184: Student Ministry Staffing with Todd Rhoades

185: What to Do When You're New

What do you do when you’re just starting a new student ministry? What should you focus on? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares 10 tips on how to start well at a new ministry, whether you’re in your very first ministry or you’re about to start at your 10th church. And if you're not in a situation like this right now, these tips can also help you take an inventory of where you are in your current ministry and help to identify some areas you can work on, even if you’ve been there for a while.    Links referenced in this episode:  * Get connected to other youth leaders and coaches - https://nnym.org [https://nnym.org]  * Adopt your local school - https://everyschool.com [https://everyschool.com]  * Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub [https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub/]  * Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum [http://nnym.org/stevecullum]  * Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter [https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter]  * Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport [https://bit.ly/cullumsupport]  * Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact [https://bit.ly/cullumcontact]  * Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection [https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection]  * Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com [https://stevecullum.com]  * Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum [https://twitter.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike [https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike] and also support Student Ministry Connection.    Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum [https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum]    Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection [https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection]     If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

184: Student Ministry Staffing with Todd Rhoades

What do we need to know about student ministry staffing in 2026? What do we need to pay attention to? What can we do to improve it? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Todd Rhoades of Chemistry Staffing about his recent research and what we can learn from it.    Links referenced in this episode:  * Learn more about Chemistry Staffing at https://chemistrystaffing.com [https://chemistrystaffing.com]  * Read the "Church Staff Health Report" at https://churchstaffhealth.com [https://churchstaffhealth.com/] * Listen to The Healthy Church Podcast at https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/podcast [https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/podcast] * Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub [https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub/]  * Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum [http://nnym.org/stevecullum]  * Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter [https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter]  * Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport [https://bit.ly/cullumsupport]  * Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact [https://bit.ly/cullumcontact]  * Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection [https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection]  * Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com [https://stevecullum.com]  * Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum [https://twitter.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike [https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike] and also support Student Ministry Connection.    Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum [https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum]    Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection [https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection]     If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

183: Shepherding the Teenage Mind with Tomy Cummins

What role does mental health play in ministry, and how can we create safe spaces for open conversations grounded in faith? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks to student ministry veteran and author of Shepherds of the Mind, Tomy Cummins, about mental health. Tomy shares how a wave of students taking their lives pushed him toward training and building a ministry culture where it’s safe to talk about depression and anxiety, seek help, and involve others when someone is unsafe. He recounts his own journey and explains how Ezekiel 34:4 frames his approach to shepherding. In addition to sharing what not to do, but Tomy points to Jesus as the model of grace and truth. Join Steve and Tomy as they discuss the need for student ministry pastors to seek community, reject isolation, and take the next right step toward better care for themselves and their students.    Links referenced in this episode:  * Connect more with Tomy at https://tomycummins.com [https://tomycummins.com]  * Learn more about Shepherds of the Mind and find more resources at https://shepherdsofthemind.com [https://shepherdsofthemind.com]  * Get a copy of Shepherds of the Mind - https://amzn.to/4eUukZY [https://amzn.to/4eUukZY] * Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub [https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub/]  * Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum [http://nnym.org/stevecullum]  * Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter [https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter]  * Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport [https://bit.ly/cullumsupport]  * Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact [https://bit.ly/cullumcontact]  * Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection [https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection]  * Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com [https://stevecullum.com]  * Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum [https://twitter.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike [https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike] and also support Student Ministry Connection.    Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum [https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum]    Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection [https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection]     If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

182: How to Win with Your Boss with Brent Squires

How do we win with our boss or supervisor? No matter where we are serving, we all have a someone who is tasked to supervise us and help us lead better and achieve our goals. And on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Brent Squires on what mistakes to avoid, how to build trust, and how to lead up well.   Links referenced in this episode:  * Follow Brent on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brent.squires [https://www.facebook.com/brent.squires] * Follow NextGen Leader Coaching on Instagram - https://instagram.com/nextgenleadercoaching [https://instagram.com/nextgenleadercoaching]  * Get a copy of Leading from the Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson - https://amzn.to/4mxi2sa [https://amzn.to/4mxi2sa]  * Get a copy of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins - https://amzn.to/4sFdNwo [https://amzn.to/4sFdNwo] * Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub [https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub/]  * Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum [http://nnym.org/stevecullum]  * Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter [https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter]  * Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport [https://bit.ly/cullumsupport]  * Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact [https://bit.ly/cullumcontact]  * Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection [https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection]  * Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com [https://stevecullum.com]  * Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum [https://twitter.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike [https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike] and also support Student Ministry Connection.    Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum [https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum]    Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection [https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection]     If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

181: Leading Through Programming Changes

How do you go about making changes in your programming? On this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some tips he's learned over the years on how to lead change well, specifically in programming.   Links referenced in this episode:  * Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub [https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub/]  * Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox at https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net [https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net/] * Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum [http://nnym.org/stevecullum]  * Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter [https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter]  * Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport [https://bit.ly/cullumsupport]  * Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact [https://bit.ly/cullumcontact]  * Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection [https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection]  * Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com [https://stevecullum.com]  * Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum [https://twitter.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]  * Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum [https://instagram.com/stevecullum]    Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.    Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike [https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike] and also support Student Ministry Connection.    Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum [https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum]    Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection [https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection]     If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!