Sarah Stanley on Engaging Students in Active Compassion

welcome to the unseminary podcast are welcome to the unseminary podcast are you looking for practical ministry help you looking for practical ministry help you looking for practical ministry help to drive your ministry further faster to drive your ministry further faster to drive your ministry further faster have a sinking feeling that your have a sinking feeling that your have a sinking feeling that your ministry training didn't prepare you for ministry training didn't prepare you for ministry training didn't prepare you for the real world hey you're not alone join the real world hey you're not alone join the real world hey you're not alone join thousands of others in pursuit of stuff thousands of others in pursuit of stuff thousands of others in pursuit of stuff that we wish they had taught in seminary that we wish they had taught in seminary that we wish they had taught in seminary buckle up and let's get started with buckle up and let's get started with buckle up and let's get started with this week's unseminary podcast well hey this week's unseminary podcast well hey this week's unseminary podcast well hey everybody happy thursday welcome to the everybody happy thursday welcome to the everybody happy thursday welcome to the unseminary podcast my name is rich the unseminary podcast my name is rich the unseminary podcast my name is rich the host around these parts so glad that host around these parts so glad that host around these parts so glad that you've decided to spend some time with you've decided to spend some time with you've decided to spend some time with us to put us in your earbuds my name uh us to put us in your earbuds my name uh us to put us in your earbuds my name uh today we've got sarah stanley uh she is today we've got sarah stanley uh she is today we've got sarah stanley uh she is the youth support pastor from a church the youth support pastor from a church the youth support pastor from a church uh in the kind of greater toronto area uh in the kind of greater toronto area uh in the kind of greater toronto area called the meeting house uh welcome to called the meeting house uh welcome to called the meeting house uh welcome to the show sarah thanks so much rachel the show sarah thanks so much rachel the show sarah thanks so much rachel it's good to be here i'm so glad you it's good to be here i'm so glad you it's good to be here i'm so glad you decided to spend some time uh with us decided to spend some time uh with us decided to spend some time uh with us today now why don't you do two things today now why don't you do two things today now why don't you do two things tell us first a little bit about for tell us first a little bit about for tell us first a little bit about for people who don't know a little bit about people who don't know a little bit about people who don't know a little bit about the meeting house um and then a little the meeting house um and then a little the meeting house um and then a little bit about your role there bit about your role there bit about your role there absolutely so the church at the meeting absolutely so the church at the meeting absolutely so the church at the meeting house like you said just in the greater house like you said just in the greater house like you said just in the greater toronto area it's a multi-site church toronto area it's a multi-site church toronto area it's a multi-site church with about 14 locations now um and the with about 14 locations now um and the with about 14 locations now um and the slogan is sort of a church for people slogan is sort of a church for people slogan is sort of a church for people who aren't into church so maybe people who aren't into church so maybe people who aren't into church so maybe people who've had a bad experience in the who've had a bad experience in the who've had a bad experience in the church previously or haven't been church previously or haven't been church previously or haven't been connected in a long time um so just connected in a long time um so just connected in a long time um so just trying to spread that your religious trying to spread that your religious trying to spread that your religious message of jesus nice and uh for people message of jesus nice and uh for people message of jesus nice and uh for people that don't know you've probably picked that don't know you've probably picked that don't know you've probably picked up if you've listened long enough to uh up if you've listened long enough to uh up if you've listened long enough to uh that on seminary stuff i actually worked that on seminary stuff i actually worked that on seminary stuff i actually worked at the meeting house for a while way at the meeting house for a while way at the meeting house for a while way back when in the ancient history of this back when in the ancient history of this back when in the ancient history of this church so church so church so really super biased i really do think really super biased i really do think really super biased i really do think it's a great church and sarah's an it's a great church and sarah's an it's a great church and sarah's an incredible leader and so i'm i'm so glad incredible leader and so i'm i'm so glad incredible leader and so i'm i'm so glad so privileged to have her uh on the on so privileged to have her uh on the on so privileged to have her uh on the on the line today actually we have bruxy

the line today actually we have bruxy the line today actually we have bruxy coming on uh as well in a couple weeks coming on uh as well in a couple weeks coming on uh as well in a couple weeks uh their teaching pastor which i'm uh their teaching pastor which i'm uh their teaching pastor which i'm excited about that uh as well so one of excited about that uh as well so one of excited about that uh as well so one of the things that i love about what you're the things that i love about what you're the things that i love about what you're doing at the meeting house oh we didn't doing at the meeting house oh we didn't doing at the meeting house oh we didn't you didn't tell us about your role you didn't tell us about your role you didn't tell us about your role what's your role what's your role what's your role yes so my role like you said is that you yes so my role like you said is that you yes so my role like you said is that you support pastor so essentially what i do support pastor so essentially what i do support pastor so essentially what i do is support our youth pastors and youth is support our youth pastors and youth is support our youth pastors and youth coordinators across all of our sites uh coordinators across all of our sites uh coordinators across all of our sites uh junior and senior high so encouraging junior and senior high so encouraging junior and senior high so encouraging equipping equipping equipping resourcing them as they do ministry on resourcing them as they do ministry on resourcing them as they do ministry on the ground at their locations nice yeah the ground at their locations nice yeah the ground at their locations nice yeah yeah fantastic that probably keeps you yeah fantastic that probably keeps you yeah fantastic that probably keeps you busy it absolutely does busy it absolutely does busy it absolutely does but we've got some really good people but we've got some really good people but we've got some really good people that's great that's great that's great great well one of the things i love great well one of the things i love great well one of the things i love about what you're doing um in the about what you're doing um in the about what you're doing um in the student ministry at uh the meeting house student ministry at uh the meeting house student ministry at uh the meeting house is you really do such a great job it is you really do such a great job it is you