Question...which zoo animal would be the ultimate pocket-sized companion? There is a right answer, but we want to hear yours... Join Zac and Chad as they swap stories that will crack you up and maybe even crack the code on connecting with middle schoolers (read:boys). In this episode, we don't shy away from the pressing questions- like whether gami…

We're not just talking shop; we're opening up about the art of pacing and the vital act of delegating to avoid burnout. Remember school field trips? This episode Zac and Chad are taking that nostalgic trip down memory lane... it's a memory and a feeling. Ministry comes in waves and this time between spring and summer is one of those valleys. This h…

Facebook marketplace is safe right? Zach and Chad, your ministry mentors and amateur online bargain hunters, are here to draw the parallels. This episode is an open lesson for what we have learned navigating the challenges that small group leaders face, especially when confronted with the whirlwind or overload that is a roomful of teenagers. For th…

JEREMY SIT DOWN! Whew sorry about that... Kids Amma I right? If you have ever had issues with students not listening, being distracting, or even disruptive during teaching time... then do we have a toolkit for you! Dealing w/ Distractions, Disruptions, & Discipline Issues: If you've ever felt like a ringmaster in a circus of pre-teen hijinks we hop…

Ever had one of those moments where you're left holding your head in your hands, wondering where your brilliant idea went wrong? Our podcast usually gets down to the nitty-gritty of what it takes to plan not just fun, but also memorable activities for youth ministry. This week we are laying out our failures, asking for help and coaching up what mak…

Ever bitten off more than you can chew? Hey friends, Zach Workun and Chad Higgins back for another episode and another year of youth ministry podcasting. This episode is a smorgasbord of tips and tales, starting with my own kitchen catastrophe that turned into a smoky sous vide saga. You'll hear how Chad's culinary mishap serves up a lesson in embr…

Ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions this holiday season? Ever tried to surprise your high-end friends with a gift only to find it relegated to the 'middling' category? Grab a cup of cocoa and join us as we traverse the holiday gift-giving terrain, highlighting the importance of backstory and adventure in choosing presents. We'll even tell yo…

Could you eat faster than Zac? No One's Going To Take It! Join Zac and Chad, where we kick things off with a hilarious debate centered around Zac's rapid-fire eating habits and his lofty claim of inhaling 50 hot dogs in four minutes. We even ponder on what would be the most embarrassing food record to hold. It's a light and hearty start to an episo…

Youth Ministry Is Relational, but what does that mean? Have you ever wondered how to maximize relational opportunities in youth ministry? That's exactly what Zac and Chad are unpacking in this episode. Chil or No-Bean Chili? We kick off the show with some winter joys and a feel-good chat about all things chili. There's even a bit of a friendly deba…

How do I get students to actually read their Bibles? Join Zac and Chad as we recount some wilds stories of swimming in open waters. Seriously though, Chad why would you push your wife towards the sharks? Getting students to engage with Scripture starts where they are and nurturing their curiosity so they don't fall into patterns of only reading it …

What are we going to do next? What do we have planned? It's something we say often as youth ministry leaders, but is that really all there is? Is ministry just a matter of planning? Do we really need a better calendar? Is all about what we can plan? We are talking spiritual health inside of Youth Ministry Booster and we have been asking what we nee…

Piles. Stacks. Mess. UGGGHHHH! Are you tripping over clutter, both in your physical space and your digital life? Same. Until... Join Chad Higgins and Zac as we take a deep dive into personal organization. This is part 3 of our organized for impact series for youth ministry leaders. There is power, power, wonder working power of labeling and how des…

The battery was dead! Taking control of schedules, creating task lists, and breaking tasks into manageable chunks, we discuss how these skills are critical in improving focus, efficiency, and dealing with student ministries. Zac and Chad wrap up their discussion by exploring the significance of organization in student ministry. Learn from our exper…

I CANT FIND IT! If you have ever been frustrated when looking for an old email, a file, or even a thing in your office then we have your back! Youth may be chaotic, but your ministry doesn't have to be chaotic. Honest talk. Have you ever considered how this lack of organization might be affecting not just yourself, but the people around you and the…

Summer fun is almost done, but are you fall ready in youth ministry yet? Zac and Chad have some laughs, stories, and insights to help get you ready for a big fall early. In this episode the guys talk about recruiting and training leaders, transitioning new recruits via camp experiences, and launching key spiritual initiatives in September. Summer f…

Struggling to fill those last-minute spots for your summer camp? We hear you! It's one of the biggest weeks of ministry, budget, and responsibility of the whole year! Fear not, as in this episode, we'll provide you with valuable insights and strategies to ensure a successful camp season. Join Chad and Zac as they talk about what makes camp extra gr…

