Is summer where student ministry goes to die or is it the secret weapon for a better fall?

In this episode, John and Ian dive into the reality of summer chaos:

camp injuries, mission trip fails, and the pressure to “keep things going.”

But what if summer isn’t about just surviving? What if it’s your best shot at building real momentum for the fall?

We talk:

• Why some families (and staff) expect you to vanish for the summer, and how to push back

• Creative rhythms that help students thrive, not just attend • How to lead smarter, not harder

• Practical ways to leverage slower weeks for deeper discipleship and connection

• Why NOW is the best time to build your fall plan, recruit volunteers, and prepare your leaders

PLUS: If you’re a member behind the wall, we’ve got a bonus segment full of practical tools—calendar templates, planning sheets, and a fall ministry roadmap. Not a member? You can jump in today and get your first two weeks free.

Start your Free Trial: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=0a047568-f6b2-49c0-9cd2-c0f19c847bdf

This is the episode that changes everything.

Shaping Student Ministry (SSM) and Youth Pastor Central (YPC) have merged into one unified network.

Why? Because student pastors need more than content—they need connection, coaching, and community. And now, you’ll get it all in one place.

In this episode, John, Ian, and Christopher walk through:

• Why we’re merging: What brought SSM and YPC together

• What changes for you (and what doesn’t): Access, content, cohorts, and more

• The new platform: A first look at our all-in-one coaching and resource ecosystem

• What’s coming next: Podcast expansions, resource drops, regional meetups, and a packed fall lineup.

Whether you’ve followed SSM for years or you’re a longtime member of YPC, this is the beginning of something brand new for all of us.

What you’ll get:

• A redesigned member experience

• One subscription that includes everything (yes, including Games on Games)

• National and regional cohorts

• A growing podcast network

• Access to exclusive curriculum and tools We’re not just joining forces. We’re building the future of student ministry leadership together.

Start your free trial: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=d303b5ac-f322-4161-adc3-c73cda5fe9e3

What do you wish someone told you when you started in ministry?

In this episode, John Oliver is joined by Mark Santana from First Baptist Statesboro to reflect on the early days of leadership in the local church. From building trust with parents and volunteers to navigating expectations, they share honest lessons and encouragement for anyone just getting started or anyone guiding the next generation of leaders.

Whether you are leading students, adults, or your entire congregation, this conversation offers wisdom that reaches beyond youth ministry. Topics include:

• Why relational leadership always wins over performance pressure • What to prioritize in your first year that will actually last • The leadership rhythms that help you stay grounded • Real talk about failure, growth, and long term faithfulness

Watch now on YouTube Listen wherever you get your podcasts Connect with our growing community of leaders: https://shapingstudentministry.com

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 baptize students at camp? You will hear their honest conversation on timing, accountability, and local church connection when it comes to responding to salvation decisions.

What we cover:

• How to plan for discipleship, not just hype

• What to prioritize before the bus ever leaves

• Leading your team well while at camp

• Making follow up a strategy, not an afterthought

• What to consider before saying yes to camp baptisms

Listen in and equip yourself to lead camp season with intention and clarity.

Subscribe to the podcast and explore our community

https://www.youtube.com/@ShapingStudentMinistry

https://g6allies.com/ssm-community-checkout

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 boldness or quiet strength, this episode is for you. We’ll help you shift from reactive leadership to intentional influence—because student ministry doesn’t just need good vibes, it needs godly leaders who lead on purpose.

🔔 Subscribe for more student ministry conversations 📲 Join our community: https://shapingstudentministry.com

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 strategy, and stop equating faithfulness with full rooms.

Topics include:

• Why showing up isn’t the only metric for success

• What it looks like to redefine the win

• How to disciple students when schedules get in the way

• Building intentional rhythms and micro-connections

• Why Jesus wouldn’t panic about your numbers (and neither should you)

Grab your 2-week free trial of the SSM Community and get access to exclusive content, Touchpoints, and leadership cohorts:

https://g6allies.com/product-details/product/touchpoints

Also, check out our curriculum at: https://shapingstudentministry.com/lines

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 be. Whether you’re scrambling to throw something together or trying to break out of a tired tradition, this episode will help you make it count.

What we cover:

• Why Senior Sunday matters more than you think

• The tension between showing up and ghosting

• Ways to involve parents, juniors, and the whole church

• How to give meaningful gifts

• The value of intergenerational blessing and commissioning

Free 30-Day Trial? https://g6allies.com/product-details/product/touchpoints?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ_X-NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwNEttbm4wUlhWaE5mcW1yAR6qwUt7GKZ4dnr0D9TtSGQ2mwZ8lPnCRBEiaGEvqlppX3R_A8kYqjNRRgf9ag_aem_zU4x2t45cccJqBr4XycVFw

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’re a student pastor or ministry leader trying to navigate difficult relationships on your church staff, this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• The difference between difficult and untrustworthy leaders

• Why many pastors struggle to disciple their teams

• How to build trust when it’s been broken

• The 6 types of trust every ministry needs

• Why some leaders become toxic—and how not to become one

Subscribe, share, and check out the full resources and behind-the-wall content at

👉 https://www.shapingstudentministry.com

Free 30-Day Trial? https://g6allies.com/product-details/product/touchpoints?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ_X-NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwNEttbm4wUlhWaE5mcW1yAR6qwUt7GKZ4dnr0D9TtSGQ2mwZ8lPnCRBEiaGEvqlppX3R_A8kYqjNRRgf9ag_aem_zU4x2t45cccJqBr4XycVFw