The Download Youth Ministry Blog/
15 Apr 2024

New Feature Alert: LOOPING SLIDES & VIDEO CONTROLS!!

By |2024-04-15T13:15:06-07:00April 15th, 2024|Sidekick, Sidekick Hero Blog|0 Comments

In October 1911, Roald Amundsen set out on the first-ever expedition to the South Pole. It took him and his team almost 2 months to make the journey, and when they got there, you know what they saw?

Snow… They saw lots and lots of snow.

Well, our developers have also been hard at work over the last 2 months, and quite frankly, we think they have a little more to show for it than tiny bits of frozen water. That’s right, today is the day that we proudly announce TWO MAJOR UPDATES to Sidekick!

The first new Sidekick feature is one that youth workers have been asking for since we first unveiled Sidekick back in December (we can’t believe Sidekick only launched a few months ago!). That’s right, we’re talking about…

LOOPING SLIDES!!

Now, Sidekick users can choose any section in their Sidekick presentation to auto-advance and repeat automatically! Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of LOOPING SLIDES in action!

But that’s not all!

In addition to LOOPING SLIDES, our ever-vigilant team of developers decided to bring you another highly requested feature:

ENHANCED VIDEO CONTROLS!!

Now, Sidekick users can set the starting position for any video (yes, this new feature works for your own videos that you upload and videos that are streamed from YouTube and Vimeo) and once a video has started, you can jump to any specific timecode!

First, let’s look at how to adjust the starting position for any video:

And then, let’s look at how to jump to any point in a video once it’s already playing:

We’re super excited about both of these updates, because they’re a direct response to feedback we’ve gotten from Sidekick users just like you!

And I can’t wait to tell you about what’s coming next… No, seriously, it’s pretty exciting… But you’ll just have to wait… Because I can’t tell you about it… Yeah… Even though I really want to…

We’ll be posting more about other new features in the coming days, but in the meantime, feel free to keep exploring Sidekick! And if you have any ideas for features that you think we should work on next, you should head over to our Feature Suggestion Page by clicking the button below:

Request a New Sidekick Feature!

That’s all for today, but if you’d like to see the other blog posts in the “How Do I…?” series, you can do so here: How Do I…?

If you’re using Sidekick and you run into any issues, or if you just have a question, please feel free to reach out to our support team at: [email protected]. Or you can check out other helpful articles and walkthroughs at the Sidekick Help Desk by visiting https://help.sidekick.tv.

Finally, if you choose to use the new Sidekick… let us know how you do it and what types of polls you do because we want to highlight you. Our goal is to highlight a youth worker every week with different ways they’ve used Sidekick to help their students engage. If you’re interested in being recognized as a Sidekick Hero, just click the big red button below:

If you’re using Sidekick and you run into any issues, or if you just have a question, please feel free to reach out to our support team at: [email protected]. Or you can check out other helpful articles and walkthroughs at the Sidekick Help Desk by visiting https://help.sidekick.tv.

Finally, if you choose to use the new Sidekick… let us know how you do it and what types of polls you do because we want to highlight you. Our goal is to highlight a youth worker every week with different ways they’ve used Sidekick to help their students engage. If you’re interested in being recognized as a Sidekick Hero, just click the big red button below:

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15 Apr 2024

Getting the Most out of Youth Pastor Conferences

By |2024-04-15T08:14:57-07:00April 15th, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas|1 Comment

Hey there, youth pastor! So, you’ve got a conference coming up, huh? Awesome! These events are like fuel for our ministry engines—full of ideas, inspiration, and, let’s be real, a little bit of overwhelm too. But fear not, I’ve got some tips to help you rock that conference like a pro.

Take Notes: Scribble, Type, Whatever Works!

First things first, bring something to take notes with. Whether you’re a pen-and-paper purist or a digital note-taker, just make sure you’re jotting down those gems of wisdom that speakers drop, those lightbulb moments during workshops, and maybe even the occasional doodle (hey, creativity knows no bounds, right?).

