Best Mike McGarry Podcasts (2025)

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119: Teaching a Christmas/Advent Series & How Many Retreats Are Too Many 35:31

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2h ago35:31

35:31

In this episode, Mike and John discuss Christmas and busyness. First, we talk about how we handle Christmas in our teaching calendar and what types of Christmas series we've done. Next, we address a question from someone in the YPT Facebook Group about how many camps/retreats/trips per year is too many. Mike McGarry is the Founder and Director of Y…

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118: How Mike Prepares a Sermon 36:55

3h ago36:55

36:55

Mike and John couldn't line up their schedules, so Mike is flying solo! In this episode, he brings you behind the pulpit and walks you through his process of developing a sermon. This isn't intended as THE way you ought to do it... it's simply the process that works for Mike. Hopefully this example on a recent sermon from Romans 8 will encourage yo…

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117: Gospel-Shaped Sanctification & Student Leadership 40:22

2d ago40:22

40:22

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner focus on sanctification, spiritual disciplines, and apply a theology Law & Gospel. They discuss the importance of teaching youth about spiritual growth while avoiding pitfalls like legalism and antinomianism. The conversation also emphasizes the significance…

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116: Talking With Students About Sexuality and Gender 44:38

9d ago44:38

44:38

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the critical importance of addressing sexuality and gender issues within youth ministry. They explore the biblical foundations for teaching on these topics, the role of youth pastors, and the need for open conversations about sexual holiness. The dis…

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115: Youth Ministry Failures & How to Not Be a Know-it-All 39:47

16d ago39:47

39:47

In this episode of the podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner reflect on some of their failures as youth pastors. While it's easy to laugh about silly mistakes (and we do), we also share some of the weightier mistakes we've made and reflect on what we've learned the hard way. Then they respond to a listener-question about how to not be a know-it-al…

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114: What is Gospel-Centered Teaching & Addressing Topical Issues 36:06

1M ago36:06

36:06

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner talk about gospel-centered teaching in youth ministry. In particular, they give an overview to different exegetical approaches to preaching Christ from Genesis through Revelation. The conversation also addresses the question of how to address important topical issues in a ministry that's committed to e…

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113: Training Volunteers & Building Trust 33:19

1M ago33:19

33:19

By Youth Pastor Theologian

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112: What is Discipleship & Should we Practice Digital Discipleship? 31:23

2M ago31:23

31:23

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner talk about discipleship: What is it? What isn't it? And what pulls us away from it? The conversation also addresses the question of whether or not we should use video and social media to "extend" our regular discipleship efforts. Articles Referenced in this Podcast: Not Everything is Discipleship (on Y…

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111: Risky Youth Ministry & Ministry to Students with Disabilities 40:36

2M ago40:36

40:36

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 yout…

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110: Navigating Doubt and Deconstruction & Should we have Parents as Volunteers? 36:37

2M ago36:37

36:37

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the complexities of doubt and deconstruction in youth ministry. They delve into how to navigate students' doubts in a way that fosters faith rather than leading to apostasy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the different types of…

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109: Cell Phones in Youth Group & Partnering with other Youth Groups 51:07

5M ago51:07

51:07

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner tackle two significant listener questions. The first question revolves around cell phone usage in youth ministry, particularly during retreats and camps. The second question addresses the benefits and challenges of partnering with other youth ministries in y…

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108: The Image of God and Youth Ministry, a preview of Mike's new book 48:11

5M ago48:11

48:11

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of being created in the image of God and its implications for youth ministry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity as image bearers of God and how this shapes the way we disciple youth into Christian maturity…

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107: Using Curriculum Well & Managing "Other Duties as Assigned" 48:36

5M ago48:36

48:36

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the how and when to use curriculum in youth ministry. They share what to look for, how to support your volunteers who are teaching curriculum, and then move on to answer a listener-question about how to focus on youth ministry while fulfilling "other dutie…

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106: What NOT to do in your first year 41:14

5M ago41:14

41:14

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss essential advice for first-time youth workers, each focusing on five key things to avoid in youth ministry. The conversation provides practical insights and encouragement for new youth leaders navigating their roles. Send your question to Mike and John for the podcast here, and make sure to tel…

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105: Youth Ministry as Catechesis & the YPT Curriculum! 39:28

6M ago39:28

39:28

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the significance of catechesis in youth ministry, emphasizing its relational nature and the importance of intentional discipleship. They discuss the need for a structured approach to teaching that considers the different stages of spiritual maturity among …

