Simply Youth Ministry Show (VIDEO)

Kurt and Jake engage in a freestyle session, answering email questions from viewers as well as some live via The Nation. Topics range from discipleship and practical methods to 'jump-start' your ministry, all the way to the origin of the phrase 'it takes a village.' Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (usually Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00am PST.) Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon.

Kurt and Jake chat with Steve Adams, Children's Pastor at Saddleback Church, about the important relationship between youth and children's ministries. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon.

Kurt and Jake talk big events with Johnny Scott, Program Director with CIY (Christ in Youth). Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon.

Kurt and Jake talk lesson prep with Josh Griffin, High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon.

Kurt and Jake answer some questions from The Nation, share some personal ministry stories, and as always, have a discussion about Tim Tebow. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon.

Kurt and Jake discuss what it looks like to set spiritual goals for students with Tim Levert. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon.

Since this is a holiday show, we kept this one nice and short. (We’d hate to take up your time watching us when you could spend time with your family!) In this show, we looked back. Kurt and Jake shared with us all their favorite memories of 2011. They also shared with us their goals for Youth Ministry (as a whole) in the coming year. • All churches would think of ways to break down the “silos” in their ministries • That all Youth Workers would feel valued by their church • A culture would be cultivated where we prepare Christ followers to grow on their own. • That a burden for lost people in our own community would grow. These are all powerful goals.. and goals that we hope will not only be ours but yours as well. We shared as well the coming year.. and some big changes that are happening to the show (all for the best.. we promise.) Lastly, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference is coming up!! Make sure you register and stay up to date with information here on the website. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon..

In this season that we’re in (.. and “that season” meaning NFL..) what would the SYM Show be without a regular chat about Tim Tebow. This week, we were joined with a friend of the show – Danny Bowers. (Want more information about him? Check him out on twitter.) Danny shared with us his take on “surviving church chaos.” He shared that often times, as we go through a ‘dark season’ in life, we often feel all alone. And in those times, often the hardest part of church chaos is that there is a relational drain. “When the chaos happens, you get an emotional depletion” Danny shared. “It pulls so much out of you.” In this week’s show, we learn a part of Danny’s story.. and where he has come from… and in his story, we learned that there are many different types of ‘Church Chaos.”’ It was also incredible to hear (and very inspirational) Danny’s viewpoint and experience navigating through ‘Church Chaos’ as a husband and father. Be sure to listen to the entire show to hear his view on this topic. Lastly, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference is coming up!! Make sure you register and stay up to date with information here on the website. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon..

Kurt and Jake discuss what it means to have an 'uncommon youth ministry' with Mark Riddle. Make sure you register and stay up to date with information here on the website. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon..

How often are we able to truly hear what parent’s think? Sure, we ask them .. and you might get the one parent that is brutally honest with you. But usually, that honesty comes with hurt and pain attached. Well, this week, we asked one of our own – Kami Gilmour – to share with us her view of Student Ministry. With love flowing and nothing but praise for Youth Pastors across the world, Kami shared with us her joys and frustrations with Youth Pastors.. and let us into the mind of a parent. As she shared her heart, she also shared her encouragement, saying “you’ll never know how much you matter.” Also.. knowing that many of us work tirelessly to help make an impact, she said “for every Thank You, there are 100 unspoken.” Powerful words. As she wrapped up her personal views (from the parental side) she stressed how Youth Pastors/Workers/Leaders must partner with parents. One of the cardinal sins of Youth Minsitry is not having any relationship with the parents… as well as making the parents out to be the “bad guy.” Lastly, as the “Queen” (Director) of the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, she shared with us the importance of community and that the Simply Youth Ministry Team has been “called to love on Youth Workers everywhere. Every Youth Worker that walks in feels valued, loved and known.” Make sure you register and stay up to date with information here on the website. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon..

