Subscribe to the NetworkJunior Highers and Materialism
Kurt on November 28th, 2007
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morethandodgeball.com
Top Youth Ministry Blog Posts: August 2010
Josh at 6:27pm, September 2, 2010Here are the top 10 most popular blog posts from August 2010 here on More Than Dodgeball:
- The Only Way We Communicate to Students
- the #1 Search on MTDB this Summer
- 4 Questions about Fall Kickoff and Resources to Help Answer Them
- Books That Have Shaped Me the Most in Youth Ministry
- Saddleback HSM’s Fall Youth Ministry Calendar
- POLL: Do you have a youth ministry education?
- 3 Ways to Fight the Urge to Quit Youth Ministry
- Self-Service Pastoral Care Brochures for Students
- How to Really Connect with Teenagers
- Weigh In: Connecting with Local Schools
JG
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youthministrygeek.com
Apple to Provide Live Video Streaming of September 1 Event
Chris at 11:35pm, August 31, 2010This may make the live bloggers a little miffed, but apple announced they will live stream their event tomorrow. I love that they made this move.
From their site: Apple will broadcast its September 1 event online using Apple?s industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming, which is based on open standards. Viewing requires either a Mac running Safari on Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard, an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or higher, or an iPad?. The live broadcast will begin at 10:00 a.m. PDT on September 1, 2010 at www.apple.com.
I’ll be sure to log in, how about you?
UPDATE: Here the link for the live stream: http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1009qpeijrfn/event. Here are the system requirements: Safari 4 or 5 on Mac OS X Snow Leopard or Safari on iOS 3 or later. Sorry PC friends.
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marriedtoayouthpastor.com
Cha-cha-cha-Changes
Amanda at 5:41am, July 12, 2010There are a lot of changes happening in our student ministries right now. In the midst of the crazy summer so many other components are moving in different directions. Many of the changes are great, and needed. And it will be exciting to see how God will unfold all that we have been praying for. But there are a few changes that I (as the wife) do not like so much and don’t understand. It is these changes that I don’t know what to say, and not say, and just what to do. My pride wants to shout at my husband, “Hey, did ya think it all through? Are ya real, REAL sure about that one?!” And my favorite, “Listen to me, listen to me, just listen to me!” BUT…..I know I shouldn’t.
I don’t know if I’m alone on this one, or what?? Anyone else fear change as much as me? I totally trust my husband and his call to this ministry. I do believe he is brilliant and gifted and a wonderful leader. Buuutttttt, what do you do when you don’t agree with it all?? Nothing? Pray? Vent, and visit this site?
I did take a big step (for me) this weekend. Our Pastor asked us to choose one area in which we would come to God daily for the summer and ask his guidance. I was certain that I was going to ask for wisdom concerning all these changes happening for us [...]
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collegeministrythoughts.com
Recent Radio Interview
Chuck at 8:37pm, August 31, 2010Yesterday I was on an hour long live radio show with Faith Radio in Saint Paul, Minnesota. We talked about the book I wrote with Reggie and Abbie called, The Slow Fade. They asked me a bunch of questions, people called in and sent emails to ask questions. If you’re interested in listening to that interview via podcast, click here.
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simplyinsider.com
SYMC 2011 Website is Live
Chris at 4:38pm, September 1, 2010We are excited to finally roll out the new SYMC website for 2011. The new site has the speaker line-up (although there’s more to come there), the great Training options, and all the registration details you need to know. There’s so much there you’ll have to check it out what Doug and the rest of the gang have planned.
We are so excited, I hope you join us in Chicago, March 4 – 7 2011.
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morethangossip.com
lessons from family time
Neely at 5:02pm, August 31, 2010This past Sunday, my family headed into the heart of Seattle to attend an Ethiopian church as part of celebratingour daughter. We decided that it would be special to have her dedicated at the Ethiopian church. And it was super special and memorable.
As I sat through the 31/2 hour service I thought a lot of being a first timer to church. This church did an AMAZING job welcoming us in- despite that our family was the only whiteys in the crowd they didn’t make us feel like we stood out. They greeted us, sat with us and even translated for us. The ENTIRE service was in Amharic…and though I couldn’t understand a word of what was being said I could understand the heart of worship in the place and it was powerful. After the service, no one was in a hurry to get out the door…they wanted to be together. So, they lingered together over coffee and bread. Enjoying the benefits and beauty of community.
Here’s a few things I learned:
1. Visitors need to be welcomed in a geniune way. It’s not enough to greet them at the door…someone needs to sit with them and explain what’s happening next or how we do this “traditional” activity. I think being insidea church for the first time can feel very similar to being at a church were no one speaks english- overwhelming and confusing but if you sense that you belong- you can [...]
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smallchurchyouthministry.com
Its September; do u know where ur volunteers are?
Stephanie at 6:00pm, September 2, 2010Ur YM has kicked off for the fall or is about to. How’s ur voluntold team looking?
Mark DeVries in his epic book, Sustainable Youth Ministry, says u should have 1 adult volunteer (engaged and relational I would add) for every 5 of ur youth. How’s that going for you?
Some of u are doing great. Skip the rest of this blog then and go back to chatting on FB.
For the rest of you: having trouble getting enough good volunteers?
Three reasons why: 1) Have you asked the right people?