really do such a great job it seems to be at least doing a great job seems to be at least doing a great job seems to be at least doing a great job getting students connected and getting students connected and getting students connected and compassion or outreach being involved in compassion or outreach being involved in compassion or outreach being involved in you know serving um in in the community you know serving um in in the community you know serving um in in the community why don't you give us a sense of the why don't you give us a sense of the why don't you give us a sense of the kinds of things you've been doing to see kinds of things you've been doing to see kinds of things you've been doing to see students get connected in that way students get connected in that way students get connected in that way yeah absolutely so obviously with the yeah absolutely so obviously with the yeah absolutely so obviously with the multi-site thing it looks a little bit multi-site thing it looks a little bit multi-site thing it looks a little bit different at all of our sites but at the different at all of our sites but at the different at all of our sites but at the end of the day we want each of our youth end of the day we want each of our youth end of the day we want each of our youth ministries at each of our locations to ministries at each of our locations to ministries at each of our locations to have a very intentional compassion have a very intentional compassion have a very intentional compassion element to it just recognizing that as element to it just recognizing that as element to it just recognizing that as kids discover and learn what it means to kids discover and learn what it means to kids discover and learn what it means to follow jesus and be disciples follow jesus and be disciples follow jesus and be disciples part of that means learning what it part of that means learning what it part of that means learning what it means to serve and not just saying hey means to serve and not just saying hey means to serve and not just saying hey this is just something i do but it's this is just something i do but it's this is just something i do but it's actually because i love and follow jesus actually because i love and follow jesus actually because i love and follow jesus and it's part of who i am as a result of and it's part of who i am as a result of and it's part of who i am as a result of that that that so i can speak i guess more personally so i can speak i guess more personally so i can speak i guess more personally to what that looked like for me the last to what that looked like for me the last to what that looked like for me the last four and a half years um i was in the

four and a half years um i was in the four and a half years um i was in the junior high role at our oakville junior high role at our oakville junior high role at our oakville location location location and so for me it was kind of what does and so for me it was kind of what does and so for me it was kind of what does it look like to get junior highs uh it look like to get junior highs uh it look like to get junior highs uh involved in compassion and sometimes involved in compassion and sometimes involved in compassion and sometimes that can be a little bit tricky because that can be a little bit tricky because that can be a little bit tricky because just with age and experience and what just with age and experience and what just with age and experience and what opportunities are available to them opportunities are available to them opportunities are available to them but something kind of neat that i've but something kind of neat that i've but something kind of neat that i've appreciated that the meeting house has appreciated that the meeting house has appreciated that the meeting house has done done done is just being really intentional both is just being really intentional both is just being really intentional both with with with local and global compassion and local and global compassion and local and global compassion and specifically with local compassion with specifically with local compassion with specifically with local compassion with all of our 14 different sites taking a all of our 14 different sites taking a all of our 14 different sites taking a look at each site and saying hey in the look at each site and saying hey in the look at each site and saying hey in the city and the community that we're in city and the community that we're in city and the community that we're in what is the greatest need what is the greatest need what is the greatest need and that's different depending on our and that's different depending on our and that's different depending on our different sites um so at like say our different sites um so at like say our different sites um so at like say our perry sound site first nations is a lot perry sound site first nations is a lot perry sound site first nations is a lot more prevalent and they have some really more prevalent and they have some really more prevalent and they have some really cool opportunities to get involved cool opportunities to get involved cool opportunities to get involved serving on some of the reserves and serving on some of the reserves and serving on some of the reserves and working with youth up there working with youth up there working with youth up there for us at oakville that's just not as for us at oakville that's just not as for us at oakville that's just not as readily available to us it doesn't mean readily available to us it doesn't mean readily available to us it doesn't mean that's not something that we should be that's not something that we should be that's not something that we should be learning and getting involved with but learning and getting involved with but learning and getting involved with but for us um just recognizing that there's for us um just recognizing that there's for us um just recognizing that there's a lot of youth and just vulnerable a lot of youth and just vulnerable a lot of youth and just vulnerable families in our communities and so what families in our communities and so what families in our communities and so what that looks like for us especially with that looks like for us especially with that looks like for us especially with junior highs is getting involved in a junior highs is getting involved in a junior highs is getting involved in a local organization um there's one in local organization um there's one in local organization um there's one in oakville called kerr street ministries oakville called kerr street ministries oakville called kerr street ministries that already does an amazing job of that already does an amazing job of that already does an amazing job of serving serving serving new canadians families that are new to new canadians families that are new to new canadians families that are new to canada canada canada maybe families that are single parent maybe families that are single parent maybe families that are single parent families or just for what a variety of families or just for what a variety of families or just for what a variety of different reasons struggling and so we different reasons struggling and so we different reasons struggling and so we said what does it look like for us to said what does it look like for us to said what does it look like for us to help our students get really help our students get really help our students get really meaningfully involved there meaningfully involved there meaningfully involved there and not just to kind of pop in and serve and not just to kind of pop in and serve and not just to kind of pop in and serve but also to build relationships with but also to build relationships with but also to build relationships with some of those kids and some of those some of those kids and some of those some of those kids and some of those families

