[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXWzU7b3iy4&w=560&h=315]
This may be a GREAT video to rip and play for your students who are struggling. With all of the 13 Reasons stories lately, how about 13 Reasons Why … There is Hope!
JG
I think one of my favorite things I took on this year was our student leadership team. A group of 20 all-in-core students in our ministry who have major leadership potential and working with them all year-long to help develop some of those skills (Check out a little more on our student leadership team HERE). These are the students whom I run ideas and events by so I know we are doing things students actually want to do. These are the student who run and plan our You Own The Night student led series. They are also the students who serve on Wednesday nights and reach out to peers who come for the first time.
A few months back, one of the things we talked about as a group was how they did no think they have done a good job of seeking out new students who come out on Wednesday nights. So I had a great idea. These are the students who have been heavily involved in our ministry for years nows. They know the leaders and the regulars… they have forgotten what it is like to be new.
So…
We became new students for a weekend at a friends church and got to experience what it was to be a new student again. I had talked to Alex Beaverson, High School Pastor at Mariners Church, and we arranged for my group to come down for a weekend service. I let my students know they are to partner up and go be involved for the service and notice:
I told them to be involved. Worship. Volunteer for games. Talk to leaders. Ask questions.
After they got to experience this, we all went to lunch at In-N-Out (sorry East Coast people, we pray for you daily) to debrief. If you have a good relationship with the pastor, invite them. Alex and his team came and joined us and got to sit down with our student leaders and get feedback as well in order to help improve their experience for new people.
It’s such a simple thing but powerful. I believe our students got to remember what it was like to be new again and their eyes were opened in hopes on Wednesday nights they are more willing and challenged to go find new students to make them feel welcomed. Their feedback was super interesting and helpful.
And…
This was towards the end of the year so we made this a fun outing as a group to wind down this season as a student leadership team. It was so fun for all and super helpful as well.
I highly suggest it for your group as well.
If you want quality student leadership material, DYM has a ton and some of the best. Check it out HERE.
School is starting to wind down which means summer season is right around the corner. At this point most of your summer activities have been planned and it’s a season most of us look forward to. The only problem is that it flies by leaving us loathing the workload this fall.
This usually happens because our focus is one what’s right in front of us. And that shouldn’t be a problem, you want to be in a moment. So the question then becomes, “How does one enjoy the summer and get ready for the fall?” (more…)
Man…
I have been so off with this Wednesday in Review thing. I apologize. New baby, short staffed… I blame that because it makes me feel better. I will work on making this better and more consistent.
Wednesday Teaching Series: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. We are going through the Easter story and highlighting different days of the weekend. Each week we will talk about a different day and things we can learn from this amazing story.
Sermon in a Sentence: Bring your mess to the cross, it changes things.
Service Length: 70 minutes
Understandable Message: We talked through the crucifixion and how Jesus was brutally beaten, broken and killed on the cross. He had to go through Friday to get to Sunday. We to will have Fridays in our lives, but it’s usually our darkest times in which comes the greatest victories through Jesus.
Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We played Dead Cat. If you have not tried this game, it was a very different but loved game.
Music Playlist: Alive, Forever Risen King
Favorite Moment: We did a response to the message and teaching students how to come to the cross. Every student got some post it notes. they would write down things they have been holding onto and as a symbol of giving up control to Jesus, they would take the note and stick it to the cross we have in our room. Super powerful and practical.
Up next: Friday Saturday Sunday Week 2
Fall is coming.
If you are thinking, “It’s way too early” then I think you are already behind. When summer hits, events, services and camps will already be here and you will fall behind (speaking from experience here). We are talking through our fall this next year and I have been processing a bit.
Here are some random thoughts:
The best idea wins. Every ministry has those events (sacred cows) in which it’s something you have always done. I love annual events and I think some continue to work. We have a Fall Flannel Festival every fall wear students wear flannel, carve pumpkins and have inflatables and they love it. It kills every year. But we need to be careful that events do not become so untouchable. That’s why I love our team operates on the “best idea wins” mentality. If there is a better idea on the table then what we have been doing, that idea will win. Having this idea right up front will help protect you from having a sacred cow because everyone knows the best idea wins and if it better than what we do now, it’s gone.
