Youth Ministry Sherpas

The Sherpas Podcast has been around since 2017, and we've had the privilege of interviewing dozens of amazing youth pastors and legends over the years. So it was nice to have the tables turn toward us for a change. We were invited to be guests on the Momentum Ministry Partners Podcast with Eric Miller. Brock couldn't make it, but Shannon and Steve had a great conversation about why we love youth ministry, youth pastors, and students. We thought we'd share it here just for fun. Momentum Ministry Partnershttps://buildmomentum.orgGive us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2CEmail us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram!Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2CEmail us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram!

We've all been there. We spent HOURS! prepping for youth group. We've written the message, prepared the small group questions, set up the chairs and the game, and prayed for the kids. And then… they walk in wearing ear buds as if they don't give a hoot who else is there or what is being said.Yes, we are annoyed, but this also might be an opportunity to learn more about what our students are listening to, what is influencing their hearts and spirits, and how we can speak into their ears (sans ear buds) with the voice of a trusted friend and mentor.It's a lively discussion, reminding us how old we are!Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2CEmail us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram!

Youth ministry is messy work. Being involved in the lives of teenagers means we get to see the good and the bad. It's easy to celebrate the good. It's challenging to know what to do with the bad. All of us have had moments where we called kids out for their behavior, speech, or attitude. Not our favorite thing.In this episode, Brock, Shannon and Steve talk about when to confront students. How do we strike a balance between calling them to higher things, yet not policing them all the time? How do we do so with grace, love and truth? Add in watching their lives unfold on social media, and the pressure we feel to defend our ministry reputation, and it becomes overwhelmingly difficult.But what if we create an environment where confession is real? What if our default isn't judgement but love? What if we are with them in the mess, what theologian Andrew Root calls “Place Sharing,” so they will see Jesus in us?There's no perfect way, but there is a better way. We are looking for it in this conversation.Mentioned in this episode:Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry by Andrew Roothttps://www.andrewroot.org/books/Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2CEmail us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

Helping Students Stick (Episode 34)Every youth pastor wants to reach more students, and we are notorious for finding gimmicks to attract them. But what we really want is for students to come and stay.On this episode, Steve and Shannon talk about what students today might really be looking for. What does youth ministry offer that other places in their lives do not? And how do we create environments that provide the sense of belonging and transcendence that will keep them coming?Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram!

Making Youth Ministry Simple Again with Eric Miller, Part 2 (Episode 33)We are once again joined by Eric Miller, National Director of Ministries for Momentum Ministry Partners. MMP influences hundreds of youth pastors and youth ministries around the country through their Momentum Conference, Urban Centers, Cohorts, Education, and Podcast. Eric brings a wealth of experience and perspective to what is working and isn't working in youth ministry these days.One common struggle for many of us is comparing ourselves and our ministries to the ones we see on social media. But the heart of what we do isn't found in 60-second highlight clips of our best messages; it's found in the unique culture we create and the day-to-day relationships we form in our students. We help them move from Point A to Point B in their faith – that's the essence of simple and effective youth ministry.Two old friends talking shop, and reminiscing about the time we tried to fix the then-still -single Eric up with a date at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago.https://buildmomentum.org/Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2CEmail us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram!

On this episode, Steve is joined by Eric Miller, National Director of Ministries for Momentum Ministry Partners. MMP influences hundreds of youth pastors and youth ministries around the country through their Momentum Conference, Urban Centers, Cohorts, Education, and Podcast. Eric brings a wealth of experience and perspective to what is and isn't working in youth ministry these days.Eric and Steve are also longtime friends from Eric's days as a youth pastor in Frederick, MD. In addition to endless hours spent hanging out, talking youth ministry, and praying together, Steve got to witness the origins of Eric's relationship with his wife, and Eric was there for the origin of the Youth Ministry Sherpas. Two "old" youth pastors talking shop, and inviting you into their conversation. We hope you are as encouraged as we were.Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

