What I love about social media is that every year I discover new people that I learn from and follow. Then, what I like to do is to share them with you all. In fact, I take 6 people or groups and highlight them once a year, usually at the end of December or early January. To find out my lists from previous years you can just like the year (2016, 2017 2018, 2019 and 2020). While 2020 was challenging, the reality is, if you were following any of the digital ministers I have shared about in the past, like Ben Stapley, Dave Adamson, Jeff Reed, Katie Allred, Jeanette Yates, Seth Muse, just to name a few, you would have gotten a lot of great encouragement and help in 2020, especially with the onslaught of COVID. Well now we are into 2021. And with the new year I have 6 new ones to follow. These may already be people you know and follow, but if not, I hope you discover them to be as helpful as I do. The criteria that I have is that they are involved in Church Communications, Social Media, Student or Family Ministry or Online Ministry. They also need to be producing great blogs, vlogs or podcasts on a consistent basis. If they do not post regularly, they aren’t one the list. I am not going recommend you follow someone if they aren’t being consistent in their postings, no matter how great their content is. And that’s it. It’s pretty simple but those are the two important aspects of my criteria. So, in NO particular order, here are the top 6 to seek out in 2021: Rey De Armas. I met Rey a few years ago from a mutual friend, Jeff Reed. Rey is the Online Pastor at Christ Fellowship in Miami, Florida. Rey is very active on Twitter posting on a variety of topics such as Miami sports, comics, movies and Jesus, just to name a few. He is passionate about people coming to know Jesus and mobilizing others to minister to their friends and family (I have had him on the podcast before talking about this).  He also co-hosts the Church Digital Podcast with Jeff Reed. Tyler Samson. Tyler is the Lead Pastor at Church Anywhere. He is also an Admin for the Online + Digital Church Leaders Facebook Group. The group is designed for Online and Digital Minsters looking to learn from each other. It’s a great group with tons of help. In addition to this, he is an Admin for the Online  has his own YouTube channel as well. On this channel he has devotionals, short films and covers of other songs in hopes to reach people for Christ. It’s a great idea. Digivangelism. I first discovered Digivangelism on TikTok in 2020. Their goal is to help “church leaders reach people with the love of Jesus ONLINE”. And, they do just that. What I really appreciate about what they do is that they are very active on TikTok which not a ton of minsters are at the moment. But, with their encouragement for ministers and this very helpful TikTok guide for Churches, hopefully more Churches and minister will get on TikTok this coming year.

Follow up from a ministry event is always important. And the great thing about it is that there are a variety of ways you can follow up with people after an event is over. One of the biggest events of the year for your Church or Ministry is Christmas. So how do you effectively follow up after Christmas services at your Church? That is why I have Jeanette Yates sharing with me today. She is the Communications Manager for Text in Church and we talk about effective Christmas guest follow up for your Church or ministry. Check out her Facebook Group for Christmas Follow Up. Learn more about the Engage Conference. ACTION STEPS: * Share your thoughts! What do you think? How do you do guest follow up from Christmas? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post. * If you want to connect with Jeanette you can find her on Twitter. She is very active on social media, especially on Twitter so get in touch with her. * Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

Creating student discipleship opportunities is a primary objective for Student Ministers. And while Christmas time is a festive and celebratory time of year, there are also plenty of discipleship opportunities you can have with students. To talk about student discipleship opportunities over Christmas is Cory Sullivan. We go over some very simple things student ministers can do and welcome you to share about your ideas as well. Hear Cory and I discuss and then share your insights below or with us on Twitter. ACTION STEPS: * What about you?  What student discipleship are you doing over Christmas?  Share what you do with us below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.  * Cory is a great resource and you can find him blogging here.  You can also follow him on Instagram here. He’s a great resource so hit him up and pick his brain. * Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

In the Bible it says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT). That was really pushed to the limits in 2020. There has been so much emphasis on what went wrong in 2020 that it is hard to think about what being thankful in 2020. So, I called up and texted a bunch of my friends and asked them what they have to be thankful for in 2020. So, hear from Ben Stapley, Robert Caries, Justin Nava, Jeff Reed, Cory Sullivan, Ben Kerns, and Jeanette Yates as they wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and also share about what they are thankful for in 2020. ACTION STEPS: * What about you?  What are you thankful for this year?  Share what you do with us below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.  * Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

We all know what a tough here 2020 has been. We don’t need to get into how much it has changed the world and people all over anymore. However, what do do need to get into is how can we help people finish the year strong. Especially students. With me today is Cory Sullivan and we are going to talk about how we, as ministers, can help students finish 2020 strong. We talk about 4 specific things student ministers can do, but we know that there are other ways you can do that as well. Hear Cory and I discuss and then share your insights below or with us on Twitter. ACTION STEPS: * What about you?  How are you helping students finish 2020 strong?  Share what you do with us below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick to share.  * Cory is a great resource and you can find him blogging here.  You can also follow him on Instagram here. He’s a great resource so hit him up and pick his brain. * Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email him here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

