Blog

Wait, can I be both an advocate for longevity in youth ministry and encourage those youth pastors who make the transition to senior pastor? Yup! Enjoy a conversation with Andrew Larsen who made this exact transition. Learn from his journey and mine as you will likely have times where the opportunity is there, and you have to discern where the Lord is leading. 

Check out the Morning After Ministry Podcast live on Facebook Monday mornings at 11 EST or on the DYM Podcast Network:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morningafterministry/
DYM Network: https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/the-morning-after-ministry-show/

Listen to “39: Meet a Youth Pastor Who Became a “Real Pastor”” on Spreaker.

Longest episode yet, and it’s talking about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I made a commitment for 2019 to re-watch every MCU movie, then realized I might as well do this leading into Avengers: End Game. I wasn’t alone, so 3 other youth pastors join me to talk through their Marvel re-watch experience. 

We spoil a lot of the previous 21 movies as we share, and in the final 30 minutes we play out a lot of speculation. Sit back and enjoy.

MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

-Watch the MCU in chronological order according to the MCU timeline: https://www.reddit.com/r/Marvel/comments/8eqqgo/my_friends_and_i_have_been_watching_the_entire/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x
-Ironman didn’t have a script: https://io9.gizmodo.com/jeff-bridges-admits-iron-man-movie-had-no-script-5417310?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=gizmodo_copy&utm_campaign=top
-Universal and Disney came together to pull of Stan Lee’s cameo in Captain Marvel: From Marvel Us Disney Podcast (story starts at 11:40) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marvel-us-disney-episode-29-james-gunn-reinstated-as/id1412774662?i=1000432844333
Kevin Smith shares about that cameo (Warning: In the words of Captain America, “LANGUAGE!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j0gsV9J7Ts
-Stan Lee is a Watcher theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QxFDfpZDbI
-Filming the Shawarma post-credit scenes in Avengers: https://youtu.be/2bR06fKnrCg

Follow Frank Gil: http://frankgil.com
Be Kyle Creel’s friend on Facebook: http://facebook.com/kylecreel
Follow David Reed: @DavidAllenReed on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Derry Prenkert: @derryprenkert on Twitter and Instagram

Listen to “38: Pre Avengers: End Game MCU Re-Watch w/4 Youth Pastors” on Spreaker.

Every once in a while I’m going to highlight attitudes and/or actions that can stunt or kill longevity in youth ministry or at the same church. Today I focus in on The Big 3; three things that, when handled inappropriately will not only end your time at your church, but do significant damage to you and the ministry.

NORTHEAST US FRIENDS, CHECK OUT THE YOUTH LEADER SUMMIT at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference May 22-24. Join Todd and Josh Griffin! More info athttp://www.hcbcyouthleadersummit.com/

Send me your epic fail, embarrassing moment, or story that just sums up youth ministry, and you could be featured in the opener of an upcoming episode. 

Listen to “37: Youth Ministry Longevity Killers: The Big 3” on Spreaker.

My story is about longevity in youth ministry and at the same church, but what happens when staying at the same church is not an option? How do you transition well and keep in youth ministry for the long haul? Enjoy Todd Pearage’s story! There is much to learn from him:

Mentioned in the show:

SIGN UP FOR 30 DAYS OF DYM GOLD MEMBERSHIP, and help my wife and I get three days away to California!!!!  If you sign up through MY LINK  (http://fbuy.me/mfug_) you help me with a chance to win a three day trip to California, plus I’m throwing some added incentives. Send me a screen shot of your confirmation, I will throw in some freebies as well.
1. My Third Decade stickers and a button if you haven’t gotten one yet. (Value $2.50 plus shipping and bragging rights)
2. Dropbox link to a one off message, 4 games (one being a special version of 12 in 12), 30 day devotional, and an interactive worship experience… all not yet released on DYM… (combined value approx. $35).
3. You will get a shout out from Moses on an upcoming episode (value: priceless)

Again, sign up here: http://fbuy.me/mfug_

NORTHEAST US FRIENDS, CHECK OUT THE YOUTH LEADER SUMMIT at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference May 22-24. Join Todd and Josh Griffin! More info at http://www.hcbcyouthleadersummit.com/

NEW RESOURCE: ADOLESCENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND PARENTING: Available on Download Youth Ministry: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop/adolescence-technology-and-parenting

Send me your epic fail, embarrassing moment, or story that just sums up youth ministry, and you could be featured in the opener of an upcoming episode.

CONTROLLED CHAOS CONVERSATION WITH JUSTIN HERMAN. Hear a heartfelt conversation between Kurt Johnston and Justin Herman on Justin loosing his youth ministry job. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-0054-i-lost-my-job-so-you-dont-have-to-youth/id1354292517?i=1000431686556&mt=2

Listen to “36: Meet Todd Pearage” on Spreaker.

I put a call out on Instagram for some questions, and I got some great ones, so this episode walks through the following:

-What responsibilities do you give middle school students in your ministry?
-What’s been the biggest thing to change in student ministry in the last 20 years for you?
-Favorite pizza topping?
-Favorite scripture/story and why?
-How can I slow down my male pattern baldness?
-What’s your take on the sports-as-competition-for-youth-group-commitments issue?
-Getting ready to lose several leaders after this school year. What are great recruiting tips?
-If your spouse isn’t in ministry with you nor is that their calling, how do you include them?

