Third Thursday Podcast
Every third Thursday the youth leader team of the Rocky Mountain District C&MA drops content designed to encourage, connect, and equip youth leaders around the district. More information and resources can be found at rmdcma.com/youth
Episodes
We all want community—but are we building the kind God designed?
In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, we break down the key differences between worldly and biblicalcommunity—and why it matters more than you think. You’ll learn how true community is formed, what makes it last, and how to build it with your students and leaders.
Stop aiming for connection. Start aiming for Christ—and watch real community follow.
Ever feel stuck when it’s time to prepare a talk for students? You’ve got a message in your heart—but how do you make sure it actually connects?
In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben Mcentee and Chris Tweedy break down a clear and practical framework for crafting talks that stick. Whether you’re sharing a devotional, leading a message, or stepping into a classroom or small group, this approach will help you communica...
Youth group night is awesome—but is that the only way to connect with students?
In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, we dive into why reaching students beyond the walls of the church is more important than ever. We’ll talk about the theological and practical reasons for stepping outside our comfort zones, the power of parachurch partnerships, and simple ways to start building relationships—like just meeting three students...
Discouragement—it’s real, it’s heavy, and at some point, we all face it. But how do we respond when it creeps in? In this episode of The Third Thursday Podcast, Chris Tweedy and Ben McEntee dig into the brutal roots of discouragement—why it happens and how we can navigate it with faith and resilience.
Whether you’re in a season of discouragement or preparing for the inevitable challenges ahead, this conversation will equip you with...
In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben McEntee and Chris Tweedy dive into strategies for managing challenging classroom dynamics while fostering a culture of love, respect, and accountability with special guest, Scott Palin. Learn how to lay the foundation by ensuring students feel genuinely cared for, walk through practical steps to set expectations, and handle disruptions effectively.
In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben McEntee and Chris Tweedy share their favorite 2024 resources—Christian books, podcasts, and even secular tools—that have enriched their ministry this year.
Join them as they reflect on the power of intentional learning and being mindful of the content we consume. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for additional recommendations that couldn’t be covered in the show.
In this episode of the Third Thursday Podcast, Ben is joined by Cassandra who serves with Envision (a missions structure of the Alliance) in Indonesia to discuss how youth leaders can integrate missions into student ministry. Cassandra shares advice on helping students discern God’s call to missions, emphasizing the need to ask thoughtful questions and recognize those with a passion for sharing their faith. This episode is packed w...
In this episode of the Third Thursday podcast, Ben is joined by special guests Alex Hickinbotham from Yellowstone Alliance Adventures and Zach Zirbel from Dickey Lake Bible Camp. Together, they explore the unique strengths of camp ministry, including its ability to engage students and provide focused discipleship, while also discussing the limitations. Discover how camp ministry and church ministries can complement each other for g...
Yep, summer is going by already, but we have more fun ahead! How do we find the right balance between fun and serious? When does summer youth ministry begin? What might it look like? How do we look beyond summer and develop yearly rhythms and activities throughout the year? Join Ben and Harry as they share some of their ministry experience and top activities for youth ministry.
Ben and Harry have two special guests this month! RMD Assistant Superintendent Chris Tweedy and C&MA National Co-Youth Director Charles Amoh join in to talk about next summer's LIFE Conference. Everything from what is the LIFE Conference to big details, initial pro tips, and how the RMD is helping individuals go is discussed.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
Ben and Harry start the episode with guest speaker, Julie Hunter, chat through what family ministries look like in her context in Helena, MT, and then work their way through the "What Now?" of youth graduation season.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
Ben and Harry recap the Youth Leader Weekend at YAA. They share laughs, Uno stories, and how important it is to help your church live on Deuteronomy 6.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
Ben and Harry chat through some of the numerous types of curricula to choose from. There are subscription-based curriculums, shorter series that run 4-8 weeks or longer, video series, and more! They share some pros & cons of each, how to discern and choose with wisdom, and then give some points for how to develop one yourself for your youth ministry!
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email...
Special guest, Ken Castor, joins Harry and Ben in a round of get-to-know-you and talking about the upcoming Youth Leader Weekend. Plus a bonus quick round of 3 areas to help youth grow to hold us over until then!
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
Harry and Ben chat about the Third Thursday vision for 22024 with special guest, Chris Tweedy.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
How do we navigate the turbulent waters of meaningful conversation around volitle topics? Ben and Harry tackle this question and hope to offer some encouragement and guidance on how to have difficult conversations like Jesus did.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
We know the challenge of doing in the trench ministry and how sometimes we forget the call to go outside the building walls. Ben and Harry remind us that we are called to people outside the building and share ways to make a difference as we go about our normal day-to-day.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
What defines true success? You can't run a race always looking sideways. Ben and Harry share 4 key points to help you process through redefining it.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.
It can be challenging to find the right volunteers for the youth ministry without coming across as... desperate. Harry and Ben share 4 key points of how to create a volunteer team.
If you've got questions or want access to more resources, email ctweedy@rmdcma.com.