Hybrid Ministry

Episode 155: The Secret Sauce to Consistent Summer Engagement

June 26th, 2025  |  8 mins 9 secs

brady shearer, church communication, church growth, church reels, church social media, consistent content, digital discipleship, done for you content, hybrid ministry, instagram for churches, ministry marketing, pro church tools, seasonal content, social media pack, social media strategy, student ministry, summer engagement, summer ministry, summer social media, tiktok for ministry, youth group, youth group tips, youth ministry, youth pastor

Consistency is hard—unless you steal my system. In this episode, I break down my exact weekly summer content rhythm for youth ministry using the ☀️ Summer Seasonal Social Media Pack: 1 spiritual reel, 1 fun reel, 1 carousel, and some bonus hybrid magic. You’ll get the full template, schedule, and content—so you can stay consistent, connected, and (mostly) sane all summer long.

Episode 159: Which Mic Should Youth Pastors Use? Pro vs Budget Options

June 24th, 2025  |  10 mins 33 secs

andrew schlect style, audio setup for sermons, best mics for church, brady shearer, budget mic for pastors, church communication tips, church livestream audio, church video gear, hybrid ministry, mic comparison 2025, ministry microphones, nick clason, phone mic vs pro mic, podcast mic church, podcast setup for pastors, pro audio for ministry, pro church tools, rode wireless go ii, sennheiser g4 mic, social media for youth ministry, youth ministry tech, youtube for churches

In this video, Nick Clason breaks down Which Microphone Youth Pastors Should Use—comparing budget phone mics, mid-tier gear like the Rode Wireless Go II, and pro options like the Sennheiser G4 and MKE 600. Whether you're filming TikTok devos, sermon recaps, or launching a youth ministry podcast, Nick gives real-world demos and witty insights so your church content sounds clear, not cringey.

If you're investing in custom content through tools like Nick's Seasonal Social Media Pack, this mic guide ensures your message lands with excellence and clarity—not broom closet vibes.

Episode 154: Summer Social Media Mistakes (And How I’m Avoiding Them)

June 19th, 2025  |  8 mins 11 secs

church content strategy, church instagram tips, church marketing, church reels, church social media strategy, church tiktok, done for you social media, easy social media, hybrid ministry, nick clason, seasonal content, social media for youth pastors, student ministry content, summer ministry ideas, summer ministry mistakes, summer youth ministry, youth group engagement, youth group ideas, youth ministry social media, youth ministry tips, youth pastor help

Here’s what usually tanks your social media engagement every summer—and what I’m doing instead. Because posting a blurry pic of your youth group playing dodgeball again is not a strategy.
I’ve made all the summer mistakes—so you don’t have to!

Episode 153: What I Posted This Week Using My Summer Content Pack

June 12th, 2025  |  10 mins 11 secs

brady shearer, church instagram, church reels, church social media, church tiktok, content for churches, digital discipleship, digital ministry, discipleship online, hybrid ministry, instagram for youth ministry, pro church tools, social media strategy, social posts for church, student ministry content, summer content pack, summer social media, what to post, youth group content, youth ministry, youth ministry ideas, youth pastor, youth pastor tools

I didn’t make anything new this week. I literally just hit post. Let me show you exactly what I shared using my Summer Content Pack—and how it performed.
Plus two bonus pieces of content that were the true all-stars at the end of this video!

Episode 152: This Social Media Post is dead in 2025 - What to do instead

June 5th, 2025  |  8 mins 44 secs

christian leadership, church communications, church marketing, content strategy, customizable content, digital ministry, discipleship, done for you content, hubspot, hybrid ministry, ministry trends, next gen ministry, nick clason, social fluency, social media for churches, summer youth ministry, youth pastor tools, youthministry

The “done-for-you” social media strategy is dead in 2025—and it might be quietly hurting your ministry. HubSpot’s latest report says real impact comes from micro-connections over time, not cookie-cutter content. If you want to win on social this summer without burning out, show up with authenticity, stay consistent, and use tools that amplify your voice—not replace it.

