111: Risky Youth Ministry & Ministry to Students with Disabilities

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the biblical theology of safety and risk in youth ministry. They explore the balance between ensuring safety and encouraging healthy risk-taking among youth. The conversation also touches on the role of parents, the significance of failure in discipleship, and practical safety measures for youth activities, including mission trips. Additionally, they address the unique needs of students with disabilities and offer suggestions for how youth workers can care for them and their parents well.  

Resources Mentioned:

• YPT Podcast and Article on ministry to students with disabilities
• Camp Barnabas
• Sandra Peoples: “Accessible Church” book & Website
• Ashley Belknap: Engaging Disability with the Gospel

Note: Book links are affiliate links and provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to create the content you so enjoy, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support   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.    Together, Mike and John co-lead the YPT Teaching Workshop, a one day training session to equip your volunteers and other area youth leaders to teach the Bible to teenagers with depth and clarity. Visit the YPT site to learn more about how to host a workshop at your church.    Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions)

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