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104: Asking Good Questions, Chat GPT, Engaging Students with Scripture 38:21

6M ago38:21

38:21

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner discuss the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the importance of asking good questions that engage students in meaningful conversations. Discussing good and bad questions leads into a conversation about whether or not youth workers should use ChatGPT. The discussion also highlight…

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103: Student Leadership, Book Recommendations, & Time Wasters 37:10

6M ago37:10

37:10

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the concept of student leadership within youth ministry. They discuss whether all students should be considered leaders, the importance of defining leadership, and how personality traits influence leadership roles. The conversation also touches on em…

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102: Missions Trips & Discouraged Youth Pastors 40:31

6M ago40:31

40:31

In this episode, Mike McGarry and John Gardner explore the intersection of youth ministry and theology, focusing on the role of missions trips. They discuss the theological implications of these trips, critiques of short-term missions, and share personal experiences—both positive and negative while emphasizing the importance of gospel-centered miss…

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101: Podcast revamp, Our Ministry Journeys, D.Mins. and Spouses in Youth Ministry 44:25

7M ago44:25

44:25

In this episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, hosts Mike McGarry and John Gardner introduce the new format of the show, focusing on their journeys into youth ministry. They discuss their unexpected paths into youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, why they each pursues a D.Min., and how they integrate their spouses into thei…

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100: Revisiting "What is a Youth Pastor Theologian" (Engle, Hartman, Tufano) 1:04:38

7M ago1:04:38

1:04:38

In this celebratory 100th episode of the Youth Pastor Theologian podcast, host Mike McGarry and guests Nick Hartman, Jason Engle, and Alex Tufano reflect on their experiences in youth ministry, the importance of theological depth, and memorable podcast episodes. They discuss the significance of the Youth Pastor Theologian identity, the need for pra…

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99: Equipping Youth to Live with Wisdom (Rich Griffith) 45:45

8M ago45:45

45:45

In this conversation, Mike talks with Rich Griffith about the importance of guiding our youth to live with wisdom and discernment, and encouraging them to live with godly courage. Conversation includes: How can we help our youth grow in biblical wisdom and to live with courage to live accordingly. Why is that so important to you as you raise your o…

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98: Building a Culture of Question-Asking in Youth Ministry (Valerie O'Brien) 52:11

8M ago52:11

52:11

Teenagers are full of questions. The big question, is who are they discussing those questions with?! It can be a challenge to cultivate a ministry culture where students feel the freedom to ask their questions without being afraid of getting belittled or receiving cheap answers. In this conversation, Valerie O'Brien discusses her approach to inviti…

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97: Jesus is Worth It (Chris Morphew) 48:52

8M ago48:52

48:52

Can Jesus really make a positive difference in your life? What about when being a Christian puts you at odds with the values of your friends and with society in general? Is following Jesus worth it? This episode is a conversation with Chris Morphew about his new book, "Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated", which highlights the tru…

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96: Teaching the Old Testament to Youth (Chelsea Erickson) 45:56

8M ago45:56

45:56

It can be tempting to stick to the New Testament when teaching the Bible to youth. But doing so will only short-change teenagers and limit their understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ. Some parts of the Old Testament can feel foreign or intimidating, and therefore easy to avoid. Today's conversation with Chelsea Erickson will highlight the …

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95: Speaking to Teenagers (Duffy Robbins) 52:48

8M ago52:48

52:48

Duffy Robbins shares insights on effective preaching and teaching in youth ministry, including a discussion about how long to teach for. Robbins emphasizes that youth will listen for as long as they're engaged, but they'll check out once they're bored. So, how do we teach with biblical and theological depth that engages them with the gospel? What i…

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94: Reflecting on the Asbury Outpouring (Zach Meerkreebs) 46:29

9M ago46:29

46:29

The Asbury Outpouring gripped religious news and social media two years ago. People had a wide range of opinions about it then, but it's been long enough that we can look with greater clarity about what was and was not happening. In this episode, Mike talks with Zach Meerkreebs, the preacher whose sermon God used to spark the outpouring. Listen in …

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93: Theology of Art and Ministry to Artsy Youth (Melody Bellefeuille-Frost) 47:22

9M ago47:22

47:22

Youth Group isn’t always a place where artsy youth feel a sense of belonging. And yet, the Church, historically, has been a haven for the arts. How can youth workers develop a biblical appreciation for art and serve our students who are artistically-minded? Discussion Includes: Historically, there’s been a rich relationship between the church and t…

