Youth Ministry Sherpas

We’ve been pretty serious lately. All this societal upheaval has us wound too tight, like a tiny covid mask on a giant head. It’s time to lighten up.So today we needed to laugh. And to laugh, we tell stories. Youth ministry is a wild world. It takes you to places you never expected to be, and puts you in situations you never saw coming. How many insurance adjusters get to rescue freshmen boys from a shirtless nursing mother in the Dominican Republic, or are forced to pull over the 15-passenger van along a lonely stretch of Utah highway because one of their kids thought laxatives were a good idea?Whether you’ve been in youth ministry for 30 years or six months, you have stories to tell that only other youth workers will understand. We simply nod, laugh, and say, “Yeah, that sounds about right.”Due to our ages, we can’t vouch for the complete accuracy of what you are about to hear, but it’s the world as best as we can remember.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.d

Politics, covid, race, -- it has been a tumultuous 10 months. We spent the previous two episodes processing some of our frustrations with the culture of division and talking about how we can help our students think more clearly and with a broader perspective. To bring closure, we thought it would be helpful to bring in another voice, and we have to say, we chose wisely!Theo Davis is a youth pastor in Kansas City. He’s also an artist, a father, an introvert, and a voice of reason, gentleness, and unity. He’s also black, serving in a mostly white neighborhood, in a city with a deep history of racism. He has experienced more racism in his life than we realized. The two old white guys who host this show needed to listen to him. We’re guessing you do, too.Listening, asking questions, gaining empathy – these are the things that can bring friendship and understanding instead of arguments and echo chambers.Oddly, before this conversation, we’d never met. But we have a lot in common. Theo is from Maryland. He served

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for another discussion about how to help our students think critically in a world gone mad.Recording this the day after the inauguration, we are pleased to mention that Washington, DC is still standing, and we are still here. We are still picking up the pieces of the turbulence this year has brought while trying to navigate how to pastor our students well through these times. One thing we believe is that perspective is everything. We want to create youth ministries where students appreciate the diversity of Christians throughout the world and understand that not everyone interprets things like we do. We have some suggestions in how we can grow personally as we can create environments where our students can think, grow, be challenged, and avoid perpetuating a stifling subculture. It’s a high calling, to shape the future of the church!We both recommend The Chosen:https://www.vidangel.com/show/the-chosen-a7284/season/1As if national unrest isn’t bad enough, now even the squirr

We took a couple months off, and the world lost its collective mind!The Sherpas, who both live a few miles north of Washington, DC, are swimming in the waters of politics in our cities and our churches. Watching riots in the Capitol building recently (and recording this just two days prior to an inauguration to be conducted under lockdown), we cannot escape the craziness. Neither can our students. We are thinking and talking about it, and so are they. No one is blind to the tumult our country has experienced in recent months. The problem for us as youth workers is, how do we talk to our students about politics and represent Jesus while doing so? And how do we avoid falling into a pothole so deep we’ll never make it out alive, or employed?In this episode, we talk about some filters we find helpful. These help us, and our students, think critically about the information we consume and how to respond to it. Hopefully, it helps us see the world as Jesus sees it.Hey, if we get fired, we can always get jobs eating

Every youth worker knows the struggle of navigating the mine field of social media with their students. Now we realize how serious this challenge is not only in what they post, but in what their posts do to them.“The technology that connects us also controls us.”The Social Dilemma (thesocialdilemma.com) is a documentary film about the rising effects of social media on us, our children, and our world. It’s an eye-opening look behind the scenes by the people who made the products. It’s even a bit frightening, and definitely worth a conversation.The Sherpas are joined by our good friend Brock Morgan, youth pastor, author, and speaker, as we discuss our thoughts about the film and the challenges we face as advocates for teenagers. Can we protect ourselves and our kids from becoming pawns in a giant matrix? Can we challenge our students to be the agents of change for the future? Will we even know it if it happens, or will be just be numbers in the algorithm? We thought it was a fascinating topic. We think you will

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are struggling.This has been a hard year for everyone. A worldwide pandemic, racial tensions, political divisiveness, church shutdowns, social media tirades, constant pivots, lose-lose decisions, constant criticisms, health struggles, personal losses--there is a giant buffet of factors that have taken their toll on us. We are weary. We are thinking of renting a cave in New Mexico for the foreseeable future.We know we are struggling, but how are our students doing? Who is helping them process these tumultuous days? Who is present in this mess with them? Who is bringing a perspective that this is not the first time the world has been in an angry uproar? What if this is an opportunity to set this generation on a course to make a better way?Just talking through this together helped us feel better. We hope it will help you as well.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are struggling.This has been a hard year for everyone. A worldwide pandemic, racial tensions, political divisiveness, church shutdowns, social media tirades, constant pivots, lose-lose decisions, constant criticisms, health struggles, personal losses--there is a giant buffet of factors that have taken their toll on us. Heck, even the parrots are mad! We feel like we are in the middle of a 15-round fight and we keep taking body blow after body blow. We are weary.We are betting there are plenty of youth pastors who feel this way. Are you discouraged, tired, defeated, discouraged, frustrated and lonely? The bad news is we have no real answers to give. The good news is we have each other, and it feels good to talk about it.We hope you see yourself in this conversation if for no other reason than to realize you are not alone.82: Youth Ministry in an Angry WorldWe are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall!We lost a lot this summer due to the pandemic – camps, retreats, mission trips, and more. We barely even recognize our students after not seeing them in person for five months. But there is one thing we all gained during the shutdown: Access to Hamilton! Thanks to Disney+, it was possible to watch the incredible Broadway musical that took the country by storm and changed the world forever.What lessons can we learn from the genius work of Lin-Manuel Miranda? In addition to simply enjoying great history, entertainment, music and art, what can we learn from the Hamilton experience that might be applicable to our youth ministry? We have four ideas, and we present the fourth one in this edition of the Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast.We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/The National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training from DYM!trainyourvolunteers.com