Cut Yourself Some Slack

Listen, we all want to be superheroes and implement a gazillion new ideas the second we get back to our ministries. But reality check: that’s just not feasible. So, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t do it all. Pick a couple of things that really resonate with you, and focus on those. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your ministry be transformed overnight. It’s a process, friend.

One Big Action: Keep It Simple

Alright, so you’re jazzed up after the conference and ready to conquer the world. But here’s the deal: pick one big action to take when you get back. Just one. Whether it’s launching a new small group series, revamping your social media game, or finally getting that coffee hangout with your youth group rolling—choose something and go all in. Trust me, simplicity is key.

Embrace the Vibes and the Community

Last but not least, soak it all in. Connect with your fellow youth pastors, swap stories, share struggles, and lift each other up. You’re not in this alone, my friend. And remember, it’s not just about the sessions and workshops—it’s about the relationships you build and the community you’re a part of. Soak up those good vibes and let them fuel your journey.

In a nutshell, youth pastor conferences are like a buffet of goodness for our souls and ministries. Take notes, be kind to yourself, focus on one big action, and soak up the community vibes. You’ve got this! Now go out there and rock that conference like the youth ministry ninja you are.

Looking for a youth pastor conference? We’ve got a great one for you! Check it out below:

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11 Apr 2024

Free game in Sidekick! – Cereal Killer

By |2024-04-11T09:10:14-07:00April 11th, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

Have a cereal night at youth group with this fun, 6-week cereal elimination bracket! Use one poll each of the next 6 weeks to reveal the final top 6 cereals in your youth ministry. Be sure to write down the winner each week so you can input them into the Grand Final week 7 poll … to reveal the best cereal of all time!

You could also easily modify this to play all in the same service or at an event as well!

Sidekick is DYM’s brand-new presentation software! With interactive elements like live voting, name picker, wheels, and weekly free premium content, Sidekick is the future of presenting! Plus it’s cloud-based, so you can build your presentation at home and find it ready to go wherever you log in.

If you’re using Sidekick and you run into any issues, or if you just have a question, please feel free to reach out to our support team at: [email protected]. Or you can check out other helpful articles and walkthroughs at the Sidekick Help Desk by visiting https://help.sidekick.tv.

Finally, if you choose to use the new Sidekick… let us know how you do it and what types of polls you do because we want to highlight you. Our goal is to highlight a youth worker every week with different ways they’ve used Sidekick to help their students engage. If you’re interested in being recognized as a Sidekick Hero, just click the big red button below:

If you’re using Sidekick and you run into any issues, or if you just have a question, please feel free to reach out to our support team at: [email protected]. Or you can check out other helpful articles and walkthroughs at the Sidekick Help Desk by visiting https://help.sidekick.tv.

Finally, if you choose to use the new Sidekick… let us know how you do it and what types of polls you do because we want to highlight you. Our goal is to highlight a youth worker every week with different ways they’ve used Sidekick to help their students engage. If you’re interested in being recognized as a Sidekick Hero, just click the big red button below:

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11 Apr 2024

Helping Youth Workers Win This April!

By |2024-04-11T09:05:06-07:00April 11th, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas, Youth Ministry Resources|0 Comments

AMAZING DEALS ONLY IN APRIL!

Our team at DYM is made up of youth workers! We have hundreds of years of combined experience and a heart that wants to make your life easier and better. Andt that’s not all. We want to save you time so you can do what we can’t do: disciple your students… care for your parents… and spend time with your volunteers.

We’ve combined some of the best deals we’ve ever had and we’re offering ALL of them to you in the month of April! We’re here to help you win!

Check Out All Of Our April Deals Here

We’ve made the DYM Membership EVEN better.

Gold NOW gets 25 voting connections in Sidekick (previously 5!)

A NEW monthly countdown video added to member downloads (in addition to the normal membership video!)

