The Sidekick Podcast

Volunteer leaders are essential to any ministry. However, with all the work it takes to make a ministry successful, it can put a lot of stress and burden on staff and volunteers. With that all that work and stress comes the potential for burnout. The reality is burnout happens…not just for staff people, but it can happen to volunteer leaders as well.

So how do you prevent burnout in your volunteer leaders? In today’s podcast Christopher Wesley comes on to share about the different ways to prevent burnout in volunteer leaders. As a basis for our conversation we are looking at Chris’ blog post, “Are You Burning Your Volunteers Out?”

ACTION STEPS:

* What do you think? How do you try to prevent burnout amongst your volunteers? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share. 

* If you want to connect with Chris, you can a few different ways.  He’s on Twitter, has an awesome blog with tons of great insights each week.

* 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.

First impressions are so important. Whether it is for your ministry, Church or even your personal life you always want to make a great first impression. That is why I invited Adam McLaughlin back on the podcast.

Today Adam and I talk about a First Impression Team that you can assemble in your ministry or Church that can go a very long way in helping people feel welcomed and cared for the first time they come to an event or your Church. So, we talk over his new ebook called “Huddle Up” that he wrote about these five teammates you can assemble for your ministry or team. Specifically, we talk about two of the five teammates that you can recruit, train and develop that can hep make a huge difference for your Church or ministry.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! Who or what type of people are on your first impressions team for your ministry? What has been your experiences

* 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. You can also learn more about First Impressions and what he is doing with ChurchBanners.com here.

* 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 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.

In continuing with Orange Blogger Week, I invited Cory Sullivan on the podcast and for us to share our reflections about Orange Conferences of the past, how it impacted us and what to look forward to this year.

Also, the food shop Cory and I went to in Atlanta that we couldn’t remember the name on podcast at the time but promised to share it on the show notes – it is The Varsity. Great stuff and definitely worth a time or two to eat at.

 

ACTION STEPS:

* Have you been the Orange Conference before? If so, share your reflections on your favorite experiences from the past on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share. 

* Sign up up early for the Orange Conference. There is a deal on Oct. 18th that will help you save money. But also, by signing up early you get a head start on finding cheaper, closer hotel to the conference as well as cheaper airfare. Finally, by signing up early, you can get first dibs on the breakouts which fill up fast.

* Cory is a great resource and you can find him blogging here.  You can also follow him on Twitter 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 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.

Events are extremely important for Churches. If done right, there can be a lot buzz from the event and potential momentum. But how do you know for sure if there will be growth from it? How do you know if more people will come to your services because of it? How do you know if your volunteers will be encouraged and impacted from it?

These are all great questions that Stan Rodda has been asking as he is planning his latest event. Stan has been a Campus Pastor for many years and has a lot of experience leading Churches and ministries. In today’s episode, Stan and I talk about what he is doing this year to not just put on a successful event, but to get results that produce long term impact.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! How do you do events that produce growth and results in your ministry?   Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.

* If you want to connect with Stan you can read his blog and listen to his podcast 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.

* The Twitter Advantage – Some churches are giving up on Twitter and that’s a mistake. This platform has unique advantages over other social platforms and can be leveraged to bring people from your community through your church’s front door. Discover how Twitter can be one of the most effective tools in your communications tool box.

* 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 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.

If you are involved in church communications you will know that the world you live in is constantly changing. That is because the digital world is always updating and changing.

Today Jeanette Yates joins me from Atlanta, Georgia, the site of That Church Conference where Church Communicators from all over the country gather to learn all about church communications and how to practically apply all they are learning.

Jeanette and I talk about what is trending in church communications (and in the communications world in general) as she shares what she has been learning and discussing with other Church Communicators.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! What trends do you see happening in Church Communications? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.

* If you want to connect with Jeanette you can listen to her podcast here or you can find her on Twitter. She is very active on social media, especially on Twitter so get in touch with her.

* Connect with Justin Dean and That Church Conference. You can also check out his Facebook group for Church Communicators.

* 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 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.

Talking about programs and strategies are important in student ministry. But any student minister can tell you ministry with students goes beyond that. It is rooted in relationships. The more we spend time with students the more we can minister to where they are at. That is where life change happens.

That is why I brings Ben Kerns back to the podcast. Ben recently wrote a post on his blog entitled, “Does Virginity Matter Anymore?“. It’s a fantastic post because it talks about where students are at today and challenges us to meet them where they are. Using virginity as a behavior that ministers strive to get students to be at, Ben and I talk about how relationships are the key to helping life change happen in the lives of people.