Episode 151: Gaga Ball vs 9-Square

May 29th, 2025  |  9 mins 2 secs

9 square in the air, 9 square review, best games for youth ministry, budget youth ministry games, church games, church youth group, fun church games, gaga ball, gaga ball review, gaga ball vs 9 square, how to choose youth group games, hybrid ministry, nick clason, student ministry, student ministry tools, youth group equipment, youth group games, youth group must haves, youth group setup, youth ministry game ideas, youth pastor tips

Two legendary youth ministry games. One epic showdown. Will Gaga Ball’s chaos reign supreme? Or will the high-flying strategy of 9 Square take the crown? Stick around as we settle the score once and for all — and help YOU pick the ultimate youth group game!

Episode 150: 5 TIPS | Promotion like a Pro! Beginning vs End of Summer?

May 22nd, 2025  |  18 mins 55 secs

5th to 6th grade promotion church, 6th to 7th grade ministry transition, best time to promote students in church, church promotion strategy, elementary to middle school ministry transition, end-of-year vs fall kickoff promotions, hybrid ministry, nick clason, student ministry calendar, summer promotions in children’s ministry, when to promote students in youth ministry, youth group transition strategy, youth ministry grade promotion timing, youth ministry transitions

When should you promote elementary students—right after school ends or just before the fall kickoff? In this episode, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of beginning-of-summer vs end-of-summer promotions to help you make the best move for your ministry. Whether you promote from 5th to 6th or 6th to 7th, or just want to avoid the chaos of unclear grade promotions—this one’s for you!

Episode 149: Youth Ministry in the Summer? Should You Shut It Down or Show Up Strong?

May 15th, 2025  |  13 mins 59 secs

100 youth ministry ideas, church leadership, church summer programming, derry sabbatical card, free youth ministry resources, how to lead youth ministry, hybrid ministry, nick clason, patreon hybrid ministry, should youth group meet in summer, social media for youth pastors, student ministry, student ministry strategy, summer sabbatical, summer youth group ideas, summer youth series, youth group calendar, youth group content ideas, youth leader tips, youth ministry, youth pastor summer break

Summer is coming, and youth pastors everywhere are asking—do we keep programming or hit pause? In this video, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both options and help you decide what’s right for your ministry this summer. Stick around till the end for a FREE resource: 100 social media ideas to keep students engaged—even if you hit pause.
Plus 3 tips for summer ministry, regardless of the direction you choose

Episode 148: How I’m Doing 3 Months of Content with THIS One Resource

May 8th, 2025  |  20 mins 28 secs

bible verse reels, church instagram ideas, church social media, church video ideas, content for youth pastors, digital discipleship, done for you youth content, gen z ministry tools, hybrid ministry, instagram reels for church, ministry content calendar, sermon recap, social media strategy, spiritual practices video, student ministry social media, summer youth ministry, tiktok youth ministry, youth group content, youth ministry, youth ministry ideas, youth ministry planning, youth pastor

This is your youth ministry summer social media game-changer. With 3 months of ready-to-go posts, training videos, and templates, you’ll never stress about what to post again. Designed for youth pastors by a youth pastor using a proven hybrid ministry model.

Episode 147: From No Budget to Pro - Summer Camp 2025 Photography & Videography Setup Guide

May 1st, 2025  |  13 mins 17 secs

camp photography, camp videography, church content creation, church media, church photography, church tech, content creation, digital ministry, dslr for churches, hybrid church, hybrid ministry, iphone videography, media ministry, ministry marketing, ministry on a budget, ministry video gear, nick clason, no budget setup, social media for churches, summer camp, summer camp tips, video editing tips, youth camp content, youth group videos, youth ministry

Want pro-level camp content without a pro-level budget? In this episode, Nick Clason, of Hybrid Ministry, breaks down the exact gear, tips, and hacks you need to capture incredible summer camp photos and videos—even if you’re starting from scratch. Whether you’re using a phone, DSLR, or just your creativity, we’ll help you level up your visual game to create that momentum back at your church that camp deserves!

