Josh Griffin | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Planning to Fail

Last week we met as a junior high team and finished mapping out the Fall Semester. We planned the talks and creative elements for every Sunday and Wednesday of the Fall Semester. Many people think that this is an easy task and it truly isn’t. Why not? Well because it started off with us going around and critiquing each other in ministry, and the ministry as a whole. This was hard but so healthy to do. Many organizations shy away from this because their pride will not allow them to do hear the things they need to change.
Then we went around and thought of ideas that we have to make things “better.”

As we were doing this the question kept coming up, why do we need to change it up, things seem to be working great?

Great question, in my opinion – here is why… we must be upgrading our system, if you do not upgrade your system then you will continue to be slow and in the past. This is so common in many ministries all over the world. They think that they can continue to use the same system for years.

Look at computers if they never upgraded then they would be so slow and old and no one could use them. TV’s now have to be upgraded or they will not pick up the digital signal. Look at Facebook, when it switched to the “new layout,” where all you saw at first was the status update page and everyone was all this is not good, bring back the old facebook layout…. Then all of a sudden, BOOOM! Everyone loves it and is updating their status like crazy. Sometimes change hurts and is confusing and people don’t like it! But in reality, change is good, it is really really good. What is in your ministry that needs to be reevaluated, what do you need to upgrade.

Here is a great quote from Andy Stanley – “If you were to walk out of your organization and come back in, what would you change?”

Michael Head is the junior high pastor at Second Baptist Church Houston. You can follow him on Twitter http://twitter.com/mycoolhead, and his blog at www.michaelhead.org

Add Comment August 12, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: We Don’t Need More of Me

With September right around the corner we are in full planning mode for our Student ministry. One thing that we really need to make a push for are new small group leaders. Thankfully our group has grown immensely in the past 2 years and with that we need to compensate with more leaders. But as I’m sure you are all aware recruiting leaders is just not that easy. But before we can even begin to look for new leaders we need to know what type of leaders we are looking for.

The other day I sat down with my moleskine and made a rather humbling chart. On the chart were 2 columns, the first column was titled “what I have to offer” and what I listed all the things I brought to a leadership team. Then I labeled the second column “where I come up short” and I put all the areas that I come up short in my leadership.

WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER WHERE I COME UP SHORT

Looking at that list – t was much easier for me to see what types of leaders I should be looking for. I think often times we surround ourselves with leaders that bring the same style and gifting to our team, but what I came to understand is that I don’t need any more of me! It’s hard enough to deal with me already – haha. What I need are leaders who are able to fill in the gaps in my leadership style so that we can have a complete team! Let me give you an example of this.

I tend to be a good vision caster, I can see bigger pictures and help others see them as well, however; an area that I struggle in is follow up. So if I don’t have someone on my team that can see what needs to happen after the vision is cast, I am never going to get there because all my team will see is the bigger picture. So I want to encourage all of us to take a hard look at what we have to offer our teams that we lead. Whether it’s at work, our families, small groups, whatever it is, are we building a team that completes the package? Or do we just have a bunch of people that are exactly like us?

Rob Schwinge is the Student Pastor Powerhouse Church in Wyckoff, NJ. Seriously, how cool is that name? Awseome. Check them out at www.alittlebitdifferent.org.

Add Comment August 11, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts Austin and the Rattlesnake

Forever in the Griffin Family history books, there will now be an “Austin and the Rattlesnake” story. Here it is:

We drove about 1,100 miles the first 2 days of vacation – right now we’re in Wyoming to visit my family and loving it. Our first stop each time we visit is Independence Rock, a historical site where early settlers carved their names in the giant domed rock on their way our West. It is an annual trek we make to the top when we arrive in the state – usually uneventful with some good exercise after sitting in the car for 2 days straight.

But this time was totally different! We always joke about snakes – and this time we ran straight into one. All of a sudden, Austin screamed “Snake!” and shuddered at a good-sized snake literally at this feet. He ran off the mountain faster than I’ve ever seen him move! Jadin, our youngest, screamed (in delight) “Snake?” and took a step toward it. Lots more screaming, running and general panic. When everyone was safe, we snapped a few pictures to go along with the legend.

Last night we prayed and thanked God for His protection and His angels working overtime yesterday. Whew!

