Tools and Resources for Youth Ministry
Basics of Youth Ministry from Opening Doors to Discipleship by the Association of Partners in Christian Education and the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association.
“Every youth ministry should include community building, faith formation, and logistics and administration. In the video below, Kristopher “Bubba” Brammer gives some details about each of these core elements.”
Tools for managing your ministry:
Canva makes graphic design super easy (and free!) so you can make pictures, flyers, social media graphics and more for your ministry. You will be amazed by how great your graphics look!
Create and share sign-ups for Sunday school teachers, volunteers, meals, and more.
Doodle enables you to create a poll when trying to schedule a meeting. Provide all the possible dates and times, send out the poll, and find out when the most people can meet! Stop all those back and forth emails.
Create surveys and polls to find out the needs and hopes of your youth, parents, and congregation.
Remind is a group texting platform designed for educators.
Download high-quality and free stock images for your social media posts, website, etc.
FREE Downloadable Pastor’s Planning Calendar from GROW
The people behind the Grow curriculum have put together a free planning calendar for folks working in kid, youth, and family ministry. Check it out!
Articles About Youth Ministry
5 ways to cultivate trust with teens in your youth ministry from Fuller Youth Institute (June 20, 2023)
Your new mantra for game-changing youth group games from Fuller Youth Institute (August 22, 2022)
Teaching young people a daily way to pray from Fuller Youth Institute (February 19, 2021)
How to Engage With Young People on Social Media from Church Juice (December 2, 2020)
The art of keychain leadership from Fuller Youth Institute (August 26, 2020)
Ministry with Youth in an Affluent Community from APCE’s Advocate Blog (June 30, 2019)
Preventative Maintenance Calendar from Ministry Architects
Equipping Youth to Think Theologically from Christine V. Hides (October 18, 2017)
How to Position Youth as Theologians Using the WOW Theological Method from Center for Youth Ministry Training
Podcasts
Disrupting Youth Ministry - a podcast from the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary
Big Ideas in Youth Ministry - a podcast by PC(USA) youth leaders and pastors
Resources for Ideas and Support
Presbyterian Youth Workers Association - support, resources, webinars, and events for Presbyterian youth workers
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators - advocacy, resources, tools, and an annual conference for Presbyterian Christian educators
As the name suggests, quick downloadable documents with simple, but useful information on a variety of youth ministry topics
Quicksheets Index (Downloadable PDF)
Youth ministry coaching and consulting
Youth Ministry Resources Blog by Jen Kidwell
Jen provides great ideas for connecting with youth in creative and spirit-filled ways.
Facebook Groups and Pages
Mission Presbytery Youth Connections
Our own Mission Presbytery Facebook group, where you will find announcements, helpful posts, and resource sharing with other youth workers in the area.
Discussion group on Facebook from the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association
A group of Presbyterian youth workers and pastors who share ideas and resources and crowdsource questions and dilemmas
A page that regularly posts useful information, resources, and articles for children, youth, and adult educational ministry
Webinars
Youth Ministry: 15 Minutes at a Time from Practical Resources for Churches and Christine V. Hides
This webinar will provide practical, engaging, and developmentally appropriate ideas for youth ministry. As youth continue to face increased pressure on their already busy schedules, youth ministers need to make every minute count. We will focus on creative, yet simple, faith forming activities to nurture love of God and love of neighbor, which can be done in 15 minute blocks.
Critical Conversations, Part 1: Guiding Youth in Navigating a Divided World from Youth Mission Co.
How to talk with youth about the division and trauma in our country, where it all comes from, how we are part of the problem, and how to be part of the solution.
Critical Conversations, Part 2: Strategies for Intergenerational Dialogue from Youth Mission Co.
A panel discussion regarding how to create healthy church environments for cross generational dialogue.