Simply Youth Ministry Show (VIDEO)

Special April Fools Episode. This episode is so random we can count it as a real episode. This is really for our hardcore podcast fans, or those who really don't have enough to do around the office. Watch Doug, Josh, and Matt play 2 truths and a lie, and try to decide where the April fools games begin.

This is what happens when Doug and his friends sit down to do a podcast and there's no agenda. No questions, no content, just catching up on the lives of our podcast team. So take a few minutes and catch up with Doug, Matt, Josh, Jake, and even Andy during this short show.

Doug, Matt, and Jake tackle some of the best questions we've ever had. But before that there's a discussion of road trips and things guys do on them. Don't worry it's not that long. Matt also re-thinking rudeness. Once they get to the questions they discuss keeping pride in check, being under staffed, and pastors mentoring other pastors.

Well team, We are in our new office, and our studio needs a little help, but that's not stopping us from our little team meeting. Doug and Matt are joined by Jake. Josh is in Africa and in case you missed the announcement, Jana is moving. Some things we talk about in this episode: shopping at casual male, SYMC 2011 registrations have started, other people's opinons of how you dress, communicating a decision to leave your church, jake's music video, avoiding volunteer burnout, competeing for students, people are going through big stuff.

Live from the SYMC conference in Chicago.

The last episode in this Simply Office, and Doug, Matt, Josh, and Jake are there to celebrate it. After having a do-over to start the show they talk about the Live show at Simply Youth Ministry Conference, how Josh smells, youth ministry vs. student ministry, when it's time to leave, theological differences, free time at camps and retreats, and if the student ministry success is tied to the church's success.

After a few weeks off, Doug, Matt, Josh, and Jana are all back around the table. They announce the winner of the Sack Chair contest, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, involvement of the pastor's wife, volunteer support, running your own summer camp, interns, video games and ministry, Doug's shirts, and an evaluation process.

It's that time of the week again, Doug Fields, Jana Sarti, and Josh Griffin come together to answer your questions about Youth Ministry. They are joined by Andy Brazelton while Matt's on vacation. Topics include: Simply Sack Chairs contest, "I am a Loser" Prizes, the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, working in a small church, job boards, and programming on the right events.

It's a new decade and and Doug, Jana, and Josh are back. Still no Matt, but Jake plays his part. After hearing about different Christmas adventures, we find out that Doug has made a declaration for the year. They also talk about unreliable volunteers, the December slowdown, asking for a raise or bonus, mountain biking, student leadership resources, and how to organize small groups.

Only Doug and Matt make it to the table today. Matt claims it's the best show ever, you be the judge. If Doug seems distracted, it's because he's trying to watch the live chat during the show. Great idea, but it didn't work. Topics covered: challenges in transition, being older in youth ministry, foursquare (the internet game, not the denomination), suicides effect on a youth ministry, and getting kids to show up.

Doug, Matt and Jana sit around the table again this week. The top topic of conversation is the "I Am a Loser" contest. But they do get around to answering your questions. They talk about protecting your spouse from church politics, a young senior pastor looking for a new youth pastor, cell phones in youth group, and dealing with adults that are a bad example to teenagers.

We return this week with a real show. Doug Fields, Josh Griffin, Matt McGill, and Jana Sarti start the show, but after Josh has to leave, Jim Burns joins in the fun. Sorry for the medical talk at the beginning of the show, it feels like a men's health podcast for a little bit. Don't worry, we eventually get to the youth ministry. Topics include: presence during tragedy, Google Wave, SYMC, acting like Jr Highers, and dealing with a volunteer having an affair.

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.