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.
Does My Theology Really Matter? If you get this wrong, you are not only damaging yourself, but those you are leading.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode, Rich Brown challenges ministry leaders to move beyond the external flash of programming and recenter their ministries on the core: theology. Using memorable metaphors, biblical teaching, and decades of ministry experience, Rich unpacks why theology matters for leaders and students, and how centering theological depth can transform ministry clarity, confidence, and consistency.
You will understand the distinction between theology and doctrine. illustrated with various metaphors that theology is the big framework while doctrine is the specific teaching that flows from it. Drawing from many Scriptural references, Rich shows how Jesus, the apostles, and the early church centered their ministry on teaching and doctrine, and why this remains essential today.
You'll hear:
* How Jesus taught all ten major doctrines and rooted the Great Commission in teaching.
* Why the early church was born through a doctrinal sermon and devoted itself to the apostles' teaching.
* Paul's letters emphasize being rooted in the Word for growth, strength, and fruit.
* Based on 2 Timothy 3:16, the four-part purpose of Scripture, starting with doctrine as "what is right," reproof as "what is not right," correction as "how to get right," and instruction in righteousness as "how to stay right." Biblical living comes from biblical teaching.
* Why discernment requires filtering every teaching through Scripture.
By the end, you'll see that theology isn't ivory-tower theory—it's the foundation that equips leaders, sustains discipleship, and anchors the next generation in truth.
Resources Mentioned
• Youth Pastor Theologian – https://www.youthpastortheologian.com/
• Be Series: Be Faithful [https://a.co/d/62jrbok] (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon): It's Always Too Soon to Quit! (Warren Wiersbe)
• The Bible (Scripture references in order: John 7:16-17; Matthew 22, 28; Acts 2:14-41, 42; 5:27-28; 13:12; 17:19; Colossians 1:28-29; 2:6-7; 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 John 1:7)
Articles
• Article: "Why Youth Ministry Avoids Theology" by Mike McGarry – https://www.youthpastortheologian.com/blog
Timestamps
• 00:00 – Why ministry leaders must move beyond the exterior and return to the core
• 02:00 – The problem with focusing on tools, hype, and programming
• 03:30 – The three-circle metaphor: theology, philosophy, and programming
• 05:45 – Do our students truly know theology? The challenge of shallow belief
• 07:45 – Cultural issues, worldview, and why we must teach Scripture clearly
• 09:23 – Defining theology and the difference between theology and doctrine
• 13:00 – The "bowling alley" metaphor for the major doctrines
• 15:30 – Why youth pastors often avoid theology (Mike McGarry's six reasons)
• 19:43 – What the Bible says about theology: 10 New Testament foundations
• 32:00 – Why theology matters personally for every ministry leader
• 35:43 – Why theology matters for shepherding students
• 36:33 – Students are hungry for depth: how doctrine shapes their hearts
• 37:01 – Ephesians 4 and four biblical aims for ministry
• 39:15 – Two action steps to strengthen theology in your ministry
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.
