Those leading in Next Generation ministries are navigating a complex landscape of relational, emotional, and organizational pressures that demand resilience, creativity, and deep community connection to sustain impactful ministry in a rapidly changing world.
Does this sound like you? Then we're glad you're here!
NextGen Matters and this podcast are here to guide you through the complexity by providing you with Biblically sound solutions to meet your ministry needs.
Why this podcast?
Our show helps NextGen ministry leaders overcome the stress of ministry by covering topics that matter for leaders that matter. With over forty years of continual practical youth ministry experience, Rich understands the journey of where student ministry has been, the challenges facing ministry leaders today, as we prepare another generation to follow Jesus into tomorrow. His desire is to see this podcast be a resource for those who are professional NextGen Ministry leaders, volunteer NextGen Ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the Next Generation.
"If we are going to have spiritually healthy students, we must have spiritually healthy local church student ministry cultures, which must come from a place of spiritually healthy ministry leaders. This podcast exists for that reason! I want to come alongside you by engaging with you, encouraging you, equipping you, and empowering you to fulfill the God-given calling He has placed on you in your ministry to this current generation of adolescents." ~ Rich Brown
Each episode deals with the real issues today's youth leaders are facing with real solutions based on the timeless truth of God's Word. And that is a promise!
About our Host
Rich grew up in a small town in central New York, which featured one stop light and two gas stations. Born into a godly ministry family and consistently seeing and hearing the gospel, Rich gave his life over to Jesus as a young age.
During college, he met the young lady of his dreams! Rich says, "Jesus and Janet were the two best decisions I’ve ever made!” They have been married since 1985. Rich and Janet have three adult children (two married), and five grandchildren. His two sons are ordained pastors in ministry, and his daughter owns her own salon. Most important, they all love Jesus!
While in college, God called him to student ministries and Rich has been working with students ever since, even now volunteering in his church’s high school ministry. With over 20 years as a student pastor in the local church followed by over 20 years in teaching student ministry in higher education, he loves students and student ministry leaders. In 2019 God called him to begin his own ministry, NextGenMatters, where he seeks to “relationally equip today’s leaders for tomorrow’s generation.” While his primary ministry is now ministering to adults, it all centers back to seeing teenagers be fully mature lifelong disciples of Jesus.
He avidly follows baseball, loves landscaping on his two acres, is a history nerd, and doesn't know a day without coffee. His lifelong desire is to live out Colossians 1:28-29.
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Those leading in Next Generation ministries are navigating a complex landscape of relational, emotional, and organizational pressures that demand resilience, creativity, and deep community connection to sustain impactful ministry in a rapidly changing world.
Does this sound like you? Then we're glad you're here!
NextGen Matters and this podcast are here to guide you through the complexity by providing you with Biblically sound solutions to meet your ministry needs.
Why this podcast?
Our show helps NextGen ministry leaders overcome the stress of ministry by covering topics that matter for leaders that matter. With over forty years of continual practical youth ministry experience, Rich understands the journey of where student ministry has been, the challenges facing ministry leaders today, as we prepare another generation to follow Jesus into tomorrow. His desire is to see this podcast be a resource for those who are professional NextGen Ministry leaders, volunteer NextGen Ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the Next Generation.
"If we are going to have spiritually healthy students, we must have spiritually healthy local church student ministry cultures, which must come from a place of spiritually healthy ministry leaders. This podcast exists for that reason! I want to come alongside you by engaging with you, encouraging you, equipping you, and empowering you to fulfill the God-given calling He has placed on you in your ministry to this current generation of adolescents." ~ Rich Brown
Each episode deals with the real issues today's youth leaders are facing with real solutions based on the timeless truth of God's Word. And that is a promise!
About our Host
Rich grew up in a small town in central New York, which featured one stop light and two gas stations. Born into a godly ministry family and consistently seeing and hearing the gospel, Rich gave his life over to Jesus as a young age.
During college, he met the young lady of his dreams! Rich says, "Jesus and Janet were the two best decisions I’ve ever made!” They have been married since 1985. Rich and Janet have three adult children (two married), and five grandchildren. His two sons are ordained pastors in ministry, and his daughter owns her own salon. Most important, they all love Jesus!
While in college, God called him to student ministries and Rich has been working with students ever since, even now volunteering in his church’s high school ministry. With over 20 years as a student pastor in the local church followed by over 20 years in teaching student ministry in higher education, he loves students and student ministry leaders. In 2019 God called him to begin his own ministry, NextGenMatters, where he seeks to “relationally equip today’s leaders for tomorrow’s generation.” While his primary ministry is now ministering to adults, it all centers back to seeing teenagers be fully mature lifelong disciples of Jesus.
He avidly follows baseball, loves landscaping on his two acres, is a history nerd, and doesn't know a day without coffee. His lifelong desire is to live out Colossians 1:28-29.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode of NextGen Matters, Rich Brown invites ministry leaders to step beyond being busy for Jesus and focusing on the need for the life-giving rhythm of daily time in God's Word. Drawing from research, personal stories, and biblical principles, Rich highlights why devotional consistency is not optional—it's essential for each NextGen leader's ministry and, more important, your own life.