On this episode of Youth Ministry Booster, the hosts announce the exciting news that Season 5: Revival Generation registration is now open! This episode not only brings you exciting possibilities for the new season but takes some unexpected turns with discussions on vitamin water, scurvy, and Flintstone vitamin dipping sauce. I know right? You can …

What's the most important thing youth ministry offers? The first answer is Jesus, but is there another layer that students need to experience to help hear the name of Jesus more clearly. In this episode of the YMB podcast co-hosts Zac and Chad talk one of their most beloved principles for healthy student ministry. It's a vital part of every ministr…

Do you ever get caught up in your feels? Your students will be up in their feelings this summer (especially at camp)... so what's your plan? In this episode of the YMB podcast co-hosts Zac and Chad talk about how emotions are an important part of youth ministering. It's part of their development and an important piece of pastoring faithfully. And t…

What would you say you want me to do here? In this episode of the YMB podcast co-hosts Zac and Chad challenge each other back and forth to ask the most important questions a candidate can ask when interviewing for a ministry position. A lot is at stake when applying for a job and a candidate should have as much interest in the church/organization a…

What does it take to make a disciple? How do teenage disciples grow? Resources. What an important word to define. In this episode of the YMB podcast co-hosts Zac and Chad reflect on their experiences with other resource events (*cough book fairs cough*) and what those previous moments have taught them about youth ministry's work to equip students, …

What makes a sermon/teaching moment great? Like for serious though? More than just relaying insight, feeling clever, or speaking with passion, what makes a sermon or teaching moment great? In this episode of Zac and Chad bound their way through what makes a great communicator. Biblically sound, yes! Quick to the Gospel message, of course! But what …

Why aren't more parents coming to your parent meetings? But for real tho... This episode is a how to plan, run, hook, and pop off the next time you are working to get your youth ministry parents/guardians together in one room. It's also about birthday parties. For this episode Chad, Parent Ministry Specialist, spills the tea on what are the most im…

Greatest.Of.All.Time. or GOAT as the kids would say... This is another episode in a (random but timely) series of episodes in which Chad and Zac talk about ministry things that are "GOATED." So for this episode of Greatest Of All Times, let's ask what is your idea of a GOAT Volunteer... wait, don't say their name out loud! But seriously, what moves…

New. The feeling of the New New. This episode is for all of those who have ever felt new at church, youth group, student ministry... This may be you right now, or when you were a teenager, but this episode is especially for those who have NOT been new in a LOOOONNNGGG time. There is a whole set of feelings, experiences, and unguided expectations wh…

Greatest.Of.All.Time. or GOAT as the kids would say... This is the first in a (random) series of episodes in which Chad and Zac talk about ministry things that are "GOATED" So for this episode of Greatest Of All Times, let's start with your ideal work day. What's the best way you could spend a day doing the work you were called to do? Zac and Chad …

Don't believe the lie. Numbers do matter, we just need better ones! 2022 was a year of great consistency and we want to share what we have learned about healthy and better numbers for all of us! It's another episode of Youth Ministry Booster with Chad Higgins and Zac Workun. In this episode they talk about why numbers actually do matter. They talk …

What's the most important thing you could do in the next few weeks for your own health? For your ministry? We think we have an idea that might serve as a really healthy new year resolution, resolve? commitment? Hey YM friends we are excited to be back for our 8th year and in 2023, our collective 23 year, the GOAT year let's talk about a few importa…

Merry Christmas! Hey YM friend & family, whether you are in finishing up this year in the office or hitting the road, or relaxing at home we hope you enjoy this episode from our team to you. In this episode Zac and Chad talk about Christmas traditions, the season, and what healthy youth ministers need for the end/beginning of this year. We are spen…

What is healthy ministry? What are the rules that help define a healthy ministry as understood by health-seeking ministers? For us one of the most important is playing the long game (lifelong discipleship) in a short season (3-6 years at best). In this episode Zac and Chad talk through one of the 7 Youth Ministry Booster House Rules that matter the…

What about D-Now? Or Winter WKND? Campference? Or Big Retreat Thing? No matter what you call your winter-spring thing, it's almost here, and we want to help you have the energy you need around your big upcoming D-now event (or winter camp, or WKND, or whatever... you get it.) In this episode Zac and Chad chat about what's so great about Winter time…

What is healthy ministry? What are the rules that help define a healthy ministry as understood by health-seeking ministers? In this episode Zac and Chad talk through one of the 7 Youth Ministry Booster House Rules that matter the most towards shaping our community and defining the tone and language for our conversations and goals. For review here i…

It's been almost 7 years and 250 episodes, but what haven't we covered? In this episode Zac and Chad talk through the IG questions we have received in the last few weeks that really mattered to our YMB podcast listeners. Seriously though, y'all are really concerned about food and condiments... We are spending the next few weeks talking about some i…