JG

1 View Comments August 11, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts USC’s Rocky Seto Talk Now Online

The USC RiptsIt Blog just posted all of the talk by USC Defensive Coordinator Rocky Seto during week 2 of the Road Trip series. Check it out – 1 of 3 parts are embedded above, others if you follow the link!

JG

Add Comment August 11, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: The Youth Work Franchise

I’ve just had another one of those conversations, you know the one. The one where a church member or youth worker is complaining to you about the fact that 10 of their best kids have started going to the new super duper youth group down the road.

Sound familiar?

As youth workers when we “perceive a threat” we often go into defensive mode; we retract and end up complaining and have conversations like the one I have just described. The thing is, it doesn’t really matter what is happening elsewhere in the churches of my community, my job description doesn’t change, and I still have to do what I am called to.

“So what am I called to?” I thought. After minutes of pondering, my attention span was low that day, I came up with this: “to show the young people in my community who Jesus is.”

On a practical level, that means that I need to be meeting young people in their environments as well as creating environments for them to meet and grow. I want the amount of young people I encounter to increase all the time so that the quality of relationship they have with Jesus will deepen.

I’m hugely grateful that God allows me to participate in His Kingdom and that I am allowed to see people’s lives changed right in front of my eyes. He has given me a share of his Kingdom. It’s like Ive bought into the Kingdom franchise! I really like my job description but the truth about it is I’m not the only person in my community with that job description. God has franchised the work of his Kingdom amongst young people to us, not me but us.

He needs lots of us to have to have the vision to reach the amount of young people he wants to see come home. The advancement of his Kingdom can’t happen through my youth ministry alone. That would be like Starbucks trying to be a multinational company but only wanting to open one store.

I need to be a team player; I need to be thinking about the franchisor; The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

If I was truly concerned about Gods vision for young people I would be praying for other churches and youth organisations in my community. Praying that God would bring young people to them, that he would bless them and allow them to lead hundreds and thousands of young people into relationship with him, I’d be praying for them like I pray for me and my youth ministry.

If I was truly concerned about Gods vision for young people I would be happy that this generation was encountering him somewhere, instead of getting involved in all the other traps today’s teenager faces. I would be happy that the new super duper youth group down the road was relevant to young people in my community.

I need to think bigger, why don’t you come join me?

Neil Young is a youth worker who Twitters www.twitter.com/Youngneil and blogs www.destination-home.blogspot.com.

3 View Comments August 10, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Dealing with Busy Students

Captain & Tennille blaring through the 8-track of our cutlass station wagon made our family high tech. Backward facing seats made me feel like one of the Jetsons.

No doubt, the times are changing.

In fact, I remember watching movies that required a reel change halfway through… now my kiddos can carry those same movies in their pockets and watch them whenever they feel like it! We must remember that the exponential growth of the tech industry is normal for this generation. All the new stuff that was promoted to give us more free time has done the exact opposite. We have been duped!

It has never been about getting stuff done faster so we can spend more time at the lake, but so we can pile more stuff on our plate to get done. The current generation also knows this to be true. So how do we manage ministry to students who are living at the speed of light? It’s simple. we have to catch up. We’ve been entrusted with this generation where they are, not where we were.

1. embrace the busy
We have to be flexible with students who are busy. Too many times, we have been guilty of writing them off as flaky and uncommitted. Trust me, i’ve tried the cold shoulder approach with busy students, and it doesn’t make them jump on board. at all. We must be understanding, – warm and friendly when we see them, or we’ll lose some of the strongest potential leaders in our group.

2. engage the busy
We have to equip and empower students who are busy. Human nature law #41: Busy people get things done. Sometimes, our busy students’ lack of involvement is due to our lack of preparation. Be intentional, creative and early in handing off specific responsibilities to your busy kids as future events are being mapped out.

3. encourage the busy
I have heard almost a kajillion sermons that encouraged christians to make an impact outside the four walls of the church [even preached some of them]. So why would we ever be upset when it actually happens?! Our kids are busy – perfect. My desire is that stays the case – outside the four walls of the church ministering to real people. My goal has become teaching them to be salt and light. Train them to be extensions of Jesus’ hands and feet. Don’t try to shut down their busyness, but disciple them while they’re living in the middle of it.