We're all here! It's not easy getting us all in the same room these days, with schedules, work, wildfires, and Brock going to Disneyland. But we did it. And we had a great conversation about our own spiritual rhythms and practices. It's not easy staying in tune with God when the world is in chaos and our lives are full of demands. But it's also not optional. How else will we survive these troubled times, and pass on healthy spiritual lives to our students?The goal: To be able to tell students, “Watch me, and do as I do.”Mentioned in this episode:Lectio 365https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/Bible in One Year https://bibleinoneyear.orgDallas Willard Abraham Heschel DisneylandGive us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

According to a recent cover story in The Atlantic entitled “The Anti-Social Century” (by Derek Thompson), we are living in a time when many of us would rather stay home and organize life around our online bubble than hang out with friends or neighbors. Does this ring true, even after covid? Does this contribute to the rise in teen anxiety?  Is this something we notice among our students and families, and should it be something we are concerned about? If so, doesn't youth group seem like the perfect solution?Shannon and Steve have a spirited conversation around how to leverage the trends of our current culture to provide community and friendship for students and parents in our churches.Plus, for the first time, Steve and Shannon are at odds. Shannon is excited for the T-Swift vs. Eagles Super Bowl. Steve is thinking he might be anti-social and skip it.Mentioned in this episode:Derek Thompsonhttps://www.theatlantic.com/author/derek-thompson/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/Jonathan Haidthttps://jonathanhaidt.com/https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/bookGive us a 5-star review on iTunes.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youth-ministry-sherpas-coast-to-coast/id1333665959We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C

We've all seen the news. Wildfires have brought devastation to many communities along the Pacific Coast. Shannon's church in Malibu has been spared (so far), but she and her family were right on the edge of the evacuation zone. Their bags have been packed for weeks. These fires have brought real trauma to her family, church, school, and community.In the midst of a life-altering event like this, how do we function as youth pastors? What is our role? How do we balance the tension between protecting our own family's well-being and sanity, and ministering to others? How do we help students understand that hard times do not diminish the power or presence of the Lord in their lives? How do we think about the future and our dreams of “returning to normal?”These are the real questions Shannon has been forced to ask over the past month. Given the inevitability of trauma and tragedy in this world, they are the questions we will all need to ask at some point.If you want to know how to help, email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com and we will connect you with a local ministry that could use your help.Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

Let's face it – youth ministry is hard. It can be fraught with frustrations, doomed by discouragement, and crushed by conflict. We've all felt like quitting. We've all felt like the grass has to be greener at the church lawn down the street. The most recent data from the Youth Worker Compensation Survey shows that the average youth pastor stays at a church less than 5 years, and leaves youth ministry around year 10.**https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/compensation-youth-pastor-2024/But what if we persevere? What if we find ways to survive the past, thrive in the moment, and high five the future? On today's episode, Brock and Steve talk about longevity in youth ministry. In a vulnerable and encouraging conversation, we talk about the things that almost drove us out, and how we found ways to commit to staying in it for the long haul. Brock has been a youth pastor for over 30 years at a variety of churches. Steve has been at his church for 25 years. What have we learned about sticking it out, and what did we gain on the other side?This was the reason this show was created in the first place, and longevity has been a frequent topic of conversation, but it's one we need to have again and again.It was so good, we did it twice. That, and that fact that Steve was tired from a retreat and forgot to hit the record button.Anyway, we truly hope this is helpful to someone who is discouraged and thinking of quitting.Shannon's community is still reeling from the California wildfires.  If you want to know how to help, email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com and we will connect you with a local ministry that could use your help.Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

The crew is back together for a new episode about that old nemesis of youth pastors everywhere: Travel Sports! Shannon is just entering the Sports Parent Phase. Steve is a few years removed from it. Brock is smack in the middle of a softball apocalypse. Travel sports (and other high demand activities in our kid-centric world) are not going anywhere soon. How do we connect, speak about, shepherd, encourage, coach and even challenge parents and kids to think about sports in relationship to youth ministry and spiritual growth? Do we give up, give in, give them heck, or find a way to come alongside them in the midst of their busy and frantic pursuit of the elusive golden scholarship?By the way, we recorded this late in 2024, shortly after Shannon's church nearly burned in a wildfire. Since then, things have gotten worse in Malibu and other areas near LA. If you want to know how to help, email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com and we will connect you with a local ministry that could use your help.Mentioned in this show:https://www.andrewroot.org/the-end-of-youth-ministry/Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