families families now just before you jump on yeah how at now just before you jump on yeah how at now just before you jump on yeah how at each of those locations are each of those locations are each of those locations are you know are the various kind of youth you know are the various kind of youth you know are the various kind of youth workers and i'm assuming there's like workers and i'm assuming there's like workers and i'm assuming there's like the you know the lead pastors or the the you know the lead pastors or the the you know the lead pastors or the campus pastors are engaged in that campus pastors are engaged in that campus pastors are engaged in that conversation as well how are they you conversation as well how are they you conversation as well how are they you know coming up with or defining kind of know coming up with or defining kind of know coming up with or defining kind of areas of need in their community yeah areas of need in their community yeah areas of need in their community yeah absolutely so each site at the meeting absolutely so each site at the meeting absolutely so each site at the meeting house has what's called a compassion house has what's called a compassion house has what's called a compassion coordinator coordinator coordinator which is awesome because that helps our which is awesome because that helps our which is awesome because that helps our youth coordinators a lot of our youth youth coordinators a lot of our youth youth coordinators a lot of our youth coordinators are either part-time or coordinators are either part-time or coordinators are either part-time or volunteer volunteer volunteer and so they're able to and so they're able to and so they're able to you know connect with the compassion you know connect with the compassion you know connect with the compassion coordinator just as a resource who's coordinator just as a resource who's coordinator just as a resource who's very aware of the city the community the very aware of the city the community the very aware of the city the community the organizations that the meetinghouse as a organizations that the meetinghouse as a organizations that the meetinghouse as a site is already partnering with and site is already partnering with and site is already partnering with and saying hey how can we help the youth get saying hey how can we help the youth get saying hey how can we help the youth get involved in something that our community involved in something that our community involved in something that our community is already you know connected to and is already you know connected to and is already you know connected to and involved with so that's been awesome and involved with so that's been awesome and involved with so that's been awesome and just a really a really great resource just a really a really great resource just a really a really great resource and sometimes they try things and it and sometimes they try things and it and sometimes they try things and it works amazingly and sometimes it was a works amazingly and sometimes it was a works amazingly and sometimes it was a cool experience but maybe not like a cool experience but maybe not like a cool experience but maybe not like a long-term plan for them um yeah so long-term plan for them um yeah so long-term plan for them um yeah so that's sort of what it looks like right that's sort of what it looks like right that's sort of what it looks like right now okay cool nice sorry to start now okay cool nice sorry to start now okay cool nice sorry to start interrupting so what are some other ways interrupting so what are some other ways interrupting so what are some other ways that you're you know some of the other that you're you know some of the other that you're you know some of the other kind of practical things that they're kind of practical things that they're kind of practical things that they're doing absolutely so um again so for our doing absolutely so um again so for our doing absolutely so um again so for our students at the oakville site with ker students at the oakville site with ker students at the oakville site with ker street ministries uh what we started street ministries uh what we started street ministries uh what we started doing is taking the kids once a month um doing is taking the kids once a month um doing is taking the kids once a month um every monday currency ministries runs a every monday currency ministries runs a every monday currency ministries runs a family night so they put on a dinner for family night so they put on a dinner for family night so they put on a dinner for families where they can just come and be families where they can just come and be families where they can just come and be together and eat and just have that time together and eat and just have that time together and eat and just have that time and and and as a gift and then they stay afterwards as a gift and then they stay afterwards as a gift and then they stay afterwards and there's often something that's and there's often something that's and there's often something that's happening for the parents that's put on happening for the parents that's put on happening for the parents that's put on by kurt street by kurt street by kurt street but the kids were just sort of going to but the kids were just sort of going to but the kids were just sort of going to the gym and like running amuck and so

the gym and like running amuck and so the gym and like running amuck and so which is awesome but we just sort of saw which is awesome but we just sort of saw which is awesome but we just sort of saw that as an opportunity for our kids to that as an opportunity for our kids to that as an opportunity for our kids to come in and when the parents are having come in and when the parents are having come in and when the parents are having that time as parents to come in and say that time as parents to come in and say that time as parents to come in and say hey as junior highs we can come along hey as junior highs we can come along hey as junior highs we can come along these kids um that are part of our city these kids um that are part of our city these kids um that are part of our city and part of our community and so they and part of our community and so they and part of our community and so they just come and they run crafts and they just come and they run crafts and they just come and they run crafts and they run gym games um and it they're kids and run gym games um and it they're kids and run gym games um and it they're kids and they just get to play but it's helping they just get to play but it's helping they just get to play but it's helping them and they have a blast like they're them and they have a blast like they're them and they have a blast like they're like can i do the sample for the craft like can i do the sample for the craft like can i do the sample for the craft you want to do the craft you want to do the craft you want to do the craft but it is a really neat thing um it has but it is a really neat thing um it has but it is a really neat thing um it has been for me just to see them step into been for me just to see them step into been for me just to see them step into those opportunities of leadership but those opportunities of leadership but those opportunities of leadership but also just servanthood and recognizing also just servanthood and recognizing also just servanthood and recognizing that like this isn't actually just about that like this isn't actually just about that like this isn't actually just about me making a craft because i want to or me making a craft because i want to or me making a craft because i want to or me having like playing this game or me having like playing this game or me having like playing this game or whatever it's like putting this child whatever it's like putting this child whatever it's like putting this child