conversations from the couch

Real Stories from SYMC #1

2012-02-18T17:35:11Z

You.

Did you make it? Are you on your way? Are you sitting in a pre-conference retreat as we speak? Are you unloading your luggage from the airport carousel, gassing up the car, checking in at the hotel, wandering the bookstore, or searching for the Soul Care venue? Have you met some amazing people already? Maybe Sherri, Liz, or Matty at registration – maybe Stephanie at the IT3 booth, Mike in the Connect Group arena, Ana at the airport, or Troy coordinating volunteers – maybe you’ve met Andy, Rick, Brian, Kerensa, or 100 other people who have been watching for you. SYMC is FOR youth workers – and we’re glad you’re here…whether you are in the venue or watching online. Because the best SYMC story of all is yours!!

If we haven’t met you yet – we want to. Pick a person – any person – introduce yourself. Begin building relationships – connecting with hearts that beat like yours, minds that think like yours, Spirits that soar like yours when you express your youth ministry calling!

Thank you for coming – I cannot WAIT to get to know you. If we miss one another (there are a LOT of youth workers here!!), find me on Facebook, Twitter, or darrensutton.com.

Real Stories from SYMC #2

2012-02-22T16:35:53Z

Jesus.*

Surely you knew the Sunday school story was coming?! Seriously – from The Shelter to the speakers, the peer panels to the prayer room, the sack chairs to the sound stage – Jesus is present. He awaits your arrival with baited breath. He prays for you – comforts you – holds you up. He brings times of refreshing in the desert and rejoices over you with singing (and possibly turntables). He’s the burning bush – the thundering bass – the still, small voice. He is in your hotel room, the ball room, and the rooms you think no one knows about. Thankfully, He is omni-present – so even if you don’t make it to SYMC this year…Jesus knows where you are and meets you there.

We’d love for you to meet Him here! You still have a day to drive. Go get in the car. Jesus is standing at the window watching for you. You don’t need Facebook, Twitter, or even a conference to connect with Christ…simply a heart willing will do.

*Artwork by Art Vader at http://hypnotizedmonkey.org/OsborneGallery/Art_Vader.html - This guy has Darren’s favorite depictions of Jesus ever!!

Real Stories from SYMC #2.5

2012-02-23T16:57:30Z

Me. (Darren Sutton.)

Why 2.5? Because I’m a youth ministry professional – not a math wizard!

Why me? Because I am you. I’m a regular, in the trenches youth pastor represented in the ‘for youth pastors’ philosophy of SYMC. I’ve experienced the same heart-breaks, soul-surges, and sleepless nights you have. I’ve seen all the best the church has to offer – and walked through the mine-fields and ambushes of those offering something far and away NOT the best the church offers. I have been filled-to-overflowing, dry-as-the-desert, and somewhere in between. I’ve experienced that head-shaking moment when a kid you thought was getting it just turned around and ran headlong into a life-defining mistake. I’ve walked alongside the student playing the role of parent in their household while their parents deserved a smack in the face. I’ve held the hands of moms and dads while they ushered their kids into eternity much sooner than anyone ever anticipated. I’ve seen scandal rock the church and bring out the best in God’s people. I’ve seen the wiles of the Evil One roll the church over into an eventual grave. I’ve been the guy standing in the line of fire for my family – I’ve also been the guy pulling the trigger.

Ministry cannot be done alone. It’s too big. Jesus developed his own posse to walk the road with him. SYMC helped me do that in a way I had never experience in 20 years of ministry. Register now - even if it’s for next year. Let me - and people just like me – walk the road of ministry with you.

Real Stories from SYMC #4

2012-02-22T16:34:25Z

Timothy Hill.

Tim and I lead out in two entirely different contexts. I’m a white, suburban, Gulf Coast beach guy. He’s a black, urban, Detroit inner-city guy. We have almost nothing in common, yet – we have everything in common. We love students. We love Jesus. We embrace our calling. We know our venue. It’s a similarity that transcends race, location, or demographics. It’s the bridge that can offer passageway between people who might otherwise never know one another. I’m glad Tim & I have that bridge. Tim has been an encourager to me and a pray-er for me. It hasn’t matter where or whom we serve – only that we serve Jesus. And that’s enough.

People are waiting at SYMC to cross that bridge to you. Start walking with a registration…you only have a few days left! Tim’s been waiting on the bridge - find him here!

Darren Sutton is writing our ‘Real Stories‘ series. Connect with him at the conference – or on Facebook.

Real Stories from SYMC #3

2012-02-22T16:33:48Z

Jake Rasmussen.

“Honored to pray.” “A privilege to pray.” “Humbled to be able to intercede.” This guy is a genuine intercessor and these are his mantras! It MUST be his spiritual gift. And as the face of Simply Tools, I’m pretty sure he would say the most effective tool he can offer is prayer. Jake handles customer service for Simply Youth Ministry – and his spiritual service is presenting requests to the Father. I love that. And I love Jake for being the kind of guy who is more than a ‘settle the issue on the other side of the phone’ customer service guy – he ministers to the ministers. It’s a value for all the Simply team – and they display is generously and graciously.

Someone is always available to pray with you at SYMC. But if you can’t make it this year - check out this guy…he’ll get the job done.

Darren Sutton is writing the ‘Real Stories‘ series. You can connect with him at the conference or on Twitter.

Real Stories from SYMC #5

2012-02-22T16:31:59Z

Shane and Shane.

