Learning in Community

Changes big or small keep us on our toes, but those transitions God invites us to say "yes" or "no" to can be especially challenging. Listen as Josh and Rachel break down principles for transition with Danielle Bender's story of the challenging decision to say "yes" and "yes again" to God's call on her life even when it has meant saying goodbye. Danielle has served YFC for the last six years in a myriad of roles and we are all better for having served Jesus alongside her. 

What would you do if God called you to the toughest most broken places for the rest of your life? This week Josh and Rachel are joined by Tacoma YFC Juvenile Justice Ministry Community Coordinator Amari Davis to answer just that. They discuss God’s call on Amari’s life to serve and love young people effected by the justice system and she does not disappoint as she comes to the table with a whole lot of wisdom and a whole lot of inspiration. You won’t want to miss it!

When you are in close proximity to the journey and day to day needs of a young person, it can feel insensitive to respond to their needs by doing nothing. Doug, Josh, and Rachel talk about with it means to build healthy boundaries amidst chaos that can consume us while remembering what God actually calls us to do.

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Show Notes:

Take out a piece of paper with two columns and try out Doug’s exercise around God’s Job Description and your own. See all the ways God is simply asking you to partner with him in a few things and not be all things.

EXAMPLE

My Job: Love, Present Truth, Pray

God’s Job: Protect, Provide, Love, Intercede, Be the Truth

When a kid sends a tough question your way it can be tempting to "give the right answer." But what if the right answer is no answer at all? Rachel, Doug, and Josh wrestle with how leading kids to the truth requires mental gymnastics, a good listening ear, and sometimes no answer at all. 

With 2-3 times more students failing one or more classes coast to coast, we can all agree that our young people need support around virtual learning. Josh and Rachel discuss practical solutions to what continues to be one of the hardest challenges for young people in this season.

When expectations and realities don’t align the holidays can feel like one big disappointment. Josh, Rachel, and Dani discuss some of their favorite holiday memories in ministry together and their experiences unpacking the hard questions about the character of God and disappointment with young people.

What does it take to have a successful parachurch/church partnership? What does it take for a youth worker to have successful partnerships throughout their neighborhood? Josh and Rachel tackle these questions and more with community connection and church partnership aficionado Jeremy Dawson.

In our season opener Josh and Rachel chat with Jeremy Dawson, Tacoma YFC Board Member, Thrivent Community Engagement Coordinator and Anchor Church Worship Director about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, choosing innovation over segregation and assimilation, and why youth workers should be engaged in the practice of turning soup into salad.

Resources:

"Tribes & Tongues Series" Jeremy Dawson & Bryan Halferty, Anchor Church

Theme Music “Daydream” by Brian Silas Ki

It can feel challenging to prioritize our own physical, emotional and mental needs during a pandemic. It feels like we should be doing 200% more than we would normally with less than 40% of the energy and capacity we once had. If there was ever a time to slow down — it is in this moment. Listen as Josh and Rachel unpack what it looks like to care for ourselves well right now.

It can be weird as a youth worker to connect with new young people and build ministry in the virtual realm. With kids not going back to school, the social limitations on our ability to contact young people won't be changing anytime soon. On today's episode Josh and Rachel discuss their secret weapon for doing ministry in a pandemic: mobilizing young leaders. They break down what has worked over the last 7 months and their plans for ministry this Fall. Don't miss it!

Resources:

Building Cathedrals by Ted Travis