that walks through our doors and putting that walks through our doors and putting that walks through our doors and putting them first and helping them to have the them first and helping them to have the them first and helping them to have the best experience best experience best experience and really establishing that and really establishing that and really establishing that relationship and it's been neat to see relationship and it's been neat to see relationship and it's been neat to see them like they come every month because them like they come every month because them like they come every month because they're excited to see that kid that they're excited to see that kid that they're excited to see that kid that they know by name they know by name they know by name and we're able to connect with those and we're able to connect with those and we're able to connect with those parents and another practical thing that parents and another practical thing that parents and another practical thing that we've been able to do is each summer we've been able to do is each summer we've been able to do is each summer curse street ministries runs a day camp curse street ministries runs a day camp curse street ministries runs a day camp and so again we've been able to bring and so again we've been able to bring and so again we've been able to bring some of our junior high and senior high some of our junior high and senior high some of our junior high and senior high students to help come alongside and run students to help come alongside and run students to help come alongside and run that day camp with them for a couple that day camp with them for a couple that day camp with them for a couple weeks in the summer so again just trying weeks in the summer so again just trying weeks in the summer so again just trying to establish those relationships on an to establish those relationships on an to establish those relationships on an ongoing basis so that happened over a ongoing basis so that happened over a ongoing basis so that happened over a couple of years and then um the last two couple of years and then um the last two couple of years and then um the last two years we actually said to chris street years we actually said to chris street years we actually said to chris street hey do you have specific families like hey do you have specific families like hey do you have specific families like we're seeing them in and out through the we're seeing them in and out through the we're seeing them in and out through the day camp through this after like school day camp through this after like school day camp through this after like school evening program um but is there a way evening program um but is there a way evening program um but is there a way that our small groups and our students that our small groups and our students that our small groups and our students can on a consistent basis be praying for

can on a consistent basis be praying for can on a consistent basis be praying for and getting to know some of these and getting to know some of these and getting to know some of these families specifically and so we were families specifically and so we were families specifically and so we were able to match up one family from ker able to match up one family from ker able to match up one family from ker street with one small group in our street with one small group in our street with one small group in our ministry both for junior high and senior ministry both for junior high and senior ministry both for junior high and senior high so i think we ended up having high so i think we ended up having high so i think we ended up having close to 30 families in the last couple close to 30 families in the last couple close to 30 families in the last couple of years that were matched up with of years that were matched up with of years that were matched up with specific small groups and it just meant specific small groups and it just meant specific small groups and it just meant it wasn't anything crazy it just meant it wasn't anything crazy it just meant it wasn't anything crazy it just meant that hey if a kid in your family has a that hey if a kid in your family has a that hey if a kid in your family has a birthday we're sending them a birthday birthday we're sending them a birthday birthday we're sending them a birthday card and every kid in your small group card and every kid in your small group card and every kid in your small group is signing it and we're putting together is signing it and we're putting together is signing it and we're putting together a little like you know pack of little a little like you know pack of little a little like you know pack of little like toys or just things that might like toys or just things that might like toys or just things that might encourage them and just say hey we know encourage them and just say hey we know encourage them and just say hey we know it's your birthday and we want to it's your birthday and we want to it's your birthday and we want to celebrate you celebrate you celebrate you at christmas they've put together like at christmas they've put together like at christmas they've put together like christmas baskets for the family and so christmas baskets for the family and so christmas baskets for the family and so just trying to look for those ways that just trying to look for those ways that just trying to look for those ways that say hey it's not just saying that we're say hey it's not just saying that we're say hey it's not just saying that we're serving because we follow jesus and serving because we follow jesus and serving because we follow jesus and that's what we're supposed to do but that's what we're supposed to do but that's what we're supposed to do but what does it look like for that to be what does it look like for that to be what does it look like for that to be part of our dna and something that like part of our dna and something that like part of our dna and something that like becomes our heartbeat now it seems like becomes our heartbeat now it seems like becomes our heartbeat now it seems like there's a really um like a high focus on there's a really um like a high focus on there's a really um like a high focus on the kind of relational connection which the kind of relational connection which the kind of relational connection which i think a lot of you know a lot of times i think a lot of you know a lot of times i think a lot of you know a lot of times when churches think about doing kind of when churches think about doing kind of when churches think about doing kind of compassion work or outreach work compassion work or outreach work compassion work or outreach work um you know it's it's more of the kind um you know it's it's more of the kind um you know it's it's more of the kind of like of like of like bless and run like we're going to do bless and run like we're going to do bless and run like we're going to do this thing and then is that intentional this thing and then is that intentional this thing and then is that intentional and is that is that just because that's and is that is that just because that's and is that is that just because that's your particular heartbeat or is that your particular heartbeat or is that your particular heartbeat or is that like a strategy from what what you're like a strategy from what what you're like a strategy from what what you're trying to do at the meeting house in trying to do at the meeting house in trying to do at the meeting house in general yeah no absolutely i think at general yeah no absolutely i think at general yeah no absolutely i think at the end of the day if we can do it the end of the day if we can do it the end of the day if we can do it through relationships that's that's through relationships that's that's through relationships that's that's where we want to be um just recognizing where we want to be um just recognizing where we want to be um just recognizing that we don't want it to be like you that we don't want it to be like you that we don't want it to be like you said like where you just parachute in said like where you just parachute in said like where you just parachute in and feel like you're saving the day but and feel like you're saving the day but and feel like you're saving the day but helping students understand um and it's helping students understand um and it's helping students understand um and it's been really neat to see them like been really neat to see them like been really neat to see them like grasping this concept of actually i

