Book Review: Small Group Strategies by Laurie Polich & Charley Scandlyn

Small groups are wonderful avenues for growth. Small groups help students connect with each other. Small groups help adults connect and mentor students. Small groups are vital to many ministries around the world. Small groups are not always easy. So, how can you make them the best they can be? Allow Small Group Strategies to help.

Whether you are thinking about starting a small group or have been leading small groups for 20 years, this book will be a great resource. Small Group Strategies is not a book on starting or maintaining a small group structure. It is not a manual for how to run or lead a small group, though these topics are discussed briefly. It is a resource for strengthening and challenging individual small groups.

You will find ideas which will challenge and stretch a small group. Ideas are separated into five main categories: community, worship, discipleship, service and outreach. Within each category are levels. If your group is looking to go to level six in community (looking for ways to expand your community) then you have six great ideas to try. The six ideas are: the empty chair, a theme night, on campus community, Jesus in my community, small group family night, and bring a friend night. Each idea is fleshed out in greater detail to help you understand how to implement it within your small group.

Not sure where your small group is? Then you can use the small group profile provided on page 30 to evaluate. Once you have evaluated your group, you will want to study the small group matrix on pg. 28 and 29. The small group matrix helps you understand each growth area and the six levels in each area. It also allows you to see the bigger picture of where your group is spiritually. These two pages all alone are a great resource for anyone leading a small group.

As you look through the 182 ideas offered, you will find yourself building off of some of the ideas. Some of the ideas will stick out in such a way, you will want to implement them in your next meeting. Two such ideas, for me, are cross of brokenness and bags of sin. These two ideas are in level four of worship: giving students opportunities to experience intimacy with God.

Could you use some fresh ideas? Do your small group leaders need some ideas? If so, then this book is a resource you need to pick up.


My advice (rating) – go out and buy it (4 out of 5)

Photo Friday: Pink Elephant Drives

Yep, that is a pink elephant driving that truck.

Starting a Local Youth Worker Network: getting to know the area

When I worked in GA, there was an existing network of youth workers who met regularly. I joined the group shortly after I started ministry and was sad to leave the group when I left the ministry at that church. The connection I made with the other youth workers helped me get through a ton of stuff. Since I was new to ministry, I was able to glean a lot of wisdom from a few of the more seasoned youth workers. I was even able to get some mentoring (which was greatly beneficial).

Then I moved to a small town in southern IL. There is no youth worker network. There is really not too many youth ministers (part or full time). A majority of the youth workers in this area are volunteer. The youth ministries have, in the past, not really done too much together. I wanted to change that.

I know the benefit to having a network of youth workers, so I have been working on starting a network in this area. As the network grows and changes, I am going to try to share insights and lessons learned with you (the reader). So, this is the first of many posts on how to start a local youth worker network.


How to start a local youth worker network:

1. Become familiar with your area.
Are there a lot of full time youth ministers? What is the average youth ministry like? Do the youth workers have other jobs? Is there a history of interaction between the local ministries?

This step can be done fairly quickly, depending on how long you have been in your area. Unless you understand the area you are ministering in, you will have a hard time working together with other youth workers.

The importance of this step is that it is foundational. Once you understand and become familiar with the area, you can plan for the best way to connect and encourage the area youth workers.

This step is also beneficial to you as you start a new ministry.

5 Things that last longer than youth ministers

5 Things that last longer than youth ministers in the local church:

1. 4 C batteries in a toy fire engine

2. A grande coffee from Starbucks

3. A pack of gum in an orthodontist's office

4. The long suffering of a Cubs fan

5. The student loan from going to college to be a youth minister

Tag is bad, according to this school

No more tag on the playground.

A Colorado school as banned tag from being an option during recess. I don't see it as too much of an issue. I just find it interesting that you can ban tag. The assistant principal said,

Running games are still allowed as long as students don't chase each other.

When I was in high school, I tried to ban "spoons" from being played at my house. I haven't banned any games in the youth ministry yet, but I have tried to adjust games to even the playing field between athletes and non-athletes.