Happy New Year from the Youth Ministry Sherpas!Shannon is out with a sick kid, but Brock and Steve got together anyway to look back on 2024. What a time to be alive! Literally. I mean, Brock had a freaking heart attack last year! That rattles the emotions and priorities in one's life, for sure. We are both grateful to be given another year of friendship and calling in youth ministry. Which brings us to 2025. What's next for the church? What changes do we predict, prophecy and prognosticate coming down the pike for youth ministry this year? Our answers might surprise you. They are guaranteed to make you think. And hey, if we're wrong, just stone us.It's our first show of 2025. We are glad you are with us, and we hereby resolve to be more consistent this year!Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

The election is finally over. Not only are we glad to no longer be receiving political spam texts, but we are also glad to never have to talk about politics ever again, right? Well, we know that's not true. Which is why we are back to beat the dead horse into submission.In this episode, Shannon and Steve talk about how to help students think beyond our own cultural time to what God is doing around the world. If the story of the world is the story of Jesus and his church, it's our responsibility to elevate our thinking beyond American politics and disciple our students towards a better and bigger perspective. It's challenging, convicting, nuanced, and might even get us into a little trouble. But hey, if that happens, we can just blame Brock for not being here to help us.Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

They say clarity comes in crisis. That seemed to prove true when our own Brock Morgan recently suffered a heart attack. At that moment, the things that matter most came clearly to mind, and it's not surprising that, in addition to his wife and daughter, the students he cares about were among the thoughts racing through his mind.In this deeply personal and meaningful conversation, Brock shares his story of the heart attack and the impact this experience has had on him. For Shannon and Steve, it was a reminder of what's really important in ministry (people) and how grateful we are for the chance to live into the calling God has given us. Plus, we were all grateful for the chance to record this episode at all.Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

Episode 23: Disruptive Youth MinistryIt's our first full-length episode in a while (dang day jobs), but we are back for a fun and fascinating conversation about the subversive role youth pastors can play in the lives of young people. In a time when it feels like the church is seeking certainty, status quo, and black and white answers, youth pastors can play the role of disruptors. By stirring the pot, asking hard questions, being vulnerable with our own doubts and thoughts -- we can move a generation of young people towards a more robust, fresh, vibrant faith that will outlast the times and provide genuine hope for a lifetime of following Jesus.Students are not looking for easy answers; they are looking for real faith.Youth ministry as agitation and disruption? Maybe that's why the three of us love it so much.Give us a 5-star review on iTunes.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church! 

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church! 

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. It's a burst of llama love for youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!  

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon will take turns giving their answer to a Top 3 question in these short and fun episodes. The Triple Play is a burst of llama love for all youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall, kicking things off with a crazy new series, the Sherpa Triple Play! For 21 straight days, Steve, Brock and Shannon are taking turns giving their answer to a "Top 3" Question in these short and fun episodes. The Triple Play is a burst of llama love for all youth pastors, youth leaders, volunteers, and anyone who works with teens in the church!

It's already June, and Brock, Shannon and Steve finally managed to get together to record our final episode of the spring season. The last few months have been tough for all of us, with plenty of personal and ministry things to deal with. That has left us all feeling pretty tired, burned out, and cynical. Let's just say, we aren't exactly “killing it!” these days.That's reality. Ministry is hard. There are times when we lack the optimism and heart we need to do it well. When those times hit, it's good to have friends to debrief with instead of just Instagram to compare ourselves to.Whether you are on top of the world or feeling like you've been in the desert for 40 days, we hope our vulnerable conversation gives you the same encouragement and hope it gave to us.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