grasping this concept of actually i grasping this concept of actually i might think that i'm coming in just to might think that i'm coming in just to might think that i'm coming in just to have help these kids have an awesome have help these kids have an awesome have help these kids have an awesome night but i'm actually walking away night but i'm actually walking away night but i'm actually walking away feeling like that was more of a blessing feeling like that was more of a blessing feeling like that was more of a blessing for me than it was for them and seeing for me than it was for them and seeing for me than it was for them and seeing the people that they're serving actually the people that they're serving actually the people that they're serving actually as a brother or sister or a friend and as a brother or sister or a friend and as a brother or sister or a friend and not just someone that i'm i'm trying to not just someone that i'm i'm trying to not just someone that i'm i'm trying to help because that's what jesus would do help because that's what jesus would do help because that's what jesus would do and yes that's true right but and yes that's true right but and yes that's true right but recognizing that there's so much more to recognizing that there's so much more to recognizing that there's so much more to it and so yes it's absolutely it and so yes it's absolutely it and so yes it's absolutely intentional and again sometimes intentional and again sometimes intentional and again sometimes they we are involved in things where it they we are involved in things where it they we are involved in things where it might be a little bit more of a hey might be a little bit more of a hey might be a little bit more of a hey here's an opportunity we can go serve here's an opportunity we can go serve here's an opportunity we can go serve and we might not be back but for the and we might not be back but for the and we might not be back but for the most part if we can find those things most part if we can find those things most part if we can find those things where there's relationships being where there's relationships being where there's relationships being established that's that's the goal for established that's that's the goal for established that's that's the goal for sure very cool now um give us a sense it sure very cool now um give us a sense it sure very cool now um give us a sense it all sounds like it goes so well and it's all sounds like it goes so well and it's all sounds like it goes so well and it's very easy and it happens you know very easy and it happens you know very easy and it happens you know without any troubles uh but give us a without any troubles uh but give us a without any troubles uh but give us a sense there must be a time where you sense there must be a time where you sense there must be a time where you know maybe you stepped on a little bit know maybe you stepped on a little bit know maybe you stepped on a little bit of a land mine something didn't go so of a land mine something didn't go so of a land mine something didn't go so well uh what was one of those you know well uh what was one of those you know well uh what was one of those you know examples you know so that we can learn examples you know so that we can learn examples you know so that we can learn so we can try to avoid that in our so we can try to avoid that in our so we can try to avoid that in our church absolutely oh man i will pick one church absolutely oh man i will pick one church absolutely oh man i will pick one um i think part of it is just um i think part of it is just um i think part of it is just i mean one of just the really practical i mean one of just the really practical i mean one of just the really practical things in our context and i'm sure that things in our context and i'm sure that things in our context and i'm sure that that's true for a lot of people is that that's true for a lot of people is that that's true for a lot of people is that in youth ministry there's a lot of in youth ministry there's a lot of in youth ministry there's a lot of transition transition transition and so i know for me even transitioning and so i know for me even transitioning and so i know for me even transitioning into the new role that i'm in now um into the new role that i'm in now um into the new role that i'm in now um some of the things that we were doing some of the things that we were doing some of the things that we were doing look different now because there's look different now because there's look different now because there's different people in those roles and the different people in those roles and the different people in those roles and the ministry that we're partnering with ministry that we're partnering with ministry that we're partnering with looks different and so it's i don't looks different and so it's i don't looks different and so it's i don't think it's a thing where we ever are think it's a thing where we ever are think it's a thing where we ever are going to get to a place where it just it going to get to a place where it just it going to get to a place where it just it works and this is what we do always i works and this is what we do always i works and this is what we do always i think um it's always morphing um one i think um it's always morphing um one i think um it's always morphing um one i know specifically and again if anyone

know specifically and again if anyone know specifically and again if anyone works with junior highs you'll get this works with junior highs you'll get this works with junior highs you'll get this when they were doing the christmas when they were doing the christmas when they were doing the christmas baskets they'd all signed up for the baskets they'd all signed up for the baskets they'd all signed up for the things that they were going to bring to things that they were going to bring to things that they were going to bring to make sure we had you know everybody in make sure we had you know everybody in make sure we had you know everybody in the families covered and then of course the families covered and then of course the families covered and then of course it's like this is the night that you're it's like this is the night that you're it's like this is the night that you're bringing stuff and then you've got some bringing stuff and then you've got some bringing stuff and then you've got some groups that do an amazing job and groups that do an amazing job and groups that do an amazing job and they've got it right they've got it right they've got it right and then you know the grade six boys and then you know the grade six boys and then you know the grade six boys just brought some like candy canes just brought some like candy canes just brought some like candy canes yeah right exactly yeah right exactly yeah right exactly yeah and so just being really mindful of yeah and so just being really mindful of yeah and so just being really mindful of what it is that we're committing to um what it is that we're committing to um what it is that we're committing to um the organization that we're working with the organization that we're working with the organization