Effective over longevity. Kind of sounds like the first but it’s just taking it a little further. Far too many youth pastors are putting on events or programs just to fill their calendar. Putting on things just to do things is not effective. Be strategic. Know what will work with your students. If there is an event that is supposed to be an outreach type event but no new students are showing up. Kill it. Regroup. Come up with an event that will actually reach students who come to church. If there is a discipleship thing you do but no students sign up, get rid of it. Think through what will get your students to actually want to take their next steps in their faith. If the event or program has been going for a long time, you need to ask yourself the question, “Is this effective for what I want out of my ministry?”
Play to your strengths and know your culture. Like most ministries, fall is a natural momentum time. Students are back in school and are looking for something midweek. It’s great time for students to bring friends. We also know it takes a few weeks for our students to get into the swing of things with school. So we wait until students are in school for a few weeks before we launch our fall kick off and the big events so there is enough time to promote them and for students to get in the new swing of things. Knowing our culture and our timing only helps us plan for better events.
Don’t just change to change. What worked last year could work this year. It just takes you being intentional with your review process after an event or new program. Our team personally goes through: RIGHT, WRONG, MISSING, CONFUSED after events or looking back at the year to try and get a good read on what was successful or not. But careful, repeating could turn into ruts. Trying new things just to try new things could put in you in a hole. Be sure to be seeking god on where He is calling you to go, to try, to keep and be intentional with the change you want to see.
**This video was shot and edited by two of our very own students…. so cool.
Quite a few people have asked me about our One Night events.
In all honesty they are pretty simple.
Our church runs off of 7 main values, evangelism being one of them. Our senior pastor believes the best evangelism is one-on-one through personal and intentional relationships. He introduced our church to this idea of having a “one-life”, someone who does not know Jesus and as we interact, care for, do life with them we are to expose them to the Gospel.
So we introduced this big time in our student ministry. Everyone should have a “one-life”. One Nights are nights designed for our students to be intentional to invite their friend who does not “do church” to come to church and hear the Gospel. We put on some sort of event in which student could feel comfortable to invite a friend to and we just step back and watch God work. Do we tell our students to bring their friends always? Of course. But these nights (3 a year) give easy and tangible steps for students to step out and ask a friend.
We have done:
I just know students always show up and they invite friends and has started a pretty cool invite culture in our ministry.
Hello DYM Members!
Have we told you lately that we love you? We really do… really! Everything we do—the resources we create, the resources we curate, the events we attend, the events we plan *cough* DYM100Round2comingsoon *cough*—ALL for you!
As if you needed more proof that we’re constantly dreaming up ways to make your ministry life easier… just look at the AMAZING new game AND features in DYM Games we’ve designed from your suggestions. You asked and we listened! Not only that, but you have 9 more incredible resources and tools waiting on your Member page… check them out! (after you’ve logged-in of course)
Here are your Member Perks for February:
For GOLD MEMBERS:
We released a BRAND NEW GAME in DYM Games today! We mentioned in the midmonth email that it was coming soon—and here it is: PIXELATE! You no longer need fancy tools like Photoshop or MS Paint to create your own “guess the image” game! With PIXELATE you can add your own images, choose from modes like blur, zoom, whiteout, and, of course, Pixelate, gradually decrease the intensity of each mode to slowly reveal the correct answer, and display the correct answer on the screen as you reveal the photo.
Pixelate in action:
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! This new version of DYM Games also has a new display feature that will make you jump up and down chanting “DYM! DYM!” (If you do this, please send us a video…we’d like to see this!) Watch Steve and Doug walk you through the details of these amazing new features.
(If you and your students haven’t played DYM Games yet… today is the day! You’re gonna love it! Click here and try it for FREE!)
