Youth Pastor Theologian

Youth Pastor Theologian

Youth Pastor Theologian

Episodes 100
Avg. Duration 45m
Activity Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (15)
Since Oct 2023
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
87%
Hosting
feed.podbean.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Youth Pastor Theologian believes that youth ministry is theological ministry. That’s why each episode features a conversation at the intersection of youth ministry and theological reflection. We want to help youth workers make disciples who endure and offer practical advice about what that type of ministry looks like. Cohosted by Mike McGarry and John Gardner, each episode is filled with decades of youth ministry experience and plenty of laugher. Visit youthpastortheologian.com to learn more about YPT and how to bring Mike and John to your church.

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Recent Episodes

143: Ongoing Discipleship & Curriculum Preview

Jun 02, 2026 50m

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…

142: Raising Gen Alpha, with Dave Boden

May 19, 2026 39m

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…

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

May 12, 2026 39m

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"…

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

May 05, 2026 44m

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…

139: What Season of Ministry Are You Experiencing?

Apr 28, 2026 35m

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…

138: Is Youth Ministry in the Bible?

Apr 21, 2026 43m

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…

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

Apr 14, 2026 43m

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…

136: Talking with Youth About School & Honoring Graduates

Apr 07, 2026 54m

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?…

135: Practical Theology & Planning a Teaching Calendar

Mar 31, 2026 40m

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…

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

Mar 24, 2026 44m

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…

133: Why Biblical Theology Matters in Youth Ministry

Mar 17, 2026 48m

In this episode, Mike and John focus on biblical theology: what is it, why it matters, and how to practice biblical theology in youth ministry. Biblical theology races themes, keywords, or types of…

132: Teenagers and Mental Health, with Danny Kwon

Mar 10, 2026 44m

In this episode, Mike and John welcome Danny Kwon to discuss a book he wrote with his wife, Monica Kim, Teenagers and Mental Health. The conversation encourages youth workers to think biblically…

131: Why Systematic Theology Matters & Ministering to Kids of Church Hoppers

Mar 03, 2026 47m

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the blessing of systematic theology for youth workers. It's not just dry, stuffy, lifeless ideas about God; it's a way to really understand what…

130: Getting Students to Engage and Love One Another

Feb 24, 2026 35m

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss effective strategies for engaging students in small group settings within youth ministry, and how…

129: Youth Culture & Fun and Games

Feb 17, 2026 45m

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss two questions: how much youth culture should a youth pastor know, and how do we incorporate fun and games into ministry without becoming…

128: Does our Delivery Matter?

Feb 10, 2026 33m

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of the way you deliver your message. They explore the necessity of integrating your content with the way you present it to…

127: What is (and isn't) Discipleship?

Feb 03, 2026 36m

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of discipleship in youth ministry. They explore the difference between "ministry" and "discipleship", and the various layers of…

126: Should We Practice Communion & Baptism at Youth Group?

Jan 27, 2026 43m

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner tackle the contentious question of whether communion and baptism should be observed in youth groups and camps.…

125: Apologetics & Favorite Teaching Series

Jan 20, 2026 48m

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the role of apologetics in leading students through through questions and doubts. After discussing apologetics, they each share some of their…

124: Conducting Halftime Evaluations in Youth Ministry

Jan 13, 2026 44m

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the importance of evaluation in youth ministry. As you conduct a "halftime evaluation" at the beginning of the calendar year, we want to…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Youth Pastor Theologian have?

Youth Pastor Theologian has published 100 episodes since October 2023, covering topics in Christianity, Religion & Spirituality.

Is Youth Pastor Theologian still active?

Youth Pastor Theologian is currently active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 45m.

How do I contact Youth Pastor Theologian for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Youth Pastor Theologian, including email and social media links.

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