The Sidekick Podcast

The Sidekick Podcast

By Tom PounderReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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The Sidekick Podcast episodes

  • Being Thankful in 2020

    In the Bible it says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT). That was really pushed to the limits in 2020. There has been so much emphasis on what went wrong in 2020 that it is hard to think about what being thankful in 2020.

    So, I called up and texted a bunch of my friends and asked them what they have to be thankful for in 2020. So, hear from Ben Stapley, Robert Caries, Justin Nava, Jeff Reed, Cory Sullivan, Ben Kerns, and Jeanette Yates as they wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and also share about what they are thankful for in 2020.

    ACTION STEPS:

    • What about you?  What are you thankful for this year?  Share what you do with us below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.
    • Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
    • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
    • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here.
    • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
      • 13 min
    • Helping Students Finish 2020 Strong

      We all know what a tough here 2020 has been. We don’t need to get into how much it has changed the world and people all over anymore. However, what do do need to get into is how can we help people finish the year strong. Especially students.

      With me today is Cory Sullivan and we are going to talk about how we, as ministers, can help students finish 2020 strong. We talk about 4 specific things student ministers can do, but we know that there are other ways you can do that as well.

      Hear Cory and I discuss and then share your insights below or with us on Twitter.

      ACTION STEPS:

      • What about you?  How are you helping students finish 2020 strong?  Share what you do with us below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.
      • Cory is a great resource and you can find him blogging here.  You can also follow him on Instagram here. He’s a great resource so hit him up and pick his brain.
      • Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
      • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
      • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here.
      • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
        • 21 min
      • Different Ways to Disciple Others in a Pandemic World

        Let’s face it, the world is not going to back to “normal”. At the time of this episode the pandemic has been going on for over 7 months and it doesn’t seem to be nearing an end anytime soon. And, even if it did end today, people will not go back to a “normal” life for quite some time.

        So how do you disciple others in this pandemic world so that they can grow spiritually and also disciple others. To help me figure this out, I have Stan Rodda back on the podcast today. Today we talk about how to train and equip disciple people so they can disciples others makers in this pandemic world.

        ACTION STEPS:

        • Share your thoughts! How are you discipling others in this pandemic world? What are you doing and what tools are you using? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.
        • If you want to connect with Stan you can read his blog and watch his videos here on 4Gen or you can find him on Twitter. He is very active on social media so definitely hit him up if you have a question.
        • If you are interested in being part of one of Stan’s 4Gen Cohorts, check them out here. And they are FREE!
        • Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
        • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
        • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
        • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
          • 33 min
        • Using Text Messaging for Digital Discipleship

          Digital Discipleship can be done in a variety of ways. It doesn’t have to be done through just online groups. It can be done through text messaging and encouragement.

          Today Penn State Alum Steve Lutz joins the podcast to share about what he and his Church is doing through Front Yard Mission. Front Yard Mission is really assisted through Next Step which helps people in your Church go through the training and modules to hep people disciple others in person or on digital. Find out more about it and how it can help you and your Church make disciples digitally.

          ACTION STEPS:

          • Share your thoughts! What do you do? How are you doing Digital Discipleship? Have you thought about using text messaging to disciple and encourage others digitally? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.
          • If you want to connect with Steve you can find him on Twitter. He is very active on social media so definitely hit him up if you have a question.
          • Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
          • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
          • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
          • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
            • 21 min
          • How to Stop Confusing Your Social Media Community

            You social media community can be very diverse. But that doesn’t mean you have to confuse them with your social media posts. That is why Adam McLaughlin is back on the podcast today. Using his blog post, “Your church’s social media strategy is confusing your community“, Adam and I discuss how you can work at clarifying your strategy on social media so that your community can be engaged more.

            ACTION STEPS:

            • Share your thoughts! What do you do? How are you sharing with your social media community that isn’t confusing? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.
            • If you want to connect with Adam you can read his blog here and gets some great FREE ebooks here. You can also find him on Twitter. He is very active on social media so definitely hit him up if you have a question. Also, check out Sermon Clipper, the new tool that helps Churches create videos that you can use throughout the week.
            • Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
            • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
            • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
            • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
              • 30 min
            • A New Format for the YM Sidekick Shows
              The YM Sidekick Podcast has been around for quite a few years and has been a chance for me to interview ministry leaders who are in the trenches everyday working hard to minister to people in today’s world. Over the spring, I started a new show called the Digital in 5 Show. I’ve enjoyed doing both YM Sidekick Shows over the past few months. Because of this, I am going to continue doing them both. Starting next week, I will be alternating a new episode from either the YM Sidekick Podcast or the Digital in 5 Show. Next week will be a Digital in 5 Show followed by a new episode of the YM Sidekick Podcast the following week.
              Listen to today’s podcast outlining what lies ahead and then subscribe to both YM Sidekick shows so you can stay up to date on them.
              ACTION STEPS: 

