Youth Rally: Trash & Consequences

Last night was our area wide Youth Rally. I have to say, it was the first time I've been in the position of hosting something like it. The theme was Trash & Consequences. I was a little nervous about this theme at first, but I had no reason to be nervous. It was a great message. I'm glad I didn't try to change it back when we were planning - that would have been a bad decision.

I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had been told that the last couple years were ok, nothing special. So I wanted to make sure, from the beginning, that this one was the best we could do - not just something to do. Well, all the youth coaches that pulled it together did better than good. It was phenomenal! I was shocked (is it okay for me to say that about something we hosted) at how well it flowed and how the students responded.

We were not sure what to expect with a turnout, but we had more than we were thinking. Even had enough food to feed everyone :). The "food staff" had some trash (not real trash, that would be sick)and trashbags on the tables for decoration. They also served the food out of new trash cans. It was fun and helped add some atmosphere.

The band did a great job, despite the hiccups we faced trying to set everything up. The drama was a homerun (we don't do enough drama around our church). Message was on target and emphasized the theme very well.

Overall, it was an encouraging night. I wouldn't want to do it every week, but I'm pumped to do it more than once a year. I got to talk with a few of the area youth workers and we're going to start working on getting some more area wide events going this year - exciting. I was told that a few people have called the church today to express their excitement about the event and to encourage us.

What I'm most excited about is the response from the students about the "trash" in their life. May they leave their trash with God and let Him clean them up. That's why we did it, life change.

Small Town Youth Ministry

I've been at my church for 10 months now. As the year has gone by I am learning more and more about ministering in a small town. There are some aspects of youth ministry that are very different and some that are pretty much standard across the board. Last year about this time, as we were visiting and waiting I started trying to figure out what would be different with a small town youth ministry. I think I've learned a lot over the last year about the "challenges" and "advantages" of ministering in a small, rural town.

Today I start a series of ongoing posts about small town Youth ministry. I'll be sharing from my experience (both good and bad) and sharing some observations. If you are ministering in a small town and have some advice, please let me know and I'll post it so other ministers can benefit from it.

Before I get going too far, I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on what is different in small town vs. big town youth ministry.

For example, Have you ever had a student ride his ATV to youth group? I have.

The Simpsons: 24 Minutes

Promo shot from the season finale of the Simpsons. It will air May 20 (2nd of 2 new episodes that night). Thought the promo shot was cool (obviously its a take on 24)

Hoping for something good to finish up the season before the movie this summer. Maybe they'll do a X-Files type movie where it goes with the storyline of the season (oh wait, they don't have a storyline).

The Office: Jim/Dwight

Has got to be the funniest bookends of the series. Someone was nice enough to put it on YouTube, so here it is for you enjoyment.

Lessons from The Office: Product Recall

WOW. So that's what Creed does - he's quality control. With Creed doing QC, I'm suprised this is the first mishap they've written into the show.

Lessons learned:
1. Never, ever hire a homeless guy (Creed) to be your quality control.
2. Never donate cash to a card being circulated by Creed.
3. People will not always respond favorably to an apology, even if you throw in a novelty check.
4. Some people have a hard time saying "I'm sorry" without adding to it.
5. Identity Theft is serious. It's not funny to pretend to be someone else. No, I'm wrong - it is funny.
6. Never date someone working part-time at a frozen yogurt place.
7. Constructive criticism is hard to give to some people.
8. Am I allowed to take out an ad in your yearbook?


ps. I wish the episode had less of the language in it.

Photo Friday #16

Bocce Ball with friends. What a sport.

Pinnacle: Studio MovieBox

I'm looking at getting some hardware to be able to import video from DVD, etc. I'm looking at the MovieBox from Pinnacle. They have MovieBox Plus (I think) which comes with a microphone and green screen for $50 more. Is it worth, for those who have used it, the extra $50 to get some extra stuff?

What experience do you have with it? Please let me know what has worked or not worked to do this sort of video stuff.

The quality of my videos will appreciate it.

YM lessons from Duct Tape

Who hasn't used duct tape in youth ministry before? (can you really pass up taping a kid to the wall?)

Guy Kawasaki has posted a top ten list by John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide

You can find the post on the essense of duct tape marketing here. I think some of these tips can be applied to youth ministry. We are not selling anything (unless you count those bake sales), but we need to be purposeful about our "marketing." I think we market whether we want to or not.

Here are a few of the 10 tips (with my thoughts) youth ministries can learn from:

1. Narrow the market focus. Create a picture of who you are trying to reach: what they look like, how they think, what they value, and where you can find them.

2. Differentiate. Strip everything you know about your ministry down to the simplest core idea. Make sure this core idea seperates your ministry from the world.

3. Think about strategy first. Take everything you’ve done in steps one and two and create a strategy to own a word or two in the mind of your ideal client and prospect.

4. Create information that educates. You are in the life-changing business, so think of your marketing materials, web sites, white papers as information products. Don't confuse students, be clear.

5. Measure everything that matters. Certain things always matter. The secret sauce is in finding and measuring the intangibles – those things done out of the limelight that add up to changed lives.

6. Commit. Resist the temptation of the youth ministry trend of the week. Know what your goal is and stick with it. Be diligent in focusing on ministry aspects that help you reach that goal - and stand firm.

The Bible = Get Out of Jail "Free" Card

A judge in Ohio freed a man after he quoted Ps. 23. Really, he did. Read it here. Or here it is in its entirity:

Ohio Judge Frees Man After Bible Quiz

CINCINNATI (AP) - A man arrested on Wednesday for allegedly trying to use a stolen credit card at a drugstore got a break from a judge after passing a sort of Bible quiz.

