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As we begin the new year, I want to go over five things I believe all youth workers should focus on to get the most out of 2020. I'm not calling them resolutions because resolutions themselves are a one-time firm decision. These are goals that will require a year's worth of decisions to reach. Not only can you meet all of these goals, but I believe each of these will allow you to make 2020 matter!

We hope that 2019 has been a fantastic year for you and your youth ministry. We consider it a blessing to have come alongside you in your ministry and equipped you with a number of Articles and Training posts throughout the whole calendar year. Although we hope that every post has been beneficial to you, there were a few that stood out to you and other youth workers like you. And, in case you missed some of them, check out the best Online Articles and Training posts of 2019!

Games are the universal language between adults and students. Games grant people an opportunity to step out of their routine to show a different side of themselves. Here’s the problem with games: coming up with them. We’ve all witnessed incredible games before, and we’ve also seen those games which flopped upon arrival. But how do you re-invent a game after it has become stale? Robbie and Jake want to show you today!

It seems like when our schedule gets a bit lighter during the Christmas season; we can often get less done. We want to spend a few moments today talking about how you can head into this Christmas season with an intentional spirit to use this month as a youth ministry reboot.

We believe there are four things you can do to give your ministry that extra energy when 2020 rolls around!

You’ve heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, but what about 12 of the most popular international Christmas songs? In keeping with the Christmas spirit, we’ve compiled a list of Christmas themed songs from around the globe (including an excerpt of the lyrics!). You may recognize more than you realize. Enjoy!

The YM360 Christmas "Vault" is full of free lessons, games, party ideas, devotions for youth workers and students. Don't miss these incredible resources!

We’re all familiar with the metaphor: Sometimes, as Christians, we experience “mountain top” events. As a youth worker, we often hope the events we plan will be mountain top events. We hope that when we design a retreat weekend or a camp, these events will be moments where our students experience God’s presence. That’s not a bad thing to hope for. But there is another side of mountain top events that can be slightly problematic. Let us tell you what it is and how you can overcome it in your student ministry.

It is inevitable. Eventually, the shine and the glow of your small group is going to wear off. What do you do once that has happened? Andy and Robbie have some tips to help you get the shine back!

Today, I want to make the case that all youth pastors need to hit November with the same energy and hype as August. Why? Because of the Sports Pause. Don't know what the Sports Pause is? No problem, let me tell you.

Check out the YM360 Thanksgiving Content Page -- a page devoted to giving you free lessons and games to use in your Youth Ministry.

Unfortunately, we won’t always like everyone we do life and ministry with. And they won’t always like us. This is just human nature. We know this, and we strive to overcome it. But it can be particularly tricky when that person who doesn’t like you is a parent of one of your students. Ouch.

At times, youth ministry can feel more like office work, rather than worshipping with students, ministering, playing fun games, and hosting lock-ins. We wanted to take a moment to help you take a fresh look at how office work isn't meant to inhibit your ministry instead of enhancing it. Read/Watch/Listen by clicking here!

Christmas is an excellent time to refocus your students on the true meaning of the holiday season. Jake and Andy talk about why and how you should make sure not to miss the importance of Christmas in youth ministry.

It's conference season in youth ministry! Regardless of denomination, in the next few months, there are many youth ministry conferences that you will be apart of or be invited to. Here is some wisdom about how you can make the most of your time spent at a youth ministry conference.

As Youth Workers, we know it is important to communicate with our students' parents. I am challenging you to begin to do this weekly. Over the years as youth pastor and now as a parent of two children in the youth ministry at my church, I value good communication from the youth ministry. 

What started as 3 reasons turned into 4. Don't worry, you won't have to pay extra for the 4th one. 

Recruiting leaders to serve alongside you in your youth ministry is tough work. Once a volunteer says, "yes" and begins serving, I challenge you to help make them happy. It not only helps them stay serving in your ministry longer but also will help them serve more effectively. I bet when you are happy serving at your church, you do a better job then when you are unhappy. Right?