QUESTION: Why does this event cost more than the 1-day seminar?

ANSWER: First of all, it’s a matter of simple math. To do what we want to do in this seminar, we have to LIMIT registrations to a maximum of 30 people. With the normal STT seminars (oftentimes in the hundreds), we can budget based on a much larger number of registrations. Plus, the 2-day seminar is...well...longer than the 1-day seminar. That requires us to be away from home twice as many days. [do we want to add anything about comparable prices]

Bottom line: when you decide to do a seminar that is twice as long for a group of people that is one-tenth the size, you have to charge the participants more money.

QUESTION: Why is this event worth more than the 1-day seminar?

ANSWER: If all we did was talk the entire time, it probably wouldn’t be. But then again, if we were only going to do that, we wouldn’t need that second day. The idea behind this seminar came to us when youthworkers began to give us feedback like: “This (STT) day was great! I loved it; our volunteers loved it, and I feel like we all got some great take-away. But, what I feel like I need now is some more hands-on practice and some way to get feedback as I try to apply this stuff.” That’s the STT 2-Day in a nutshell.

This seminar will give participants all of the content of the 1-day event, PLUS some additional content on several areas like message preparation and delivery techniques that we don’t have time to offer in a one-day format.

The biggest add is that we have allocated about one-fourth of the time for allowing participants to give talks and receive on-site coaching and critique. Every participant may not be able to deliver a message, but each participant will take part in a laboratory experience where there will be coaching and critique from both Doug and Duffy, and from other seminar participants. This experience always enhances the learning process. We learn better by doing and watching others do.

We’ve had a chance to do this 2 day format in other settings and the youthworkers report that,by far, more than any other “preaching” training they’ve had, this has helped them to sharpen and tweak their communication skills:
- they become aware of habits that they weren’t aware of,
- they discovered small ways to fine-tune and strengthen their teaching,
- they learned tricks and techniques making them more effective communicators,
- they adjusted small elements of their delivery to become more persuasive.

Bottom line: This seminar allows participants to practice what we teach (in the seminar) and preach the practices we’ve talked about… all in a setting that allows encouragement, critique and honest,valuable coaching.

QUESTION: Will there be any more Speaking To Teenagers 1-day seminars?

ANSWER: Thanks for asking! Because we’re sold on the value of this 2-day format, we’re hoping to do more of these 2-day STT events in the future, and less of the 1-day events. But, we’ve also heard from denominational groups and youth ministry networks who want this type of training for their leaders, and they don’t have the luxury of attending a 2-day event. The 1-day events are a ton of fun, they’ve gotten great feedback, and they’ve helped a lot of people. So, if a group wants to book one, we’re still willing to help them do that. But, before you do, ask yourself if this 2-day format might not bring more value for your group!
Bottom line: If you really want a 1-Day format, get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to discuss it. We’d also be happy to talk to you about our newest seminar for youthworkers and parents called, “Developing a Faith that Lasts.”

QUESTION: Do I have to give a talk in front of everyone? What if I want to attend but would prefer not to give a message?

ANSWER: That’s not a problem! Actually, that’s a good thing for us—we won’t have time for everyone to speak.

We understand that some people who are quite comfortable speaking in front of their home audiences find this type of setting very intimidating. So, you are more than welcome to attend without being pressured to give a message in this setting.

Two additional comments related to this question:
(1) You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn by watching and listening to other people speak. That, in and of itself, can be a HUGE benefit. But, you will also gain a great deal by hearing the coaching and critique offered to hose who do speak. You’ll find that a lot of input directed at others will actually enhance your own communication.

(2) We suggest you still do the prep work so that you could present a message should you change your mind. A lot of folks, when they realize how this works, and that it’s more about iron sharpening iron rather than swords piercing flesh, think to themselves, “I’d like to take a turn at that”!

Bottom line: This isn’t school. We want to create an environment in which people are comfortable stretching some new communication muscles. But, there is no required gym class. If you prefer, you may do the exercises in the comfort of your own audience.

QUESTION: Will both Doug and Duffy do the coaching?

ANSWER: Yes. Everyone will receive coaching in a setting with both Doug and Duffy.

Bottom line: You will get a chance to draw from about 60 years of collective youth ministry/speaking experience.

QUESTION: What are we doing during the evening hours on Day 1?

ANSWER: We allow that time for people to prepare for their presentations on Day 2. The idea is that they may want to tweak, reshape, or re-think a message based on what they’ve heard on Day 1. Then they can incorporate that material and practice the ideas when they give their talks on Day 2.
Or, if you live nearby, you’ll finish early enough on Day 1 to go home, be with family and sleep in your own bed.
Or, you can hang out with other folks who are attending the seminar. We will try to provide fun options and adult supervision.

Bottom line: It’s up to you. The evening of Day 1 really is open.

QUESTION: It appears that there’s a lot of “bottom line” language here…is there a reason for that?

ANSWER: Truth be known, we’re better speakers than writers and when you have a history of writing run-on sentences and aren’t sure how to give detailed answers in short, bite-sized, and pithy ways it becomes much easier to have a default phrase that is transferable to all questions.

Bottom line: We didn’t really know how to end this FAQ and we’re doubtful that people will be reading this far down the page.