We Were Thinking

If you're a Youth Minister, what mission trips do you take? Do you take any? Should you? Join Steve and Matt as they talk about why you should consider mission trips, and what kind of options there are out there in your own Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth!  

Matthew 6:21 says "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." This is true figuratively and literally. We care about things we have invested in. Why are so many marriages falling apart, especially once the kids leave the house? It's because we're not investing in our spouses! Join Steve and Matt today as they discuss what it looks like and why you should invest in your spouse. 

This one is geared specifically towards ministers and organizing your ministry. Chocked full of very practical advice, Steve shares experience from his time in ministry of how organization pays off. Taking you through the process of planning, the guys say you should: Pray Where do you want to go and goals to achieve. Calendar, put it on the calendar asap. Big events such as camp, missions, retreat...

Sometimes decisions are very clear cut, and sometimes they are a little more difficult. When it comes to politics and deciding who to vote for (especially with the 2024 Presidential elections coming up so quickly here in the U.S.) sometimes you need a tool to filter through what everyone else is telling you, and listen to what the Holy Spirit says. We don't take sides and we won't tell you who to...

Have you ever heard the term "the gospel" and cringed, or felt like you had to think up a clever way of telling people about Jesus? Maybe you went through some kind of training in the past or learned a formula. How do we live our lives where the Gospel is the center of it? Is it really that important? Do you ever have times where you feel like you've tried and tried but the Gospel just isn't getti...

In this episode, we mention a great group, Axis.org. With their permission, we use one of their resources, an article on Teen Dating, which you can access here . Teen dating can be a scary time for your teen, and also you as a parent. Join Steve and Matt as they wade into these waters. 

Have you ever heard someone say "I don't have to go to church to be a Christian?" or maybe "My faith is private, and I don't need to involve other people with that." Steve and Matt discuss what the church is, and why we need it. You may be a person that has been hurt by a church or church people. You've come to the right place! Join the guys as they talk about the church!    Intro Music: Wes Cepin...

This episode was a question sent in by a listener. As a new youth minister, he was wondering what advice or wisdom Steve had when it comes to setting values and goals for your youth ministry. Listen up YM's, this one has some great advice for building the culture in your ministry!

Have you ever wondered what translation of the Bible is right for you? Check out this episode where we discuss (with some of our friends!) what translation(s) we use and why.  Check out this website for a great comprehensive list of Bible translations from Logos bible software. https://wiki.logos.com/Bible_Translation_Spectrum Intro music: Wes Cepin Outro music: Matt Coleman

This is part 2 in the conversation where the guys talk about how to have a lasting marriage. Make sure you check out part 1 before jumping into this one. 

Have you ever seen and elderly couple that acts like they are newlyweds? How do you get there? Steve and Matt talk about how to have a lasting marriage in this first of a two-part conversation. 

What do you do when you have kids that are rebellious? How do you show them love even when you've had it up to here? Steve and Matt talk through raising kids and being parents, even when it gets tough. 

This one is for all Youth Ministers. Steve talks about being a youth minister and why he stayed a youth minister all the way to retirement. Steve & Matt as they talk about the rewards and benefits of staying in Youth mInistry. 

Nothing makes people get defensive and upset quite as quickly as politics. In this episode, Matt and Steve don't tell you who to vote for, which party to be part of or even where they stand politically. What they do discuss is what it means to be a Christian in America and what we should do with our right to vote. 

Maybe you've never heard the term Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, but maybe you've heard the term "Jesus Take the Wheel!" Especially in America and some of the west, the idea of Christianity has been reduced to "Be a good person, do what makes you happy, and your feelings are what matter more than anything. Basically we sprinkle a little religion into "being good" and think that's what Jesus died fo...

Matt asks Steve, "How do you stay relevant as you age as a youth minister? or is staying relevant important as a minister?" Great conversation ensues about what it means to stay relevant and how the word is never out of style!    Intro Music: Wes Cepin Outro Music: Matt Coleman 

While this one could be directed to people who study scripture to preach, teach or lead groups, it's also for anybody. How do we find joy in reading the scripture when it seems to get stale or boring? The guys discuss some of their favorite ways to read and how to fall in love with the Bible all over again.    Intro Music: Wes Cepin Outro Music: Matt Coleman

In an age of rampant divorce, co-habitation and non-commitment, Steve and Matt talk about the importance of the marriage relationship and committing for the long-term. We do not condemn or browbeat those who have been divorced, but we talk about the importance of the marriage vows and how to stick it through and not only survive, but thrive!    Intro music: Wes Cepin Outro music: Matt Coleman

Continuing the conversation about anxiety and depression, Matt shares his story, and the guys talk through what scripture has to say. Make sure you listen to part 1 first!    Intro Music: Wes Cepin Outro Music: Matt Coleman

Anxiety and depression are a modern pandemic. Steve and Matt talk about their family experience with anxiety and the devastating effect it has in our day-to-day lives. This one is really important, so we'll take the time to do this in two parts.    Intro Music: Wes Cepin Outro Music: Matt Coleman

When it comes to raising children, teaching them to respect their elders is crucial in training them how to interact with others in the future. It seems like empathy and understanding are diminished in our culture and we feel like it must begin in the home. As always, start with the end result in mind, and work towards that end.    Intro music by Wes Cepin Outro music by Matt Coleman

We were at an event and asked youth ministers to ask any question they'd like. One person asked what advice we would give to youth ministers (or any minister) that is just getting started. This sparked a whole brainstorm for us about conversations to have when you're just starting out, or even if you are firmly embedded in the trenches of ministry. Today's episode is an overview of some basic idea...

We are by no means experts in romance, but thi sis an important part of the marriage relationship. We're not talking about sex; we're talking about intimacy, which is a completely different concept. Join Matt and Steve as they talk about why it's important, and even some practical steps to keep romance alive in your marriage.    Intro music by Wes Cepin Outro music by Matt Coleman

Being a parent is a difficult job. We want what's best for our children, but sometimes we just want to be liked! The problem is, that when you decide to be your child's friend, you can cause great damage to the relationship you have with your children. What's more important, having a child that likes you, or having a great relationship with your children in the future? Today, we talk about the lon...

Steve and Matt discuss a little more about the difference between the "essence" and the "expression" of worship. How can we worship God when we don't care for the style of music being played?    Intro music by Wes Cepin Outro music by Matt Coleman