Deal with busy students in your ministry by following these three practices. Not only will those students grow personally, but the group will grow naturally as well through their leadership. and this is the kind of momentum that we all dream about.

Matthew Davis is a part of the Pocono Community Church team in Mount Pocono, PA. You can check out how the students at PCC are growing deeper at www.undergroundfellowship.info.

5 View Comments August 10, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Recognize your Values

How many times have you sat in your office wondering why your team just does not seem to get it. Why don’t they understand what you value? I mean really we have talked about in meetings and I have spent hours stressing and struggling over what is most important. Yet, your leaders do not seem to really to value the same things that you do when it comes to the ministry. I would like to share why it is important to recognize the things your leaders do that you value.

a. Takes you back to the vision — when you can point out or encourage a leader publicly for doing the very thing that you desire it helps to keep everyone focused on the vision. When we are done with a program we will email our leaders just sharing our thoughts for the evening and in the midst of that we will try to highlight one individual who really did a good job with the values that we want our team to have. When you do this everyone else begins to think, I can do that. Then you are creating an environment where you get to share what you value and they see it first hand.

b. Increases the heartbeat of your strategy - Again when we communicate through stories of what we have seen our leaders do they begin to really get the heartbeat of your strategy. They begin to understand who is coming to what program and how they can really engage in life with students better.

c. Encourages others to start doing the same things — We have already said this, but when you see some one get rewarded for doing a good job, often you will try to do the same things. We want to create a positive influence structure where we talk more about the good things they are doing and they catch on. Reality is we just try to beat them over the head with what we want and they never seem to see exactly what it is until we encourage and exhort others in front of the whole group.

In a lot of ways this may seem really simple. I have many conversations with guys all over the country who can’t figure out why there team of volunteers is not getting the job done very well. Give these things a shot and see what happens. Also, if you have any other ideas let me know in the comments.

David Mehrle is a youth worker who blogs regularly on http://www.studentministry101.com.

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1 View Comments August 10, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Youth Ministry Made From Scratch

At the beginning of the month was my first year at my first ministry position. Thirteen months ago there were no teens in the church and no youth department in place. One year later, I have some wins and losses, and some pieces of advice for those starting a youth ministry from scratch:

1. You may come in with an arsenal full of ideas, or you may be whimpering at the very thought of someone calling you “pastor”. Regardless, as you walk through those church doors in your first days, don’t talk too much. If you listen closely and ask the right questions, you can find more direction than if you arrogantly or nervously stumble through your ministry philosophy or your 12-point plan to save the world.

2. Students are not the “X Factor” in a healthy, thriving ministry; parents are. Remember, only a fraction of your students have the potential to drive, and a fraction of them have jobs. Meaning, unless all of your teenagers are within walking distance and love fundraisers, parents are still their lifelines to any formal gathering you will ever have. So spend time with parents and get to know them because when you get parents to believe in your vision and heart for their kids, they will not only support their kids being a part of the ministry but they will invest in it themselves. Don’t neglect parents; they’re your responsibility too.

3. It’s normal; you want to see results from your ministry. But watch out because wanting results in any timeframe you would consider to be fair (anytime between day one and year one) makes you do stupid things. Like a baker who bakes a pie at twice the recommended heat in half the time, you (and your students) will be engulfed in flames of failure. You cannot expect to turn up the intensity of your ministry and expect results in half the time. Relationship building is a brutally slow process. Don’t expect results for a very, very long time.

4. Starting something from scratch has a huge advantage: you don’t need to clean up someone else’s mess (instead, you can make your own). You have complete freedom to be creative and really make your ministry unique. Don’t let any program be grandfathered in because it’s what has been done. Experiment. If it doesn’t work, hit the “reset” button and try something else. You have a rare window to try something new before habits and traditions are made. Live it up.

5. Distractions are everywhere and they come in forms of what you have (lame facilities and the awkward kid no one likes) and what you wish you had (Saddleback’s “The Refinery” and super student-worship-leader at the neighboring youth group). But as a Shepherd of your flock, it’s your responsibility to cherish the students you have and not envy the ones you don’t. Challenge that student, pour into him or her, and love that one as if they alone are the reason you accepted your calling.

It’s hard work, but remember that everything from cooking to student ministries are made from scratch.

Josh Herndon is a rookie youth ministry planter in El Sobrante, CA.