              * Subscribe to the YM Sidekick Podcast on iTunes or on Spotify
              * Subscribe to the Digital in 5 Show on  iTunes or on Spotify. You can also watch on YouTube.
              * Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
              * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

              4 min
            • How 90s Style Student Ministry is an Effective Strategy Now

              Student Ministry has changed over the years. Every decade has brought changes that have helped student ministers adapt and minister more effectively teenagers as they change. However, with all the tech advancements that have occurred that ministers have relied on to connect with students, when the coronavirus hit the world, an interesting thing happened. Students becomes less interested in connecting online. That caused student ministers to go back to the past and implement some older strategies and get creative in connecting and reach students today.

              That is why Ben Kerns is on the podcast today. He and I talk about how his team is getting creative in today’s world and developing an effective strategy to reach students today.

              ACTION STEPS:

              • Share your thoughts! How have you gone back to the basics and used older style student ministry as an effective strategy today? Share your thoughts and insights below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick.
              • Connect with Ben: Ben is a great friend and a tremendous ministry resource. If you would like to connect with Ben, you can a few different ways.  He’s on Twitter as well as his blogs – Average Youth Ministry (more student ministry focused) and Benjamin Kerns (more leadership focused) with tons of great insights each week.
              • Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
              • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
              • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
              • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
                • 27 min
              • The 3 Cs of Effectively Communicating Next Steps Online

                Communicating Next Steps is really important to do in ministry. You want people to discover how they can take a next step in their faith whether they have been a believer for a long time or just a short while. And now, in this phygital world we are living in, it is even more important to effectively communicate what those steps are.

                To help me break it down on what that looks like is Rey De Armas. Rey is the Church Online Pastor at Christ Fellowship in Miami, Florida and we talk about what we can do and, more specially, what are the 3 Cs to communicating next steps more effectively.

                ACTION STEPS:

                • What do you think? What are you doing to effectively communicate next steps to people online? How are you doing it?  Share them with us on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.
                • Rey is a great resource. If you have question or thoughts, connect with him on Twitter here. And listen to TheChurch.Digital podcast with him and Jeff Reed here.
                • Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
                • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or NOW on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
                • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here.
                • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
                  • 39 min
                • Reaching others for Christ through Online Gaming

                  Ministry has changed in 2020. One of the ways it has changed is that online has become a primary method of reaching and ministering. And while online gaming has been happening for years now, ministries have gone all in on ministering to others through video games.

                  online gaming Steve Cullum is an avid gamer and has discovered some cool ways to use video games to minister to people. That is why he is joining me on the podcast today. Today we talk about how he is using games right now and what that looks like for his ministry.

                  To take a look at Jackbox Games and find out all the cool games they have, click here.

                  ACTION STEPS:

                  • What do you think? How are you using online gaming now? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.
                  • If you want to connect with Steve, you can always connect with him on Twitter. He also writes and podcasts on his own site as well as writing blog posts for Youth Specialities and Orange.
                  • Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe to the podcast and see what cool things we do each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. 
                  • Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers.
                  • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here.
                  • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
                    • 35 min
                  • Reaching others for Christ through Online Gaming
                    Ministry has changed in 2020. One of the ways it has changed is that online has become a primary method of reaching and ministering. And while online gaming has been happening for years now, ministries have gone all in on ministering to others through video games.
                    Steve Cullum is an avid gamer and has discovered some cool ways to use video games to minister to people. That is why he is joining me on the podcast today. Today we talk about how he is using games right now and what that looks like for his ministry.
                    To take a look at Jackbox Games and find out all the cool games they have, click here.
                    ACTION STEPS:

                    * What do you think? How are you using online gaming now? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share. 
                    * If you want to connect with Steve, you can always connect with him on Twitter. He also writes and podcasts on his own site as well as writing blog posts for Youth Specialities and Orange.
                    * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe to the podcast and see what cool things we do each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it.
                    0 min

                  About The Sidekick Podcast

                  From the publisher's feed

                  The Sidekick Podcast focuses on Social and Digital Ministry Strategy. Each week Tom Pounder, the Host, interviews ministers who are applying digital and social media strategies to their ministries.