Summary: In this episode, hosts Jordan Biere, Jason Kidd, and Annie Grandell welcome Christopher Wesley , founder of Marathon Youth Ministry and author of Rebuilding Confirmation , for a compelling conversation on the often-overlooked role of sponsors in the Confirmation process. Instead of viewing sponsors as a checkbox or afterthought, Christopher challenges us to think of them as mentors in discipleship —people who can walk alongside teens in a meaningful way. The episode invites ministry lea...
Jun 30, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Summary: In this episode, Jason Kidd, Annie Grandell, and Jordan Biere revisit and build upon one of the core ideas from Season 1: Content isn’t king , this time with special guest Edmund Mitchell . While solid teaching is crucial, it’s not the silver bullet for effective Confirmation preparation. This time, we explore what this principle looks like specifically in the Confirmation space . Throwing more curriculum at Confirmation won’t fix it. Relationships and context matter more than content a...
Jun 30, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Summary: In this theologically rich episode, hosts Jordan Biere, Jason Kidd, and Annie Grandell are joined by NET Ministries Chaplain Fr. Chad VanHoose to lay a strong foundation for understanding the sacrament of Confirmation —and, equally important, clarifying what it isn’t . Too often, Confirmation is surrounded by confusion and cultural baggage, described as a “sacrament in search of a theology.” But in truth, there is a deep and compelling theology behind it—one that has the power to transf...
Jun 30, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Summary: Youth Ministry Mindset is back! In this kickoff episode, Jason Kidd and Jordan Biere from Alpha and Annie Grandell from YDisciple unpack how we can shift from a transactional model of Confirmation to one that's truly transformational . With honesty, humor, and practical insight, they invite ministry leaders to refocus on discipleship, the work of the Holy Spirit, and God's personal call in each young person’s life. Hosts: Jason Kidd – National Director, Alpha Catholic Context Annie Gran...
Jun 30, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In Episode 8 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan discuss the possibilities and practicals of implementing a transformational ministry. Join us as we continue the conversation on youth ministry in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Introduction: What could transformational ministry look like Do not change what we teach; change how we teach it Need to learn to extend grace and teach others to -Create a place of invitati...
May 31, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Episode 7 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan bring Jim Beckman, the founding architect of YDisciple, into the discussion on the relationship between content and the culture of youth ministry. Join us as we continue the conversation about how youth ministry could look in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Introduction: Content is not king The role of content and what it does and doesn’t accomplish Content is the ve...
May 24, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In Episode 6 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan discuss practicals of reproducing a transformational youth ministry that empowers young people. Join us as we continue the conversation on youth ministry in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Give leadership roles that give youth the ability to be part of the ministry -Caused their faith to deepen by answering questions and seeing peers grow How do you do that? M.A.W.L....
May 17, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In Episode 5 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan talk about how to empower volunteers to become leaders and create a successful ministry. Join us as we continue the conversation on youth ministry in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Introduction: Reproducibility and Empowering adults It can be easy to make the youth group around the youth minister’s talent Empower adults to be a part of the ministry -Create a culture...
May 10, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In Episode 4 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan discuss successes, failures, and the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit in ministry with guest Sarah Kaczmarek, Director of Pastoral Ministry at Encounter Ministries. Join us as we continue the conversation on what to bring into youth ministry in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Introduction: Reliance on the Holy Spirit Important to experience the power Start wi...
May 03, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this special bonus episode of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan continue talking with Jason Ballard and Ben Woodman about creating successful small groups. Join us as we continue the conversation on what youth ministry could look like in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Small groups are key but can be difficult -Pause along the way for discussion -Give opportunity for different points of view Use the tool to start...
Apr 30, 2021•13 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In Episode 3 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan look at how to use active listening as a tool for evangelizing young people. Jason Ballard and Ben Woodman, hosts of the Alpha Youth Series, share and discuss the ways listening becomes an invitation. Join us as we continue the conversation on what youth ministry could look like in a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Introduction: Listening is the most important skill -We are taught to speak, but not how to listen -We need t...
Apr 26, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In Episode 2 of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple, Joshua, Annie, and Jordan continue to discuss how to move from transactional to transformational ministry. Katie Prejean McGrady weighs in with insights into how Gen Z thinks and ways to reach them in a digital world. Join us as we continue the conversation on what youth ministers can do moving into a post-COVID world. SHOWNOTES Introductions -Culture matters more than content. COVID presen...
Apr 19, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 2
The first episode of The Youth Ministry Mindset Podcast, a limited series with voices from Alpha and YDisciple. Joshua, Annie, and Jordan dive into what youth ministry in the church has been like during COVID and changes that need to be made. Join us as we start the conversation of what youth ministers can do moving into a post-COVID world. We'll look at past failures and look forward to ways to make a space for what our young people need and how to make our ministries more effective. SHOWNOTES ...
Apr 12, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1
