The Sidekick Podcast

In February, after over 260 episodes I took a break from doing the weekly YM Sidekick Podcast. Well now it is back! Starting June 17th I will be launching “Season 2” of the podcast with all new interviews.

The format will be very similar to the past as I will be interviewing ministry leaders from all over about how to do ministry more effectively in this ever increasing digital world.

What is NEW THIS SEASON is that we will be taking primarily about digital and online tools you can use in your ministry. Every guest on the podcast will share something digitally that they have been applying into their ministry or learning from doing a lot of online ministry during the coronavirus pandemic. Great people with great insights. I am really excited about this season.

What happened to the Digital in 5 Show? Well, it is still around and will return in the fall sometime. You can find past episodes here and below.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! What questions do you have that you would want us to answer on this season of the YM Sidekick Podcast? What do you think? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.

* Subscribe! 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.

* 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.

* The Digital in 5 Show. Subscribe on  iTunes, on Spotify, or on YouTube to make sure you get these 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).

For over 3 and a half years I have really enjoyed doing the YM Sidekick Podcast where I interviewed ministers from student, social and online ministries. While it was great to talk to so many amazing people doing God’s work, I have done it for 260 consecutive weeks and I think a break is needed. Not bad for season 1, eh?

While I take a break before the start season 2 of the YM Sidekick Podcast, I am investing in a few other pieces of content that I am really excited about.

For starters, I am introducing a new show called “The Digital in 5 Show”. This show will be just 5 minutes long and you can watch it on YouTube, on the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group, or listen to the podcast on iTunes each Wednesday. It’s a Vlog and Podcast show where we take digital trends and tools and discover how we can apply them into our ministry world.

Hear the introduction to the show today and the official LAUNCH of the show will be March 4th and will be posted on YouTube, the Digital Bootcamp and iTunes every Wednesday.

In addition to the Digital in 5 Show, stay tuned for more updates coming to YM Sidekick including new resources coming out in the upcoming weeks.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! What digital tools or trends would you like me to cover in the upcoming Digital in 5 shows? Share them on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you 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.

* Share a digital topic you want me to cover on The Digital in 5 Show coming up. Simply email me your request.

* Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

 

“We were on a break” has to be one of the most popular lines in TV history. And while this phrase was used as an excuse for Ross to do something he shouldn’t have done, taking a break from things in ministry or your personal life doesn’t have to be all bad. However, what you do during that break can be essential for you growing as a person and as a minister.

To talk about this more and how you can grow when you take a break is Cory Sullivan. Cory was my very first guest on the podcast and now, as we are on Episode 260, he will be my last as I take a break from the YM Sidekick Podcast. While I am taking a break, there is intentionality into what I am doing and there is a 100% chance I will be back with season 2 of the podcast a few months from now.

What will I be doing during the break? Plenty. I tease a little bit about it but will also have a full update next week but this week Cory and I talk about how you can grow as a person and a leader when you are on a break.

ACTION STEPS:

* What about you? What do you do when you are on a break?  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).

Church Planting has been around for a very long time. Groups like Exponential, Stadia and New Thing, and Passion 4 Planting have been on the forefront the Church Planting movement. As we move more and more into an online world, the concept of doing digital church plants are increasingly more relevant and necessary to reach the new generation of people.

That is why I have Jeff Reed on the podcast. He and the Digital Church have partnered with Stadia to work more on Church Online Plants. What are they and how can they help reach more people for Christ? Find out in today’s podcast interview.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! Do you believe we should be doing Online Church planting? What do you think? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.

* If you want to connect with Jeff you can read his podcast and blog here or 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).

Adam McLaughlin has been in Church Communications for years. And so has Mark McDonald. With their wealth of experience they have partnered together to do a one day Church Commference designed just for Church communicators.

What is this Commference about? Adam McLaughlin joins me on the podcast today to talk about that, how you can sign up and how it will benefit you and your ministry.

And, the great news is that normally a conference like this would normally cost over $100 to attend. However, this Commference cost $99 BUT if you use promo code: TOM when you register you can save $10 and you can get it for just $89! It’s a great deal, so what are you waiting for! Sign up today!

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! Are you going to the Church Commference? Share your thoughts online 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.

* 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.

* NEW UPDATE 2020 EDITION of “The Twitter Advantage”. Download your copy and discover 3 HUGE advantages Twitter offers for you and your ministry.

* 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).

Throughout history storytelling has been key in communication. They are essential in communicating a message to people of all ages. And, the more effective you are at it, the better your message can be received. No matter how good or bad you are at storytelling, what if I told you that you could become better at it in just 30 days? Would you be interested? That is why I have Robert Carnes on the podcast today.