Have you ever had to ban any certain games from your youth ministry?

The Office: Summer Vacation video

Don't watch this if you don't want to see any new footage from the upcoming season 4 of the Office. If you want to laugh and/or wonder what happened between season 3 and season 4 - then you will def. want to watch this video.

There, you have been warned:

small town trust

Last night, I got a glimpse of the beauty of small town trust. I took the boys to Dollar General to pick up a few items. While there, we ran into someone from the church (I know, shocking in a town of 2000 that I would see someone I know). After talking for a little bit, we went back to getting our last item. When we walked to the checkout I saw some hamburger buns in a bag. So I asked if someone how left them after paying for them. The two ladies said "yeah, I think it was that lady." Neither one knew her (which was strange for a small town). I asked if it was the lady with the young boy (this being the women I knew). "I think so," was the answer I got.

I told them that I knew her and could get the hamburger buns to her. Keep in mind, neither of these ladies really know me. The cashier looked at me and asked if I wanted to do that. I said that I would. She then said, "Okay, and I guess if this is not hers you can bring it back tomorrow."

She trusted me to do one of two things: 1. contact the lady and see if she left the buns in the store. 2. return them to her or the store

Turns out the lady did leave them, but told me to keep them.

Is there anywhere in your town where they would trust you to do something like this? Do you trust people this way? Do we (in the church) trust people this much? Can we in today's culture?

The picture just doesn't fit

This is the cover for the athletic booklet at the school in town. The mascot is a fighting lion. But doesn't that lion look like he is dancing, not fighting. Thankfully this is not the regular "logo" the school uses.

If you are from northern IN, you may know of Bob Rohrman (he sells RV's). Doesn't that lion look like the lion that says "Rooooooohrman" in the TV commercials?

Trivia Wednesday #32

answer #31 - Singin' in the Rain

question #32 - Which popular doll, introduced in 1959, cost $2.99 at the time?

Aaron Shust: Whispered and Shouted

The sophomore album from Aaron Shust is packed with great songs. For fans of the first album, Anything Worth Saying, this new album will come as a much appreciated continuation of great music. For those who have not heard of Aaron Shust, this album is a great way to start.

From the first track, Long Live the King, to the last, Worthy/Let All I Do, you'll be singing along in no time. Along with the extra singing, I also find myself a little happier after listening.

My favorite song on the whole album is Long Live the King. Shust says it was inspired in part from watching The Chronicles of Narnia and continually hearing all of Narnia refer to Aslan with those words. Long Live the King is a great reminder of how I need to respond to God. Look at all He has done, I should show Him honor and respect.

This album is a great addition to your collection. Put it in your iTunes, your iPod or whatever you happen to use. But I would suggest you buy the album at Family Christian for one reason. When you buy Whispered and Shouted from Family, you get the Inspired Heart edition (which includes an additional interview DVD). This DVD is a great resource to hear the stories behind the songs and to get a glimpse into the process of writing and making the album.



(photo from aaronshust.com)

Household Tip: Getting Your Laundry Done Quickly

Maybe you have a pair of jeans or a shirt you really like to wear, but you can't wear it as much as you want. Every time you want to wear it, its in the laundry. What are you to do? Here is what I do when I don't want to wait a long time...

Put the clothes you want to get back quickly in the laundry room. Preferably the best place is on top of the washer. What I have learned is that the laundry that is on the washer gets done in the next load - regardless of what else is getting washed. It may take a week for my laundry to get washed, but the boys' laundry might get done tomorrow. So, if I put a favorite shirt in the laundry room then it gets washed with the boys' laundry and I'm free to enjoy wearing it again sooner.

Now this may not work if you live alone. :)

Even if you don't have children, it can work for you (sheets and towels can always use filler).

Try it and see if it works in your house. If so, "you are welcome"

New Poll: Your Role in the Church

I just posted a new two-week poll. This time I want to know your role in the church (ie. local congregation). I'm wondering how many non-youth workers read this blog. Take a minute and answer the poll. If you would like to clarify your answer or share a little about your role, please do so by leaving a comment on this post.

