Shaping Student Ministry Podcast

Summer camp is not just a spiritual high point. It is a strategic opportunity for gospel impact. In this episode, John and Ian walk through what it means to lead students well before, during, and after camp. From setting expectations to creating margin, they share hard-earned wisdom for making the most of camp season.

They also dive into one of the most debated questions in student ministry: Should we ba...

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 4 of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast — where we believe every student pastor should get better, not just busier.

In this episode, Ian and John unpack what it means to be a tone-setting leader. What kind of atmosphere do you create when you walk into a room? How do you influence your team’s energy, your students’ sense of belonging, and your ministry’s culture over time?

Whether you lead with boldne...

Your lesson is prepped, your leaders are ready, the snacks are out… but the students? Scattered. Travel ball, AP homework, rehearsals—and let’s be real, some just don’t show.

In this episode, John and Ian dive into one of the most relatable challenges in student ministry: how to disciple students in a culture of inconsistent attendance. You’ll walk away with ideas to shift your mindset, refocus your stra...

Is Senior Sunday just a slideshow and a gift bag… or something more? In this episode, John and Ian talk through how to transform Graduation Sunday into a spiritually meaningful moment for your students, families, and entire church. From cap and gown walk-ins to commissioning prayers and student-led blessings, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and stories that will challenge you to reimagine what this milestone could ...

Not every hard boss is toxic, but not every hard boss is healthy either. In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian dive into the complicated world of church leadership dynamics. What do you do when your pastor is hard to work with? How do you know if the issue is them… or you? From micromanagers and ghost leaders to trust issues and toxic patterns, this conversation is real, raw, and practical.

If you’r...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Shaping Student Ministry Podcast! We’re kicking things off with a game-changing conversation featuring Dave Coryell, President of Christian Endeavor and author of Less Like Hippos, More Like Honeybees. (WE ENCOUNTERED SOME RECORDING ISSUES... POWER THROUGH!)

In this episode, we dive deep into:

- Why your discipleship strategy needs more than just curriculum

- The danger of treating content as the end goal...

You poured time, energy, and resources into your big event… now what? In this episode, John and Ian unpack why what happens after the event may be more important than the event itself. Drawing from years of student ministry experience, they tackle questions like:

• How do you capture spiritual momentum without overloading the calendar?

• Why are relational follow-ups better than reactionary ones?

• What does it look like to follow ...

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Francis of Reframe Youth Ministry—licensed clinician, former youth pastor, and curriculum creator—for a conversation that will shift how you think about student ministry.

We talk about:  • What technology is really doing to students’ minds and bodies  • Why presence, not performance, is the secret sauce of ministry  • How to build trust by letting students say the “wild stuff”  • Why compass...

Are you really burnt out… or are you just deeply discouraged?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian tackle the confusion between burnout and discouragement — and why understanding the difference could keep you from walking away from something God has actually called you to do.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:

• The signs and symptoms of discouragement vs. burnout

• Why burnout has become a “badge of hon...

In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Crawshaw from TrueFace to tackle one of the biggest challenges in student ministry today:

ministering to Gen Z and fostering authentic discipleship. From navigating identity struggles to overcoming a culture of self-diagnosis, we explore why Gen Z craves authentic relationships and how we can move past surface-level faith to guide students into deep, transformative discipleship.

Benjamin s...

Most student pastors focus on students—but what if the real key to a thriving youth ministry is partnering with their parents?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, Steve John from The Youth Pastor Conference joins us to talk about why parent ministry isn’t optional—it’s essential. Youth pastors often see parents as obstacles, but when we equip, communicate with, and bu...

Student ministry camps can be incredible moments—but are they actually launching students into lasting faith, or just creating short-lived emotional highs? This week on The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, Ian Dunaway and Mark Santana sit down on the way to the airport to talk about rethinking how we approach camps. Instead of treating them as the ultimate goal, what if we made them a starting point for real, ongoing discipleship?...

In this episode, Ian, John, and special guest Jon Rush dive into one of the most unexpected ministry conversations yet—how gaming and discipleship intersect in today’s culture. From Fortnite streams to the bold (and hilarious) idea of starting a “church” in Grand Theft Auto, they explore how student pastors can meet students where they are—yes, even in digital worlds.

But this isn’t just about video games. The conversation expands ...

Ever feel like people aren’t taking you seriously in ministry? Like your leadership and influence aren’t respected the way they should be? You’re not alone. Credibility in ministry isn’t automatic—it’s earned.

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian break down the real reasons why student pastors and ministry leaders struggle to gain influence—and how to fix it before it costs you your ministry.

What W...

In a culture that celebrates constant movement, promotion, and “what’s next,” what if the most impactful thing you can do is stay right where you are?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian sit down with Dan Carson from Student Ministry Matters to talk about the value of longevity in ministry. We dive into the real reasons student pastors often feel the pres...

How do games fit into student ministry? In this episode, we’re joined by Steven Bell from GameZooGames.com to talk about the theology of games—how they reflect God’s design for community, creativity, and engagement. We explore how to leverage games for success in student ministry, using them as tools for discipleship, connection, and teaching biblical truths in a fun and meaningful way.

Join us as we discuss: 🎲 The biblical founda...

Ministry is rewarding, but let’s be real—it’s also really hard. There are moments of deep discouragement, leadership mistakes, and seasons where it feels like you’re barely holding on. So how do you keep going when ministry gets tough?

In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, we’re diving into:

• How to handle mistakes and failures in leadership

• What adversity teaches us about resilience and faith

• Practical ...

How do you make sure your ministry events improve year after year? It all starts with a solid debrief. In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, John and Ian—together in person for the first time this season—dive into the art of event debriefing. Here’s what we’re covering: ✨ Why debriefing is essential for refining your events and strengthening your team. ✨ A step-by-step guide for evaluating what worked, what didn’...

Volunteers are the heartbeat of youth ministry. Without them, it’s impossible to impact the next generation in meaningful ways. But finding, equipping, and keeping passionate volunteers can often feel like a daunting task. In this episode of The Shaping Student Ministry Podcast, we unpack the secrets to building an incredible volunteer team that not only serves but thrives. Here’s what we’re diving into:

✨ Recruiting Volunteers: Pr...