that we're working with and to the families that we're working and to the families that we're working and to the families that we're working with and then helping that become a with and then helping that become a with and then helping that become a learning opportunity for our students of learning opportunity for our students of learning opportunity for our students of yeah what they're committing to and why yeah what they're committing to and why yeah what they're committing to and why it's important and how they make that it's important and how they make that it's important and how they make that work um so there's definitely been some work um so there's definitely been some work um so there's definitely been some some major landmines along the way some major landmines along the way some major landmines along the way now is there anything else you'd love to now is there anything else you'd love to now is there anything else you'd love to share with with folks who might be share with with folks who might be share with with folks who might be thinking about trying to you know engage thinking about trying to you know engage thinking about trying to you know engage their students more in compassion before their students more in compassion before their students more in compassion before we jump onto the rest of the show yeah we jump onto the rest of the show yeah we jump onto the rest of the show yeah absolutely i think something that i have absolutely i think something that i have absolutely i think something that i have learned and that we need to just learned and that we need to just learned and that we need to just continue getting better at is not just continue getting better at is not just continue getting better at is not just providing the opportunities for them to providing the opportunities for them to providing the opportunities for them to engage but also providing the engage but also providing the engage but also providing the opportunities for them to to talk about opportunities for them to to talk about opportunities for them to to talk about it and to process and what are they it and to process and what are they it and to process and what are they taking away from it and what are they taking away from it and what are they taking away from it and what are they learning from it and what about that was learning from it and what about that was learning from it and what about that was really hard and how was it different really hard and how was it different really hard and how was it different from what it maybe they were expecting from what it maybe they were expecting from what it maybe they were expecting walking in walking in walking in because i know yeah it's easy to walk in because i know yeah it's easy to walk in because i know yeah it's easy to walk in and walk out but if you're not taking and walk out but if you're not taking and walk out but if you're not taking that time to help them process um what that time to help them process um what that time to help them process um what that means and how it's shaping them that means and how it's shaping them that means and how it's shaping them that's that's a significant piece of it that's that's a significant piece of it that's that's a significant piece of it for sure yeah what does that look like for sure yeah what does that look like for sure yeah what does that look like you know in your environment i think you know in your environment i think you know in your environment i think that's a great insight what does that that's a great insight what does that that's a great insight what does that look like when you're working with look like when you're working with look like when you're working with students students students um lots of questions yeah lots of um lots of questions yeah lots of um lots of questions yeah lots of questions and recognizing that it's okay

questions and recognizing that it's okay questions and recognizing that it's okay if they don't have all the answers or if they don't have all the answers or if they don't have all the answers or they don't know how to articulate um and they don't know how to articulate um and they don't know how to articulate um and then allowing them to share with each then allowing them to share with each then allowing them to share with each other how those experiences are other how those experiences are other how those experiences are significant and so for us that has significant and so for us that has significant and so for us that has looked like having some of the senior looked like having some of the senior looked like having some of the senior high students come and share with the high students come and share with the high students come and share with the junior high students who maybe aren't junior high students who maybe aren't junior high students who maybe aren't able yet to put words to oh yeah that able yet to put words to oh yeah that able yet to put words to oh yeah that was fun but i have no idea why right and was fun but i have no idea why right and was fun but i have no idea why right and having the senior highs be able to come having the senior highs be able to come having the senior highs be able to come alongside and encourage and maybe put alongside and encourage and maybe put alongside and encourage and maybe put words to words to words to what some of the junior highs are what some of the junior highs are what some of the junior highs are experiencing and then i think just the experiencing and then i think just the experiencing and then i think just the consistency of you're not just consistency of you're not just consistency of you're not just experiencing it once but it's an on an experiencing it once but it's an on an experiencing it once but it's an on an ongoing basis and being able to ask ongoing basis and being able to ask ongoing basis and being able to ask questions about hey how how does this questions about hey how how does this questions about hey how how does this look different for you now than it did look different for you now than it did look different for you now than it did back in september you know come the end back in september you know come the end back in september you know come the end of the year so i think just lots of of the year so i think just lots of of the year so i think just lots of questions and intentionality and questions and intentionality and questions and intentionality and consistency this is the on seminary consistency this is the on seminary consistency this is the on seminary podcast stuff you wish they taught in podcast stuff you wish they taught in podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary well let's jump on uh into the seminary well let's jump on uh into the seminary well let's jump on uh into the lightning round that part of the show lightning round that part of the show lightning round that part of the show where we ask uh similar questions where we ask uh similar questions where we ask uh similar questions everybody who's on the show today we're everybody who's on the show today we're everybody who's on the show today we're super privileged to have sarah stanley super privileged to have sarah stanley super privileged to have sarah stanley with us from the meeting house she's a with us from the meeting house she's a with us from the meeting house she's a pastor there uh involved in their pastor there uh involved in their pastor there uh involved in their student ministry at all their various student ministry at all their various student ministry at all their various locations uh and so just been it's been locations uh and so just been it's been locations uh and so just been it's been a great conversation today so sarah a great conversation today so sarah a great conversation today so sarah what's an online resource you're using what's an online resource you're using what's