our own biases when recruiting and how they can inadvertently limit the potential of our ministries. We all have our blind spots, but learning to recognize and navigate them is crucial in building a team that can truly take your ministry to the next level.Resources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
September 5, 2023Episode 24 min
Five-Minute Mentoring: First Step In Building Your Volunteer Ministry Team | Season 5: Episode 2
Ready to create a stellar volunteer team for your ministry? Kirsten Knox will guide you through the process of choosing the best possible team for your ministry. We kickstart the discussion with an engaging debate about the greatest basketball players of all time, using this analogy to highlight the importance of selecting the best team for your ministry. Tune in to learn how to begin your recruitment process by considering the best. Discover why it's crucial to maintain an open mind during the selection process and not prematurely dismiss potential volunteers. You'll find out how prayer and the wisdom of Jim Collins on having the right people on the 'bus' can guide you toward success in youth or children's ministries. Don't miss out on your chance to assemble your All-Star team. Unearth more gems of wisdom on building success in youth or children's ministries by visiting YMinstitutecom.Resources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
August 29, 2023Episode 122 min
The Power of Volunteers in Youth and Children's Ministries | Season 5: Episode 1
In this episode, we walk through tales of memorable volunteers, the influences they wield on youth and children's ministries, and the lessons we can glean from their stories. Ever been amused by a volunteer who does something quirky? Or marveled at a longtime volunteer who creates a ‘happy place’ of serving within the church? As we round off this episode, we lean into the life cycle and retention of volunteers. We share a poignant story, a single unpleasant encounter that drastically reshaped our volunteer recruitment process. We then tap into the art of trusting our instincts for volunteer selection and tactfully guiding volunteers onward when the time is right. Tune in and be inspired by the immense power volunteers offer to our communities.Resources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
April 27, 2023Episode 105 min
Five-Minute Mentoring: On The Interwoven Web Of Joys And Complaints | Season 4: Episode 10
Have you ever had someone complain, and now it's all you can think about? Have complaints ruined a meaningful moment in ministry? In this Five-Minute Mentoring episode, Brian discusses the interwoven web of joys and complaints. Understanding this web can help you stay positive and joy-filled as you serve in ministry.Resources MentionedYouth & Children’s Ministry Job BoardYouth and Children’s Ministry CertificationsYouth or Children’s Ministry CoachingJoin Our Facebook GroupSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Support the showResources MentionedSubscribe To Content Filled EmailsFind the Youth Ministry Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Linkedin.Find Kirsten on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
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