You'll hear about various biblical leaders who prioritized their personal intake of God's Word. Rich also speaks into three approached to his quiet time: delight, diet, and discipline, for when you delight in God's Word, have a diet of daily Scriptural intake, and discipline yourself, you don't just survive ministry—you thrive as a son or daughter of God. You are prepared to face temptations, difficult seasons, and the daily battle of pursing godliness. And you will grow deeper in your love for Jesus as you sit as His feet and listen to your Shepherd's voice.
Your devotional time matters because it anchors your soul, fuels your leadership, and sets an example for the next generation. Without it, ministry becomes mechanical. With it, ministry becomes life giving and invigorating.
Resources Mentioned
• Barna Group – https://www.barna.com/
• The Daily Bible [https://a.co/d/1QyCmly] (F. LaGard Smith)
• Lifeway Research – https://research.lifeway.com/
• Moody Press Bible Reading Plan (historical reference)
• YouVersion Bible App – https://www.youversion.com/
• The Bible (Scripture references: Joshua 1:8, Deuteronomy 17:18–20, Psalm 1, 119:105, Mark 1:35, John 6:30-38, 1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Articles
https://research.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-Greatest-Needs-of-Pastors-Phase-2-Quantitative-Report-Release-1.pdf
https://allpropastors.org/pastors-portal/pastor-statistics/
Timestamps
• 00:01 – 02:07 – Introduction to the topic: the struggle for consistent devotional time among ministry leaders.
• 02:07 – 05:14 – Why quiet time matters personally and in ministry leadership.
• 05:14 – 09:12 – National and church-wide statistics on Bible engagement.
• 09:12 – 13:15 – Ministry implications: devotional inconsistency, prep vs. devotion, emotional/spiritual impact, burnout risks, and modeling.
• 13:15 – 18:26 – Rich's personal stories of how early Bible rhythms shaped his life and calling.
• 18:26 – 23:52 – Moments of grief, spiritual formation, and how Scripture grounded him in life transitions.
• 23:52 – 30:25 – Old and New Testament foundations for daily Scripture engagement.
• 30:25 – 36:40 – Three approaches to quiet time: delight, diet, discipline.
• 36:40 – 40:17 – Practical steps: getting in the Word, creating a game plan, choosing a reading plan, and inviting accountability.
• 40:17 – End – Final encouragement and preview of next week's episode.
NextGen Matters
Those leading in Next Generation ministries are navigating a complex landscape of relational, emotional, and organizational pressures that demand resilience, creativity, and deep community connection to sustain impactful ministry in a rapidly changing world.
Does this sound like you? Then we're glad you're here!
NextGen Matters and this podcast are here to guide you through the complexity by providing you with Biblically sound solutions to meet your ministry needs.
Why this podcast?
Our show helps NextGen ministry leaders overcome the stress of ministry by covering topics that matter for leaders that matter. With over forty years of continual practical youth ministry experience, Rich understands the journey of where student ministry has been, the challenges facing ministry leaders today, as we prepare another generation to follow Jesus into tomorrow. His desire is to see this podcast be a resource for those who are professional NextGen Ministry leaders, volunteer NextGen Ministry leaders, and anyone who cares about the Next Generation.
"If we are going to have spiritually healthy students, we must have spiritually healthy local church student ministry cultures, which must come from a place of spiritually healthy ministry leaders. This podcast exists for that reason! I want to come alongside you by engaging with you, encouraging you, equipping you, and empowering you to fulfill the God-given calling He has placed on you in your ministry to this current generation of adolescents." ~ Rich Brown
Each episode deals with the real issues today's youth leaders are facing with real solutions based on the timeless truth of God's Word. And that is a promise!
About our Host
Rich grew up in a small town in central New York, which featured one stop light and two gas stations. Born into a godly ministry family and consistently seeing and hearing the gospel, Rich gave his life over to Jesus as a young age.
During college, he met the young lady of his dreams! Rich says, "Jesus and Janet were the two best decisions I’ve ever made!” They have been married since 1985. Rich and Janet have three adult children (two married), and five grandchildren. His two sons are ordained pastors in ministry, and his daughter owns her own salon. Most important, they all love Jesus!
While in college, God called him to student ministries and Rich has been working with students ever since, even now volunteering in his church’s high school ministry. With over 20 years as a student pastor in the local church followed by over 20 years in teaching student ministry in higher education, he loves students and student ministry leaders. In 2019 God called him to begin his own ministry, NextGenMatters, where he seeks to “relationally equip today’s leaders for tomorrow’s generation.” While his primary ministry is now ministering to adults, it all centers back to seeing teenagers be fully mature lifelong disciples of Jesus.
He avidly follows baseball, loves landscaping on his two acres, is a history nerd, and doesn't know a day without coffee. His lifelong desire is to live out Colossians 1:28-29.
