Youth Ministry Hacks
Justin Knowles and Sean Lord (2 great friends and veterans in Youth Ministry) have open conversations with each other and great guests about real life hacks in youth ministry. They will talk about things they are doing in youth ministry, what is working, what is not, and have some friends join the conversation along the way. The goal is to share real life, helpful, time saving and efficient hacks to help you do ministry better.
Episodes
October 15, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode we link back up with Dr. Terry Parkman talking about his new book called Future Church: How Disruption, Innovation, and a New Generation Are Reshaping the Church. We live in an age defined by disruption―artificial intelligence, digital tribalism, decentralization. In our posttruth culture too many leaders cling to outdated models, unsure how to engage a world that has already moved on. Is this the end―or the beginni...
Mark as Played
September 29, 2025 • 50 mins
In this episode, Justin and Sean sit down with Jake Hancock, Director of Students at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Arizona.Not only is CCV one of the largest churches in the U.S., but they also have a thriving student ministry making a massive impact.Jake shares how to cast clear vision, set strong expectations for leaders, and build a healthy student serve culture—from strategy to execution. This conversation is jam-packed with...
Mark as Played
September 15, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode, Sean and Justin sit down with Anthony Lucarini—Next Gen Pastor at Low Country Community Church in South Carolina—to talk about a major shift we’ve been noticing in Gen Z.The hype-driven, attractional model isn’t connecting like it used to. Instead, students today are hungry for something real—unapologetically spiritual environments where they can encounter Jesus, hear truth, and grow deeper in their faith. And surp...
Mark as Played
June 30, 2025 • 47 mins
If you're leading a youth ministry team, there's a good chance you’re asking your leaders how things are going. But… what if you’re asking the wrong question?In this episode, Justin shares a simple shift that could totally change how you lead, how your team connects, and how your ministry thrives. These five questions aren’t complicated—but the impact? Game-changing. Don’t lead on autopilot. Lead with intentionality.
This one’s for ...
This one’s for ...
Mark as Played
May 16, 2025 • 41 mins
We’re back! After a few months off, Youth Ministry Hacks returns with a fresh episode full of vision and practical leadership insight. Justin and Sean dive into the same foundational talk Sean recently shared with his new team—casting vision and setting the tone for how we lead in ministry.In this episode, we cover five key challenges and reminders every youth worker needs:
- Remember your why for doing ministry
- Find a sustainable ...
Mark as Played
January 17, 2025 • 38 mins
Join Justin and Sean as they kick off 2025 with reflections on their lives and ministries. They’ll share insights on what they’re focusing on and how they’re bringing fresh vision and intentionality into the new year. Through ministry, leadership, and personal growth, they’re driven to make 2025 the best year yet.Come join the conversation!
Episode sponsor:onwardleader.com
Join the YM Hacks Instagram Channel:https://ig.me/j/Ababaue99...
Mark as Played
November 25, 2024 • 19 mins
In this episode, Justin shares what he taught at the Download Youth Ministry Round Tables Conference about metrics. Metrics are something that is not talked about ina setting like this but it’s something we talk about weekly in our churches. We want to have a good, healthy view of metrics and what to track that is just butts in seats. Justin challenges us on how to do that and what types of things we should be looking for.
Episode...
Episode...
Mark as Played
October 4, 2024 • 57 mins
In this episode, Justin and Sean take on your questions about youth ministry and do their best to answer them. They hit topics like:
● Discipline in youth ministry
● Depression in ministry
● Delegation
● Lowest point in youth ministry for us
● Message prep
● When it's time to leave the church
● Follow up with new students
● And more!
Episode sponsor: xpscripture.com Join the YM Hacks Instagram Cha...
● Discipline in youth ministry
● Depression in ministry
● Delegation
● Lowest point in youth ministry for us
● Message prep
● When it's time to leave the church
● Follow up with new students
● And more!
Episode sponsor: xpscripture.com Join the YM Hacks Instagram Cha...
Mark as Played
September 10, 2024 • 51 mins
Welcome to Episode 122 of the Youth Ministry Hacks Podcast! In this episode, Justin and Sean are back after a summer hiatus to catch up on what's been happening in their ministries. They discuss Justin’s new role and the journey that led him there, the process of delegating tasks, God’s faithfulness, the importance of praying through strategy, and much more. Tune in to hear their latest insights and experiences in youth ministry!
...
...
Mark as Played
May 1, 2024 • 24 mins
Welcome to Episode 121 of the Youth Ministry Hacks Podcast! In this episode, Justin
introduces a new seasonal approach to youth ministry. Instead of spreading themselves
thin year-round, they're focusing on key aspects during specific seasons: Outreach and
School Focus, Grow Deeper, and Training. Tune in to learn how this strategic shift
maximizes effectiveness and impact!
Check out our sponsor:
MessageBible.com
Join the YM Hacks Instagra...
introduces a new seasonal approach to youth ministry. Instead of spreading themselves
thin year-round, they're focusing on key aspects during specific seasons: Outreach and
School Focus, Grow Deeper, and Training. Tune in to learn how this strategic shift
maximizes effectiveness and impact!
