The Sidekick Podcast

The Sidekick Podcast

By Tom PounderReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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The Sidekick Podcast episodes

  • How to be Social Media Savvy as a Student Minister

    Youth Ministers are responsible for a lot. Over the past few years being social media savvy has become one of the most important things Youth Ministers need to be concerned about. After all, students are on social media all the time. Knowing what to say, how to say it and how to act is so vitally important.

    That is why Dan Istvanik is on the podcast today. Dan is a Student Ministry Veteran of over 23 years and has written a blog post on why it is so important for Youth Ministers to be social media savvy. In this episode we cover some of the blog post, hitting on some really important aspects of social media.

    To follow along, check out the blog post here.

    Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Android | Spotify | RSS

    ACTION STEPS:

    • Share your thoughts! What are your thoughts on being social media savvy as a student minister?Share below or on Twitter by reaching out to Tom.
    • Connect with Dan. If you want to connect with Dan, check him out on Facebook. You can also check out his website as well. He has a ton of writings and resources on that page so check it out.
    • 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).
    • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
      • 28 min
    • Rediscover Reading as a Way to Learn

      People learn in a variety of different ways. They enjoy podcasts, lectures, videos and reading. Yes, reading. While lots of people learn from audio and video styles, reading is still a great way to learn. 

      To talk about this with me is Robert Carnes. He 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. He is also a freelance writer writing on many different publications.

      In today’s podcast we talk about the value of reading and the different types of content you can read. here is a hint, it's not just books. 

      ACTION STEPS:

      • What do you think? Do you read? If so, what kind of content do you love to read? 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. You can also check out his website here.
      • 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).
        • 36 min
      • How to Make a Transition from a Traditional Ministry Position to Online Ministry

        Before Covid hit there were very few Online Ministers. Sure, you had some Communication Directors and Social Media Managers, but not as many Online Ministers. 

        There are now more Online Ministers who are serving who used in traditional ministry roles. So how does one make the transition to becoming an online minister when they have served in traditional roles before? To talk about this with me is Tyler. Volkers. Tyler is the Online Campus Pastor at The Ridge Community Church. But, he has served in a variety of traditional ministry roles up until COVID hit.

        ACTION STEPS:

        • Share your thoughts! Have you made the transition from a traditional ministry position to an online one? If so, how is it going? Share below or on Twitter by reaching out to Tom.
        • If you want to connect with Tyler, you can always connect with him on Twitter.
        • 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).
        • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
          • 32 min
        • How Your Church Can Use Podcasting

          Podcasting is not new. In 2004 Adam Curry and Dave Winer are credited with inventing the medium and by 2013 Apple announced that there were over 1 billion podcast subscribers.

          Today 50% of Americans say they listen to a podcast. Because of that, podcasting presents a great opportunity for Churches to reach their local community. To help discuss what those opportunities are Joe Radosevich joins me on the podcast today.

          ACTION STEPS:

          • Share your thoughts! Are you using podcasting for your Church? If so, how? Share below or on Twitter by reaching out to Tom.
          • If you want to connect with Joe, you can always connect with him on Facebook. He also podcasts and writes on his own blog.
          • 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).
          • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
            • 40 min
          • The Breakdown of an Effective Social Media Post

            Can you post this for my ministry? Can you share about this event? Can you put this up on social media?

            Church Social Media Mangers are bombarded with a variety of social media requests from different ministries. That's not to mention all the stuff they need to share on their own to do list.

            So how do you determine what to share, when to share it and what it looks like? Adam McLaughlin joins me on the podcast today to talk about the breakdown of an effective social media post for your Church.

            Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Android | Spotify | RSS

            ACTION STEPS:

            • Share your thoughts! Where are you at with your online ministry? What are your next steps? Share below or on Twitter by reaching out to Tom.
            • 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.  
            • 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).
            • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
              • 32 min
            • What To Do Now With Your Online Ministry

              We are now almost 2 years into COVID. And with that many Churches and ministries are now almost 2 years into Online Ministry. As more Churches are asking what is next for Online Ministry at their Churches, I have invited Ben Stapley on the podcast to talk about this with me.

              Ben Stapley is the Weekend Experience Director at Christ Fellowship in Miami, Florida. Ben shares with us Church Online Flowchart. We discuss this flowchart in detail as it really helps Churches and ministries decide what their next step is in Online Ministry. Do they continue with it or not? And, if they do continue with it, what are the options for Churches out there. 

              As you process what your next steps are in Online Ministry, use this flowchart with your online team and Senior Leadership as a way to help decide what works best for you. 

              ACTION STEPS:

              • Share your thoughts! Where are you at with your online ministry? What are your next steps? Share below or on Twitter by reaching out to Tom.
              • If you want to connect with Ben, check him out on Facebook or on Twitter. You can also check out his website as well. He is very active on social media so definitely him up if you have a question.
              • 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.
              • Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).
              • If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here.
                • 35 min
              • Reclaiming Your Faith and Calling

                Covid has impacted us in a variety of ways. One of those ways that is impacting minsters is that it is affecting our faith and calling. Because we have been working so and creating a lot of unhealthy work happens, it has taken a toll on our calling and has cause us to question that calling to God and the Church.

                So what can you do to reclaim your personal faith and ministry calling? Ben Kerns comes on the podcast to discuss this and share some strategies to reclaim and rebuild your faith and calling. 

                ACTION STEPS:

                • Share your thoughts! How has covid and working during the pandemic caused you to doubt your calling or weaken your faith? Share your experiences and share how God has ministered to you during this time. 
                • 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 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).
                  • 28 min
                • Recruiting and Training Volunteers During Covid
                  Recruiting and training volunteers has always been a challenging proposition for ministry leaders. Whether it is student ministry, Children’s ministry or hospitality, it can hard. Throw in a pandemic and it can become even more challenging.
                  So how can you recruit and train volunteers during Covid? To discuss this with me is Steve Cullum. Steve has been on the podcast before discussing how he is using games (especially online games) right now in his ministry. Steve has been doing a great job with this and it can be very encouraging for us all so we discuss this in this episode.
                  ACTION STEPS:

                  * What do you think?  How are you recruiting and training volunteers during Covid? 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
                • 3 Website Tips for Churches
                  Websites are really important for your Church. And, over the years, we’ve talked a bit about website tips on the podcast. For instance…

                  * Optimizing your Website for Next Steps
                  * How you can Maximize these website trends.

                  This week’s podcast focuses on more website tips that can help you and your Church. For this, Jeremy Zach joins the podcast for the first time in a long while. Jeremy has a ministry background and shares 3 website tips (plus some additional thoughts) on what your Church can do for the website to reach more people and get them the information they need to learn more about your Church.
                  ACTION STEPS:

                  * Share your thoughts! What do you think of these 3 website tips? What else would you recommend to do? Share your thoughts and experiences by posting on Twitter using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.
                  * Jeremy is a great resource. You can find him and connect with him on his website. You can also connect with him on Twitter.
                  * 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 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).

                  37 min
                • How to Have Great Guest Follow Up at Your Church
                  There is a lot that goes into guest follow up. One thing you can do is to have great guest gifts. But there is more to it. In today’s podcast, Justin Nava shares about 3 very specific things you can do that will help you have great guest follow up at your Church.
                  ACTION STEPS:

                  * Share your thoughts! What do you think of the 3 tips? What else would you recommend to do to have great guest follow up? Share your thoughts and experiences by posting on Twitter using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.
                  * Justin is a great resource. You can find him and connect with him on his website. You can also connect with him on Twitter and TikTok.
                  * 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 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).

                  41 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.