This week, we take a second and are thankful. As we stop and reflect over the many things in our lives that we are thankful for, we shared from you – the Nation – what you were thankful for. Here is a brief list: • Adult volunteers • Student Leaders • Parents • Church Leadership • Relationships; between students, volunteers and leaders • Family • Wife • Rick Lawrence’s book “Sifted.” • The “SYM Family” • Tim Tebow • And lots more… Also, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference is coming up… and we’re getting really excited about it. Make sure you register and stay up to date with information here on the website. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com

This week, we were joined by Katie Edwards, Jr. High Director at Saddleback Church. As one who leads a large team, Katie shared with us (and the Youth Ministry Nation) some great tips on working with volunteers. Having been on staff since 21, Katie admitted to us “I thought I knew everything.” She soon learned that she didn’t. However, she also learned from “some great people who taught me how to develop volunteers.” One of the key principles is to multiply, multiply, multiply; no matter what the size of your church – the principle is still the same – Multiply. Emails were sent in as well as questions from the Live show. Questions like “How can I get more leaders?” and “What is the best way to get volunteers to talk to teens – rather than other volunteers.” Katie shares her heart, her strategies and her ideas on these topics – and more! (Including some fashion tips about her scarf.) Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Also, be sure to check out the podcast Katie is on- The Youth Ministry Garage. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon..

Sometimes in Youth Ministry… things don’t go according to plan. In this episode (Episode 16) – we saw this first hand. Originally, the plan was to have Johnny Scott, from CIY, join us. Unfortunately, technology wasn’t our friend, and so – on the fly – we changed things up. We asked our LIVE audience to send in their questions – and they did. Kurt shared about his recent vacation and shared some valuable examples of important it is to ‘disconnect’ at times. This led into a great discussion (between Jake and Kurt as well as in the LIVE chat) about answering the question “What does it take to shut off your Youth Pastor mind.” We discovered that there are almost two answers to this question. 1. Can you/should you really turn off your ‘youth pastor’ mind. 2. Do you ever want to? Another discovery that he experienced while on vacation was asking the question “What things are there in Youth Ministry that we shouldn’t let people see ‘behind the curtain.’” There was more talk and excitement for the upcoming Simply Youth Ministry Conference. In this discussion, there was sharing of their favorite Conference moments, resources that they use and who would win in a match; Rambo, The Terminator, Andy Brazelton or Kami Gilmour. You’ll have to watch to see who they think would win. Want to join in the conversation? Follow Kurt or Jake on Twitter to see when the next LIVE Show is (Friday’s at 12:00 EST/9:00 PST.) You can head over here to watch it LIVE. Have a question or two you want to ask?? Send in your questions to symshow@gmail.com See you soon..

15 down. Halfway to 30. This is exciting!!! Each show seems to get better (if that’s at all possible) each time. Remember, you can send in questions/comments/just a hello to symshow@gmail.com - so, send in your stuff. Also.. each week, you may have noticed.. we have a “hood ornament.” Send in something to be featured for a week. This week, Brooklyn Lindsey joined us. It was an engaging conversation as we discussed how the Youth Ministry of your church can influence the rest of your community. Be sure to watch it!! Here are a few links to look for from the show: Want to watch the show LIVE? You can!! Watch it LIVE here -– www.simplyyouthministry.tv - and jump in on the conversation. Looking for more information on the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in March? Check out our website here! Be sure to stay tuned to Kurt’s Twitter, Jake’s Twitter, and Simplyinsider’s Twitter to see when we’re filming LIVE in the future. You won’t want to miss it! See you next show!

This week, we were joined by Shane and Shane.. a dynamic duo that will tickle your ears. We joined them as they shared their experience in making their new album, their family and some “interesting items” in the home, and how much they are looking forward to the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in March. They will be joining us as the Worship Leaders this year (again..) and we can’t be more excited. (Really.. we tried. It’s impossible) Here are a few links to look for from the show: Want to watch the show LIVE? You can!! Watch it LIVE here -– www.simplyyouthministry.tv - and jump in on the conversation. Looking for more information on the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in March? Check out our website here! Be sure to stay tuned to Kurt’s Twitter, Jake’s Twitter, and Simplyinsider’s Twitter to see when we’re filming LIVE in the future. You won’t want to miss it! See you next show!