Thought Factory Podcast

#709 || Are Students Committed to the Church?

Will this generation and the next be committed to attend church beyond just their youth group?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss students' commitment to the overall Church and their commitment to their youth group.  They look at both the student perspective and the adult perspective when it comes to church commitment in a student's life.  This episode dives into the numbers from the research Never The Same does about adolescence in the Church.

#708 || Sabbath | Direct Link to Stress & Anxiety

In a society that is so focused on accomplishing tasks, being productive, and is involved with several activities, it can be difficult to cease all these things to rest and relax one day a week, let alone teach this discipline to our students. Stress and anxiety is also prevalent in our culture.  Is there a direct link between the increase in anxiety and the lack of Sabbath? What does observing a Sabbath look like in a modern real life?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer continue the discussion on Sabbath, as well as, look at what students had to say about the practice of Sabbath in their homes and in their churches.

#707 || Sabbath | The Optional Commandment

The Ten Commandments are set apart among all the laws of the Bible. Do not murder, do not steal or commit adultery, all these commands are pretty clear.  Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, that one is optional, correct?  When it comes to God’s main commands for his people, have we lost the significance and importance of the Sabbath?  Do we approach this command as if God doesn’t mind us not following it or it's only for those extra spiritual people?  Maybe this is God’s prescription to stress and anxiety that we experience in our daily life.  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer explore the history of Sabbath and the difference between work and rest.

#706 || The Epidemic of Adolescent Anxiety

Mental health is a very complex issue that is impacting the lives of adolescents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 youth has anxiety and 1 in 10 has depression.  Many of those who are invested in the lives of students may feel under-equipped to serve and help those struggling with anxiety.  In this episode, Jeff and Jayson discuss this epidemic and how we can best respond to those who struggle with it.

#705 || Pressures of Being an Adolescent

Students are under a lot of pressure.  The pressures of getting the top grades, the pressure to compete and succeed in sports, the pressure to fit in and be liked, the pressure of flawlessly managing a digital persona, the pressure of others’ expectations, the pressure to always make the right decision.  It feels like students must be perfect in all areas of their life, but who's putting that pressure on them?  All this pressure is stressful.  In today's episode, hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer discuss the stress adolescents experience and how adults can help them handle many of the stressors of today. 

#704 || EVENTS that Shaped Modern American Youth Ministry

We are looking back to people, places and things that have shaped the modern American youth ministry movement. Our special co-host was an eyewitness to all of these things. His name is Allen Weed, the founder and director of Interlinc. Allen continues to be a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in the national scene of youth ministry as well as in music and media influencers. Today Jeff talks with Allen about the most influential events in youth ministry historically. 

#703 || MOVEMENTS that Shaped Modern American Youth Ministry

We are looking back to people, places and things that have shaped the modern American youth ministry movement. Our special co-host was an eyewitness to all of these things. His name is Allen Weed, the founder and director of Interlinc. Allen continues to be a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in the national scene of youth ministry as well as in music and media influencers. Today Jeff talks with Allen about the most influential movements in youth ministry historically. 

#702 || PEOPLE who Shaped Modern American Youth Ministry

We are looking back to people, places and things that have shaped the modern American youth ministry movement. Our special co-host was an eyewitness to all of these things. His name is Allen Weed, the founder and director of Interlinc. Allen continues to be a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in the national scene of youth ministry as well as in music and media influencers. Today Jeff talks with Allen about the most influential people in youth ministry historically. 

#701 || Phil Joel | Moments That Mobilize Movements

In the first episode of season seven, host Jeff Eckart and guest host Phil Joel examine two critical moments that mobilized movements in history. We compare Woodstock: the music festival that took the world by storm and the Asbury Revival, a much lesser known event that was key in starting the Jesus movement. What are some key aspects of these two events that were significant enough to start movements and change the world? 

#612 || Students in the Age of Comparison

We continue our discussion on mental health, looking at some of the causes of increased student depression and anxiety - stemming from constantly comparing themselves to others online.  Since the advent of social media and in the age of likes, followers, comments, and digital connections, the mental health of a student has been impacted significantly.  Imagine being an adolescent and never feeling good enough because someone else is always going to appear better than them?  Hosts Jeff Eckart and Jayson Brewer speak to Clinton Faupel from Remedy Live, an online suicide prevention and crisis chat resource for students. They also speak with Phil Joel of Zealand Worship and Newsboys United about his new book, Redwoods and Whales: Becoming Who You Actually Are.