AND, get 20-50% off in-person events (new this year!)

Check Out The Memberships Here

Super Summer Mega Pack? Yes, please!

$200 worth of epic, time-saving summer resources for only $99!

Plug-and-play games, complete teaching series’, graphics, videos, summer camp resources, themed events, and 2 high-quality summer calendar designs to choose from – it’s all included! You have to see it to believe it!

Check Out the Summer Mega Pack Here

We’re launching Coleader Year 2 in May, Save BIG in April!

Subscribe to Coleader Premium+ (or extend your current Premium+ subscription) during April and get 20% off! That gives you an ENTIRE YEAR of curriculum, games, countdowns, and events for only $320! That’s about $6 per week for a fully complete program.

CHECK OUT COLEADER AND USE CODE: WINNING2024 AT CHECKOUT

Buy the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training, get YMU for ONLY $99 (that’s a $150 savings)!

If you sign up for the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training(either to host it or to own it) we’ll give you complete access to 125 video courses on YMUniversity.com for the renewal price of only $99.

Your volunteers can get world-class training on their device of choice 24/7 all year long! Check it out here!

Check out the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training Here

Become a Platinum Member and get a $100 Starbucks card on us!

Platinum Membership has everything you’ll need for the year (Coleader access, YMUniversity, Events, 50% discounts from the store, etc…).

Join in April and we’ll personally send you a $100 gift card to Starbucks so you can have a relaxing beverage on us throughout the year… we know you need it!

Check out the Platinum Membership Here

Get $50 Off a DYM Southern California Event This Fall!

You’re the leader, you need some rest and training and networking and learning and fun! We have all that waiting for you this fall at our events in Southern California.

We’d love for you to join us for Your First Decade in Youth Ministry Conferenceor DYM100: Roundtable Conversations Conference. We’ve got a $50 discount for you if you sign up this month!

Check out the YOUR FIRST DECADE IN YOUTH MINISTRY CONFERENCE HERE
Check out the DYM100: Roundtable Conversations Conference Here
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8 Apr 2024

What do the solar eclipse and youth ministry have in common?

By |2024-04-08T06:33:30-07:00April 8th, 2024|Youth Pastor Life|8 Comments

I asked AI what youth ministry and the solar eclipse share in common. This is what it told me!

  1. “Blinded by the Light”: In both youth ministry and during a solar eclipse, there’s a risk of being “blinded by the light.” In youth ministry, it might be a metaphorical blinding by the sheer enthusiasm and energy of the young people you work with, while during a solar eclipse, it’s quite literal – staring directly at the sun during an eclipse can be blinding! So, in both cases, it’s essential to proceed with caution and wear appropriate eye protection!
  2. “The Eclipse of Coolness”: Just as the moon temporarily blocks out the sun during an eclipse, sometimes in youth ministry, there’s a momentary “eclipse of coolness” when the adult leaders try to relate to the latest trends or slang used by the students. It might result in awkward moments and confused looks, similar to the temporary darkness during an eclipse.
  3. “Sermons vs. Solar Phenomena”: One funny comparison could involve the attention span of the audience. In youth ministry, keeping the attention of teenagers during a sermon can sometimes feel like trying to hold their focus during a solar eclipse – challenging! You might find yourself competing with distractions, whether it’s smartphones or the allure of the great outdoors, much like the sun competes with clouds during an eclipse.
  4. “The Bright Side of Confusion”: During both youth ministry events and solar eclipses, there’s often some confusion. Whether it’s trying to coordinate schedules for youth group activities or figuring out the best viewing spot for an eclipse, things don’t always go as planned. But hey, sometimes the best memories and laughter come from those moments of chaos and confusion!

Looking at my 16 years of youth ministry experience, I think the robots nailed it.

What do you think?

Stay safe out there, and don’t look directly into the sun!

Need a game to play with your students that deals with the eclipse? Check this one out!

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5 Apr 2024

How do I Sign Into the NEW Sidekick?