Robert is the author of “The Original Storyteller” devotional book that will help you become a better storyteller in 30 days. Using everyday and biblical examples, Robert helps us become more effective storytellers in his book. We talk about the book and how it can help us in our ministry context.

ACTION STEPS:

* What do you think? How effective do you feel in storytelling in your ministry context?  Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share. 

* If you want to connect with Robert, he is a great resource, especially for writers. You can find him on Twitter or at his “The Original Storyteller” site.

* 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.

Tech trends happen regularly. Some can impact your ministry in very powerful ways. In today’s podcast, Joe Radosevich from Belgium Community Church in Belgium, Wisconsin joins me to discuss these trends. Joe is the Lead Pastor at BCC and today we use Tech Trends that can help your Ministry in 2020 as the basis for our discussion today. In addition, Joe shares some insights on some of the latest tech trends he is seeing as well.

ACTION STEPS:

* What do you think? How are you planning on using the latest tech trends? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share. 

* If you want to connect with Joe, you can always connect with him on Facebook.

* 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.

Whether you are a volunteer or a paid professions, ministry can a very rewarding. However, it can also be very stressful and frustrating. So what do you do when ministry is dragging you down? What needs to change? How can you make adjustments both personally or in ministry?

Joining me today to talk about this is Cory Sullivan. We have both been in ministry a number of years and while we have had some very positive and successful months and years, there have also been some tough years. We talk about what we’ve done, how it helped us and how it can help you when ministry is dragging you down.

ACTION STEPS:

* What about you? What do you do when ministry is dragging you down?  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).

What I love about social media is that every year I discover new people that I learn from and follow. Then, what I like to do is to share them with you all. In fact, I take 6 people or groups and highlight them once a year. Since 2016 it has been my first podcast of the new year. To find out my lists from previous years you can just like the year (2016, 2017 2018, and 2019).

With this new year of 2020 here, I have 6 new ones to follow. Now, you may already know them and follow them but maybe you don’t.

The criteria that I have is that they are involved in Church Communications, Social Media, Student or Family Ministry or Online Ministry. They also need to be producing great blogs, vlogs or podcasts on a consistent basis. If they do not post regularly, they aren’t one the list. I am not going recommend you follow someone if they aren’t being consistent in their postings, no matter how great their content is. And that’s it. It’s pretty simple but those are the two important aspects of my criteria.

So, in NO particular order, here are the top 6 to seek out in 2020:

Dave Adamson. Dave is the Social Media Pastor at NorthPoint in Atlanta (Andy Stanley’s Church). Originally from Australia and working as a reporter for a Sports Network there, he now makes his living sharing the Bible and the good news of Christ online via social media and, in particular, YouTube. What I love about Dave (other than his cool accent), is that he has such a passion for sharing about Christ to others but also encouraging other ministers in how to get better at doing online and digital ministry. He has a Facebook Group that he runs called YouTube for Churches. He is a great resource and is as nice in person (I got to meet him at the Orange Conference in 2019) as he is in his videos and social media channels. You can find him on YouTube, Instagram, and on his website amongst other places.

Kent Bjustrom. Kent leads a Multi-Site Student Ministry at Northview Church in Central Indiana with 13 campuses (9 with student ministry). I met Kent through Youth Specialities and the NWYC (we were both bloggers for NYWC ’19). Not only does Kent have a great ministry, but his blog is fantastic offering great, consistent insights. Also on his sight he offers coaching and a few ebooks you can read.

Ben Stapley. I met Ben through his work with Online Ministry. Currently he is the Weekend Experience Director at Christ Fellowship in Miami, Florida. Ben offers a lot of great insights covering a variety of topics. What is unique about him is that he post regular training tips and videos on his social media accounts that are extremely well done and beneficial.  You can find these on Twitter under the #BenStapleyVideos. You can check out his YouTube channel or check him out on Twitter or Instagram where he posts regularly. You can also check out his website.

Chase Snyder. I met Chase at NYWC ’19 and while he wri...

Online ministry is not new. It has been around for a number of years with a variety of Churches doing online ministry really well. Despite the emergence and increase relevance of online ministry, it still ranks lower in priority that “offline” ministry (i.e. your physical church building).

Today, Sly King joins the podcast to talk about how you can increase the importance of online ministry in your Church. Sly is in charge of Social Media and the Online Church at the Worship Center Christian Church and is actively looking for ways to engage people online through a variety of tools.

ACTION STEPS:

* What are you doing to increase the importance of online ministry at your Church? What do you do?  Share your experiences below or on social media using #ymsidekick so we can all learn from each other.

* Sly is an amazing resource in this area! To connect with him, check him out on Twitter or email him.

* Want to learn more about Instagram for your ministry? 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).