Oh, The Good ‘Ol Days…

on October 21st, 2008

Today in a meeting, we somehow went down a very fun rabbit trail. We started recalling all the traditions, sayings, activities, approaches to ministry etc. from the churches we grew up in and even from the youth ministries we’ve been a part of. Here are just a few….add your own to the list.

- Singing “In The Round”
- Extending the “Right Hand of Fellowship” to new church members.
- Overhead projectors.
- Being driven around in the back of the youth pastor’s pick up truck while Christmas caroling.
- Hearing the phrase “backsliding” as part of our vernacular.
- Goldfish swallowing contests.
- Showing students “physical affection” in the form of swirlees, wedgies, noogies, charlie horses, pink bellies etc.

Others????

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Monday Miscellaneous

on October 20th, 2008

- This past weekend we wrapped up our six-week series, The Face of Love. We rarely do such long series, but it was part of a church-wide emphasis. Two weeks ago, we started having a Friday morning “Talk Through” of our weekend program because it felt like we were showing up on Saturday without a good enough grasp on what we were doing. So far, the results have been tremendous and well worth the extra effort.

- I feel really tired. Since the opening of our building in June, our team has been running 110% all the time. But the end of October looks like it will bring a little bit of down time for all of us.

- Big game tonight! A Broncos win will put them in the driver’s seat of the AFC West.

- My wife and I have been meaning to for years, and today….at the deadline…we officially switched our voting registration to “Decline to State”, which puts us as independents. I feel like I’m betraying my party….and my parents!

- Speaking of parents: I feel like I was a crappy one this weekend. I wasn’t around much, I over-reacted to a situation with Cole, and when I was around, I choose to huddle up and watch too much football. Unlike me, and probably a sign of my fatigue.

- Heading out for a short date day with Rachel. Smiles all around.

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Pragmatism In My DNA, I Think

on October 16th, 2008

Nobody has ever accused me of being a deep thinker, and I’m surprisingly okay with that. I’m a pragmatist through and through….with all the good and bad that comes with it.

After over 20 years of hands-on youth ministry combined with undergraduate and graduate education in the field mixed with extensive reading and writing on the topic combined with attending and teaching countless seminars and workshops dealing with youth ministry, I think I have come up with my own manifesto, of sorts (shout out to Marko…).

This is in no way meant to be a response to Marko’s book or to Chap Clark’s books or to Doug Fields’ books or to Kara Powell’s books or to Mark Yaconelli’s books or to my own books or to…..well you get the point…there are a LOT of youth ministry books with a lot of incredible, important, information about how we can be better at what we are called to do. I’m a proponent of being a life-long learner, and I think the more reading and training and sharpening we can get, the better we become. But with all that also comes a muddying of the waters. Some of the most basic principles in youth ministry can get lost. So sometimes a little simple, pragmatic thinking can be a good thing.

So, my pragmatic youth ministry manifesto is this: Build a team of caring, Christ-following adults who like teenagers, then do whatever seems to work best in [...]

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A Short, Thought-Provoking Must-Read

on October 14th, 2008

On the flight home from Sacramento yesterday I devoured Mark Ostreicher’s new book, “Youth Ministry 3.0″. If you work with students, you simply must read this book.

I say this not because I agree with everything Mark writes (in fact there is much in the book I don’t agree with) but because it is a book that forces you to think about how you are doing ministry and to wonder if there might be a better approach to traditional youth ministry than doing it traditionally (my paraphrase, not his words).

Youth Ministry 3.0 encouraged me, frustrated me, challenged me and prodded me, and I hope it will do the same to you!

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Help Us Create The New SJH Catalog!

on October 13th, 2008

The crew is working on a brand Simply Junior High catalog and could use your help. If you have pictures of your junior high ministry in action (serious pictures, goofy pictures of kids, pictures of adults interacting with students etc.), we want to put them in the catalog.

Please send pictures to Riley at rhall@simplyyouthministry.com

Thanks!

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NYWC Days 2-4

on October 13th, 2008

A few thoughts and highlights as I get ready to head home…

- Overall, the conference has been a great one. From my perspective it feels like there were lots and lots of new topics offered in seminars, the general sessions were solid and as always it was a weekend jam packed with coffees and meals with old and new friends.

- I think my only complaint (complaint feels like way too harsh a word…) is the length of the general sessions that were often THREE hours long. I find it really, really hard to stay put for that long. I typically found myself slipping in later and later each session. Last night I snuck in just in time to hear Tony Campolo. The general sessions have always been long, but for some reason they felt longer than usual this year.

- Tony Campolo: As always one of my favorite speakers because he says a bunch of stuff I don’t totally agree with, and forces me to re-think my theology, my world view and my methods of living out my faith in Christ.

- The exhibit hall was, as usual, a strange mix of publishers, camps, mission organizations, fund raising opportunities, universities etc. However, this year there seemed to be more than the usual amount of just plain weirdness.
* Hume Lake’s booth was an opportunity to ride a mechanical unicorn while people in Elves costumes cheered you on and blew soap bubbles all [...]

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NYWC Day One

on October 10th, 2008

My life-long buddy Chris and I rolled into town early this morning and have been going non-stop ever since, although at the moment I can’t seem to find him. A few highlights and observations from day one:

- At lunch we ordered what, without doubt, were the tartest, tangiest, most bitter glasses of Lime aide ever put to lips. Delicious.

- During the opening session Mark Oestriecher said what he always says: “relax, eat a good meal, make new friends, skip sessions…do what you want to do to make the weekend a great one for yourself”. I’ve heard that for years, but this year it really sounded good. I think I’m more tired than I realize and will probably sleep, read and relax at least as much as I do “conference stuff”.

- In that spirit, I snuck out with some buddies to see Body of Lies. Good flick.

- I’m posting from a little internet cafe smack dab in the middle of the meeting hall and worship is in full swing. Feels a little awkward to be online while 3,000 others are engaging in worship (although there are three other people online next to me) so I think it’s time to sign off.

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Random Ramblings

on October 9th, 2008

- I’m excited about NYWC in Sacramento this weekend. It is always a great time of connecting with old ministry friends and meeting new ones. I mentioned trying to grab a meal with frequenters of this blog, but my meals are all booked! But if we see each other in the hallways, be sure to say hello.

- Speakers are no longer allowed to promote their books, resources, ministries etc. in their workshops (a good policy, I happen to think…) so be sure to drop by the simply youth ministry store in the exhibit hall to check out all the newest junior high resources.

- Don’t go see American Carol. Even if you agree with the politics in the film, you will be shocked at how appallingly un-funny and offensive it is.

- Disney sent my family invitations the the High School Musical 3 premiere in LA next week. I’m not sure who’s more excited my kids or their parents! They are excited to see the movie and the stars, I’m excited to walk the red carpet and be mistaken for a star…an aging, balding star.

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Ministering to Parents

on October 8th, 2008

I’m trying to create a list of helpful resources for parents of young teens. Websites, books, newsletters etc.

If you have a favorite, would you mind sharing it?

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Two New Small Group Resources!

on October 7th, 2008

On the hunt for small group curriculum?

I’m super excited about two brand new small group resources created specifically for junior highers.

Bible Stuff Vol. 2 video curriculum contains five video-driven lessons. Each video sets the small group leader up for some really great discussion with their students. Bible Stuff Vol. 2 focuses on God’s story.

Active Bible Studies contains 20 hands-on, experience-driven small group lessons.

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