Simply Youth Ministry Show (AUDIO)

Here it is, the rules for the Simply Youth Ministry Podcast "I am a loser" contest.

Together again. Doug, Josh, and Jana are joined by Jake (sitting in for Matt this week). After too much information about Jake's medical history, and the sad saga of Brody Griffin it's time for some questions. Topics discussed: Creative Time with God, and new book by Doug Fields, promoting events, how a youth pastor should spend his time, moving from a paid position to a volunteer one, the importance of someone believing in you, dealing with budget cuts, and working with the senior pastors family.

Andy drops in at the beginning of the show, but quickly leaves Doug, Jana, Matt, and Jake to the real show. Jake is sitting in for Josh this week. Topics include: skits guys and doritos, dreams about Doug, spouses commitment to the ministry, Simply Youth Ministry conference, puffy paint, Student Leadership conference, podcast etiquette, and dealing with physical violence at youth group.

Doug Fields, Matt McGill, and Josh Griffin are back, but no Jana. Instead Craig Hodgkins takes a seat at the table. You can also catch Nadim (@simplyinsider) at the beginning of the show talking about T3, the new stewardship resource from SYM. When they get down to business topics include: damage to camp property, Matt's choices in life, discipleship, ultimatums from your senior pastor (like, "Grow the church or you're fired"), coming up with fresh material for talks, splitting jr and sr high, and minimum ages for volunteers.

Doug, Matt and Jana are joined by special guest Jim Burns. If you don't know, Jim was Doug's old youth pastor. It's a great discussion that you don't want to miss. Including details about Jim, that we really didn't want to know.

The gang is back together, but Doug is sick. Luckily for us that doesn't slow down the show. The team covers: our own biggest loser challenge, Doug losing a bet, attitudes, music kids listen too, small groups, changes, looking for a new job, and focus at work (this podcast may not help with that.) Also don't forget to use the code: EATSTEAK when you sign-up for SYMC (www.youthministry.com/symc) to be entered to win a chance to have dinner with the podcast crew.

It's that time again. Doug, Matt, Jana, and Josh are back to share their wisdom. Matt has gone Amish and is telling stories that jr high guys would love. The gang would love a fake award if anyone wants to make one. Other topics covered: Gifts from church members, have staff kids in your group, when leadership doesn't back you, and matt's new blog.

It's time to announce the winner of the BBQ sauce contest. But that's not the biggest topic of conversation around the table, Josh got a new volunteer: Doug. Yes, Doug is leaving Saddleback. He talks about his resignation, knowing when it's time to go, leaving well, and what it means for the podcast (Hint, it doesn't change anything at Simply Youth Ministry).

The team comes together again to discuss life and youth ministry in a way that only they can. This week it's a table for 5 because Cathy drops in midshow to join in the fun.

Wow, two weeks in a row. Doug, Matt, Jana, and Josh all return to answer your questions, and there's a lot of them. I don't know that we've ever covered so much ground in one episode. They are really making up for a slow summer.

Doug Fields, Matt McGill, Josh Griffin, and Jana Sarti are all back this week. Vacations and sabbaticals are over. Topics on the table include: how to relax on vacation, job transition, homosexual volunteers, twitter wisdom, conferences, helping volunteers get started, and IT conflicts.

Doug Fields and Jana Sarti are at the table to welcome back Matt McGill. Sadly Josh is away at camp, but that doesn't stop the team from discussing his new book. They also cover: Jana losing the emails, the TV show Wipeout, being Grandma Hot, the LIVE Curriculum, parenting seminars, Rick Warren twittering, missionaries and mullets, student leader commitments, and resource to teach students about sharing their faith.

Doug Fields, Jana Sarti, and Josh Griffin try to figure out how they can get paid to be professional podcasters. We know that's not going to happen, but even in their amateur status they cover Josh's new book, putting church over family, Small Group training curriculum, mentoring, visitors, fundraising, and a special sneak peak at the next episode.

This weeks the show is a little short because we are live at the PDYM Student Leadership Conference. Doug, Jana, and Josh take some time away to talk about student leadership, Josh's calves, Doug's diet book collection, and a confession from Doug that you'll need to hear to believe.

It's summertime and getting the team together isn't always that easy, but Doug, Jana, and Josh gather around the table for the 105th time. Topics include: the future of the church is busy, Josh's road trip, dealing with disagreements with the elder board, re-inventing student followup, building programs that work together, Simply Youth Ministry Conference, barter (you'll have to listen, you wouldn't believe us if we wrote it), and leaders that like to do everything themselves.