I work with mainly jr. high and high school students. I do oversee a Kids Worship (3-6 grade), but for the most part it is just the older students.

Scavenger Hunt: jr. high vs. high school

Yesterday, for our kickoff we split up the jr. high (7/8) and the high school (9-12) for the games and scavenger hunt. The high school did the hunt first, while the jr. high played the games. Then we switched.

Afterward while talking to some of the youth coaches I was told about a big difference most of them noticed. The high school was more into it then the jr. high. There were some jr. highers (mostly girls) who didn't want to participate in certain things because they were scared a friend would see them and would make fun of them at school.

I was really caught off guard by this conclusion. I thought the jr. highers would be more willing to "be silly" than the high schoolers - but I was wrong. I haven't watched much of the video or seen many of the pictures yet, so we'll see. But I have a feeling it could have just been the few girls who were a little "too good" to participate.

Have you noticed this difference between jh & hs? Is it normally the high school who are more willing to "be silly" and embarrass themselves?

Poll Results: Years in Youth Ministry

How long have my readers been in youth ministry? (that is to say, the ones who voted at least). 50% have been in ministry for 1-5 years. 33% have been in ministry 6-10 years. And 16% over 11 years. That is translated into 3 people within the first 5 years. 2 people in their 6-10th year. And 1 person with over 11 years of ministry experience.

Discussion Starter: Mormonism taught via cartoon

Here is a video that discusses Mormonism using a cartoon format. It is a very interesting video. We are going to be starting a small group on other religions and faiths in a few weeks, and I'm going to use this video to start our discussion on Mormonism.



Any other ways to use the video? What else could you use it for?

(gracias a Ben)

Fall Kickoff

Our Fall Kickoff is this Sunday. The way our church is set up, the students don't move up til the first Sunday in Sept. (even though this is their second week of school already). So, last year we had the high school and jr. high split for parts of the kickoff and together at the end. It worked pretty well, so we thought we'd do it again this year.

This year, we're doing a scavenger hunt and outdoor games. Our theme is "The Hunt" (so the scavenger hunt just seemed obvious). One group will do the scavenger hunt, while the other does the games - then they'll switch. then for the for last 2 hours it will be combined for a bonfire with dinner/worship/devo.

I'm excited about all of it - I'm hearing a good amount of excitement from the students and think we could have a great group. The one thing I'm not excited about is filling all the water balloons. I hate filling water balloons.

Sunday, the Hunt will be on. I'll post any pictures and stories next week. I'm especially looking forward to the scavenger hunt. It is a combination of video/photo hunt. I went around town and took upclose shots of places for them to find and do "something" at to get points. We'll see how well they know their town.

Photo Friday: 1st Day of Preschool

the picture that will make me cry at his graduation.

deep spiritual questions from a 3 year old

While reading our nightly story from our "Jesus Book" tonight (which was from Mt. - on the rich man who throws the feast and ends up inviting the lowest of society) Nathan asked a very deep question. He asked Amy and I if the four of us (us, him and his brother) were all going to be with Jesus in Heaven.

It caught me off guard, though it shouldn't. We told him that that would be a decision he and his brother would have to make as they grew older.

But, what a question...

Free Robbie Seay Band CD

Robbie Seay Band has a new album coming out and you can download it for free, thanks to Relevant Magazine. Go here to download it. You are required to sign up for 2 newsletters: 850 Words (Relevant) and a Robbie Seay Band newsletter. I already get the 850 words and enjoy it, so its worth the sign up. You only have until Friday (tomorrow) to get this entire album for free, so go quickly.

I've been able to listen to most of the album and I like what I hear. Go check it out, download the album and enjoy some new "free" music.

(gracias a Brian)

Rangers score 30

Check out the story here. Now that would have been a game to watch in person. The article says it hasn't happened in 110 years. Apparently, they are not counting church softball games.