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92: Trends in Youth Ministry (Walt Mueller) 51:44

9M ago51:44

51:44

What's happening in the youth ministry world today and how did we get here? This is an important question that we need to ask from time to time, and who's better to ask than Dr. Walt Mueller? Walt Mueller has been ministering to young people for over 45 years and is the founder/director of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. He’s also the au…

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91: The Church and Youth Sports (Paul Putz) 52:27

9M ago52:27

52:27

Talking about the church and youth sports is a sure way to spur strong opinions. Many pastors feel like parents are choosing sports over faith, while parents and kids feel like the church doesn't respect sports or team culture. How can faithful Christian parents and church leaders navigate this tense issue in a way that is distinctively Christian, …

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90: Should I Stay or Should I Go? (Will Standridge) 44:53

10M ago44:53

44:53

At some point, every youth pastor faces the question, "Should I stay or should I go?" Sometimes God's wisdom leads us to stay and endure through seasons of tension and conflict, but sometimes the Lord provides freedom to move into a new ministry (or an entirely new vocation!). Discussion Includes: You’re still in your first year as a senior pastor……

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89: The Significance of Eating Together (Seth Stewart) 46:29

10M ago46:29

46:29

Food and “the table” show up throughout Scripture in significant ways. And yet, it’s easily overlooked. How does “theology of meals and eating together” shape Christian fellowship and ministry to youth? Could you explain what you mean by “theology of meals and eating together”? When I hear this, I immediately think about the Lord’s Supper. That’s a…

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88: The Best Teaching Advice I've Received (Kyle Hoffsmith) 49:16

10M ago49:16

49:16

There’s so much that can be said about how to teach the Bible with depth and clarity, it’s almost as if we could build an entire podcast around it! That’s why we’ve invited Kyle Hoffsmith from “The Word in Youth Ministry” to share some of the best preaching and teaching advice that he’s heard. When you were new to youth ministry, could you tell us …

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87: Managing Expectations in Youth Ministry (Joseph Bradley) 58:22

11M ago58:22

58:22

Everyone has expectations: you do, and so do your students, parents, volunteers, and church leaders. How can you identify people's expectations and respond with humility and confidence when you don't quite "meet expectations"? Of all the topics we could be discussing today, why do you think it’s important for us to talk about managing expectations …

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86: Leading a Youth Ministry While in Seminary (Nick Hartman) 48:41

11M ago48:41

48:41

It can be difficult to find a healthy rhythm when serving in full-time youth ministry while also in seminary. This can lead some people to never pursue formal training, and it can lead others to burn out. Today’s conversation highlights the benefit of seminary training while providing some practical counsel about navigating it well. What’s the bene…

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85: Apologetics and Doubt in Youth Ministry (Mary Jo Sharp) 49:10

12M ago49:10

49:10

As teenagers move from middle school through their high school graduation, they begin to ask increasingly difficult questions about life and faith and God. If we are only telling them answers without creating space for meaningful conversations about the questions they have, then they’ll find answer to their questions somewhere else. Today’s convers…

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84: Leading and Equipping Volunteers (Alex Tufano) 54:58

12M ago54:58

54:58

Sooner or later, every youth pastor learns that their youth ministry is only as strong as their volunteers. If that’s true then how do we identify, recruit, train, and support faithful volunteer leaders to serve our students? Discussion Why are volunteers so important? What should we look for in volunteers, and what are some flags that should give …

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83: Translating Youth Culture for Student Discipleship (Evan Barber) 52:05

1y ago52:05

52:05

Youth culture can feel like a foreign language, especially with how rapidly it changes. How can youth workers understand the culture of our students… and why is that important anyways? Why is it important for youth workers to understand youth culture? How would you describe the default approach most adults take toward interpreting and translating y…

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82: How to Respond When Teenagers Get Pregnant (Sara Loy) 45:35

1y ago45:35

45:35

How do we respond with love and grace when teenagers in our ministry get pregnant? This is a huge surprise for everyone and often turns entire families upside-down. The gospel shapes the way you support and care for the expectant mom, dad, and their families. What are some of the initial feelings that our teen girls likely experience after finding …

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81: Leading Youth to Lead Worship in Youth Ministry (Dorothy Lau) 48:40

