In this episode of The SSM Student Pastor Hot Seat, Ian Dunaway and John Oliver sit down with Aaron Crider to discuss what happens after stepping into a new ministry role. Aaron reflects on the challenges and lessons of his first year in a new church, sharing about the emotional weight of transitions, the importance of community, and the growth that comes through waiting.

The conversation offers practical encouragement for student pastors navigating seasons of uncertainty, and it closes with a rapid-fire “Hot Seat” segment where Aaron answers real questions about his journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Ministry transitions take time and trust

• God works in the waiting

• Every church has a unique culture

• Personal growth often comes through difficulty

• Encouragement and clarity often come through community

Subscribe for more honest conversations from the frontlines of student ministry. https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=773827b2-795a-4f64-9c6e-c6133282c5c5

As student pastors, we often discuss parents being the “primary disciple makers” of their children, but what does that really mean in practice?

In this episode, John and Ian sit down with Dr. Will Crum from Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN, to talk about how churches can equip and encourage parents to actually step into that calling.

We cover:

• Why parents have more influence than pastors ever will

• The 100-year discipleship deficit in the church

• Simple, practical ways parents can disciple their kids daily

• How to help parents overcome fear, shame, and overwhelm

• Why parenting for something (not just against the world) changes everything

At the end, we share about an exciting 8-week parent discipleship resource we’ve put together with Dr. Crum, which will SOON be available for members of the SSM Community.

Join the community and grab the resource: https://www.shapingstudentministry.com/pricing-plans/checkout-1?planId=bdf7472e-3f3d-46f9-8d7e-08c08d9477fe&checkoutFlowId=773827b2-795a-4f64-9c6e-c6133282c5c5

How do you design a midweek student service that actually matters?

In this episode, John and Ian dive deep into the structure, philosophy, and flow of midweek gatherings. From preaching to programming, from fun to follow-up, this conversation will challenge how you approach your weekly rhythm. Whether you’re questioning if small groups still work, wondering how long your sermon should be, or simply want to re-center your gathering on Jesus, this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• Why your “why” matters more than your format

• What a healthy gathering flow looks like

• How to teach with clarity and conviction

• When small groups help—and when they don’t

• Mistakes we’ve made and what we’d do differently

This episode is part of our ongoing mission to equip student pastors and volunteers with content that’s theologically sound, practically helpful, and honest about the real challenges of ministry.

Want more tools?

We’ve built a years of curriculum, leader tools, and training resources at shapingstudentministry.com/sermons