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall!We lost a lot this summer due to the pandemic – camps, retreats, mission trips, and more. We barely even recognize our students after not seeing them in person for five months. But there is one thing we all gained during the shutdown: Access to Hamilton! Thanks to Disney+, it was possible to watch the incredible Broadway musical that took the country by storm and changed the world forever.What lessons can we learn from the genius work of Lin-Manuel Miranda? In addition to simply enjoying great history, entertainment, music and art, what can we learn from the Hamilton experience that might be applicable to our youth ministry? We have four ideas, and we present the third one in this edition of the Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast.80: Lessons from Hamilton (Pt 3)We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Don’t miss the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training from DYM!trainyourvolunteers.com

We lost a lot this summer due to the pandemic – camps, retreats, mission trips, and more. We barely even recognize our students after not seeing them in person for five months. But there is one thing we all gained during the shutdown: Access to Hamilton! Thanks to Disney+, it was possible to watch the incredible Broadway musical that took the country by storm and changed the world forever.What lessons can we learn from the genius work of Lin-Manuel Miranda? In addition to simply enjoying great history, entertainment, music and art, what can we learn from the Hamilton experience that might be applicable to our youth ministry? We have four ideas, and we present the second one in this edition of the Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast.Episode 79 – Lessons from Hamilton (Pt 2)We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Don’t miss the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training from DYM!trainyourvolunteers.comMeet Caesar the Llama!https://www.yahoo

The Youth Ministry Sherpas are back for the fall!We lost a lot this summer due to the pandemic – camps, retreats, mission trips, and more. We barely even recognize our students after not seeing them in person for five months. But there is one thing we all gained during the shutdown: Access to Hamilton! Thanks to Disney+, it was possible to watch the incredible Broadway musical that took the country by storm and changed the world forever.What lessons can we learn from the genius work of Lin-Manuel Miranda? In addition to simply enjoying great history, entertainment, music and art, what can we learn from the Hamilton experience that might be applicable to our youth ministry? We have four ideas, and we present the first one in this edition of the Youth Ministry Sherpas Podcast.Episode 78 – Lessons from Hamilton (Pt 1)We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network!https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/Don’t miss the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training from DYM!trainyourvolun

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 16 – England Dan and John Ford Coley – “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” from the album Nights are Forever (1976)https://open.spotify.com/track/2r008pcfVYc0zgQvSRqUJE?si=demnrRFmQS-b1yyfsSkFvgWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 15 – Needtobreathe (with Johnnyswim) – “Forever on Your Side” from the album Niles City Sound Sessions (2018)https://open.spotify.com/track/598Dy3TgV1SQulwjPOM0Z2?si=xyEJqcB0RTy6Lo-v204T1AWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 14 – Matt Kearney – “One Black Sheep” from the album Just Kids (2015)https://open.spotify.com/track/5dUgmiCTHGZgSpxZBeXKoX?si=FgB15d6fSl6NdHeweJtiUQWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 13 – Whiteheart – “Convertibles” from the album Don’t Wait for the Movie (1986)https://open.spotify.com/track/3xHCIYOixpbxeeGFJcjwMz?si=-8aSQK6-Tfq30EBrgSBhhAWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 12 – Tom Petty – “I Won’t Back Down” from the album Full Moon Fever (1989)https://open.spotify.com/track/7gSQv1OHpkIoAdUiRLdmI6?si=uVV42dQDTceJH2lonZMIpgWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 11 – Gordon Lightfoot – “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” from the album Summertime Dream (1976)https://open.spotify.com/track/536L9C0N7vhYdibCJx3cI2?si=qqlVirg0TGio5Z0eCVYSsAWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 10 – The Beatles – “Ob La Di Ob La Da” from the album The Beatles (1968)https://open.spotify.com/track/1gFNm7cXfG1vSMcxPpSxec?si=x6NRlS7WTUqGz_8X0dL0SAWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Episode 9 – Tears for Fears – “Shout” from the album Songs from the Big Chair (1985)https://open.spotify.com/track/11leihwcsTVOTo1gxpgYNG?si=er_sRuCYRJes6MFeuP2h3AWe are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/

It’s May! That means it’s time to put the top down, turn up the radio, and break out the Sherpa Shorts!For the past two years during the month of May, we provided a blast of llama love with a burst of episodes we called the Sherpa Shorts. This year we are choosing some incredible song lyrics and then riffing about how they relate to youth ministry. Great music, sage thoughts, and a playlist for your summer road trip – that sounds like podcast perfection!Enjoy this year’s version of SHERPA SHORTS!Sherpa Short 8: Toby Keith I Wanna Talk About Me from the album Pull My Chain (2001)We are proud members of the DYM Podcast Networkhttps://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/