What is healthy ministry? What are the rules that help define a healthy ministry as understood by health-seeking ministers? In this episode Zac and Chad talk through the 7 Youth Ministry Booster House Rules that matter the most to shaping our community and defining the tone and language for our conversations and goals. A lot of ministries have rule…

Why don't more stores have environments that match their titles? In this episode Zac and Chad talk through the wisdom it takes to navigate the hard choices, the difficult seasons, and make pivots inside the ministry, for the ministry, and possibly for your life. A counsel to surround you. We all need wise counsel, a group of people who know you so …

Chad is here to apologize. His apology and stance on table clothes is fully covered in this episode. If you wondering why check 3 episodes earlier when he was unable to set the record straight. But, this episode is also a chance to talk about perspectives in designing sacred spaces. Whether you love or hate your youth room, building, or space there…

What is the most obscure youth ministry topic that we could cover in a few episodes? Send us your pick for obscurity via instagram @youthministrybooster or email zac@youthministrybooster.com Zac and Chad get a little more open about restaurant food, corner cases, and Soul Care. Register for Launch 2022 Let's answer the Parent Ministry Question Augu…

Orange you glad you have a plan for August 25th? Zac and Chad get a little silly, giddy, excited for Launch 2022. Summer was full of big events, travels, and surprises. BOOSTER SIGNUPS END September 1st, 2022 What are you doing to get ready for fall after a busy summer? Register for Launch 2022 Let's answer the Parent Ministry Question August 25th …

This is an episode about Girl Scout cookies. It's also an episode about the real feelings many of your students are probably feeling, right now... Zac and Chad get a little confused if this a phone or a podcast and maybe share a little too much, but there is a really important conversation that youth pastors should be having today. Embarrassment v.…

This is a sparkling episode of fresh tips and insights on how to welcome new (young) students into your existing ministry. It's almost Promotion Sunday? Howdy week? Yeet Week? Zac and Chad get us practical as an ice chest full of cold drinks on a summer day with this episode of helpful insights into transitioning your new students well into your ex…

Momentum. It's a word that sparks or fizzles depending on what just went right (or wrong). It's the never-ending wash of waves on the seashore. It's Zac and Chad disagreeing on exactly how much time we could or should spend on this... Mo' Momentum, it begs the question... when will it ever end? The answer. Never, and yet, we find seasons, waves, mo…

Momentum. It's a word that sparks excitement into the heart of every senior leader and an is an exhale for every leader who feels swallowed up by the current wave. In this episode Zac and Chad break down the waters inside the wave of momentum you may or may not be feeling right now. Summer is halfway done! Yeehaw! or so what? How are you feeling ab…

What makes a sermon a sermon? Last week we talked about the necessity of text, THE TEXT. This episode we invite you to ask, "what's the response?" It's the now what of whatever was read and said. It's the impetus to action, the immediate and/or lifelong application. We believe every good sermon demands a response. So let's ask about what you are as…

"Hurry up. Move. Get in to it!" These are probably all thoughts you have had while preaching and teaching to students and we are here to confirm that they are normal and it is right for us to "get into it" (the it being Scripture) as soon as it makes sense. So let's talk about teaching and TEXT. This episode is part 2 in the art of talking to teena…

Hey, hey, it's summertime in student ministry and that means we have a lot of unique opportunities to teach and preach that might stretch us from our usual weekly/monthly habits. In this episode Chad and Zac talk about the art of talking to teenagers. Whether you are preaching at (a) camp, leading a worship night, gathering students for devotion on…

Summer camp is a time honored student ministry tradition. Whether you head off into the hills, chill at the beach, or serve a neighboring community the corporate spiritual discipline of retreat, renew, and community is important for modeling faith for students. After a busy Easter season it's easy to forget that summer and specifically big week lon…

The rumors of our disappearance were greatly exaggerated. After a relentless 6 weeks on the road Zac and Chad are back to share why someone else's expectations of your job are not always your problem, immediately. In this episode Chad and Zac wade into the relational waters around managing expectations, pierce through the "ask," and find hope for t…

Why are the teens not coming to youth events, programming, or small groups? Is it something we said? No. But. Maybe yes? Students are hungry for connection and we are often caught shouting or promoting. How can we turn ministry programming and promotion into Good News proclamation? In this episode Chad and Zac delve into what lies beneath the surfa…

What is the ultimate snack? Protein? Fried? Dippable? This episode of the YMB podcast was recorded live in Houston, at Houston's First Baptist, during one of our Essentials sessions with some friends and commentary about the content of the day, the strategy for the day after, and banter for our favorite snacking. In this episode Chad and Zac and gu…

So this is episode 216 and we put off posting it, but no longer... Apathy is a haunting word in student ministry today and it is really important that we spend a few episodes talking about how it can affect us and affect our students. This week's episode is the honest talk, first about the minister, and then next week about the students in your min…