Youth Pastor Theologian

143: Ongoing Discipleship & Curriculum Preview

In this final episode of the podcasting season, Mike and John welcome Andrew Slay. Together, they wrote the three series composing the YPT Curriculum's new "Ongoing Discipleship" curriculum. This conversation is more than a salespitch for the curriculum... it's an explanation about why we believe these series are worthwhile for disciple-making in youth ministry. 
The Ongoing Discipleship Curriculum will be available on June 15th at youthpastortheologian.com/curriculum. Below are some descriptions of each series (which can be purchased individually, though we give a discount for those who buy the whole plan). 
Christian Doctrine (Head): The Attributes of God, by Mike McGarry This series introduces your students to the communicable (what we have in common with God) and incommunicable (what is unique to God alone) attributes of God, not because we want to make them theology nerds, but because we want them to know who God is and what he is like. This is our God who saves… let’s introduce our youth to him!
Christian Spirituality (Heart): Building on the Bible, by John Gardner with Mike McGarryThis series invites youth to think about “What is the Bible?” and to be confident in its trustworthiness before guiding them basic Bible study methods. Those methods will then be applied to the different genres of Scripture, because you should read poetry and historic narrative and prophecy differently. Instead of simply telling them “Read your Bible!”, let’s show them how to do that.
Christian Living (Hands): Growing in Godliness, by Andrew Slay with Mike McGarryThis series calls students to “be holy as your Father in heaven is holy” through three mini-series. The first four lessons highlight what it means to be created in God’s image as the Bible’s framework for what it means to reflect God’s holiness and glory in the world. The next four lessons address the Bible’s teaching about sexual holiness (marriage, sexual sin, homosexuality, transgenderism). The final four lessons encourage students towards godly relationships with friends, family, enemies, and to live as peacemakers.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

142: Raising Gen Alpha, with Dave Boden

In this episode, Mike and John talk with Dave Boden, author of Raising Gen Alpha: Helping Kids Navigate Everything from Anxiety to AI (New Growth Press, 2026). Dave explains the five core attributes of Gen Alpha with the acronym A.L.P.H.A
Anxious Minded 
a Leading Influence
Pandemic Impacted
Hyperconnected
AI Shaped
Go order and read his book this summer... even better, form a reading group with a few parents and volunteers and discuss it every-other week in order to discern how your church can disciple them well. (Affiliate link above, brings a small financial benefit to YPT). 
Dave Boden leads the Grace Foundation, is a former pastor, and co-creator of the Kleer Series. Dave and his wife Leah and their four children live in the West Midlands, England. He’s written a few books but today we’ll be talking about his latest, Raising Gen Alpha. 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

141: When You've Experienced Church Hurt and Church Abuse

In this episode, Mike and John share a glimpse into their own experiences with "church hurt" and "church abuse" and reflect on what they've learned the hard way. There's no "one size fits all" approach to these things, but it's disappointing how many youth pastors have been on the receiving end of church hurt and gaslighting. 
If you have been through a painful situation, we strongly recommend you to find someone local to talk with... a counselor, mentor, friend... someone who will listen, and someone who will speak the truth in love to you. You don't need someone who will simply get angry with you, but someone who will love you enough to weep with you but will also help you see where you may need correction or repentance to break the cycle. 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

140: The Devil Doesn't Take the Summer Off...

In this episode, Mike and John talk about youth ministry during the Summer. Do you keep meeting weekly as usual, or keep meeting but differently, or do you cancel weekly programming? It seems like every church has a longstanding tradition, and many of them feel like they're "doing it wrong." In this conversation, we talk about different approaches, priorities to keep in mind, and offer assurance that God is still at work during the summertime. 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

139: What Season of Ministry Are You Experiencing?

In this episode, Mike and John discuss the different seasons of ministry we often experience. Some seasons are like "Philippians" (Joy! Joy! Joy!) and others are like "Job" (seasons of suffering and grief). Then, we discuss how to evaluate our ministry differently depending on which season we're in. 
 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

138: Is Youth Ministry in the Bible?

Editor's note: There was a mistake (all Mike's fault!) in publishing episodes that led to titles and shownotes being added to the wrong episode recording. The title/shownotes are now added to the correct recording file... sorry for any confusion. 
In this episode, Mike and John discuss a statement youth pastors often hear, "Youth Ministry isn't even in the Bible." People often say this with so much confidence, as if it's glaringly obvious. But is it?! Since God's people have always been called to pass the faith from generation to generation, there's a lot in Scripture for us to draw from as we discern biblical foundations for youth ministry. 
We conclude the conversation with three priorities that must be true if you want your ministry to be a biblical youth ministry. That's a bold statement, but we'll stand by it. 
For more, order (and read!) Mike's book, A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry: Teenagers in the Life of the Church (affiliate link) 
 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 
 

137: Integrating Youth into the Church & Why Stay in Youth Ministry

Editor's note: There was a mistake (all Mike's fault!) in publishing episodes that led to titles and shownotes being added to the wrong episode recording. The title/shownotes are now added to the correct recording file... sorry for any confusion. 
This episode explores effective strategies for integrating students into the church, the importance of church leadership support, and the long-term calling of youth ministry. Hosts Mike McGarry and John discuss practical ways to integrate youth in the church and common challenges before discussing the need for some youth pastors to stay in youth ministry long-term.
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

136: Talking with Youth About School & Honoring Graduates

In this episode, Mike and John discuss a Christian theology of education. School is a major part of teenagers' lives - how do we help them think biblically and Christianly about school and education? Is this only possible for those who are homeschooled or go to Christian schools? This episode wraps with a conversations about how churches and youth ministries can honor High School graduates without making it all about who's going to the best and most impressive university. 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

135: Practical Theology & Planning a Teaching Calendar

This episode explores the vital role of practical theology in youth ministry, emphasizing how it guides practices, decisions, and teaching strategies. Mike and John discuss how to integrate practical theology into planning, teaching, and engaging with students to foster deeper faith and understanding. We also respond to a listener-question about how to plan a teaching calendar. 
 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry. 

134 - Historical Theology in Youth Ministry & Responding When Youth Group Shrinks

This episode, Mike and John discuss the significance of historical theology: What it is and how it can help youth workers disciple students. They offer some specific examples of ways that understanding history can help you identify false teachings that are wrapped in new packaging. Then, they discuss a listener-question about what to do when attendance at youth group shrinks for various reasons, and how to fight discouragement. 
 
Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as a youth pastor for nearly twenty years. He's written four books for youth workers and teenagers, his latest is now available: Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World. Follow Mike on  Instagram or X/Twitter.
John Gardner is the Pastor of Youth Ministries at Grace Church in Longmont, CO. John and his wife Jackie have been married for 15 years and love spending time trying out new food, exploring the national parks, and playing board games. Follow John on Instagram.
Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)
Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian
Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian
Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.