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After 23 years at the same church, I’m leaving my church. In the end, it’s not just me leaving. My family joins me. More specifically, my wife Janelle has played a crucial role in this whole story of transition. She joins me today as we talk through her side of the story.

Mentioned in the show:
LISTEN TO THE previous episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-big-announcement-leaving-my-church-not-youth-ministry/id1338273697?i=1000452597738

CHECK OUT THE OTHER AMAZING PODCASTS FROM THE DYM PODCAST NETWORK: The Podcast and other DYM podcasts on the Web: http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com

EPISODE 50: Submit your question about this transition.
Through Twitter or Instagram @mythirddecade
Through the “Submit a Question” tab at http://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com
Email: derry@mythirddecade.com

Listen to “49: Janelle’s Perspective – Leaving My Church; NOT Leaving Youth Ministry” on Spreaker.

On Thursday, September 26 news went public that I am leaving my church. You may be saying, “WHAAAAAAA?” Fortunately, this is not your normal “Youth pastor got fired/ burns out/ can’t get along with his/her church” story.

Today’s episode in Three Acts to share my story of making one of the biggest transitions of my life:
ACT 1: The Announcement – A reading of my letter to the Church family and friends (with some wicked sweet music underneath – slightly too self-important – but give me a a little latitude y’all; it’s been 23 years!)

ACT 2: The Explanation – There is no back story on this all in the sense of anything toxic, bad blood, etc., but there is a fuller story than 5 paragraphs can unfold. I take a little time to lay out a timeline dating back three years in how I see God preparing me for this move.

ACT 3: The Interview – My good friends Andrew Larsen and Timothy Miller from The Morning After Ministry Podcast asked me a ton of questions about this move. Including a big one: So what now with this podcast?

Mentioned in the show:
LISTEN TO THE STIRRING LAST FALL: Referenced multiple times is Episode 25 – Lane Location and Life-Calling: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/25-lane-location-life-calling/id1338273697?i=1000423499239

THE MORNING AFTER MINISTRY:
On Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/morningafterministry/
On iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-morning-after-ministry-show/id1349907674

Listen to “48: The Big Announcement: Leaving My Church; Not Youth Ministry” on Spreaker.

Do you have that kid or kids from a unique or rough home situation? Carter was one of those kids who entered our ministry. Now as a youth pastor serving at Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church in Goshen, IN, he and I look back on those years to highlight some lessons learned from his experience where the church became his family in so many ways. STAY TUNED FOR A SPECIAL EPISODE COMING SOON TO TALK ABOUT SOME BIG NEWS. Listen to “47: Meet Carter Ammerman” on Spreaker.

He’s at the host church for Student Leadership Conference. He’s only worked at one church for 15 years. He a great dude and a great friend with some strong wisdom to pass your way. Listen all the way through on this way, because there is pure gold toward the end.
Connect with John
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnkeim
Twitter and Insta: @john.keim
Email: jkeim@grangerchurch.com

Listen to “46: Meet John Keim” on Spreaker.

You’ve got your entire school year planned out, I’m sure. BUT, I want to throw out 5 thoughts to consider as you walk through another ministry year. There are a lot of youth ministry-focused podcast, but this is a youth minister-focused podcast.

Stick around post-show to hear some recommended DYM resources that you could use heading into the Fall. Here are the links:

Meet Your Leader: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/meet-your-leader-profiles
Parent Letter Templates: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/parent-letter-templates
Holiday or Not-a-Day Bundle: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/holiday-or-not-a-day-bundle
He Speaks Series: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/he-speaks-series
Listen To God Interactive Worship Experience: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/listen-to-god

Listen to “45: 5 Thoughts for Youth Ministers Heading into this School Year” on Spreaker.

It’s been a crazy and full Summer for me on many fronts. Has it been for you? Have you taken time to reflect and evaluate? I take some time (while on the road, sorry for the added road and engine sounds) to share some reflections on the importance of reflecting!

Check out What Happened/What’s Next debriefing tool on DYM: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/what-happened-whats-next

Listen to “44: Summer Youth Ministry Reflections” on Spreaker.

It’s Camp Season. Be intentional with it. In part 3 I take time to answer your Camp Questions you submitted.

Listen to “43: What We Do With Summer Camps Pt 3” on Spreaker.

It’s Camp Season. Be intentional with it. In part 2 I walk through some specific things we’ve done with Camps to move toward our four goals with Camp that I outlined on Episode 41.

For Episode 43 I’m going to answer your questions about Camp. Submit those questions through social media, email, or on the DYM Podcast Network site (links below)

Post-Credit Plug:
12 in 12 Summer Edition: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/twelve-in-twelve-summer-edition-game
First to 10 Summer Edition: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/first-to-ten-summer-edition-sidekick-game
Clumps Summer Edition: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/clumps-summer-edition
Digital Engagement Parent Notebook: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/digital-engagement-workbook-for-parents
Adolescence Parenting and Technology: https://www.downloadyouthministry.com/adolescence-technology-and-parenting

Listen to “42: What We Do w/Summer Camps – Pt 2” on Spreaker.

It’s Camp Season. Be intentional with it. For this episode and the next two I will share some of what we do with Summer Camps. This one is all about our 4 goals with our Camps, how we landed on them, and why they are the ones we chose.

Listen to “41: What We Do w/Summer Camps – Pt 1” on Spreaker.

Two Thoughts. One Question. On Prayer.
I take some time to reflect on the amount of situations and stories surrounding youth ministers leaving their church or losing their job over the past few months. What is happening? Is the youth ministry sky falling? How should we respond?

Mentioned in the show:
My conversation with Justin Knowles about partnering with Children’s Minsitry on the Youth Ministry Hacks Podcast:
On iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/54-hacks-on-aligning-childrens-student-ministry-in/id1229403372?i=1000439434425
On the Web: https://podcast.downloadyouthministry.com/54-hacks-on-aligning-childrens-student-ministry-in-your-church-w-derry-prenkert/

Listen to “40: Youth Ministry Turnover” on Spreaker.