OK – I’m not just saying this because these guys are from Texas (though that never hurts!) These guys are legit – the real deal. They don’t have an entourage. They don’t mind playing in someone’s back yard for 100 youth workers. They sit at the same table, eat the same BBQ (probably because they’re true Texans!), and even ride the same elevators as me – as you. In fact, they are so unassuming – and they fit in so well with the ‘student pastor culture’ – you might not even realize that’s who is riding in the elevator with you….which might prompt you to say something all wise and spiritual about how amazing the worship is at SYMC….only realizing as they exit the elevator you were actually talking to the one of the guys who actually was leading said worship….not that that happened….just that it could. I’m just sayin’.

Their authentic heart, awesome vocals, and passion for worship is all you’ll need to enter into the Throne Room when they sing.

Attend a worship experience you don’t have to be in charge of! Register right now! (Time is ticking.) Stalk Shane & Shane online….not in the elevator.

Real Stories from SYMC #6

2012-02-22T16:31:34Z

Andrew & JoAnn Rupp.

Andrew & JoAnn were in a connect group that Katie and I led last year. (Couples in Youth Ministry – check it out this year – Paul & Sandy Spittka are leading it and it will be awesome…all the connect groups will be…..I digress.) ANYWAY! We got to spend a little bit of time with the Rupps and some other amazing couples who serve in student ministry together.

I was stunned. As Andrew & JoAnn were sharing about their church, I truly almost had a seizure. Katie and I had just been thrust into one of the most unique, bizarre, unscripted ministry experiences we had ever had. Lots of plot twists and turns – and though I know everyone thinks this about their situation – I truly thought no one would have experienced all that we had been through in the past several months. Honestly, the story was so incredulous, we hadn’t really shared it with very many people because it just sounded so implausible when it was uttered aloud. So when JoAnn and Andrew began to share their story – I was flabbergasted. It matched our story to the final detail. I could not believe that someone else was going through the exact same thing….and surviving it….and asking the same questions….and understanding the dilemma….and sharing our experience…and leading well in the midst of the hard.

SYMC is a place for shared experience. Register now - you might need someone here…or they might need you. Find Andrew & JoAnn online.

Find Darren online. He writes the ‘Real Stories’ series.

Real Stories from SYMC #7

2012-02-22T16:31:12Z

Josh Griffin.

Have you been to this guy’s website? If you have served long in youth ministry, chances are you have been by a time or twelve. Do you receive the Youth Ministry Daily e-mail? (If you don’t, you should.) Josh is half of the mastermind behind those articles. If you have spent 3 minutes around Josh, then you know – it’s solid content. Solid advice from an in-the-trenches guy. Now let’s break it down…and rip off a little luster. Josh is the youth pastor at Saddleback Church. He hangs regularly with some of the biggest ‘names’ in youth ministry – I mean, c’mon – he IS one of the biggest names in youth ministry (if there is such a thing). His website rocks the world….and I heard some rumor that he owns like half of the Star Wars franchise. He has every reason to be a glory hog. And that’s what I love about him most. He isn’t. He ‘surrenders’ his platform to others regularly. He listens as much as he talks. He gives a voice to ‘normal’ youth workers and celebrates it. It must be one of the truest examples of humility I know.

You wanna meet ‘famous’ youth pastors who don’t know they’re famous (or act like it)? Then get registered for SYMC. It’s only a week away….and face it – you’ve planned mission trips in less time than that! Josh will be there, too….but you can also meet him here.

Darren – the author of Real Stories – will also be at the conference. He’d love to meet you.

Real Stories from SYMC #8

2012-02-22T16:30:47Z

Marcus Rodriguez.

I knew Marcus through Facebook. I had heard students talk about him. And though I think we may have had one of those ‘hallway introductions’ several years ago, I didn’t get to really meet him until last year at SYMC. It was a pretty cool conversation. Marcus is actually the youth pastor at the church where I served when we lived in McAllen, TX. We were able to swap stories, gossip (I mean ‘share in love’), and generally catch up on church life. As we parted ways and I headed toward my hotel room, I had a palpable sense of peace regarding what good hands ‘my’ students had been left in. Sometimes we leave churches and we never know what happens to the student ministry. Or we leave and we know exactly what happens…and we don’t like it. What an immeasurable blessing to meet someone who shares passion and vision with me – and now the commonality of ministry and relationships with people I love.

SYMC offers so many opportunities to build friendships and swap stories. And you better swap stories with Marcus. Who knows, he might be serving in YOUR church in a few years.

The ‘Real Stories‘ series is written by Darren Sutton.

Real Stories from SYMC #9

2012-02-22T16:30:14Z

Bill Holleran.

This guy is a true veteran – gray hair and all!! I remember after spending some time with Bill thinking a) this guy might be in his 50′s, but he is still SO relevant to students, and b) I hope I can be him when I grow up. People have been informing me I was getting ‘too old’ for youth ministry since I was 30. Thirteen years later (you do the math) I know that not to be true. Bill (and others like him) prove every day that your body has nothing on your heart, brain, and Spirit when it comes to student ministry. And here’s what I truly love about Bill – he’s not that dopey, grand-fatherly youth guy who kids love like they love their family dog….just because he’s been around for so long they can’t remember a time without him. Kids connect with Bill because he’s all up in their business. He KNOWS them. He ENGAGES them. He LOVES them.

You can be better at doing those things, regardless of your age, by attending the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. And Bill can challenge you to stay in it for the long haul.

Follow Darren on Twitter and read more Real Stories at Everyonescalledtoyouthministry.com.