Youth Ministry Sherpas

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter G

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter G is for GAMES

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter F

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter F is for FURIOUS

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter E

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter E is for EASY

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter D

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter D is for DANCING

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter C

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter C is for CATHARTIC

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter B

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter B is for BAND

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

Sherpa Shorts Season 2 -- The Letter A

Welcome to Sherpa Shorts Season 2!

Tired of waiting for summer to actually arrive? No Prob-llama! Steve and Mathew are back with another burst of Sherpa fun. We pulled out our Bermuda shorts, dark socks and Hawaiian shirts just for you!

For 26 straight days, we will race through the alphabet, taking turns choosing a word that begins with the next letter as it relates to youth ministry. Some might be obvious, others obscure -- but neither of us knows what the other one is going to choose next. Expect some surprises and moments of awkward silence. We hope these Sherpa Shorts get you in the mood for summer vacation!

The Letter A is for ANTI

ENTER OUR CONTEST TO STAY WITH US IN TAMPA!
We are giving away a FREE STAY during the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa November 20-25! We have rented a 20-bed paradise for us and our friends, and we want you to join us! To win a free stay, just listen to each episode for the Secret Word. Compile all 26 Secret Words into the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase. Email the phrase to us, and you'll be entered into a chance to stay for free! We will be offering the rest of the spots at a reasonable price, too! Breakfast and snacks are included, not to mention the luxurious digs and a fascinating company of fellow youth workers!

To enter, send the Super Secret Sherpa Phrase to us by June 15 at youthministrysherpas@gmail.com

To stay with us whether you win or not, reach out to us at that address and we'll send you the information!

You can register for NYWC here:
https://nywc.youthspecialties.com/

 

 

 

YMS Episode 53 -- Procrastination (Part 2)

When we started as youth workers, we didn't have laptops or cell phones. We weren't distracted by text messages, emails and the latest news from our favorite sports team. But it wasn't all focus and productivity. Those floppy discs could be very distracting! 

It's part 2 or our Procrastination series. Last episode we talked about the causes and costs of procrastination. In this follow-up, we provide some cures (we hope). At least they'd if we'd only stop putting them off and implement them.

Plan week to week, day to day, and hour to hour. Plan the big picture. Prioritize tasks and block times. Stack meetings. Change environments. These are just a few of our ideas. Find what works for you.

Make the plan. Work the plan.

It's Episode 53 -- Procrastination (Part 2)

Also mentioned in Today's Episode:

The Storybrand Podcast from Donald Miller is one of our favorites. You can check out his Productivity Schedule here:
Storybrand Productivity Schedule

Planner Pads are a good paper-based organizer
Planner Pads

Mathew prefers digital planners:
Evernote
Todoist

You should pick up this book
Manage Your Day to Day

Michael Hyatt is a leader in personal productivity. His planning system is a little pricey but it's probably worth it.
Michael Hyatt

Next time you sit down to write a message, grab your sword and put this on your speakers:
LOTR

Okay kids, it's time for your history lesson!
What is this????

Sherpa Legends -- Walt Mueller

Our Fourth Legend -- Walt Mueller

It was 1989. The internet wasn't invented yet. George HW Bush was president. The Berlin Wall came down. The Cosby Show, Rosanne, and Cheers held the top spots on TV. Madonna, Phil Collins, and the Bangles topped the charts. Morgan Freeman was Driving Miss Daisy. And a little-known youth pastor from Pennsylvania got a crazy idea to start a resource ministry to help youth workers and parents navigate the travails of youth culture.

 

That was Walt Mueller, and his brainchild was the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU). For the past 30 years--through books, podcasts, workshops, speaking engagements and tons and tons of online resources--CPYU has been a key player in the youth ministry world. For many veteran youth workers, Walt and his team at CPYU have been like a soundtrack to a life in youth ministry. 

 

During our talk with Walt, we learned about his call to begin CPYU, the spiritual challenges of being a researcher into an often discouraging and even depressing youth culture, and his heart to bring solid theological and practical help to today's youth workers. We also heard some great stories from Youth Specialties conventions of the past, including a near-sparring episode that ensued one year during a panel discussion on rock music.

 

Through it all, Walt has remained relevant, faithful, and available to all of us, and for that we are thankful.

Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding and has been working with young people and families for over 35 years. As a result of his work with CPYU, Walt has become an internationally-recognized speaker and author on contemporary youth culture. He has written extensively on youth culture and family issues and is the author of the following books: 99 Thoughts for Parents of Teenagers (Group Publishing, 2010); The Space Between: A Parent's Guide to Teenage Development (Zondervan, 2009); Opie Doesn’t Live Here Anymore: Where Faith, Family, and Culture Collide (Standard Publishing, August 2007); Youth Culture 101 (Zondervan, June 2007); I Want to Talk With my Teen About Movies, Music & More (Standard Publishing, September 2006); Engaging The Soul of Youth Culture: Bridging Teen Worldviews To Christian Truth (InterVarsity Press, February 2006); and the critically acclaimed Gold Medallion Award winner, Understanding Today’s Youth Culture (Tyndale House, 1994). He is also a regular contributor to numerous journals and magazines. A graduate of Geneva College (B.A.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Walt earned his doctorate at Gordon-Conwell in “Ministry to Postmodern Generations.” Walt has served in ministry with the Coalition for Christian Outreach and as a youth pastor in churches in Johnstown, PA and Philadelphia. Walt's wife Lisa has served behind the scenes since day one as CPYU’s secretary. A graduate of Geneva College who has a background in radio, Lisa’s voice can be heard on CPYU’s daily Youth Culture Today radio spot. Walt and Lisa live in Elizabethtown and have four children.

 

Mentioned on today's episode:

Center for Parent/Youth Understanding

CPYU has too many resources to mention. Check out their podcasts, blogs and nearly limitless articles of interest on youth culture and trends. It will make you look smarter than you are!

 

YMS Episode 52 -- Procrastination (Part 1)

Well, we put it off as long as we could, but we finally got around to this one.

We aren't proud of the need for this episode, because it hits a little too close to home. But it's time to confess. We are genetically-cursed procrastinators.

This episode was recorded on a Monday morning. Mathew spent Sunday afternoon strolling through the DC cherry blossoms with his wife. He could enjoy this spontaneous activity because all his work was done and he could freely enjoy the beautiful afternoon. Meanwhile, Steve was catching a nap under his desk while stressing about the message he had to write for that evening's youth group. 

That, our friends, is what procrastination (and beating procrastination) look like!

The truth is, we have a long way to go in mastering procrastination. Mathew has made some progress; Steve not so much. We both realize much of what causes it, and what the costs are. Whether it's misplaced priorities, distractions, laziness or perfectionism, we both seem find ourselves all too often getting stuff done at the last minute. Procrastination costs us stress. It costs us excellence. And it costs those around us. It's probably true that it has cost the youth ministry world a lot of respect and legitimacy, because it seems to be common among our tribe.

We waited until episode 52 to talk about it, but we couldn't put it off any longer. Hopefully, it's not too late to help each other get better!

Episode 52 -- Procrastination (Part 1)

 

Also Mentioned in Today's Episode:
Business guru Seth Godin has a great podcast you should check out:
Seth Godin

It's only a month or so until the Youth Leader Summit! May 22-24 at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference. You can register here:
Youth Leaders Summit

You can catch up on our Sherpa Shorts here:
Sherpa Shorts