morethandodgeball.com

Youth Ministry Volunteer Job Descriptions

I’ve posted in the past about the importance of having legitimate roles and responsibilities for the volunteers in your youth ministry – you can check out some great guest posts about it in posts like 1-Sentence Job Descriptions and Mission Critical Jobs. This week Geoff Stewart offered up his student ministry’s volunteer roles brochure to share with everyone. Download it here!

JG

simplyinsider.com

SJH Episode 47: Small Groups

juniorhighministry.com

?Genius? Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Posted by Kurt Johnston

I don’t use the word “genius” very often. My 8th grade son, however, thinks the word is…well….genius, and used it quite liberally.

His most recent use was when we were listening to a song on the radio. After a line in the song that says, “I want to be on the cover of Forbes magazine, smiling next to Oprah and the queen…” he blurted out that the song was genius.

“On the cover of Forbes magazine, smiling next to Oprah AND the queen? That’s genius” were Cole’s exact words.

Genius? probably not. Catchy song? For sure. Of course if you can write a line that 8th graders all across America think is “genius” then maybe it is.

I’m having trouble uploading the video, but here is the link. CAUTION: Foul language in the comments section of video.

youthministrygeek.com

New: ?Google Instant?

What do you think?

collegeministrythoughts.com

Got Something I Should See??

There is a new book out called, ?Church Planter.? It?s written by Darrin Patrick and Mark Driscoll. I haven?t read the book yet, but I will. I?m not going to read it because I am a church planter, although I?m sure this book will be beneficial for that. I?m getting it because of what this intro video says in regards to college age people.

Obviously I don?t know how the book will address this issue, but the claim of this intro video is that younger generations ultimately haven?t grown up because of a lack of discipleship. It?s filmed in a church that has died. And this author suggests it died because of a lack of godly men who then discipled younger men.

I think this is a much needed point to make. There are certainly faithful older men (and women) that have taken Jesus? command to disciple seriously, but I’d agree that discipleship hasn’t exactly been a strong point in the Church as a whole. But I’d also suggest there is much more to this problem of “prolonged adolescence.” This issue of godly men in the church is certainly at the core of this problem. But it’s not the entire core.

Recent articles like, ?What Is It About Twentysomethings?? and ?Boys With Beards? have looked at twentysomethings with bewilderment, confusion, and even frustration. For instance, Mark Driscoll sees the results and outcomes of the lives of these people and is simply dumfounded. InThe Slow Fade, we write to people of older generations to help them walk younger people toward adulthood. And, in my latest book, College MInistry From Scratch, I provide a practical guide to starting a ministry that cultivates this in and through a college age ministry. And I did that because I agree that this is a problem.

However, understanding WHY twentysomethings live and think the way they do is bigger than JUST a lack of discipleship received from older generations. Much bigger, actually.

My next book is focused on explaining this. I?m writing this book because I want to help bring understanding to the issue and provide practical solutions to helping it. There is much to this that I have been studying for years now, but have never written about – or even shared in seminars. But, it?s time. So, even though I’m already writing and my research is fairly extensive, if you have links to articles or resources that you feel could be useful for me in this project, please let me know!! More to come…

marriedtoayouthpastor.com

Cha-cha-cha-Changes

There 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 [...]

simplyurbanministry.com

Ballin? on a Budget ? Part 1

As a youth pastor in an urban setting, I need to be able to resource my youth group ona budget. A lot ofthe guys Italk too say the very same thing. I’m going to take the next week or so and talk about some resources and ways to be an Urban Youth Ministry Baller on aBudget!

My boy Scott Mills from LifeWay was feeling me when he wrote this….

As a student minister, I am sure you have to tighten your belt these days and make more youth ministry happen with fewer dollars. With the economy like it is, everyone has to make the most of what we have ? at home, at work, and in our ministry

Did you know that LifeWay has many options for Bible Study? We have options for all budgets, but you will not lose anything when it comes to solid biblical teaching that is built on a strategy for developing students spiritually. All our Bible study resources line up with a solid strategy to help students KNOW God, OWN their faith, and make their faith KNOWN. (www.lifeway.com/studentstrategy)

Here is how these resources compare per week if you have 1 teacher and 20 students:

• KNOWN (www.lifeway.com/known)
• Leader Guide – 6.50
• Student book – 4.50 (3 monthly issues at 1.50)
• Total Quarterly Cost: 96.50
• Per Student Cost each week: 0.40

• Life Focus (www.lifeway.com/lifefocus)
• Leader Guide – 5.25
• Student book – 1.90
• Total Quarterly Cost: 43.25
• Per Student Cost each week: 0.18

• Fuel2 Video Series (www.lifeway.com/fuel)
• DVD/CD Leader Pack (all materials on CD and DVD) – 159.95
• Per Student [...]