an online resource you're using these days that's you know been these days that's you know been these days that's you know been particularly helpful helpful for you in particularly helpful helpful for you in particularly helpful helpful for you in your ministry absolutely um you know your ministry absolutely um you know your ministry absolutely um you know what i think most recently um and i'm what i think most recently um and i'm what i think most recently um and i'm sure a lot of you guys are aware of this sure a lot of you guys are aware of this sure a lot of you guys are aware of this but the center for parent and youth but the center for parent and youth but the center for parent and youth understanding with by walt mueller we're understanding with by walt mueller we're understanding with by walt mueller we're just recognizing what student ministry just recognizing what student ministry just recognizing what student ministry specifically there are just an ongoing specifically there are just an ongoing specifically there are just an ongoing just waves of issues and things that our just waves of issues and things that our just waves of issues and things that our students are struggling with and so for students are struggling with and so for students are struggling with and so for me me me in my role it's looked like how do i

in my role it's looked like how do i in my role it's looked like how do i resource parents how do i resource resource parents how do i resource resource parents how do i resource leaders on all of these different topics leaders on all of these different topics leaders on all of these different topics when i'm not an expert on all of these when i'm not an expert on all of these when i'm not an expert on all of these different topics and so that's been just different topics and so that's been just different topics and so that's been just a huge resource cpyu.org a huge resource cpyu.org a huge resource cpyu.org that has tons of articles on lots of that has tons of articles on lots of that has tons of articles on lots of different things that i've found really different things that i've found really different things that i've found really helpful very cool have you read any helpful very cool have you read any helpful very cool have you read any books in the last six i don't know six books in the last six i don't know six books in the last six i don't know six months to a year that have had an impact months to a year that have had an impact months to a year that have had an impact on your ministry i have um i have been on your ministry i have um i have been on your ministry i have um i have been actually rereading strengthening the actually rereading strengthening the actually rereading strengthening the soul of your leadership by ruth haley soul of your leadership by ruth haley soul of your leadership by ruth haley barton our youth team is reading it barton our youth team is reading it barton our youth team is reading it through right now and just recognizing through right now and just recognizing through right now and just recognizing that in the ongoing kind of crazy pace that in the ongoing kind of crazy pace that in the ongoing kind of crazy pace of life uh to come back in ministry to of life uh to come back in ministry to of life uh to come back in ministry to our hearts and how are we growing in our our hearts and how are we growing in our our hearts and how are we growing in our relationship so god that's been relationship so god that's been relationship so god that's been a really meaningful thing that we've a really meaningful thing that we've a really meaningful thing that we've been doing as a youth team together yeah been doing as a youth team together yeah been doing as a youth team together yeah if you don't know ruth haley barton you if you don't know ruth haley barton you if you don't know ruth haley barton you really should be connecting with her really should be connecting with her really should be connecting with her she's incredible she i had the privilege she's incredible she i had the privilege she's incredible she i had the privilege of being on retreat with her of being on retreat with her of being on retreat with her um earlier this year and it was a um earlier this year and it was a um earlier this year and it was a highlight it was uh i was really sad highlight it was uh i was really sad highlight it was uh i was really sad i know and you know what's funny i was i know and you know what's funny i was i know and you know what's funny i was resistant going i was like there was a resistant going i was like there was a resistant going i was like there was a snowstorm and i'm like well maybe my snowstorm and i'm like well maybe my snowstorm and i'm like well maybe my flight will be canceled because i've got flight will be canceled because i've got flight will be canceled because i've got things to do besides be quiet things to do besides be quiet things to do besides be quiet and um and then but it ended up being and um and then but it ended up being and um and then but it ended up being incredible it was we flew out and it was incredible it was we flew out and it was incredible it was we flew out and it was in january and it was so freezing cold in january and it was so freezing cold in january and it was so freezing cold like minus 40 in chicago um but it was a like minus 40 in chicago um but it was a like minus 40 in chicago um but it was a great i really appreciate her she's a great i really appreciate her she's a great i really appreciate her she's a fantastic leader if you again if you fantastic leader if you again if you fantastic leader if you again if you haven't had a chance to connect with her haven't had a chance to connect with her haven't had a chance to connect with her or her ministry you should for sure or her ministry you should for sure or her ministry you should for sure um are there any other ministries out um are there any other ministries out um are there any other ministries out there that you're looking to that are there that you're looking to that are there that you're looking to that are you know kind of inspiring you or you know kind of inspiring you or you know kind of inspiring you or shaping your thinking today shaping your thinking today shaping your thinking today yeah um yeah um yeah um so many absolutely um let me try and

so many absolutely um let me try and so many absolutely um let me try and pick one um i think for me just i i pick one um i think for me just i i pick one um i think for me just i i don't even know if i can pick one i don't even know if i can pick one i don't even know if i can pick one i think think think um just trying to learn from anywhere um just trying to learn from anywhere um just trying to learn from anywhere right like just um for me it's been right like just um for me it's been right like just um for me it's been having conversations with lots of having conversations with lots of having conversations with lots of different youth pastors and people are different youth pastors and people are different youth pastors and people are doing similar things at different uh doing similar things at different uh doing similar things at different uh churches churches churches um um um yeah i can't even figure it out that's yeah i can't even figure it out that's yeah i can't even figure it out that's funny it's just that ongoing funny it's just that ongoing funny it's just that ongoing conversation um and learning from best conversation um and learning from best conversation um and learning from best practices and ask again coming back to practices and ask again coming back to practices and ask again coming back to whether it's with students or other whether it's with students or other whether it's with students or other leaders like just asking lots of leaders like just asking