Jesus Sauce

May 24, 2022 • 4 MIN

In this final episode of the season, Marko unpacks an experience of discovering a challenge in 1 Corinthians 3, and applies it to our work as youth workers.

New Realities for Teenagers

May 17, 2022 • 5 MIN

Marko identifies five new(er) cultural realities that are shaping teenagers, and different from the youth culture most of us grew up in.

Honesty About Innovation

May 10, 2022 • 7 MIN

Marko unpacks four forces that corrode innovation, and two ‘thrusters’ needed.

Four Practices of Great Parent Ministry

May 3, 2022 • 5 MIN

Winning with parents and helping them live into their own callings includes Listening, Communicating, Equipping, and Inviting Involvement.

Four Types of Curriculum

April 26, 2022 • 6 MIN

Marko unpacks Formal, Hidden, Nonformal, and Null curriculums, and asks us to bring more intentionality to all of them.

Emmanuel Year ’Round

April 5, 2022 • 4 MIN

Celebrating Emmanuel – God with us – shouldn’t be limited to the Christmas season!

Curiosity is the Serum for Judgmentalism

March 29, 2022 • 5 MIN

The increase in tribalism in our culture has brought with it an increase in judgmentalism. Marko suggests that Curiosity is our antidote.

Control or Open Hands

March 22, 2022 • 5 MIN

In this second week focused on control, Marko talks about the opposite of control: releasing your grip.

The Myth of Control

March 15, 2022 • 5 MIN

In youth ministry, we often try to control the beliefs and behaviors of teenagers. But it doesn’t work.

Tortilla Chips and Salsa

March 8, 2022 • 4 MIN

Consider this episode a ‘devotional’ thought, an encouragement to stay connected to the only One who can truly fill you up.

Responding to Brain Discoveries, Part 2

March 1, 2022 • 7 MIN

Marko has talked and written quite a bit about teenage brain development; but in this two-part episode, he reflects on how we should respond to brain discoveries.

Responding to Brain Discoveries, part 1

February 22, 2022 • 6 MIN

Marko has talked and written quite a bit about teenage brain development; but in this two-part episode, he reflects on how we should respond to brain discoveries.

A “Nothing Prevents You” Ministry

February 15, 2022 • 3 MIN

A reflection on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, and what it might say about the approach to great youth ministry.

Aligned With Your Calling

February 8, 2022 • 3 MIN

Marko shares the story of Marvin, a 60-something youth worker who tried to run away from his calling to youth ministry.

A Reminder of Why We Do What We Do

February 1, 2022 • 3 MIN

Marko shares a short and moving story about a youth worker who thought he’d blown it, but was actually being used by God in exactly the right way.

1 Kings 19 Rewritten for Youth Workers

January 25, 2022 • 3 MIN

Part 6 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Psalm 23 & Luke 5 Rewritten for Youth Workers

January 18, 2022 • 4 MIN

Part 5 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

2 Corinthians 11 & 12 Rewritten for Youth Workers

January 11, 2022 • 3 MIN

Part 4 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers. Learn more about The Youth Cartel's coaching and resources at https://theyouthcartel.com.

Daniel 3 Rewritten for Youth Workers

January 4, 2022 • 8 MIN

Part 3 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

2 Timothy 1 & 2 Rewritten for Youth Workers

December 14, 2021 • 5 MIN

Part 2 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Exodus 3 & 4 Rewritten for Youth Workers

December 8, 2021 • 4 MIN

Part 1 of Marko’s snarky 6-part sub-season of scripture rewritten for youth workers.

Be Courageous

November 30, 2021 • 4 MIN

In what aspect of your ministry do you need to try something new?

The Myth of Balance

November 16, 2021 • 5 MIN

Balance isn’t a biblical goal; sustainability and thriving are.

Traditions and Sacred Cows

November 9, 2021 • 5 MIN

Traditions in youth ministry are awesome until they become objects of worship.

The Intersection of Intentionality and Faith

November 2, 2021 • 5 MIN

These two choices--intentionality and faith--define the gooey center of great youth ministry.

The Glass is (at Least) Half Full

October 26, 2021 • 4 MIN

Are you weary in ministry? Let’s celebrate the unflashy path of consistency.

The Extension of Adolescence

October 19, 2021 • 4 MIN

Naming and resisting the factors that have made adolescence of 20-year journey in our culture.

The Seduction of Ease

October 12, 2021 • 4 MIN

Marko unpacks why ease is the enemy of growth.

The Patience of Plodding

October 5, 2021 • 5 MIN

It’s difficult not to see the value of determination and a ruthless commitment to one mission while standing on The Great Wall of China.

10 Percent Wrong

September 28, 2021 • 4 MIN

Even if accusations or criticism are 90% wrong, wisdom addresses the 10%.

What Would I Do Differently?

September 21, 2021 • 4 MIN

If I could go back and start all over again in youth ministry, what would I change?

Helping Teens Meet the Real Jesus

September 14, 2021 • 4 MIN

Let’s help teenagers examine their childhood images of Jesus and meet the real Jesus.

Stretching Toward Faith in Ministry

September 7, 2021 • 4 MIN

A church capital campaign causes Marko to reflect on how he’s exercising faith in youth ministry.

The Power of Small

August 31, 2021 • 4 MIN

The pathway to great youth ministry is shorter in smaller churches.

Teenagers and Risk

August 24, 2021 • 4 MIN

Teenagers are naturally (and wonderfully) wired for risk. Our ministries should reflect this truth.

What Redwood Trees Teach Us About Youth Ministry

August 17, 2021 • 4 MIN

Staring at some massive redwood trees causes Marko to reflect on the kind of youth worker he’d like to be.

12 Awesome Things About Middle Schoolers

August 10, 2021 • 5 MIN

Marko could list 100 reasons to love young teens; but this episode highlights 12 reasons.

Improving Your Relationship With Parents

June 22, 2021 • 5 MIN

Adopting an attitude of curiosity will completely reframe your interactions with parents of teenagers.

Being Open to Changing Your Mind

June 15, 2021 • 4 MIN

Marko unpacks an area of his leadership that needed to change, how he became aware of it, and what he did about it.

LGBTQ Teens Need a Pastoral Response Over a Theological Response

June 8, 2021 • 4 MIN

Marko digs into research that reveals why a pastoral response to LGBTQ teenagers is more important than a theological response.

My Resistance to Excellence as a Value

June 1, 2021 • 4 MIN

Excellence is a good thing. Marko’s just not convinced it’s a great thing.

Invitation to Partnership with God

May 25, 2021 • 5 MIN

Marko unpacks what it means to partner with God in youth ministry.

Growth Practices of Leaders

May 18, 2021 • 5 MIN

Balance is a misguided goal and not even biblical. Way better, and more in alignment with the life of Jesus, are the goals of sustainability and thriving.

Fear

May 11, 2021 • 5 MIN

Youth workers like to think of ourselves as fearless; but the honest truth is, most of us struggle with all sorts of fear. Let’s talk about how to orient to that.

Decisions as Ebeneezers

May 4, 2021 • 5 MIN

Let’s reframe spiritual decisions (especially the big ones teenagers make at summer events) as Ebeneezers—mile-markers on a spiritual journey.

Divergent Thinkers

April 27, 2021 • 4 MIN

Marko talks about Divergent Thinkers. Are they good or bad for our congregations?

Competency Facilitator

April 22, 2021 • 5 MIN

Marko explains what he means by "competency facilitator" and what it means for you, your volunteers, and students.

Seven Sins of Reinvention

April 12, 2021 • 6 MIN

Join Marko to learn about the seven sins of reinvention in youth ministry.