What do we need to know about student ministry staffing in 2026? What do we need to pay attention to? What can we do to improve it? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Todd Rhoades of Chemistry Staffing about his recent research and what we can learn from it.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Learn more about Chemistry Staffing at https://chemistrystaffing.com
• Read the "Church Staff Health Report" at https://churchstaffhealth.com
• Listen to The Healthy Church Podcast at https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/podcast
• Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

What role does mental health play in ministry, and how can we create safe spaces for open conversations grounded in faith? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks to student ministry veteran and author of Shepherds of the Mind, Tomy Cummins, about mental health. Tomy shares how a wave of students taking their lives pushed him toward training and building a ministry culture where it’s safe to talk about depression and anxiety, seek help, and involve others when someone is unsafe. He recounts his own journey and explains how Ezekiel 34:4 frames his approach to shepherding. In addition to sharing what not to do, but Tomy points to Jesus as the model of grace and truth. Join Steve and Tomy as they discuss the need for student ministry pastors to seek community, reject isolation, and take the next right step toward better care for themselves and their students.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Connect more with Tomy at https://tomycummins.com
• Learn more about Shepherds of the Mind and find more resources at https://shepherdsofthemind.com
• Get a copy of Shepherds of the Mind - https://amzn.to/4eUukZY
• Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

How do we win with our boss or supervisor? No matter where we are serving, we all have a someone who is tasked to supervise us and help us lead better and achieve our goals. And on this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Brent Squires on what mistakes to avoid, how to build trust, and how to lead up well.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Follow Brent on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brent.squires
• Follow NextGen Leader Coaching on Instagram - https://instagram.com/nextgenleadercoaching
• Get a copy of Leading from the Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson - https://amzn.to/4mxi2sa
• Get a copy of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins - https://amzn.to/4sFdNwo
• Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM - https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter - https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online - https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting - https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram - https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog - https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram - https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook - https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

How do you go about making changes in your programming? On this quick-hit episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve shares some tips he's learned over the years on how to lead change well, specifically in programming.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
• Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox at https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

What’s the average salary of a youth pastor, and how do you go about getting a raise? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks with Josh Boldman, CEO of Download Youth Ministry, about the 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report and more.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Get your copy of the 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report - https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/p/2026-youth-pastor-compensation-report/admin-tools/organization-10762.html
• Check out all DYM's resources, events, and more - https://downloadyouthministry.com
• Get your free copy of Youth Ministry Toolbox by Travis Deans - https://www.youthministrytoolbox.net
• Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

What’s the one thing that can take your speaking and teaching to the next level? That’s what we’re talking about on this quick episode of Student Ministry Connection.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Looking for student ministry resources? Check out Steve's curated list of books, games, and more at https://www.amazon.com/shop/stevecullum

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

We often throw around the word discipleship within student ministry, but what does it actually mean, and how can we not only make sure we are discipling students well but that we are experiencing it ourselves? On this episode of Student Ministry Connection, Steve talks all about discipleship with Matt Brinkley, founder of PACT Ministry and author of the books Disciple Me and Mentor Me.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Enter to win one of the 10 Year Anniversary giveaways at https://bit.ly/smc10years
• Check out Matt's discipleship resources at https://mentormebook.com and https://disciplemebook.com
• Email Matt at matt@pactministry.org
• If you'd like Matt's phone number, contact Steve via email studentministryconnection@gmail.com or social media.
• Learn more about PACT Ministry at https://pactministry.org
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!

What happens when God takes a simple idea of wanting to talk to other leaders in student ministry and turns it into an entire ministry? On this episode, we’re celebrating 10 years of Student Ministry Connection with a trip down memory lane from Steve and some of you. We also announce some amazing giveaways from several youth ministry organizations, so be sure to listen to the entire episode, and enter to win before February 24, 2026.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Enter to win one of the 10 Year Anniversary giveaways at https://bit.ly/smc10years
• Learn more about Steve's ministry with NNYM at https://nnym.org/stevecullum
• Sign up to get Steve's newsletter at https://bit.ly/cullumnewsletter
• Support the ministry by giving online at https://bit.ly/cullumsupport
• Contact Steve about partnerships, speaking, coaching, or consulting at https://bit.ly/cullumcontact
• Follow Student Ministry Connection on Instagram: https://instagram.com/studentministryconnection
• Read Steve's blog at https://stevecullum.com
• Follow Steve on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevecullum
• Follow Steve on Facebook: https://facebook.com/stevecullum

Be sure to join us in prayer for revival every Wednesday at 11am PT, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET.

Find your next speaker at The Speaker Hub - https://youthminhub.com/speakerhub

Get a copy of the Cards Christians Like card game by using the link https://bit.ly/cardschristianslike and also support Student Ministry Connection.

Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. By clicking them, Steve may receive commission to support this ministry.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Links to the more popular ones are at https://linktr.ee/studentministryconnection

If you like what you hear, be sure to like, subscribe, share, and comment! Thanks, be sure to get connected, and may God bless your ministry!