Episode 28

EP28: Enhance Your Ministry in 4 Days

June 22nd, 2026

27 mins 36 secs

Season 1

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About this Episode

What do ministry leaders need most right now?

In this special episode of The YDisciple Podcast , Pete Burds and Annie Grandell reflect on the recent Youth Discipleship Sprint and share some of the biggest themes that emerged throughout the week. Drawing from conversations with youth ministers, diocesan leaders, volunteers, and parish staff from across the country, they unpack the challenges, questions, and opportunities facing the Church today.

Pete and Annie discuss the intentional design behind the Sprint—from inspiring keynote sessions to practical workshops and collaborative working groups where ministry leaders wrestled with real-world challenges together. They share why peer learning, mutual support, and practical application are essential for creating lasting change in ministry.

The conversation also explores one of the central insights from the event: we are ministering in a low-trust world. Drawing on insights from sociologist Dr. Josh Packard and other Sprint presenters, Pete and Annie discuss why many traditional approaches to ministry feel less effective today and why authentic relationships, listening, and trusted adult mentors may be more important than ever.

Along the way, they highlight powerful takeaways from speakers like Anna Carter, John Zimmer, and Rick Grinstead, offering a hopeful vision for ministry leaders who may be wondering if their efforts are making a difference.

Whether you attended the Sprint or are hearing about it for the first time, this episode provides encouragement, practical wisdom, and a reminder that meaningful discipleship still happens through relationships, trust, and authentic community.

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Reflection for This Week

Ask yourself:

  • Am I using ministry approaches that truly meet the reality of today's culture?
  • Where do I need to spend more time listening before speaking?
  • Who are the trusted adults helping young people build meaningful relationships in my ministry?
  • What is one practical step I can take in the next 90 days to move my ministry forward?

Pray for the wisdom to recognize the needs of the people in front of you and for the courage to meet those needs through authentic relationships, patient listening, and faithful discipleship.