Episode 146: How I Produce a Weekly Leader Podcast

April 24th, 2025  |  22 mins 26 secs

church communication tips, how to create a weekly leader podcast, hybrid ministry, leader podcast, leader training, nick clason, podcast gear, podcast host, train my volunteers, volunteer training

You need to train your volunteer youth leaders, but how do you produce a podcast, which gives you the outlet to offer more trainings than you even know what to do with? And how do you not lose your life to it?
Here's how I produce a weekly leader podcast with only one hour per month of a time committment!
Yes, I'll show you everything I do from getting started, the gear, and maintaining it!
Welcome to the Hybrid Ministry Show!

Episode 145: 10 Simple & Effective Partnering with Parent Tips that REALLY work!

April 17th, 2025  |  18 mins 32 secs

building trust, communication strategies, download youth ministry, family dynamics, family relationships, hybrid ministry, josh boldman, nick clason, parent engagement, partnering with parents, youth group, youth ministry, youth ministry advice, youth pastor tips

In this conversation, Nick Clason (Hybrid Ministry) and Josh Boldman (Download Youth Ministry) discuss the importance of partnering with parents in youth ministry. Josh gives 10 tips from the perspective of a parent NOT working at a church. Several tips are incredibly Hybrid, and best of all, it's not going to add anymore work to your plate!

Episode 144: How I Recruit Awesome Youth Volunteers that Stick

April 10th, 2025  |  36 mins 30 secs

church community, community building, diverse roles, engagement, job descriptions, leadership, leadership training, ministry philosophy, pastoral care, recruiting, recruitment strategies, retention, supporting volunteers, volunteer appreciation, volunteer management, volunteers, youth ministry, youth pastor encouragement

In this episode, Nick sits down with one of his best friends, and also, boss, and they discuss volunteer, not only recruiting, but also how to create such a strong volunteer team that volunteers would never choose to leave your team. Be sure to stick around for the surprising strategy that actually keeps volunteers on the team longer!

Episode 143: How I Avoid Burnout with Derry Prenkert

April 3rd, 2025  |  44 mins 42 secs

balance, burnout, coaching, community support, derry prenkert, grading, mental health, ministry leaders, nick clason, personality profiles, reflection, refueling, self-awareness, standing stone, unplugging, vacation, walk sprint rest, working genius, youth ministry

In this Episode Derry Breaks down 3 principles to avoiding burnout.
From Self-Awareness, to Working Genius to Sabbathing Well this episode has it all!
Derry's take on Vacationing is worth the entire episode.

Episode 142: How I Got Started doing Youth Group Social Media from scratch with Andrew Ostrander

March 27th, 2025  |  22 mins 18 secs

church community, content creation, digital ministry, interview style videos, leadership, social media, student engagement, youth culture, youth ministry, youth pastor

In this episode, I interview Andrew Ostrander, who shares his journey from education to youth ministry, discussing the challenges and surprises he faced during the transition. He walks you through the importance of engaging social media content to connect with students, detailing his approach to creating interview-style videos that resonate with youth culture. Andrew also highlights the benefits of delegating tasks, the significance of personal connections in ministry, and his future plans for expanding social media efforts. The conversation concludes with encouragement for new youth pastors to embrace social media as a tool for building community and fostering relationships.

Episode 141: How I Plan Events with Kaylen Adams

March 20th, 2025  |  31 mins 35 secs

church communication, church event planning, church growth, church leadership, church marketing, church media, church social media, church strategy, church tech, digital ministry, discipleship, event coordination, hybrid ministry, ministry leadership, ministry podcast, sermon planning, student ministry, volunteer management, youth group ideas, youth ministry, youth ministry training, youth pastor

This episode of the Hybrid Ministry Show kicks off the "How I..." playlist with a deep dive into event planning with guest Kaylen Adams, an expert in coordination and logistics. Kaylen shares her step-by-step approach to organizing youth ministry events, covering everything from volunteer recruitment and communication to detailed schedules and contingency planning. Whether you're a youth pastor who struggles with organization or looking to refine your event strategy, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you run seamless, high-impact events.