So today, Ben and I go back to the basics and talk about where students are at and what are the best ways to minister to them through relationships.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! How have you seen relationships developed in your ministry that have led to life change? 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 Email (sorry folks, no Twitter for him unfortunately), his blogs – Average Youth Ministry (more student ministry focused) and Benjamin Kerns (more leadership focused) with tons of great insights each week.

* 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.

We all know the value of showing up and doing contact work with students. It’s so important to show up and invest in students. However, it can be hard. As silly as it may seem, there are insecurities to reaching out and spending time with students. Whether it is in a big group environment, one on one discipleship meeting or new contact work opportunities, it isn’t alway easy to show up.

That is why Crystal Chiang is on the podcast today. She wrote a post recently entitled, “My Embarrassing Confession about Leading Teenagers“. She talks about not wanting to show up and how to fight through that. With that as our basis we talk about how you can fight through the insecurities that go along with leading students.

Not wanting to show up is a natural feeling. You are not alone in feeling that way. However, you can fight through it and have an effective ministry to students. See how in this episode.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts! How do you fight through insecurities in doing ministry? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.

* If you want to connect with Crystal, you can find her on Twitter. She is very active on social media so definitely hit her up if you have a question.  Or you can check out her blog as well. She posts regularly there.

* 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. If you are a ministry leader or volunteer, this is the group just for you!

* 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.

There are many factors that will help you grow your ministry. However, one aspect that can sometimes get lost in all the busy-ness of ministry is contact work.  Contact work is a foundation element and vital part of your ministry. Whether you are a student minister, family minister, online minister or any other kind of minister, there is always an element of contact work that should be happening. But this is not just for you to do, it is extremely important for volunteer leaders to be doing it as well.

Whether it is showing up predictably, unexpectedly or consistently, this foundational point of your ministry can be the perfect way to help grow your ministry. See how in this conversation with Cory Sullivan as we discuss the value of contact work and how you can help make it a huge part of your and your volunteer leaders ministry.

ACTION STEPS:

* What do you do for contact work and how do you motivate and inspire volunteers to be doing it as well? Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share. 

* As always, Cory is a great resource and you can find him blogging here.  You can also follow him on Twitter here. He’s a great resource so hit him up and pick his brain.

* If you want Cory’s Fall Checklist Resource that we talked about in the podcast you can download it here for FREE.

* 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.

Every single week there is a ton of content a Church can be producing to minster beyond Sunday. And, as a Church Communicator and Online Pastor, this is especially true. From sermons to worship services to other elements you have happening at your Church, there is so much you can be doing. So what can you share, what should you share and how can you share it?

The goal is to share content throughout the week. However, there are barriers and there are limitations to being able to share this content.

That is why Sly King on the podcast today. Sly is in charge of Social Media and the Online Church at the Worship Center Christian Church and is actively looking for ways to take content that the Church produces and provide them to people beyond Sunday.

Today Sly and I talk about the different content options you can do as a Church, what the barriers are that you may face, and how you can share content in realistic and manageable ways. Don’t be discouraged. You can get that content out there. Today you will see how.

ACTION STEPS:

* What do you think? What barriers have you overcome to help share  content beyond Sunday? 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 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.

Perception is reality. That is vitally important to know as a student minister. The perceptions students have for you, as a leader, can make or break your ministry. If they feel like you don’t like them, they won’t be interested in coming back to whatever your student ministry is doing…whether it’s the coolest thing ever or not. Perception is everything.

But perceptions is very important in peer-to-peer relationships within an office setting as well. So how do you know what that is and how do you manage that?

That is why Seth Muse joins the podcast. Seth is usually my our go-to person when it comes to Instagram knowledge. However, in this episode, Seth and I talk about perceptions and how to manage those effectively. Here is a hint on part of our discussion…a lot of managing those perceptions involve spending time with others and getting to know each other.

ACTION STEPS:

* Share your thoughts!  How do you manage perceptions with your co-workers and those you are doing ministry with? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post.

* Seth is a great resource in communications and would be happy to connect with you. You can check in on him on Twitter click here. Also, check out his his blog and podcast and as well as his Facebook page.

* Twitter eBook! The Twitter Advantage – Some churches are giving up on Twitter and that’s a mistake. This platform has unique advantages over other social platforms and can be leveraged to bring people from your community through your church’s front door. Discover how Twitter can be one of the most effective tools in your communications tool box.

* 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 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.