1y ago48:40

48:40

How can youth ministries encourage teenagers to worship God? Obviously, worship is more than singing and music, but that’s often where we begin how to worship. So what kinds of songs should we sing, and what should we avoid in our worship music? Discussion Questions What are some of the benefits of incorporating worship in your youth ministry? Can …

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80: Cultivating a Churchwide Commitment to Intergenerational Relationships (Annika Bangma) 46:29

1y ago46:29

46:29

Youth workers are increasingly realizing the importance of intergenerational ministry. But it remains a challenge to promote a churchwide commitment to these cross-generational relationships. Why is this so important and how do we make progress in this area? Discussion Includes: Could you tell us a little about Generation Spark's vision for interge…

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79: How Catechesis Can Strengthen Your Discipleship (Skyler Flowers & Parker Hudson) 52:31

1y ago52:31

52:31

Every youth leader wants to see their teenagers grow into mature and godly adults. At the same time, we often struggle to clearly define what discipleship is and what it looks like. After all, if everything in our youth ministry falls under the category of discipleship then we’ve probably watered down the category of discipleship so much it doesn’t…

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78: Discussing Gender and Sexuality with Youth (Andrew Bunt & Ashleigh Hull) 56:32

1y ago56:32

56:32

Discussing gender and sexuality with teenagers has never been more important... or intimidating. It seems so easy to step on landmines, lose credibility with either students or parents or church leadership, which can make it tempting to avoid the topic altogether. But students are hearing about gender and sexuality, and every ministry has youth who…

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77: Ministry to Teen Boys (Jonathan Denton) 45:09

1y ago45:09

45:09

It’s no secret that boys and girls mature differently. That doesn’t only happen in terms of emotional maturity but also cognitively and spiritually. So, how does that shape the way we minister to the teen guys in our youth ministries? Discussion Includes: Tell us a little about your book, Disciplemaking With Guys. Why did you write it and what’s th…

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76: Calling Youth to a God-Centered Faith (Richard Ross) 42:40

1y ago42:40

42:40

The Christian faith is not about “me and Jesus,” but about the glory of our Triune God. What does it mean for youth workers to call teenagers into lives that are marked by faithful worship and a vital union with Christ? Instead, many teenagers have a me-centered faith that treats Jesus like their therapist. This conversation with Dr. Richard Ross h…

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75: Ministry to Kids in Crisis (Seth Teegarden) 47:18

1y ago47:18

47:18

Youth Ministry often brings us into students’ lives during difficult and painful times. Instead of avoiding that because it’s messy or complicated, the gospel calls us to walk beside youth and their families with love and compassion. Today we’re talking with Seth Teegarden about his experience as a house parent for kids in crisis, and about how tha…

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74: Strengthening the Senior Pastor / Youth Pastor Relationship (Cody Busby) 45:02

1y ago45:02

45:02

One of the main reasons a youth pastor’s relationship with their senior pastor can suffer is from unmet expectations. In this conversation, we talk with Cody Busby (Mike’s pastor) in order to encourage and support healthy senior/youth pastor relationships. Discussion Features: Share with us a little about your experience as a youth pastor… what do …

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Introducing: Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable 3:28

1y ago3:28

3:28

Rooted introduces a new podcast focused on youth ministry in an Asian American context. It features a rotating panel of youth ministers who will talk about issues affecting Asian American youth and anyone ministering to them, whether in the home or in the church. This episode is a sample of what you will hear. The first full episode is available no…

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73: Preaching that Connects (Matt Kim) 38:24

1+ y ago38:24

38:24

Faithful preaching and teaching does more than deliver biblical content, it takes the audience into account and draws the listeners into the text so they can behold the truth and beauty of God’s Word. Most of us have listened to sermons that were biblically and theologically sound, but they weren’t helpful. In today’s conversation, we want to help …

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72: Revisiting Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (Kenda Creasy Dean) 43:59

1+ y ago43:59

43:59

Nearly twenty years ago, the largest study on youth and religion described the religious worldview of youth and young adults as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. The teenagers and young adults in that study are now the parents of GenZ, which prompts the question, “Is MTD still a good description of youth spirituality?” Discussion Questions For our list…

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71: Teaching Students the Doctrine of God (Malcom Yarnell) 36:18

1+ y ago36:18

36:18

If youth workers aren't teaching teenagers about God then how can we call what we're doing "ministry"? The doctrine of God is a topic that people tend to either take for granted or they are intimidated by it's grandeur. This conversation highlights some of the core aspects of the doctrine of God and why it's so important to talk about with teenager…