233 episodes

Welcome to the Youth Ministry Sherpas Coast to Coast Podcast, featuring Brock Morgan, Shannon Dunn, and Steve Anderson. We call ourselves "Sherpas" because we have over 80 years combined experience leading ministries. It's "Coast to Coast" because we serve on opposite ends of the country (Steve in Maryland; Shannon and Brock in California). We love students, we love youth ministry, and we love encouraging youth workers! Vulnerable, winsome, insightful -- think of it like another road trip in a 15-passenger van with your best friends. It's "Youth Ministry with the windows down!" Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Youth Ministry Sherpas: Coast To Coast DYM Podcast Network

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.8 • 50 Ratings

Welcome to the Youth Ministry Sherpas Coast to Coast Podcast, featuring Brock Morgan, Shannon Dunn, and Steve Anderson. We call ourselves "Sherpas" because we have over 80 years combined experience leading ministries. It's "Coast to Coast" because we serve on opposite ends of the country (Steve in Maryland; Shannon and Brock in California). We love students, we love youth ministry, and we love encouraging youth workers! Vulnerable, winsome, insightful -- think of it like another road trip in a 15-passenger van with your best friends. It's "Youth Ministry with the windows down!" Thanks for coming along for the ride!

    Episode 18 Audio Only

    Episode 18 Audio Only

    Episode 18: The Beauty and Necessity of Contemplative Youth MinistryWith anxiety at an all-time high and attention spans at an all-time low, how can youth pastors help our students experience God in deeper and more meaningful ways? Is it more than music, games and messages?

    On this episode, Shannon, Brock and Steve talk about the value and beauty of contemplative practices in youth ministry. Whether it’s the Prayer Labyrinth Steve’s group just experienced, or Lectio Divina in Shannon’s ministry, or a chance to get prayed for every week in Brock’s ministry, we think we’re onto something significant. These aren’t new ideas–– in fact, most of the practices are centuries old–but modern churches often forget how powerful they can be. We’ve made them part of our regular ministry rhythm, and we hope others might do the same. Our students crave it.
    Who knows, maybe our ideas will even work upwards into “big church?”
    This is an episode your students need! You probably do, too.

    Mark Yaconelli’s bookhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=contemplative+youth+ministry&hvadid=580750104392&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008050&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15997339013655376092&hvtargid=kwd-2809949768&hydadcr=22568_13493238&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7izs79mno6_e
    We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

    • 44 min
    Episode 17: When Youth Pastors Preach

    Episode 17: When Youth Pastors Preach

    Sadly, we are missing Shannon today, but Brock and Steve got together the day after they both preached in their churches’ main services to talk about our experiences with preaching. It can be a big deal for youth pastors. We both get to do it regularly, and we’ve seen the benefits our time in the “pulpit” has brought to our ministry within the congregation. Whether you preach once a year or once a month, preaching is a great way to gain credibility, speak into the culture of our church, and celebrate the Next Generation. But it also brings some challenges, like time management (we still have to plan for youth group that week), staying humble (“I like it when YOU preach!), and not trying to sound smarter than we are. Preaching is really important, yet probably less important than we make it.
    The most important question is this: pulpit, podium or music stand? 
    It’s Episode 17: When Youth Pastors Preach

    We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C 
    Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

    • 42 min
    Episode 16: The (dismal/hopeful) State of Youth Pastor Compensation

    Episode 16: The (dismal/hopeful) State of Youth Pastor Compensation

    Today, we talk about money. It’s a sore subject in youth pastor circles. Many youth pastors and youth workers feel underpaid, unappreciated, and undervalued. What’s worse; talking about it or asking for more feels unspiritual. Aren’t we just in it for the kids? Well, yes, but what can we do to improve our financial viability so we can take care of our families, build church health, and achieve longevity in youth ministry?

    Dan Navarra is our guest. Dan is the creator and curator of the Annual Youth Pastor Compensation Report. https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/compensation-youth-pastor-2023/
    Dan is passionate about helping workers earn what we’re worth. He has a wealth of experience working with youth pastors, churches and leaders, and offers some powerful advice for us. The news isn’t all good – we have a long way to go – but being informed enough to advocate for ourselves is an important step.

