Surviving the Mire

  Everyone straighten up!  We have some very important guests on the show this week – our wives! So act right! Comb your hair! And someone get some flowers! Before that the guys goof around, like they always do for a little bit, but then you’ll get to see the straight laced side of the three of them as they bring their wives on to discuss what it’s like to be a pastor’s wife. They cover the expectations, the heartaches, the struggles, and even some of the joys that these three ladies have endured because of their husband’s position within the church.  And trust us, with all the mistakes their husbands have made, these ladies have been through a lot! Tune in and learn a little bit more what it’s like being so close to the action of ministry! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link to Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android  

We had a few guests hang out with us throughout the entire podcast this week.  Derek couldn’t make it because of some personal issues, so we invited Cole’s family to join us.  We got to talk with Jeff Sagstetter, who is the youth professor at Manhattan Christian College, and also Cole’s Dad.  We were also joined by Cole’s brother, Seth, who is… well… just Seth… We talk about our weeks, about how Jeff is a drug trafficker,  and how Adam’s Rubik’s Cube was tragically stolen from his office. We also find out that Seth doesn’t really have a life, and how he doesn’t work well with others. We then get into an awesome conversation about the ins-and-outs of youth ministry, what a day may look like, and the joys and pains that we get to experience.  We’d love to hear some of your stories! Share them with us below! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link to Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android  

On this week’s podcast we get to catch up with some old friends! Before that, though, Derek confesses to giving his son the chicken pox, and how this has stirred up extreme debate amongst some parents at school.  Cole shares the exciting news about him becoming a dad! Of a puppy! And Adam shares his anti-patriotic views on Christian worship services! After getting through some heavy conversations, Cole and Derek catch up with Leah and Joel Stirewalt! They have officially completed their adoption, and are now adjusting to life with three new children in their house! If you missed their first episode make sure you check it out here! And also make sure you head on over to their blog and check out their journey thus far, and keep up with them in the future! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link to Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android  

  On this week’s episode the guys get a little crazy. Cole begins this week by describing how he got one of his students into trouble because of the story he told last week! Derek talks about how he worships idols and approves of immoral relationships. And Adam discusses his love/hate relationship with car dealerships.  We then enter into a great discussion of what the church could be, what we think the “perfect” worship service would look like, and just general possibilities of what the church could look like away from the typical model we are all accustomed to.  You may want to read one of our previous articles that is referenced throughout the discussion – Stop Inviting Your Friends to Church. Make sure you check it out! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link to Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android  

  We have another exciting episode for ya’ll this week! The best part? Derek’s not on it! So you know it’s going to be a great episode! We start out with a very intense and dramatic debate about Netflix’s most recent documentary “Making a Murderer,” and then Cole complains about how annoying the students he works with are (What a great youth pastor….). Then we have a great conversation with Ryan Shoemaker.  No, he doesn’t make shoes, but he is the worship pastor at Southern Heights Christian Church in Lebanon, MO.  We feel for Ryan because he has to work alongside Cole, but at least Cole has some kind of accountability in his life! We discuss the issues that face planning a multi-generational worship service, and what Ryan does to acknowledge and worship God in all that he does.  We also do a little brain-storming as to how we as pastors can better teach, and lead our congregations in worship of God! You don’t want to miss this episode! Your heart and mind will be blessed! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link to Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android  

This week we have a quick intro where Derek breaks the law, and gets us sued by Disney.  After that fiasco, we got to interview Officer Curtis Jensen.  He is a police officer in the first two years of his career, and brings a fresh, but also unique, view to his position. Curtis has been in ministry with a degree from Manhattan Christian College, has a masters degree in psychology, and uses both degrees in his career as a police officer. We get to discuss the current climate of officer relations with the public, how that has influenced how he does his job, and even how the church can better minister to those people in emergency professions.  And of course, we try to make fun of Derek as much as possible! You don’t want to miss this! Check it out! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link to Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android  

This week we are a man down.  Derek’s wife is having some health issues that prevented him from being with us (Keep them in your prayers!).  However, the show must go on! With Derek gone, Adam and Cole run amuck! Adam rants about how he hates Christmas, and is basically a bigger version of the Grinch! And Cole brags about how he organized a giant gathering of college students for Christian Mingle! After these holiday shenanigans the guys sit down with Fred Oduyoye from Youth Specialties.  Fred is their Director of Networking, and spends some time talking to us about how The Church can be better at networking, working together, and actually being The Church! We get to talk about what his role is with that, especially concerning youth ministry! Fred was a lot of fun to talk with, so make sure you take a listen, and also check out what they are doing to help network area churches across the United States! Also check out what else Youth Specialties is doing around the world! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link To Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android     

From being isolated at Gasconade Christian Service Camp for a weekend the guys are a little loopy on this week’s podcast.  The three of them decided to get away to talk about the direction of Surviving the Mire, and the podcast took on a new persona because of the three of them being together.  One room cannot handle that much sarcasm… or smell…  This week we cover some social issues that are plaguing this world, and also how those issues are effecting the church.  We cover topics like gun control, drug addiction, a little bit of politics, and a whole lot of Jesus! You don’t want to miss this! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link To Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android     

Some pretty heavy conversations this week. Derek announces what he has done to 3 orphans from Bulgaria, and a dog.  Cole gives Adam some advice about how to remove his foot from his mouth that he received from the National Youth Workers Convention. Then Adam talks about how the fame of this podcast has gone to his head.  We then talk to Agent “J.” Yupp, we interviewed a real MIB Agent (We wish…).  Agent “J” works with human trafficking victims, and because of his position needs to maintain anonymity.  We get to hear some intense stories about some rescues, but also get to hear how prevalent this issue is in the US.  “J” also gives us some great advice in how we can partner in the fight against human trafficking, how to start those conversations in our community, and where to begin to get plugged in with this fight. To get more information, statistics, and to get involved visit Exodus Cry. You don’t want to miss this! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link To Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android     

On this week’s podcast we are joined by one of the most evil beings to have ever lived – past, present, or even future (Who could it be?!)! We get to hear Derek talk crap on the Kansas City Royals – literally, a bunch of poo in Kansas City! Cole and Adam take a trip down memory lane of starting an international incident at a Thai Restaurant in Manhattan, KS! And Adam takes up arms in the “War on Christmas!” We also have the joy of talking with Carl Thomas (Check out his website and blog here!).  He’s an on-staff pastor at XXXCHurch (Check out their site here!).  This organization is actively taking the Gospel to the darkness of the pornography industry.  They attend porn conventions, hand out Bibles, and try to converse with people in the industry to let them know that there is hope for them outside of this industry.  They also want to help anyone who is struggling with an addiction with pornography.  They have an awesome website monitoring system called x3Watch, that helps hold you accountable to what you look at online.  They have online support groups.  They also have a plethora of workshops, curriculum, and information to help people battle against this growing epidemic in America.  It was awesome to get an inside look at this organization, and they’d love to partner with you, and your churches (Have them come speak at your church!) to minister to people around the world struggling with the issue of pornography and sex addiction! Make sure you check them out! For those who subscribe via email Follow This Link To Listen! Or to listen on the go click below! iTunes || Android