Listen to “35: Your Youth Ministry Qs w/ My As” on Spreaker.

Listen to “34: MTD Time Capsule: 23 Years/23 Movies” on Spreaker.

Welcome to a different type of episode. In Time Capsule Epsiodes, I’m going to either go back to a specific year and share experiences, or pick out a highlight from every year since I’ve started, then give you my top 3-5 of each of those years. To start it off, I’m going deeply theological and heavy in ministry with… MOVIES. These are my favorite movies from each year I’ve been in ministry, and in the end I narrow it down to my top 5.

You can see the entire list at: http://derryprenkert.com/23-years-23-movies/

SIGN UP FOR 30 DAYS OF DYM GOLD MEMBERSHIP, and help my wife and I get three days away to California!!!! If you sign up through MY LINK (http://fbuy.me/mfug_) you help me with a chance to win a three day trip to California, plus I’m throwing some added incentives. Send me a screen shot of your confirmation, I will throw in some freebies as well.
1. My Third Decade stickers and a button if you haven’t gotten one yet. (Value $2.50 plush shipping and bragging rights)
2. Dropbox link to a one off message, 4 games (one being a special version of 12 in 12), 30 day devotional, and an interactive worship experience… all not yet released on DYM… (combined value approx. $35). 
3. You will get a shout out from Moses on an upcoming episode (value: priceless)
Again, sign up here: http://fbuy.me/mfug_

Send me your epic fail, embarrassing moment, or story that just sums up youth ministry, and you could be featured in the opener of an upcoming episode.

Every once in a while, I’m going to do an episode on the podcast called a “Time Capsule”. In my first installment, I went back to every year since I started youth ministry and picked a favorite movie (I know deeply spiritual and very practical to youth ministry).

’96	Happy Gilmore
’97	Good Will Hunting
’98	Saving Private Ryan (hon. Truman Show)
’99	Matrix
’00	Castaway
’01	Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings
’02	Two Towers (hon. Catch Me if You Can)
’03	Return of the King (hon. Elf)
’04	Napolean Dynamite
’05	Batman Begins
’06	Facing the Giants… (kidding) Blood Diamond
’07	Bourne Ultimatum (hon. Juno)
’08	Slumdog Millionaire
’09	UP
’10	The Social Network and Toy Story 3
’11	Moneyball
’12	The Hunger Games
’13	12 Years of Slave
’14	Captain America Winter Soldier
’15	Star Wars: Force Awakens (hon. Inside Out, The Martian, Mad Max Fury Road… such a good year!)
’16	Arrival
’17	Get Out
’18	Black Panther
’19	Captain Marvel

MY OVERALL TOP 5:

1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-03) It’s a cheat, but I count them all together.
2. Saving Private Ryan (1998) I did not enjoy this movie, but man it moved and impacted me.
3. Black Panther (2018) Imagine taking your 9 year old Ugandan born son to see this amazing movie (his first superhero movie in a theater), and I think you’d understand why it ranks so high
4. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) So creative. So unique. India has always captured my heart.
5. Happy Gilmore (1996) Come at me! I don’t care. The movie cracks me up and I quote it so often!

Listen to “33: Meet the Makers of Deadcat (Youth Ministry & Games)” on Spreaker.

Brock O’Dell and John Michael Lindsay both serve on the Junior High Staff of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. If you are familiar with the Download Youth Ministry World, they have created some of the best games DYM has to offer (like Dead Cat, Maze Craze, Jingle Battles, MQ, just to name a few). In this episode we talk about collaboration, the value of games, and some best practices on leading games. Check out John and Brock’s games at the DYM store.https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/shop?author=232

Send me your epic fail, embarrassing moment, or story that just sums up youth ministry, and you could be featured in the opener of an upcoming episode.

NEW SPONSOR!! Emory University’s Candler School of Theology
Looking to further your education, build your critical skills in ministry? Check them out at http://candler.emory.edu/mythirddecade

Listen to “32: I’m a Youth Ministry Grandpa” on Spreaker.

Meet the replacement of my replacement. Sam Olson is the High School Pastor at my church. He is the 5th person on staff to lead our High School Ministry, and all 5 people are still on staff at our church in different roles. We talk about that, along with a lot of other great stuff. You can find Sam all over Social Media as @SamOlson_13

Send me your epic fail, embarrassing moment, or story that just sums up youth ministry, and you could be featured in the opener of an upcoming episode. 

Listen to “31: Marathon Goals, Visions & Plans in Youth Ministry” on Spreaker.

It’s just me in your ear holes. Some recommendations, a powerful story of a former student breaking the silence on an important ministry topic, and a principle that has been key to help me think longevity inside youth ministry.

Mentioned in the show:
-5 Star Ratings and Reviews for this or any other DYM Podcast Network Show are appreciated.

– The updated Super Sexy Super Pack on DYM https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/super-sexy-super-pack
11 total resources now! 3 series (one JH, one HS and one Parent), 5 games, 2 devotionals, and one set of Instagram images that can all stand separate or can create one killer month of relationship, dating and sex content for your Student Ministry.

– 3 movies to check out: 
1. 8th Grade is on Amazon Prime
2. Fyre Fraud on Hulu
3. Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened