When Jesus tells the disciples that the truth will set them free, I immediately have two questions. What is the truth and what does it set us free from? There are plenty of things in life that are true. Facebook is filled with true statements every time sometimes likes a status that says "truth is..."
Truth or Dare is a game all about making a difficult decision; which will be less uncomfortable - being truthful about a difficult question or following through with the dare presented to you? I remember not knowing what I would choose when playing the game and being frozen as I tried to determine, should I focus on the truth or focus on the dare. As Christians, it is crucial that we spend time both knowing and growing in the truth and daring to live out that truth in our day-to-day lives.
Jeremy Lee is a middle school minister who started a site called Parentzilla which is a resource for parent's of teenagers. Since Jeremy works with middle schoolers and also runs a site dedicated to parents, I thought it would be appropriate to ask him some questions about both.
A while ago I wanted to build an alternative to the moleskine for the iPad. I never was able to make it happen, primarily because getting quality handwriting on the iPad was beyond my skill level. Today I learned about a new app that just came out that is absolutely incredible.
Have you ever felt like life around you was nothing but chaos? Like the winds of life were causing you to question everything you know; like the waves of life were beating against you and washing away any hope that you had? The wind and waves always fight against our worship.
I love pretty much anything by Andy Stanley; this clip from their series "What is Christian" does a great job challenging us to think about really living out our faith. Imagine what the world would look like if we actually lived the way the Bible teaches. What would happen if we all started doing that?
A few weeks ago I spent some time thinking about my sermon prep process. As I thought about it, I listed out a few steps that I felt like I needed to remind myself of as I spend time writing messages. The steps are soak it in, break it down, put flesh on it, and own it.
[This post is a part of the Technology in Youth Ministry Series]
The percentage of people using smart phones has increased tremendously over the past few years. Since youth workers tend to be on the early adopters side of things, many youth workers not only have smart phones but are quite saavy with downloading all the latest apps. I'm quite fond of my iPhone and have spent a bit of time developing apps for it. One of my favorite things has been finding ways to utilize iOS apps (apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad) within student ministries.
10 iPhone Apps for Your Youth Ministry
10. Clips ~ Teach the Bible; use scenes from movies. I'm biased and can't help but include this in the list. I made it, I use it, and I encourage our team to use it. It's a great tool for helping build teachings or for leading a small group discussion based on a scene from a popular movie.
9. TableTopics. This app is an awesome discussion starter that provides random discussion questions that could work great as an icebreaker within a small group. One of the examples of questions is, "If you could design a postage stamp what would be on it?"
8. Evernote. I have not yet found a way better than evernote to take notes everywhere and keep them in sync acrossed all my devices and have them all organized into an easy-to-categorize, searcahble databse. Evernote does this incredibly well across all devices (they even have an Android app).
7. iBooks 2. iBooks has always been great tool for standard books, but now thanks to the iBooks Author tool there is a new realm of possibilities for books that could be great tools for students and leaders.
6. Garmin. I prefer to not get lost on our retreats. It's that simple.
5. iMovie. Edit your movies without ever having to touch a computer. The app is simple and great for making basic videos. Use your iPhone or iPod Touch to shoot the video and then quickly edit them into a highlight reel.
4. Wordpress. I use wordpress to power our middle school ministry website as well as my blog so this app comes in handy if I need to quickly update something, moderate comments, or check some stats.
3. Church Apps. I love to stay in touch with what other preachers are talking about. Download some of the churches that have apps and stay in touch with what they are talking about.
2. Facebook/Twitter. Most people probably already have these, but they are especially helpful in student ministry. Use the apps to stay in touch with students or to connect with other youth pastors worldwide.
1. Things. I still think that Things is the best to-do list app out there. I can't function well if I do have a running list of things that I need to do and that I can categorize and schedule. I put Things on my phone and computer and keep them in sync so i can easily know what needs to be done.
This is a video I put together last week; I thought it'd be really fun to give everyone a chance to laugh and joke about the idea of smelly middle school boys and the importance of them wearing deodorant.
[tentblogger-youtube 0GQrZLba59c]
Who are you? My first instinct if I'm trying to answer that question is to start by describing myself. I might describe the roles that I have - new dad, a husband, a youth minister. Or I might describe some of the things that I like I to do. This question, while on the surface is quite simple, is loaded with depth. How you answer it describes the way that you see yourself. As a Christian, how do you see yourself? Where do you find your identity? If we're honest, that's not always a simple question.
Being someone you're not
Throughout your life, there will likely be seasons where you are confused about your identity and maybe even pretend to be something you're not. It might be that you're simply not happy with the person that you are or feel like the person you are is not good enough. So what do we do when we feel that way? Naturally, we pretend. We put on masks and try to behave the way we are supposed to behave. We try to say all the right things at all the right times in hopes that we'll feel the right way.
There's a great example of this in the Old Testament. Isaac has two sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau is the firstborn and as the firstborn he gets a blessing from his father. Jacob is unhappy. He is unhappy that he doesn't get what God has given his brother so he decides to pretend to be someone else. He decides to pretend to be his brother.
"So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.” Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him. He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” - Genesis 27:18-24
It's a bit sad to read about Jacob lying to his own father about who he is. But don't we often do the same? For moments with think "if only I had this," "if only I were like this," or "if only things were different" and we will deceive those around us in hopes of making things different. When we base our identity in the things we do or what we have, we are bound to have an identity crisis like Jacob and end up lying in order to improve our false identity. And this is so often what happens - we base our identity on our degrees, on our careers, and on our significant others - and it doesn't fufill us. Our identity should be founded on who we are in Christ; when we base our identity on who we are in Christ we can be confident who we are now and not dwell on who we wish we were.
So...who are you?
Later in Jacob's life, he finds himself in a situation that would forever alter his life. Jacob actually wrestles with God. An interesting thing happens in this encounter with God - and it's not simply the fact that he actually struggled wtih God - but it's the question that God asks Jacob.
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. - Genesis 32:26-29
The first blessing that Jacob went after, he did so by lying about his identity. But this time he encounters the son of God in a wrestling match and he answers the question "What is your name?" And he answers it correctly this time... and then God changes his name. We may often get our identity confused and not know who we are, but something significant happens when we encounter God. Because of Christ we are identified with him and our lives are forever identified with His and not with what we do, what we own, or who we know.
Photo Credit: Alatryste
I met Jay Reynolds at the Middle School Ministry Campference put on by the Youth Cartel. One of the great things about the conference was that it was a great opportunity to meet other people who love working with middle school age students. Jay is on the Middle School Ministry team at Hope Community Church. This post is the first in what will hoepfully be a series of Middle School Ministry Interviews.
Most people think it'd be crazy to work with middle school kids, why do you do it?
Many people ask me that question with the idea that I don't quite have it 'all' together for my choice of profession and ministry. I love hanging out with middle school students because they are fun and crazy, which is also my personality. It is the realm of awkward meeting truth, meeting adventure and freedom. What better age to begin to mold a generation than to work with middle schoolers?
If a middle school student left your ministry knowing one thing, what would it be?
I would want them to have a personal relationship with Christ and know what that means. It took me years beyond middle school for me to understand that. If they can grasp it during 6-8th grade, their life will be radically changed!
What are the top 3 favorite parts of your job?
3. Working with an amazing team of staff and volunteers to reach out to students! Loving leaders will filter down to leaders loving students.
2. Using my gifts of design (I'm an artist), teaching, encouraging, and missions. I get to utilize my gifts for God's glory.
1. I get to see God do things bigger than I could ever do. I love getting to see students finding leaders to pray as they come to know Christ, students getting dunked during a baptism night, and simply the look on a student's face when they "get it."
What's an average night at Hazardous look like?
Average. I hardly think Hazardous is average, but let me try to explain. Hazardous is crazy, exciting, fun slammed up with God for a whole night experience. It's an action packed night without a dull moment. We serve free pizza and let them hang out on the front end of the night to build relationships and get some food.
We kick off the evening service with a cover song of something heard on the radio to help build a bridge to students that don't go to church. After some throw-outs (candy, glow bracelets, and shirts), we jam out a little more with up-beat songs. Games are a huge part of Hazardous too; they get students involved and the gross factor is always important. We play 2 rounds of games, the first round is an "all in game" that includes everyone and the second is an "up-front game", which is where the gross stuff happens with a few people on stage. We transition into teaching worship - you can't expect students to worship if they are not taught. We teach through songs and through our message. Our teaching will always show aspects of the gospel.
What's been your favorite message/series at Hazardous?
Baggage. We finished this series last spring semester. Through the course of the series we challenged students to confront the baggage in their lives. At the end of the series, we had a night where we challenged students to grab a rock out of the bag, write their baggage on it and leave it behind. It was a powerful night and a great service.
This video by YouthSpecialties does an awesome job making fun of some classic youth ministry stereotypes. If you are a youth worker or know one, enjoy this portrayal of what a youth ministry bootcamp would look like.
[tentblogger-youtube CvPtRRBTMP4]
[This post is a part of the Technology in Youth Ministry series]
In youth ministry, there will be some element of design that needs to happen. You might have to design a flyer for a summer retreat, a handout for your weekly message, or even a website for people to stay in touch with what's happening. For some people the classic hand-drawn flyers that are photocopied a hundred times will work, but some of us want to use design tools to make flyers and images that stand apart. Graphic design is a difficult thing that people dedicate their lives to learning and to getting paid very well to do. At the same time graphic design, while not at the same level as the professionals, is approachable and can be done very well in your ministry.
Getting Started in Graphic Design for Your Ministry
1. Download some software.
Obviously if you are going to start designing graphics, you cannot do it without some software. Choose the software you want to use and start playing with it. Find some videos onine and make yourself familiar with the program and the tools it offers. There will be a lot that you have no idea how to use, but if you can figure out some of the basic functionality (such as text editing, layers, shadows, etc) you will be off to a good start.
- Best: Photoshop
- Cheaper: Pixelmator
- Free: Gimp
2. Play with somebody else's design.
One of the best ways to learn how to design is to try to copy somebody else's work. One of the great ways you can do this is download some free artwork in the photoshop (.psd) file format. Once you download the file you can get an idea of how the image was created. What layers were used? What effects were put on each layer? Were there special fonts that were used? Once you've manipulated these designs, consider finding something else that you like and re-creating it without downloading a pre-made file.
3. Get some cool fonts.
If you are going to design stuff, it is crucial to learn how to find good typography. There might be a lot of fancy design elements you want to use as you get started, but don't skip the step of learning good typography and what effects will help or hurt a font.
- Free Fonts: Dafont.com
- Font never to use: Papyrus
4. Do some tutorials.
It may be a bit more difficult to find tutorials if you are using a photoshop alternative like Gimp or Pixelmator. Photoshop is the standard, but if you are looking to save money these will certainly be some of the hurdles that you have to face. The web is filled with great tutorials for all kinds of designs that you could be trying to create. Finding a great site like PSDTuts+ can be a great help as you learn some of the techniques in doing design.
5. Learn from other people.
There are a lot of good designers and there are also a lot of people who don't design well. Unfortunately the church is often full of bad designers; make sure you find some other people who design well so that you can learn from them. Find communities like Church Marketing Sucks and their Church Marketing Lab so you can learn from others through feedback and viewing other people's work.
Photo Credit: thinkdanijel
I've never been much of a fan of bringing in "professional" speakers to teach students in our ministry. And I'm pretty sure that most of our students don't really care much either. That being said, I am a big fan of using "guest teachers" within our student ministry. The main difference between the two, in how I'm defining them, is that the professional is someone brought in that costs money and has no connection to your ministry; the guest speaker is someone that is a volunteer within our ministry and already has strong relationships with the students. I think that using guest teachers is not only helpful to myself as the leader, but I think it's a very important component to our teaching times.
4 Reasons to Use Guest Teachers
1. You need a break. Teaching every week of the year, sometimes multiples times a week, can be a huge burden. That's a ton of messages to develop, create, and communicate. Allowing someone else to teach and yourself to have a break will help you to stay creative and a few weeks ahead.
2. Kids like hearing other people besides you. Having other voices speaking to the students is a huge value; as students get used to your speaking, it becomes extremely valuable for other teachers to come in as another voice reinforcing the same message.
3. You can train new preachers. The best way to get better at preaching is to preach more. If you have people on your volunteer team that like preaching and teaching or college-age students that are considering ministry, you have an incredible opportunity to help teach them how to preach.
4. You're not the only one with something to say. As you start developing leaders within your ministry that have a heart for preaching, not only will the develop skills but they might also have things on their heart that they want to share with your students. Let them share what's on their heart and work with them as they say it.
What are some other reasons that you have found to use guest teachers?
Photo Credit: Ganatronic
Youth ministry is a fun job. When I was in high school, I started thinking about youth ministry as a job because of it. The student ministry had an incredible impact on my life, and I could potentially get paid to go on all kinds of fun trips. Why wouldn't I want to do this? My initial thinking was accurate; doing youth ministry, I do get all kinds of incredible opportunities for fun experiences and actually get paid for it. But anybody who is in youth ministry will tell you, it's fun but doing it for a career requires more than just liking the job.
Around that time in high school all my friends started volunteering in the middle school ministry at my church and I wasn't invited. Like most high school students, not being included with my friends was very upsetting. When I was in high school, there was no chance that any of the leaders would've looked at me at thought, "This kid is going to do youth ministry." It really is not surprising I was not asked to serve because no one would have ever thought that I would have any interest of ability to spend time talking to middle school kids. For some reason I thought I should do youth ministry so I got the courage to ask if I could also serve in the middle school ministry and everything changed.
I tried it out.
With any job, getting experience is key. For me, being in a healthy student ministry was the best experience I could get. As I served on a team that functioned well together and built relationships with the leaders that became great friends, I grew significantly as a leader. I loved youth ministry and did everything I could do be around it, and I learned a lot because of it.
I fell in love with the kids.
Over the course of volunteering in middle school there was a significant shift that happened. Initially youth ministry was something that could possibly be a fun job, but after having the chance to attend a middle school winter retreat I felt like I loved the students. I hadn't felt that before, and it changed the way I saw student ministry. I couldn't wait to spend time with them and get to know them. Youth ministry is a very fun job, but if it's something you want to do for life it has to be more than fun, you have to love the people you serve and the people you serve with.
How'd you get into youth ministry?
Photo Credit: Majorie