    The Youth Ministry Sherpas get pretty fired up over this one. You will, too.
    You can find Dan Navarro here in most Youth Pastor Facebook Groups or here:https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/team/

    We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

    • 56 min
    Episode 15: Brockless No More

    Episode 15: Brockless No More

    Brock is back from sabbatical, if you can call it that. A month off–albeit with two interruptions, a speaking engagement, and painful back issues. But there was also a trip to San Diego, another trip to London, and some sweet time with God. So, in hindsight, what did Brock learn about himself, about his identity in Christ, and what it is that keeps us in youth ministry? How do we do what we do without letting it be who we are? Later, we talk about what we consider “success.” In a time when youth ministry is harder than ever–when so many students walk away (see last week’s episode) and the cultural forces are working overtime against us and our students–how do we know it’s not all in vain? Where do we define the win, and where do we find it? The answer may surprise you.
    Welcome back, Brock. We are Brockless no more!

    We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network

    https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube!

    https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C

    Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

    • 37 min
    Episode 14: Can We Save Gen Z?

    Episode 14: Can We Save Gen Z?

    Our first-ever interview guest is Brad Griffin, Senior Director of Content and Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, and co-author of their new book, Faith Beyond Youth Group.

    It has been nearly 20 years since Sticky Faith brought to light the troubling truth about Millennials leaving the church. Those same problems–exacerbated by accelerating technology, anxiety, and a worldwide pandemic–are affecting Gen Z. What can youth workers, parents, and church leaders do to stem the tide of young people abandoning the church?

    Steve and Brad have a great conversation around the unique characteristics of America’s largest generation, and how we can foster true Christ-like character to create a better generation of Christians than the ones they are following.

    Mentioned in this episode

    Sticky Faith
    https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/stickyfaith/parents

    National Study of Youth and Religion
    https://youthandreligion.nd.edu/
    Carey Nieuwhof Podcast (Kara Powell)
    https://careynieuwhof.com/episode628/
    Reggie Joiner/Orangehttps://thinkorange.com/

    Dallas Willardhttps://dwillard.org/books/divine-conspiracy
    Skye Jethanihttps://www.holypost.com/
    Youth Leader Check Uphttps://fulleryouthinstitute.org/




    We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram!Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

    • 52 min
    Episode 13: When Students Outgrow Their Parents

    Episode 13: When Students Outgrow Their Parents

    It's February and we're still Brock-less. However, Shannon and Steve got together to talk about Valentine's Day, the Super Bowl, and more importantly -- Youth Ministry. What happens when our students surpass their parents in spiritual maturity? Sometimes it's students from nonChristian backgrounds, but it can also be students from within the church. How do we challenge them to keep growing and pursuing Jesus but not undermine their parents? We also talk about the painful reality of when students we know and love suddenly drop off the face of the earth. Every youth worker experiences this. How do we strike a balance between pursuing the kid who's ghosting us, but letting them go for our emotional preservation? Shannon also gives another plug for the Barbie movie, while Steve recommends a classic Robin Williams movie, and another movie about... chess? We also give a teaser for our first-ever Sherpa interview, coming later this month. It's Episode 13 of the Youth Ministry Sherpas Coast to Coast, so roll down the windows and let's get started! We are proud members of the Download Youth Ministry Podcast Network https://www.downloadyouthministry.com Watch us on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@youthministrysherpasC2C Follow us on Instagram! Email us at youth ministrysherpas@gmail.com

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
50 Ratings

50 Ratings

Jack Janigian ,

Fun Atmosphere - Great Content

Really enjoying the relaunched Sherpas. The chemistry between the three of you is great, and loving the balanced look at youth ministry. Excited to see where this goes in the years ahead. Thanks for your work on this!

mherrera3626 ,

Welcome Back

Mike from Normal, IL (home of Illinois State University) here. I’m so glad that the show is back! Loved the old format, but am excited for the new version of the show. As a 10-year youth min vet who recently transitioned to a new church I’m excited to have the weekly encouragement from you all. Welcome back Sherpa crew!

FriarTuckofLincoln ,

I feel like we’re friends...

As an old guy who has gone back into student ministry, these guys feel like old friends that continue to encourage me and keep me going. Can't say enough about how much I love this podcast.

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