2) Have you given them a specific job description with clear cut expectations, boundaries, plans and purpose?
3) Are you spending more time with ur teens than w ur volunteers?
Let any one of these three facts go awry and that’s a place to start figuring out why ur begging and pleading for help. Why ur pulling out hairs u can’t spare from ur head. Why uve even resorted to asking the SP if he would like to help “chaperon” the MS lock-in. Ur are one desperate YP if it comes to that!
Stephanie
PS-u can always tell when i’m posting from my phone. grammer, spelling and abbreviations don’t seem to matter to me.
My Late Night Fix
Kurt on November 27th, 2007
I have to come clean. I have officially become a Stephen Colbert fan. The Colbert Report is, in my opinion, one of the best written shows to come along in a long time. It takes what John Stewart started and improves on it.
Not as subtle as Stewart, but funnier.
Halo Boys
Kurt on November 25th, 2007
A couple of days ago, Marko posted about this photo essay of boys playing Halo. The passive, tranquil looks on their faces portray a strong sense of calm even though they are playing an intense game. Click on the link, look at their faces and then come back here and scroll down. My daughter took a picture of me playing the same game.
Very Thankful
Kurt on November 21st, 2007
“Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
James 1:17
Thank you, Father, for the gifts you have given me….they are too numerous to list.
Huh?
Kurt on November 20th, 2007
On several different occasions recently I’ve been told I look like one of these three people: Bruce Willis, Vin Diesel, Jason Kidd.
Other than my rugged good looks, my incredible build and my athletic skills I don’t see the resemblance.
Please forgive my inability to place pictures and text properly!
Weekend Wrap Up
Kurt on November 19th, 2007
Lesson Topic: Week Five of our Series: What’s The Point? (40 days of Purpose)
Attendance: Way below average
‘Fun Factor’: Average
Volunteer Involvement: Above Average
Music: Above Average
Lesson Quality: Above Average
Length of Lesson: 8 mins
Student Response: Above Average
Since this weekend was on the topic of discovering your ministry, we decided to have a shorter than usual lesson and a shorter than usual program in order to dismiss early for a junior high ministry fair. It was really fun. We had a carnival-like atomosphere set up outside our meeting space with 8 or 9 ministry team booths. Students got to mingle around and check out the various opportunites to serve within our ministry. The lesson was a pre-recorded, 8 minute lesson, on the various parts of the body of Christ.
All in all it was a really good weekend.
Random Randomness
Kurt on November 15th, 2007
- I’ve had my Xbox 360 for about two weeks and it’s already down. The ‘red circle of death’ came knocking a couple nights ago. Time to send it to Microsoft and wait and wait and wait.
- My favorite new show of the season is Cane (Tuesdays on CBS).
- I’m tired of teaching live on the weekends every week so this week we stole a page from our High School ministry and filming the lesson in my kitchen to shake things up a bit.
- My definition of Leadership is constantly changing. Does one definition always work?
- We’re having a little junior high ministry fair this weekend and creating our own cheesy petting zoo as part of the theme. Rabbits, puppies, snakes, a tarantula etc.
- The best new idea we’ve added to our program recently is something we call ‘Wildside On Location’. Our goal is to be on location at a different school every Friday or so with some smiling faces, a cooler full of drinks and some promo about our ministry. We set up shop at the busiest area and hang out with kids on their way home from school. So far, the response from students has been really positive.
- My kids get the entire Thanksgiving week off school. Looking forward to taking a couple days off to spend some family time together.
Pot Shots At Those On Top
Kurt on November 14th, 2007
Yesterday as we were leaving my office my 10-year-old son said, “Dad, I’ve decided I don’t want to be famous”. I found it hilarious that in his mind he was destined to fame until he decided he didn’t want it. When I asked him why he had decided not to be famous he had an interesting response. “Because when you’re famous everybody sits around waiting for you to make a mistake and then they gossip to each other about it.”
Then this morning I came across this article listing the least sanitary CEOs. I’m fascinated by the way our society builds people up and sets them on a podium and then quickly looks for ways to take pot shots at them. It’s a weird mix of admiration and envy.
It reminds me of the various conversations I’ve heard (and been a part of) when Christian leaders fall. A weird mix of admiration and envy, I think.
Weekend Wrap Up
Kurt on November 12th, 2007
Lesson Topic: Week Four of our Series: What’s The Point? (40 days of Purpose)
‘Fun Factor’: Average
Volunteer Involvement: Below Average
Music: Above Average
Lesson Quality: Above Average
Length of Lesson: 23 mins
Student Response: Average
It’s week four of our six week ‘What’s the Point?’ series. It’s part of the church-wide 40 days of purpose campaign that is going well but our ministry is beginning to feel the strain of a long series. We’ve got some fun stuff planned for the final two weeks so we should be able to finish strong.
Music this week was great. Other than an adult playing guitar in the background, it was entirely led by students which is always neat.
A Blast From The Past
Kurt on November 9th, 2007
In the current issue of YouthWorker Journal, there is a short interview with David Elkind who, while I was in college, was responsible for some of my early exposure to adolescent development, and the struggles young teens face in our culture.
His book, All Grown Up and No Place to Go, was required reading for one of my classes. Originally published in the mid 80′s (It’s been updated since then), this book served as a catalyst for my understanding of the importance of ministry to younger teens.
I think it remains required reading for youth workers.