It's Move Up Season in youth ministry. There are new families moving their oldest child into a youth group for the first time. There are freshmen moving into high school. And of course, seniors graduating to the next thing, whatever that may be.For youth pastors, navigating these changes is a big challenge. We have to communicate well, help people feel comfortable in their new setting, ensure nobody gets lost in the shuffle, and handle the calendar, often in a compressed period of time. All that, while dealing with our own emotions of seeing beloved students graduate. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting.Multiply that by a billion if your own kids are graduating. Steve has lived it three times! (Yes, Shannon, someday that will be you!)Transitions and Move Ups are truly madness, but it's an important part of shepherding people and taking good care of your ministry. We hope this episode is helpful, even if we don't have all the answers.

Today the Sherpas welcome good friend and Download Youth Ministry Co-founder Josh Griffin to the podcast!We talk with Josh about his unforeseen call to youth ministry as a college student, and his discouraging first job at a small church in the upper midwest. It was during a hard time that he discovered Doug Field's book, “Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.” That led him on a pilgrimage to Saddleback Church, one of the most influential churches in the country. His future was forever changed by the relationships he formed there.Now the Jr High Pastor at Mariners Church, Josh shares about the challenges of large church ministry (5 youth services on Easter!),  the formative days of Download Youth Ministry (which was almost named Digital Youth Ministry), the democratization of youth ministry resources, and how optimism is the only way forward in these troubled times.We also find out how our own Brock Morgan was selected as a trainer for the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training!Josh is a generous spirit and we are grateful for his friendship and encouragement. It's a great conversation.

Smelly Cabins, Snack Shack, Silly Skits, Scary Bus Rides, Smooching Kids – nothing says summer like Summer Camp!Even after our many years of experience and all the various programs we've led, we still believe in Summer Camp. It's one of the foundations of our ministries. Summer Camp provides the chance to get away, break rhythm, avoid distractions, build relationships, and have significant, life-changing moments with God. There's no substitute.Despite its long-standing history and value, we've also seen an increasing reluctance on the part of parents to send their kids to camp. Mix that in with travel sports and the financial costs, and it's not an easy thing to get kids to go!But we still love it, still sold on it, and are still taking our kids this summer. Hear our reasons, and do likewise!

Episode 18: The Beauty and Necessity of Contemplative Youth MinistryWith anxiety at an all-time high and attention spans at an all-time low, how can youth pastors help our students experience God in deeper and more meaningful ways? Is it more than music, games and messages?On this episode, Shannon, Brock and Steve talk about the value and beauty of contemplative practices in youth ministry. Whether it's the Prayer Labyrinth Steve's group just experienced, or Lectio Divina in Shannon's ministry, or a chance to get prayed for every week in Brock's ministry, we think we're onto something significant. These aren't new ideas–– in fact, most of the practices are centuries old–but modern churches often forget how powerful they can be. We've made them part of our regular ministry rhythm, and we hope others might do the same. Our students crave it.Who knows, maybe our ideas will even work upwards into “big church?”This is an episode your students need! You probably do, too.Mark Yaconelli's bookhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=contemplative+youth+ministry&hvadid=580750104392&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008050&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15997339013655376092&hvtargid=kwd-2809949768&hydadcr=22568_13493238&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7izs79mno6_eWe are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

Sadly, we are missing Shannon today, but Brock and Steve got together the day after they both preached in their churches' main services to talk about our experiences with preaching. It can be a big deal for youth pastors. We both get to do it regularly, and we've seen the benefits our time in the “pulpit” has brought to our ministry within the congregation. Whether you preach once a year or once a month, preaching is a great way to gain credibility, speak into the culture of our church, and celebrate the Next Generation. But it also brings some challenges, like time management (we still have to plan for youth group that week), staying humble (“I like it when YOU preach!), and not trying to sound smarter than we are. Preaching is really important, yet probably less important than we make it.The most important question is this: pulpit, podium or music stand? It's Episode 17: When Youth Pastors PreachWe are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com