For those of you DYM BRONZE, SILVER, AND GOLD MEMBERS, there are 9 more resources and tools waiting for you! Login to your account and see for yourself:
ONE: Video Training. Helping Students Discover and Embrace Who God Created Them to Be. Students spend their days trying to fit in to their group, class, culture or school… and in doing so try to push down or stifle the uniqueness God has put in them. Imagine if we, as shepherds, we’re able to know and call out that uniqueness in each teenager. Heather Flies gives 4 easy-to-remember steps to help each of us identify and call out a student’s individual gifting so we might better help each student discover and embrace who God created them to be. If you haven’t been using these 10-minute training videos, they are an excellent resource for your adult leaders to continue to grow and learn.
TWO: Game. Name That Sound. A fun new video-based, screen game challenges students to listen closely to a strange sound and choose from three given 3 options what is making that sound. If they choose correctly—or should we say, guess correctly since the noisemakers are obscure—they win! It’s very clever—be sure to check it out.
THREE: Video. God Loves You. A high-quality, text-driven, scripture-based video that will help students understand the true meaning of the word ‘love’ and gain a deeper appreciation for the depth of God’s love for them. This video would work well as a stand-alone element in your program, or as a bumper before or during a message on relationships, God’s love, or identity.
FOUR: DYM Newsletter Builder. If you haven’t used the DYM Newsletter Builder yet, today is your day! You may be thinking, “I don’t even know where to begin!” Well, worry no more—our DYM Apps Wizard, Steve, made this video just for you! Watch this short, helpful tutorial video:
And then Click here to login to your DYM Member account and experience the wonder for yourself!
FIVE: Mentor Me. A Conversation with Jon McCallon. Jon McCallon, a 13-year Student Ministries veteran currently serving on the pastoral staff at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, is passionate about building disciples as Jesus did. Not just delegating tasks to students and volunteers, but empowering the hearts of student and adult leaders to do the work of Jesus. In this Mentor Me, Jon shares the journey that led to this shift in mindset and how it has affected his ministry with leaders and to students.
SIX: Mystery Download. Doer D-Now. (A $55 Value!) This 3-session D-Now study from 228 Publishers, is designed to encourage students to become doers of God’s Word. Don’t miss the special DYM Members Only offer from the publishers included in the download!
SEVEN: Student Leadership: Leaders Give Away Power. When students step into leadership, it can be tempting for them to hold tightly to their newly-found influence. Sometimes this can turn into students who try and do everything themselves because they believe that this is good leadership. But time and time again, Scripture gives us examples of people giving away leadership and raising up new leaders. Paul did this with many of this partners, Barnabas, Timothy, and Silas. Even Jesus spent much of his time with the 12 Disciples. Use this lesson to help your students evaluate their leadership and see areas where they need to move from being a leader who does it all to being a leader that empowers others.
EIGHT: FREE Group Texting. You have the information that people in your ministry need. (And, based on the number of emails and texts you receive before an event, we’re guessing they need to be reminded of this information over and over and over.) Remind your students, leaders, and parents of amazing upcoming events, service schedules, and/or deadlines using DYM Text! Visit www.dymtext.com. The details are on your Members Only page, so be sure you’re signed in to access this.
And, finally (NINE), for DYM SILVER AND GOLD MEMBERS, your $20 Store Credit!
Resources for Super Bowl weekend, Valentine’s Day games and sermons have just been released… and some killer Lent and Easter resources are headed your way! Check out the New Releases and grab what you need to make your programs smoother and your life easier! For more info on how Store Credit works, click here.
It’s not too late to get all this great stuff for yourself if you aren’t a member yet. Visit DYMMembership.com to learn more and sign up.
“Lots of balloons popping will give me a panic attack,” cried my student as she walked into our prayer station room in tears.
Moments before, I’d given students directions about how to complete our prayer stations, urging them to take them seriously, go quietly, and pray throughout. I’d also warned them that the room wouldn’t be silent; that one of the prayer stations involved popping balloons.
Hence my student’s comment.
Upon seeing my student’s tears, I simply reacted. I ushered her out of the room into a neighboring one that was quiet… And empty. She assured me she’d be okay journaling so I left her to it, telling her we’d leave the prayer stations up so she could do them later, during free time.
I then slipped back into the prayer station room to ensure all was going well. A few minutes later, I began doing the prayer stations myself.
Every few minutes, I heard the popping of balloons – each designed to represent the shattering of a stereotype and our desire to be “one in Christ”.