Check out our sponsor:
MessageBible.com
Join the YM Hacks Instagra...
Mark as Played
April 10, 2024 • 43 mins
In episode 120 of our podcast, Justin and Sean opened the floor for your questions, and they tackled a variety of topics on the show! From navigating growth in your ministry to establishing camp rules, defining student leadership roles, sparking interest in Bible reading among guys, and prioritizing church attendance, they covered it all.Tune in to the episode and grab your notepad because there are plenty of valuable insights to ...
Mark as Played
March 20, 2024 • 43 mins
In Episode 119 of Youth Ministry Hacks, Justin and Sean are getting raw and real about leadership revelations. No fluff, no sugar-coating—just honest conversations about what God's been showing them and how it's shaking up their ministry game.From battling mental headspace to fine-tuning their strategies, they're laying it all out on the table. Forget the old ways of doing things; Justin and Sean are all about creating genuine mome...
Mark as Played
January 5, 2024 • 40 mins
In this episode, Sean sits down with THE Brad Lomenick, leadership consultant, coach, author… lots of other things… and talks through leading in 2024, identity as a leader, calling, mission, and ministry assignment. It is a great and challenging conversation that is perfect to start the new year.
Check out Brad’s Stuff here:http://www.bradlomenick.com/
Check out Co-Leader! Coleader.co
Check out Brad’s Stuff here:http://www.bradlomenick.com/
Check out Co-Leader! Coleader.co
Mark as Played
December 11, 2023 • 25 mins
In this episode Sean Lord is solo going through what he walked through his all small group leaders through in their latest training. They walk through how to keep students engaged in groups and how they are to been seen and experienced.
Check out his slide presentation:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h420j8fvtvrreufsp1dct/YMH-Sean-Leader-Training.pptx?rlkey=m4k1yqrk2njir947ld7pwbvz1&dl=0
Check out Coleader as well! Coleader.co
Check out his slide presentation:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/h420j8fvtvrreufsp1dct/YMH-Sean-Leader-Training.pptx?rlkey=m4k1yqrk2njir947ld7pwbvz1&dl=0
Check out Coleader as well! Coleader.co
Mark as Played
November 13, 2023 • 24 mins
Justin shares some of the content as he and his crew trained their own small group leaders on how they want to multiply their groups, split them, be more “sticky” in welcoming new students placed in them and the vision of why they want to grow them.
Check out Coleader as well! Coleader.co
Check out Coleader as well! Coleader.co
Mark as Played
September 27, 2023 • 49 mins
Sean and Justin sat down and took your questions!
Questions ranged from letting leaders go, to the age old bathing suits rules, to disruptive students, to how midweeks are set up and more.
Check out Coleader! Coleader.co
Questions ranged from letting leaders go, to the age old bathing suits rules, to disruptive students, to how midweeks are set up and more.
Check out Coleader! Coleader.co
Mark as Played
September 5, 2023 • 44 mins
This episode we talk with Matt Manno from Newlife in Queens, New York about what it means to be Emotionally Healthy. We talk about how Emotional Health is a necessity not only for ourselves, but for the leaders and students that we lead.
Matt@emotionallyhealthy.orghttps://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/
Check out Coleader Now! https://www.coleader.co/
Matt@emotionallyhealthy.orghttps://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/
Check out Coleader Now! https://www.coleader.co/
Mark as Played
August 10, 2023 • 50 mins
Description: In this episode Justin and Sean sit down with Gary Garcia to talk about taking a back seat in leadership roles to raise up new and younger leaders. This is a vital part of building up God’s kingdom and they chat through the in’s and out’s of how they have done that over their time. Gary is 31 years in youth ministry at the same church and the lead pastor of that church now. The conversation is a good one and worth a li...
Mark as Played
June 13, 2023 • 46 mins
Sean and Justin dive into what are the top 4 things they are focusing in right now in the summer that will set them up better in the fall. Take a few minutes and see if they hit on anything that would be beneficial for your ministry.
SPONSOR: APU Youth Leadership Initiative Looking for a discipleship conference this summer for high school students? Join us at the Kaleo Youth Conference at Azusa Pacific University on July 8,, 202...
SPONSOR: APU Youth Leadership Initiative Looking for a discipleship conference this summer for high school students? Join us at the Kaleo Youth Conference at Azusa Pacific University on July 8,, 202...
Mark as Played
May 23, 2023 • 47 mins
Sean interviews Justin about effective follow up. It stemmed from a failure in Justin’s ministry that they are trying to be more intention this year about. They walk through the spiritual implications of follow up and give some practical thoughts on follow up in your ministry.
Follow Sean and Justin on IG:@justinknowles3@seanclord
Check out DYM Coleader https://www.coleader.co/
Flat Irons College https://flatironscollege.com/
Follow Sean and Justin on IG:@justinknowles3@seanclord
Check out DYM Coleader https://www.coleader.co/
Flat Irons College https://flatironscollege.com/
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com