In this episode, I have a conversation with Kurt Johnston of Saddleback Church about how Saddleback does student ministry, the key components of that strategy, what has remained constant, and what has changed over the past ten years. We also dive into the questions facing student ministry and church leaders as they struggle to engage and create points of involvement for high school students, at a time when high school ministry seems to be struggling more than ever Finally, Kurt also teases out what it has looked like transitioning from the role of a student ministry leader to a NextGen leader at his church.
Kurt Johnston
Connect with Kurt on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Email: kurt@saddleback.com
Links Mentioned in This Episode
The Purpose Driven Life (book) – Rick Warren helps you explore what it looks like to live with your God-given purpose at the center of everything
Resources for Students
Middle School Survival Series: My Faith | My Family | My Friends | My School
10 Minute Moments: God's Story – 31 relevant devotions for teens that take ten minutes each and help them develop the discipline of a daily devotion
The Jesus-Centered Life – 40 devotions for teenagers
Reframing Jesus: A Fresh Look into a Familiar Face
99 Thoughts About Guys: For Girls' Eyes Only
99 Thoughts About Girls: For Guys' Eyes Only
Tempting Stuff (5-Week DVD Curriculum)
Resources for Student Ministry
This Book Gets Around – A resource to help people get to know those around them better
Controlled Chaos: Making Sense of Junior High Ministry
99 Thoughts About Junior High Ministry
Middle School Ministry Made Simple
The 9: Best Practices for Youth Ministry
Go Team: 101 Ideas to Energize Youth Ministry Volunteers (book)
Action Items
- Map out your current strategy-the components, purpose of each component, and how they work together
- Think about what it would look like to start measuring involvement, attendance, and engagement differently
- Ask: What different opportunities exist for student involvement and engagement, and does anything need to be added or taken away?
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