When I’d written the prayer stations the week before, this was one I was particularly excited about. I expected that each time I heard a balloon pop I’d feel a sense of satisfaction.
Instead, all I felt was sorrow as I pictured my student sitting alone in another room, unable to bear the constant popping of balloons.
As I continued to progress through the prayer stations, my mind raced ahead to our next small group discussion when we’d be sharing about our prayer station experience. I wondered what we should do with this student. I figured she could skip the discussion, but then she’d be missing another part of the retreat. Or she could just listen to her peers’ reflections on their prayer experience.
Neither option felt good to me.
So I continued on, hoping a better alternative would come to me.
A few minutes later, I found myself thinking about a devotion one of my leaders had given earlier during our retreat. In it, he suggested that rather than ask What would Jesus do? we should ask, “What would Jesus have me do?”
A subtle, yet important difference that I found myself contemplating as I silently shuffled from one prayer station to the next.
What would Jesus have me do?
Suddenly it occurred to me that I could simply remove the balloon popping prayer station. Doing so would allow my student to participate in the prayer stations and subsequent small group discussions with her peers.
Immediately, I knew this was a good solution. It was what Jesus would have me do.
In Scripture, Jesus routinely goes out on a limb for one person. He goes out of his way to heal individuals. He speaks of a shepherd leaving his flock to find one sheep. He looks at the crowd and finds the one person who’s been marginalized and then figures out how to include them.
Having realized this, I removed the balloons and directions for that prayer station and then went and got my student. I apologized for how long it had taken me to figure out what to do and told her how much I wanted her to participate in the prayer stations. She came and eagerly joined in.
As I continued thinking about this, I realized my excitement over this particular prayer station had prevented me from seeing the best – most obvious – solution.
How often, I wonder, does this happen in our youth ministries?
How often do we allow our excitement over an event, talk, activity, or illustration to cloud our judgment? How often does the time we put into preparing something make us reluctant to change it? How often does our excitement cause us to sacrifice one student for the good of the group?
Probably more often than we realize… Or at least more often than we want to admit.
But it doesn’t have to.
Unexpected situations will inevitably arise.
When they do, the key is not to let our excitement overpower our ability to make good decisions. Instead, we need to slow down and ask ourselves, What would Jesus have me do? Then do what needs to be done in order to minister to the people in your ministry, even if it means sacrificing a programatic element you’re excited about.
In the days leading up to our prayer experience, I prayed that God would use our prayer stations to transform people.
He did.
God also used our prayer stations – and the removal of one – to transform me.
We just had a great submission we had to sneak into the lineup today! Check out this terrific idea – FLASH: inauguration is a hilarious game which shows images of inaugurations of various presidents and makes you remember certain colors from the picture when they are removed.
It is SO great and very clever, and just in time for youth groups to use this week during this season. Enjoy!
JG
Who doesn’t like to look back every once in a while? It is crazy to look back and see all of the great content, thoughts, challenges and posts that have come through the DYM blog all year-long. To help you remember, catch up, refresh your memory or see for the first time, here are the some of the top blog posts from this year in no particular order and you can get some great insight all year-long from one post!
Do You Ever Wonder If You’re Making a Difference? by Josh Griffin
After 12 years at Saddleback Church… it’s time for a new chapter by Josh Griffin
5 Things to Make Small Groups Successful by Justin Knowles
The Key to Asking Vulnerable Questions by the DYM Team
GUEST POST: Is the Lock-In Dead? by Jason Headlee
Important Thoughts on Large Group Programming by Justin Knowles
New Barna Research on Teens and the Bible by Josh Griffin
7 Ways to Make People Feel Welcome in Your Ministry
A HUGE Blind Spot Every Leader Should Look For by Justin Knowles
The Biggest Struggle Youth Ministers Face by Chris Wesley
What I Was Making Sure to Say in My Resignation Letter by Josh Griffin
Things Youth Pastors Should Stop Wasting Their Time on: Creating PowerPoint by Jen Bradbury
10 Characteristics of a Healthy Ministry by Jen Bradbury
Hope you enjoy these top posts as much as we did!