Let’s face it, the world is not going to back to “normal”. At the time of this episode the pandemic has been going on for over 7 months and it doesn’t seem to be nearing an end anytime soon. And, even if it did end today, people will not go back to a “normal” life for quite some time. So how do you disciple others in this pandemic world so that they can grow spiritually and also disciple others. To help me figure this out, I have Stan Rodda back on the podcast today. Today we talk about how to train and equip disciple people so they can disciples others makers in this pandemic world. ACTION STEPS: * Share your thoughts! How are you discipling others in this pandemic world? What are you doing and what tools are you using? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post. * If you want to connect with Stan you can read his blog and watch his videos here on 4Gen or you can find him on Twitter. He is very active on social media so definitely hit him up if you have a question. * If you are interested in being part of one of Stan’s 4Gen Cohorts, check them out here. And they are FREE! * Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

Digital Discipleship can be done in a variety of ways. It doesn’t have to be done through just online groups. It can be done through text messaging and encouragement. Today Penn State Alum Steve Lutz joins the podcast to share about what he and his Church is doing through Front Yard Mission. Front Yard Mission is really assisted through Next Step which helps people in your Church go through the training and modules to hep people disciple others in person or on digital. Find out more about it and how it can help you and your Church make disciples digitally. ACTION STEPS: * Share your thoughts! What do you do? How are you doing Digital Discipleship? Have you thought about using text messaging to disciple and encourage others digitally? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post. * If you want to connect with Steve you can find him on Twitter. He is very active on social media so definitely hit him up if you have a question. * Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

You social media community can be very diverse. But that doesn’t mean you have to confuse them with your social media posts. That is why Adam McLaughlin is back on the podcast today. Using his blog post, “Your church’s social media strategy is confusing your community“, Adam and I discuss how you can work at clarifying your strategy on social media so that your community can be engaged more. ACTION STEPS: * Share your thoughts! What do you do? How are you sharing with your social media community that isn’t confusing? Share below or on Twitter using #ymsidekick when you post. * If you want to connect with Adam you can read his blog here and gets some great FREE ebooks here. You can also find him on Twitter. He is very active on social media so definitely hit him up if you have a question. Also, check out Sermon Clipper, the new tool that helps Churches create videos that you can use throughout the week. * Facebook Group! Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

The YM Sidekick Podcast has been around for quite a few years and has been a chance for me to interview ministry leaders who are in the trenches everyday working hard to minister to people in today’s world. Over the spring, I started a new show called the Digital in 5 Show. I’ve enjoyed doing both YM Sidekick Shows over the past few months. Because of this, I am going to continue doing them both. Starting next week, I will be alternating a new episode from either the YM Sidekick Podcast or the Digital in 5 Show. Next week will be a Digital in 5 Show followed by a new episode of the YM Sidekick Podcast the following week. Listen to today’s podcast outlining what lies ahead and then subscribe to both YM Sidekick shows so you can stay up to date on them. ACTION STEPS:  * Subscribe to the YM Sidekick Podcast on iTunes or on Spotify * Subscribe to the Digital in 5 Show on  iTunes or on Spotify. You can also watch on YouTube. * Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).

Student Ministry has changed over the years. Every decade has brought changes that have helped student ministers adapt and minister more effectively teenagers as they change. However, with all the tech advancements that have occurred that ministers have relied on to connect with students, when the coronavirus hit the world, an interesting thing happened. Students becomes less interested in connecting online. That caused student ministers to go back to the past and implement some older strategies and get creative in connecting and reach students today. That is why Ben Kerns is on the podcast today. He and I talk about how his team is getting creative in today’s world and developing an effective strategy to reach students today. ACTION STEPS: * Share your thoughts! How have you gone back to the basics and used older style student ministry as an effective strategy today? Share your thoughts and insights below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick. * Connect with Ben: Ben is a great friend and a tremendous ministry resource. If you would like to connect with Ben, you can a few different ways.  He’s on Twitter as well as his blogs – Average Youth Ministry (more student ministry focused) and Benjamin Kerns (more leadership focused) with tons of great insights each week. * Join the Digital Bootcamp Facebook Group to learn how to be more effective using digital tools for your ministry join the group. This is for ALL Ministers, not just Church Communicators or Social Media Managers. * Make sure you goto iTunes and subscribe or on Spotify to see what great things we talk about each and every week!  And make sure you rate the show, especially if you like it. * If you have an idea for a topic for a future podcast episode, email here. * Sign up for the Sidekick Scoop to get content from all over the ministry world (especially online and student ministry topics).