lots of leaders like just asking lots of questions from all kinds of places um questions from all kinds of places um questions from all kinds of places um and not getting sort of zoned in on just and not getting sort of zoned in on just and not getting sort of zoned in on just where i am and what i'm doing fantastic where i am and what i'm doing fantastic where i am and what i'm doing fantastic well if you could get 15 minutes with well if you could get 15 minutes with well if you could get 15 minutes with any leader alive today any leader alive today any leader alive today who would you want to get that time with who would you want to get that time with who would you want to get that time with and why and why and why um i think i would actually love to sit um i think i would actually love to sit um i think i would actually love to sit down with bill hybels down with bill hybels down with bill hybels when i was in grade 8 through high when i was in grade 8 through high when i was in grade 8 through high school we attended willow creek school we attended willow creek school we attended willow creek community church community church community church so it was neat like as a student um but so it was neat like as a student um but so it was neat like as a student um but i think i just have a huge respect for i think i just have a huge respect for i think i just have a huge respect for his uh passion for the local church his uh passion for the local church his uh passion for the local church and sometimes i think when we're working and sometimes i think when we're working and sometimes i think when we're working in the local church you see all the mess in the local church you see all the mess in the local church you see all the mess of it and all the chaos of it and it's of it and all the chaos of it and it's of it and all the chaos of it and it's hard and so just to ask hard questions hard and so just to ask hard questions hard and so just to ask hard questions about leadership and about how you about leadership and about how you about leadership and about how you maintain um just that ongoing passion maintain um just that ongoing passion maintain um just that ongoing passion and heart for the local church and how and heart for the local church and how and heart for the local church and how god's at work in it very cool wow god's at work in it very cool wow god's at work in it very cool wow well you have a lot to organize when well you have a lot to organize when well you have a lot to organize when you're trying to organize and support 14 you're trying to organize and support 14 you're trying to organize and support 14 different campuses i'm sure that keeps different campuses i'm sure that keeps different campuses i'm sure that keeps you busy um it's not like you've got a you busy um it's not like you've got a you busy um it's not like you've got a lot of extra time but when you do just lot of extra time but when you do just lot of extra time but when you do just kind of you don't want to kick back kind of you don't want to kick back kind of you don't want to kick back relax you know enjoy your joy life what

relax you know enjoy your joy life what relax you know enjoy your joy life what do you do for fun um that's a great do you do for fun um that's a great do you do for fun um that's a great question i question i question i like to read i like to run like to read i like to run like to read i like to run um i have a seven month old greater um i have a seven month old greater um i have a seven month old greater swiss mountain dog puppy so that's crazy swiss mountain dog puppy so that's crazy swiss mountain dog puppy so that's crazy he's kind of like a horse or a dinosaur he's kind of like a horse or a dinosaur he's kind of like a horse or a dinosaur um so i just like to be outside and uh um so i just like to be outside and uh um so i just like to be outside and uh yeah read and hang out with with them yeah read and hang out with with them yeah read and hang out with with them that's great that's great that's great well sarah i really appreciate you being well sarah i really appreciate you being well sarah i really appreciate you being on the show today if people want to get on the show today if people want to get on the show today if people want to get in touch with the meeting house or with in touch with the meeting house or with in touch with the meeting house or with you how can they do that absolutely all you how can they do that absolutely all you how can they do that absolutely all kinds of ways uh the website for the kinds of ways uh the website for the kinds of ways uh the website for the meeting house is themeatinghouse.com and meeting house is themeatinghouse.com and meeting house is themeatinghouse.com and so there's i mean tons of ways that you so there's i mean tons of ways that you so there's i mean tons of ways that you can get in touch with different people can get in touch with different people can get in touch with different people on there on twitter it's at the on there on twitter it's at the on there on twitter it's at the meetinghouse and then if there's any meetinghouse and then if there's any meetinghouse and then if there's any questions specifically about youth my questions specifically about youth my questions specifically about youth my email is just sarah.stanley at email is just sarah.stanley at email is just sarah.stanley at themeetinghouse.com or you can just themeetinghouse.com or you can just themeetinghouse.com or you can just email youth at themeetinghouse.com and email youth at themeetinghouse.com and email youth at themeetinghouse.com and that'll get to me as well so yeah that'll get to me as well so yeah that'll get to me as well so yeah definitely we'd love to hear from you definitely we'd love to hear from you definitely we'd love to hear from you nice thanks so much sarah awesome thanks nice thanks so much sarah awesome thanks nice thanks so much sarah awesome thanks rich rich rich thank you for tuning in to this week's thank you for tuning in to this week's thank you for tuning in to this week's unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd unseminary podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out unseminary love to connect check out unseminary love to connect check out unseminary inbox you can sign up at unseminary.com inbox you can sign up at unseminary.com inbox you can sign up at unseminary.com and we'll send you helpful training and we'll send you helpful training and we'll send you helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you can use connect with rich on twitter at can use connect with rich on twitter at can use connect with rich on twitter at rich birch or through email rich rich birch or through email rich rich birch or through email rich unseminary.com don't forget to check out unseminary.com don't forget to check out unseminary.com don't forget to check out the show notes for this episode at the show notes for this episode at the show notes for this episode at unseminary.com it includes links to what unseminary.com it includes links to what unseminary.com it includes links to what we talked about today and more leave a we talked about today and more leave a we talked about today and more leave a comment we'd love to hear from you did comment we'd love to hear from you did comment we'd love to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes and leave a review thanks again for

and leave a review thanks again for and leave a review thanks again for tuning in to this week's on seminary tuning in to this week's on seminary tuning in to this week's on seminary podcast join us next week when we'll podcast join us next week when we'll podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in learn more stuff we wish they taught in learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary