Youth ministry is a vital part of a church. Studies have repeatedly shown that the teen years are critical to a person’s walk with God. Those who follow God as students are far more likely to stay with God throughout a lifetime.
As a youth pastor, this can feel like a lot of pressure. The good news though? You don’t have to do youth ministry on your own! There are many resources available to help you be the best youth pastor you can be. We’ve provided the 15 youth pastor resources you didn’t know you needed:
Curriculum & Training Youth Pastor Resources
1. Grow Curriculum
Take the guessing out of your planning! Grow Curriculum is undoubtedly one of the great resources every youth pastor didn’t know they needed. Grow provides a curriculum for your big events and small events. Whatever you need, it can be! Highly customizable and full of both written and video resources, this is one you’ll want to check out!
2. Youth Specialties
Youth Specialities has been providing resources to youth pastors for over 50 years. Primarily made up of training articles, Youth Specialties also provides a look at upcoming events that may help you in your ministry!
3. The Open Network
LifeChurch created the Open Network for churches, and there are so many things available to you. From systems and strategies to sermon series ideas and graphic design, everything is here!
This resource makes the list of resources every youth pastor didn’t know they needed because it has everything! You can get sermon series graphics as well as written resources to help your team process. If you need it, they have it!
4. The Source 4 Youth Ministry
This website offers training videos, blogs, and discussion guides—tools for almost anything you can want or need. The Source 4 Youth Ministry offers movie and music discussion guides for you to talk through with your students. This resource is definitely among the top resources every youth pastor didn’t know they needed!
Youth Pastor Books & Youth Devotionals
5. Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry
Tim McKnight’s book Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry is a must-read for all youth pastors. Generation Z is different from past generations. They’ve grown up with social media, smartphones, and an entirely different culture than the many generations before them. This book helps break down how to engage this generation.
6. Walk in Faith: 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Guys
One resource every youth pastor doesn’t always realize they need is devotional books that are actually interesting! So many teen and student devotionals and study Bibles are cheesy or outdated, but Walk in Faith: 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Guys is far from it! You can have a small group that goes through these devotionals or provide them to parents as a resource for their sons. Overall, it is a great resource!
7. Live in Light: 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls
As we said in the last resource, finding good devotionals for teenagers can be tricky. Live in Light: 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls is a fantastic resource for youth pastors, small group leaders, parents, and teens. This devotional is a great way to help teen girls get into the habit of starting their day in the Word of God.
Content Creation & Design Resources
8. Canva
“I’m a youth pastor, not a graphic designer.” EXACTLY! There are times in youth ministry when you need a simple graphic but don’t have a graphic designer. Canva has you covered. You can create graphics and videos for social media in a matter of minutes!
9. Unsplash
Creating graphics or need stock images for your social media account? Unsplash is the place for you. With thousands of free stock images, you can find just about everything you need here.
Tip: To get the most out of it, download an image from Unsplash and create the graphics you need on Canva!
10. Sunday Social
Most youth pastors work hard to have a social media presence because that’s where their students spend most of their time. If you don’t have a staff for creative projects like videos and graphics, Sunday Social is your friend. They produce social media content, which you can then download and post on your channels. While many other resources like this one make great content for adults, Sunday Social has many great resources that are trendy and appealing to today’s youth!
Apps & Digital Tools for Youth Pastors
11. YouVersion Bible App
The Bible needs to be accessible to students. YouVersion makes that possible. It can be downloaded to their phones and used anywhere and at any time!
In addition, the YouVersion app has hundreds of great devotionals that you can go through with a group of students or even suggest in one-on-one discipleship.
12. Carry Bible
The Carry Bible App is a community-building tool. It’s more than just a Bible app; it’s a great resource for creating groups and communities in your ministry. The 2020 shutdowns opened the world’s eyes to our need for community, and this app will help you build that with your students.
Youth Cultural Understanding & Parent Resources
13. The Center for Parent Youth Understanding
Teenagers can be confusing! There are so many translation struggles between parents and teens, but this resource will help you serve your parents and students well.
From podcasts to articles, the Center for Parent Youth Understanding (CPYU) covers all types of studies, like pop culture and studies on the lives of today’s teens. Their podcasts cover current pop culture, from subjects like studying the Bible. No matter what you need, they have it covered.
14. Axis
With its culture translator, Axis is a resource every youth pastor didn’t know they needed. Axis serves parents and other adults who love and care for teenagers. It has a community for parents where they can receive support and help for the challenges they may be facing.
Lastly, its communication guides for tough subjects are extremely helpful to parents and youth pastors alike.
Multi-Purpose Platforms for Youth Pastors
15. YouthWorker.com
YouthWorker.com is filled with resources for you! There are games and activities, leadership articles, Bible studies, and so many other great resources. This can be a one-stop shop for many necessary youth pastor resources to help you in your leadership, service planning, and more!
Take the Next Step With These Youth Pastor Resources
I am thankful that resources are more readily available today than ever before. Between websites, books, and apps, this list provides 15 resources every youth pastor didn’t know they needed. We are confident that these resources will bless you and help you take the next step in your youth ministry. Whether it be strategy, social media content, or conversation tools, it’s all listed here!
