Show Notes:

The “I’m a YM” Podcast is hosted by Eric Gray and Andrew Jenkins. It’s designed to be educational, encouraging and entertaining. The “I’m a YM” podcast is a part of AIM the Network, which is a branch of Adventures in Ministry. You can listen to our podcast on the AIM website or here. Also, it should be available in iTunes soon.

Give us some feedback. Send us an email to [email protected].

Our next episode will be recorded on Tuesday, March 18th at 1pm on Talkshoe.com. We’d love for you to join us. The episode will also be available for download.

Here are show notes from Episode 1.

Things you should not do in your first 2 years of YM
- Don’t let the kids convince you to play Ultimate Frisbee in a Lighting Storm
- Do not stay up all night before driving a group of teens home from camp the next day.
- Don’t throw a lock-in with no help (Ryan and I and 40 teens)
- Do not make radical changes (adding & cutting programs)
- Do not try to be your students’ best friend. BE their YM. Be an adult.
- Don’t always say YES
- Don’t spend all your time in the office. Don’t spend all your time out of the office
- Don’t reinvent the wheel (look at what is already in place…it might help you)
- Don’t write off that kid that everyone told you was a problem.
  - Don’t make preconceived judgements on students (listen to what others have to say, but listen to your students as well)
- Don’t make the parents look bad; they are your greatest asset (win them over)
  - Don’t teach a parenting class
  - Don’t forget you aren’t the parent.
- Don’t forget you still have your own family to take care of
- Don’t try to be like the last guy…you aren’t him
- As Journey would say, “Don’t Stop Believing”
  - Don’t stop believing in yourself.
  - You’re going to receive criticism, but that doesn’t have to destroy your ministry.