By |2024-04-18T14:59:22-07:00April 5th, 2024|Sidekick, Sidekick Hero Blog, Sidekick: What's New, Youth Ministry Hacks, Youth Ministry Ideas|0 Comments

DYM Gold Members Rejoice! Sidekick is included in your membership!

1000’s of your youth ministry friends are using it every week. If you haven’t poked around yet and tried out Crowd Voting, the FREE section, the one-click integration to DYM products you already own, the “presenting from your phone or iPad”… there’s so much. And, we’re making it better every day.

Here’s how to log-in:

Let us know what you think and what you’d want for us to include in the ever-growing FREE category next. Even 100’s of your recent DYM purchases are instantly available in Sidekick to insert in just 1-click!.

Let us know if you have any questions,

Doug & Josh
[email protected]

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4 Apr 2024

Coming Soon: Looping Slides!! (and more!)

By |2024-04-04T11:27:15-07:00April 4th, 2024|Sidekick, Sidekick Hero Blog|0 Comments

Without a doubt, this has been our MOST REQUESTED Sidekick feature, and I’m super-excited to say that it’s really close to being ready!

Yes. I’m talking about…

LOOPING SLIDES!!

It may still be another week or so before it’s ready for release, so I can’t show you a full walkthrough just yet, but I can show you some of the progress we’re making. Check it out:

That’s right! In the very near future, you’ll be able to add all of your announcement slides to a single section and then set the timer & walk away! And just like you’d expect, each slide will play for the specified length of time before automatically moving on to the next one. And when it gets to the end of the section, it’ll just automatically loop back to the beginning of the section.

But how about I just show you instead?

(click image to enlarge)

Again, it’s still a week or so away from being ready for prime time, but I just wanted to let you know that we’re listening and we are working tirelessly to make sure that Sidekick is the absolute best it can possibly be!

And the only way that happens is if you tell us what you need. Thankfully, we have a great way for our users to suggest new features and vote on features that have already been suggested! So feel free to head over to our Feature Suggestion Page by clicking the button below:

Request a New Sidekick Feature!

I’m so excited about Looping Slides that I almost forgot to mention another incredible feature that we’re working on…

Oh, wait. That’s right. Doug said that I am definitely not supposed to say anything about the upcoming video control feature that will let users set a starting point for videos as well as jump to specific timecodes while playing. Yeah, I’m definitely not supposed to say anything about that…

Oops… 😅

Until next time!

Blessings,

Josh Boldman

If you’re using Sidekick and you run into any issues, or if you just have a question, please feel free to reach out to our support team at: [email protected]. Or you can check out other helpful articles and walkthroughs at the Sidekick Help Desk by visiting https://help.sidekick.tv.

Finally, if you choose to use the new Sidekick… let us know how you do it and what types of polls you do because we want to highlight you. Our goal is to highlight a youth worker every week with different ways they’ve used Sidekick to help their students engage. If you’re interested in being recognized as a Sidekick Hero, just click the big red button below:

If you’re using Sidekick and you run into any issues, or if you just have a question, please feel free to reach out to our support team at: [email protected]. Or you can check out other helpful articles and walkthroughs at the Sidekick Help Desk by visiting https://help.sidekick.tv.

Finally, if you choose to use the new Sidekick… let us know how you do it and what types of polls you do because we want to highlight you. Our goal is to highlight a youth worker every week with different ways they’ve used Sidekick to help their students engage. If you’re interested in being recognized as a Sidekick Hero, just click the big red button below:

Read More
1 Apr 2024

Post Easter Recovery Guide

By |2024-04-01T04:25:16-07:00April 1st, 2024|Youth Pastor Life|2 Comments

Happy Easter Monday! I pray you had a great time celebrated the resurrected Jesus. That’s what youth ministry is all about! But let’s be real, you’re probably exhausted. Your church may have had a few more services than normal, a few more responsibilities got put on your plate, and you may have been asked to be Jesus in the Easter pageant because you’re the only one on staff who can grow a beard.

So, how do you recover from a really busy and hectic Easter season?

You can do a few things TODAY to help you reset, recharge, and avoid burnout.

Go Home!

No seriously. Get out of the office. Go home. You may have worked more than many hours at the office this last week. And if you attended a lot more services than normal, you have banked more than enough for a personal day. Take it. You’ll never be totally ready for a day off and never “get that time back”, so go home. Right now.

Turn Off Your Phone

Don’t just put it on “do not disturb,” but turn it off for an hour—just one hour free of notifications, dings, and emergencies. Take that time to pray, listen to music, read scripture, and reconnect with God. We use most of Easter to encourage and teach others. It’s possible we didn’t quite take anything in ourselves, so use this chance to reconnect.

Touch Grass

Easter services are a blast. We get to celebrate the Risen Savior and rejoice! We also probably did a lot of that under fluorescent lights and under the roof of our buildings. So get outside. Go for a walk. Maybe even take off your shoes and touch the ground. There’s something about nature that helps me reconnect with God. Being outside reminds me of how big God is, whether under a canopy of trees or looking at the expanse of the sky.

Reconnect with Students

Recharging can also mean reconnecting with people! Easter may have meant seeing some students you haven’t connected with in a while. After you turn your phone back on, send three texts just to say you were glad to see these students around! Let them know how much seeing them made you smile.

Ok! Now, you might be ready to dive back into the race and work of student ministry. Just remember to take moments to pause and see who God is. Let’s not miss Easter because we were so busy showing Easter to others.

Blessings to you all!

Are you feeling a little burnt out and not sure what to do next for youth group after a crazy busy season? Consider giving Coleader a look! Lessons planned, games already chosen, songs selected. It’s a ton of helpful tools for you, the youth pastor, to get back to ministering to students!

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26 Mar 2024

Exciting New Updates to This Year’s National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training

By |2024-03-26T00:10:31-07:00March 26th, 2024|Leadership, Training, Volunteers|1 Comment

This video-driven, fun, and momentum-building event, with practical youth ministry training for your volunteers, is back for it’s 6th year! And we’ve made some exciting updates to ensure it’s tailored perfectly for you and your team.

  1. NEW: You get to CHOOSE the training date!
    We’ll deliver the training to you on August 1st, 2024!
  2. NEW: Customize the training how you want the day to go.
    The training will be hosted on Coleader, which means you can customize it however you’d like! Lots of flexibility… you can choose to make it shorter or longer.
  3. NEW: Gold/Gold+ Members get 35% off!
    Only $161 to own exclusively for your church or $259 to host (before April 1)! Learn more about Gold and Gold+.
  4. NEW: Gift it to your community or CHARGE for admission!
    Those who host can charge whatever they want. You’re in control of the pricing. Use it as a fundraiser or invite people to come for FREE.
  5. NEW: Platinum Members get the training included in their membership! Learn more about Platinum.
  6. NEW: Training topics & NEW speakers just announced!

Doug Fields
Author, Speaker and co-founder of Download Youth Ministry

Kristen Lascola
Junior High Pastor, North Coast Church and creator/host of “The Ministry Coach” podcast

Josh Griffin
Junior High Pastor at Mariners Church, Speaker and co-founder of Download Youth Ministry

Oza Jones
Director of African American Ministries for The Texas Baptists Convention

Zach Luben
Director of Chapel, Seaver College, Pepperdine University

Brock Morgan
Associate Pastor of The Bridge Chino, Speaker and Author of 20 books including The Anxious Teen

Jessica Sanchez
Youth Worker, Spiritual Director and part of the Download Youth Ministry team

Sean McDowell
Author, Speaker and Biola University Christian Apologetics Professor

 

2024 TRAINING TOPICS

Why your Youth Pastor NEEDS your Teamwork

5 Secrets of a Veteran Volunteer

Effective Up-close Discipleship

The Power of Asking Questions

Navigating Youth Group Drama

Faith Formation to the iPhone Generation

When Interruptions Become Ministry Opportunities

The Anxious Teen: Ministry That Builds Resilience and Connection to God

 

Prices increase on April 1st, sign up now to save $50!

Have questions?

Reach out to our team [email protected] – we’d love to connect with you!

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25 Mar 2024

Empowering Students in Evangelism: The Power of ‘Who Is Your One?’

By |2024-03-25T09:04:17-07:00March 25th, 2024|Youth Ministry Ideas|5 Comments

When it comes to evangelism, many students find the concept overwhelming. The idea of going out and telling all their friends about Jesus can seem daunting. There’s a common misconception that evangelism requires boldness, public speaking, or street preaching. However, there’s a simpler and more effective approach that breaks down this big idea into something more manageable and realistic: “Who Is Your One?”

“What is ‘Who Is Your One’?”

“Who Is Your One” is an initiative we have been doing in our ministry that encourages students to be intentional about reaching out to a friend they already have who doesn’t know Jesus. It’s about nurturing existing relationships, being there for them, praying for them, inviting them to church, and engaging in conversations about faith. The goal is for students to demonstrate their own relationship with Jesus through their friendship, ultimately leading their friend to a deeper understanding of faith.

This approach to evangelism is rooted in Jesus’ own interactions with people. He often spent time with individuals, inviting himself into their lives and showing them love and acceptance, regardless of their background or beliefs. It’s a relational approach that students can relate to and implement in their own lives.

Why “Who Is Your One” Matters:

In our ministry, “Who Is Your One” has been instrumental in driving growth and impact over the last two years. By encouraging students to focus on just one person, we’ve seen a significant increase in effectiveness and engagement.

How We Implemented “Who Is Your One”:

  • Vision Series: At the beginning of the school year, we introduced the concept of “Who Is Your One” through a dedicated vision series. This series laid the foundation for why this initiative is important and challenged our students to take action.
  • Business Cards: We created business cards with the prompt “My one is ________,” allowing students to fill in the name of their chosen person. These cards served as a daily reminder and were also shared with small group leaders for accountability.
  • Leader Training: We provided training for our leaders at the start of the school year to equip them with the tools and understanding to support their students in reaching their “one.”
  • Curriculum Integration: We integrated “Who Is Your One” updates into our curriculum, ensuring that the topic was regularly addressed in small group discussions.
  • Storytelling: We shared stories of success from our campuses, highlighting instances where someone’s “one” had come to church and started a relationship with Jesus. These stories served as inspiration and motivation for students.
  • Celebration: We celebrated students and leaders who embraced the “Who Is Your One” initiative, both privately and publicly. Recognizing their efforts encouraged others to follow suit.
  • Service Integration: We made sure to incorporate “Who Is Your One” into every service, reinforcing its importance and keeping it at the forefront of our ministry culture.

The Impact of “Who Is Your One”:

By empowering students to own and embrace the concept of “Who Is Your One,” we’ve witnessed a transformation in how we approach evangelism. Students are better equipped and motivated to reach out to their friends, knowing that they have the support and encouragement of their community.

The beauty of “Who Is Your One” lies in its simplicity and accessibility. It doesn’t require fancy events or elaborate strategies. It’s about genuine friendship and creating a safe space where students feel comfortable inviting their friends to explore faith together.

“Who Is Your One” is not just a program; it’s a mindset shift that empowers students to be ambassadors of Jesus in their own circles. By focusing on one person at a time, students can make a meaningful impact and share the love of Christ in a tangible and relatable way. Let’s continue to nurture this culture of evangelism and support students as they embark on this journey of faith and friendship.

– Justin

Need help with a resource from DYM? We got you!

Want to get your students moving? Our faith is meant to be one of action. Get your students to understand these 3 key teachings from the life of Christ, all including the challenge to “GO”:

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