Youth ministries will spend thousands of dollars on camps, retreats, pizza, and trips — and we should. Those things matter. But too often we hesitate to invest even a few dollars in tools that help us grow personally, lead clearly, and stay healthy for the long haul. If you want to last in ministry, you can’t just grow your platform — you have to grow your character, your systems, and your sustainability. As Keith put it, it’s like lottery winners who go bankrupt. Sudden success doesn’t mean your habits, health, and discipline grew at the same pace. In ministry, we’ve seen too many leaders whose influence outpaced their personal growth. That’s a dangerous place to be.

So here are five practical tools Ryne uses — tools that address real problems youth pastors face — and why they’re worth the investment.

1. Brick – For Boundaries That Actually Work

The problem: Constant access. No boundaries. Always “on call.” Ministry phones have become ministry leashes. Texts, emails, social media notifications — they never stop. “Do Not Disturb” doesn’t solve it. You can still see notifications. You can still open the apps. And if your spouse or kids have ever said, “Can you put your phone down?” — that’s your sign. Brick is different because it’s physical. It’s a small magnetic device that literally locks and unlocks your phone based on modes you create. You physically tap your phone to it to enter “Work Mode” or “Family Mode.” When Ryne activates Family Mode:

Email shuts down; Social media disappears; Notifications stop completely. To override it? You have to physically walk back to the device. That friction changes everything. Ryne’s screen time dropped from 4+ hours per day to 53 minutes. Not because of willpower — but because of design. If someone truly needs you? They can call. Brick costs about $59 one time. No subscription. For Ryne, it’s been life-changing — helping him practice Sabbath and be fully present with his family.

2. Logos Bible Software – For Smarter Sermon Prep

The problem: Too many scattered Bible study tools. Youth pastors bounce between websites, commentaries, language tools, and PDFs. It’s exhausting. Logos pulls: Multiple Bible translations;  Commentaries; Original language tools; Dictionaries; Sermon prep resources …into one searchable system. Ryne loves: Hover word studies; Linked scrolling between Scripture and commentary; AI-assisted research inside the platform; Notes and highlights stored in one place; Instead of juggling five tabs and three books, it’s all right there. Subscription pricing ranges from about $9–$19 per month. This is a great expense for a church to cover as leadership development. If you want to grow personally and preach better, having a centralized study system matters.

3. Barna Group Access Plus – For Data-Driven Decisions

The problem: Making decisions based on feelings or loud opinions. We’ve all seen it: One person complains; Leadership panics; A whole ministry shifts. That’s not leadership — that’s reaction. Barna Access Plus gives you: Generational research (Gen Z, Gen Alpha, etc.); State of the Church data; Cultural trend reports; Downloadable studies; Assessments. Instead of guessing what students are thinking, you know. At about $19 per month, this is another expense that should live in a church budget — not just youth ministry. It strengthens every department. Healthy ministries are built on truth, not assumptions.

4. GoodNotes – For Organized Notes

The problem: Disorganized notebooks everywhere. Ryne used to carry multiple journals: Personal Bible reading; Sermon prep; Random ideas; Work notes

Backpack = 15 pounds. GoodNotes (about $9.99/month) allows handwritten notes on an iPad that are: Searchable (yes, it reads handwriting); Organized into digital notebooks; Exportable as PDFs; Easy to use alongside Logos; He can split his screen: Logos on one side. Journal notes on the other. For him, handwriting improves retention. For others, typing may work better. The point isn’t the tool — it’s having an organized system that keeps your growth centralized. If you can’t find your notes, they’re not helping you.

5. EveryDollar – For Financial Sustainability

The problem: Youth pastors are often underpaid. Bad financial habits can push someone out of ministry faster than burnout. EveryDollar (by Ramsey Solutions) is: A zero-based budgeting app; Coaching-driven; Connected to bank accounts; Designed for intentional spending; Premium normally costs around $17.99/month — but pastors can receive it free. It forces you to give every dollar a job. It also: Brings clarity to spending; Reduces money stress; Helps couples align; Strengthens credibility if financial conversations arise with leadership; You can love ministry deeply and still need to provide for your family wisely; Sustainability matters. The Bigger Issue: Personal Growth; Churches grow. Platforms grow. Influence grows. But if personal growth lags behind, the fall is inevitable. These five tools aren’t flashy. They’re not about hype. They’re about health. And here’s the best part — none of them cost thousands. We’re talking about modest, intentional investments. Sometimes the most strategic ministry investment isn’t another event. It’s you.