Hybrid Ministry

Episode 169: Don't Try These... Until you Hear My Mistakes!

October 2nd, 2025  |  14 mins 56 secs

back to school events, best youth ministry events, christmas party ideas for teenagers, download youth ministry, easy youth group events, fall youth ministry events, hybrid ministry, nick clason, student ministry theme nights, youth group super bowl party, youth ministry ideas

Youth ministry theme nights are some of the BEST ways to get students inviting friends and to build momentum in your group.
But here’s the thing nobody tells you—every single one of my theme nights has come with a mistake. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was painful… and one time I thought I was getting fired…

Before you try these for yourself, let me give you my five best theme nights from 15 years in youth ministry—and the one mistake I made in each, so you don’t have to learn the hard way.

🚨BIG ANNOUNCEMENT🚨 - The Future of Hybrid Ministry!

September 24th, 2025  |  8 mins 4 secs

darren sutton, deep dive, derry prenkert, digital ministry, hybrid ministry, nick clason, student ministry, ymlc cohort, youth ministry leader cohort

Hop into this EMERGENCY POD! Big News on the horizon!

I've got a special guest here, my former boss, and more importantly, friend, Darren Sutton, to explain all there is about the future of the Hybrid Ministry Show!

Episode 167: Top 5 Youth Ministry Books Every New Youth Pastor Must Read

September 18th, 2025  |  17 mins 56 secs

4 chair discipling, best youth ministry books, communicating for a change, discipleship books, family ministry training, hybrid ministry, knowing him study, lead small, new youth pastor tips, nick clason, purpose driven youth ministry, sticky church, student ministry resources, top books for youth pastors, youth leader resources, youth ministry books, youth ministry discipleship, youth ministry preaching tips, youth ministry programming, youth ministry training, youth pastor resources

Welcome to Nick Clason Theological Seminary—or as my new resident called it, NCTS. I’m not actually starting a seminary, but if you’re brand new to youth ministry and wondering, "What books should I read?" You’re in the right place. Today I’m breaking down 5 must-read youth ministry books and 3 video courses that will give you a solid foundation for preaching, programming, and discipling students in today’s world.

Episode 162: 10 Free Time Stations for Youth Ministry - Fun, Easy & FREE!

August 14th, 2025  |  13 mins 31 secs

9 square, church games, church outreach, donut game, download youth ministry, engaging students, fall youth ministry, free time stations, gaga ball, hybrid ministry, low prep games, nick clason, passport game, social media strategy, student ministry, teen ministry, youth event ideas, youth group connection, youth group fun, youth group games, youth group planning, youth group strategy, youth ministry, youth ministry podcast, youth pastor resources, youth pastor tips

Looking for fun, easy, and totally free youth ministry ideas that actually engage students? In this episode of The Hybrid Ministry Show, Nick Clason shares 10 high-energy, low-prep free time station ideas—from donut decorating to Mario Kart tournaments, 9 Square, Gaga Ball, social challenges, and more—all designed to boost student engagement and connection. If you're a youth pastor craving creative youth group games, fall event strategy, or hybrid ministry tips that work, this episode is packed with stealable ideas and a bonus resource you don’t want to miss!

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

July 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 158: This Changes Everything - Train Up Teenagers!

July 17th, 2025  |  8 mins 15 secs

adobe premiere pro training for students, church communication tips, church digital teams, church interns summer, church reels strategy, church social media tips, content creation for churches, digital discipleship, hybrid ministry, mentoring student creators, nick clason, social media for youth ministry, student-led media, summer student interns, summer youth ministry strategy, tiktok for churches, train teen video editors, youth ministry content, youth ministry leadership, youth video editing

In this episode, Nick Clason of the Hybrid Ministry Show, unpacks the #1 thing he's done to make his church's social media strategy keep running amidst the busy seasons. Not to mention, his full-scale strategy that will not only give you the space to level students up into leadership, but provide you with the posting plan while they're learning.
Tune in!

Episode 157: What’s Better for Ministry? Done-for-You or Custom Social Media

July 10th, 2025  |  8 mins 51 secs

church communications tips, church engagement, church growth tips, church marketing, church reels strategy, church social media, content creation for churches, digital discipleship, diy social media, done for you content, hybrid church, hybrid ministry, ministry content ideas, ministry social media tips, nick clason, online ministry tools, social media for churches, social media ministry, summer church content, youth ministry strategy

Nick Clason breaks down the battle between Done-for-You and custom church social media—and why your ministry might need both. Discover how a hybrid ministry strategy saves time and amplifies your church’s voice. This episode unpacks it all and points you to the ☀️SUMMER Social Pack—the perfect combo of polish and personalization.

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 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!