When Eric Hine appeared in court this morning, his attorney described him as a church-goer, hoping the judge would set a low bond.

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew was skeptical and asked Hine to recite the 23rd Psalm.

He did: all six verses. Some in the courtroom applauded.

Burlew was satisfied and released Hine on a $10,0000 appearance bond, meaning he'll have to pay that amount if he doesn't show up for his next court date.

Notice its in Cincy, too. CCU is having an impact. :)

The Office: Product Recall

Tonight's episode should be good. Jim and Drew out in the field working together, it should be good. Michael holds a press conference - classic.

Can't wait. Only 11 more hours :)

to quote someone else: Terry Briley (on forgiveness)

"The very awareness of sin, however, opens the door for forgiveness."

taken from The College Press NIV Commentary: Isaiah vol. 1 by Terry Briley

This is in context of Isa. 6, where Isaiah sees a vision of God and responds by saying he is ruined, a man of unclean lips. There is no hope for him, but this awareness of sin paves way to forgiveness he will receive.

I believe this statement says volumes for our ministries. It is when people acknowledge their sin, then the hope of salvation is able to come in to their lives. Without acknowledgement of sin, people do not want to hear (b/c they don't need it) about salvation through Jesus Christ.

abstinence

I don't know if you have seen the article or not. Either way here is a link to it. Abstinence students still having sex It comes out of a study ordered by the gov't to see the "effectiveness" of abstinence programs. Its an interesting read.

One that caught my eye was this one:

Officials said one lesson they learned from the study is that the abstinence message should be reinforced in subsequent years to truly affect behavior.

So, I guess that means we should be teaching on sex & purity more than once every 4 years. :) I think they should try the once a month teaching method.

What have you seen in your ministries? Is the ratio of teens involved in sexual relationships affected by your teaching on the subject?

Trivia Wednesday #14

answer #13 - Clue

question #14 - Which "bear" is not in the bear family?

My boys are growing up

Recently I've been reminded in multiple ways that my boys are growing up.

5 signs my boys are growing up:
1. Wes is starting to say a lot more words (isn't "cookie" enough)
2. Wes moved up to a "big boy" bed
3. Nathan went to a birthday party WITHOUT us
4. Nathan turned 3 this week
5. They are really starting to play well together (which may not seem like much unless you have kids and remember that time the older child started actually playing with the younger one)

cell phone bed

Cell Phone Bed

Lovely Monkey MP3/Cell Phone Soft Boa Bed in Purple Combo


How many times have I dreamed about a bed for my cell phone to sleep in at night?

This might work if you are looking for a gift for some middle school girls, or boys (if you don't like them).

Parent(less) Meeting

If you have a parent meeting and no parent shows up, can you still put it on your elder report?

I'm supposed to be in a parent meeting right now, but no one showed up. Man, is this frustrating.

But I get to go home early and hang out with my family. So, its not all bad. :)

Today is Nathan's birthday party! He turns 3 on Monday.

ArkAlmighty

My church is now officially on board. There is not much up about our church yet, but we are a part of ArkAlmighty.

Ark ALMIGHTY is a good deeds program that matches up the needs in your congregation with the talents and skills of the members of your church. Gathering the needs of your attendees, these requests are compiled on a Craigslist–type website administered by your church. Then, the members of your church can easily search through the needs and find ways they can help.

This is a campaign connected with the upcoming movie EvanAlmighty, starring Steve Carell (from NBC's The Office).

Our youth ministry will play a huge part in our efforts, but it will be much more than a "youth" event/program. I'm hoping this will encourage more interaction between the generations and spur people to start doing more. I'm really excited about the kinds of things that will be done across the country on behalf of this "campaign." Not to mention, the impact it will have in this community.

I'll post more in the next few days.

Photo Friday: Flashback

I've been trying to clean up some of our old pictures on iphoto lately. And yesterday, I came across this awesome picture. Here's the brief story. We were at a '05 Jr. High Believe, in Atl, eating lunch at the mall. Some of the "on stage" people were also eating lunch at the mall. One of the girls in my group wanted to go over and get Daren Streblow's autograph. Since she was already going over, I asked her to take the rest of my pizza and have him sign the bottom of it. And he did!



No, I don't have the pizza anymore - if I did you would be finding it on eBay.

Top 10 students in the country

After years of research and anticipation. Here is it! The list of the top 10 students in the country. Yes, this is a legitimate list that can be used to measure your students by.

How did I put this list together? First, I selected the best youth groups in the country. Second, I found the top student in each group. Third, I ranked those top students in order. Finally, if a student is #11 or below they did not make my top 10 list.

Each student will be listed by first name (which may or may not be their real name). I will also list one brief statement about why each student made the list.

top 10 students in the country:
1. Mike - has been to every youth event since birth, including the "clean the toilets overnighter."
2. Melissa - has Ps. 119 memorized in Hebrew.
3. Shea - always laughs at youth minister's jokes.
4. Timmy - never speaks out of turn.
5. Amber - reads her Bible each morning and evening.
6. Roberto - has led prayer before class three years straight.
7. Raul - writes youth minister's newsletter articles, so the youth minister can have more time for relationships.
8. Jessica - kissed dating goodbye.
9. Dwight - best assistant to the youth minister.
10. Ralph - has a heart for the underdog. "Go banana"

I hope one of your students made the list.

Jesus' Tomb - it may not be that Jesus

I haven't heard a lot of buzz about this lately. Seems the great debate has evaded the southern part of IL, at least after the first few days. Haven't thought about it much lately, but I ran across some interesting news the other day. Apparently some of the scholars are starting to "rethink" their positions.

I found this post over at Seldom Wrong, Never in Doubt.