Josh Griffin | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts Youth Ministry Radio Interview

Get Real with Dave and Jana called this morning for a quick radio/podcast interview on youth ministry. We had a blast on a short segment in their youth pastor training series. We covered the purposes and how to get started becoming a Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. One of the hosts, Jana, even blogged about it today. Fun – I’ll post the link after it airs in July.

JG

UPDATE: Dave blogged about it, too. Awesome!

Add Comment June 13, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts 10 Programming Rules to Follow

Thought that this list from Tim on 10 Programming Rules was a strong one to keep students engaged as well. Here’s 4 of them, head there for the rest and a cool video:

Keep them from blinking — the audience must stay engaged.
Take them white-water rafting — follow a flow, don’t change speed too fast.
Live gets you two extra points — do it live when you can
Great live drama helps. Good live drama, not so much — make sure it’s great.

JG

Add Comment June 12, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts Refinery Grand Opening Promo Card

Here’s a shot of a postcard we’re giving out by the jillion to students and adults alike – we’re even putting them on cars this weekend in the parking lot! The Refinery … T-minus 9 days!

JG

Add Comment June 12, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts Cold Ohio Conference

I was just checking out the Group Conference 2009 website and viewing the photos and videos from 2008 when I stumbled on a picture of me hosting the event. At first, I was like, ‘sweet’ … then I realized you could see my nipple through my shirt. Someone needs to Photoshop that out – disturbing!

JG

conference

Add Comment June 12, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Simply Strategic Volunteers

This is a book that Ryanne suggested we have the student ministry team read. It focuses on 99 short lessons (almost like well-written blog posts) all on the subject of volunteers. There’s a ton of great reminders about volunteers, some encouragement for things we’re already doing and some ideas on what we might need to focus on next. So many youth workers think student ministry is all about students, many will only later find out that student ministry is largely about volunteers, who then in turn minister to students. This book will help any youth worker on that journey. A-

JG

Add Comment June 11, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts Why the Change in Small Groups?

Why the change to small groups I mentioned recently? Here’s a couple of (terrible quality, sorry) shots from my Moleskin journal these past couple of weeks that I thought I would unpack on the subject:

In the first picture - Small groups have total freedom. While the best groups are performing well, there’s just too much ambiguity to know who is meeting, when and what they are covering. The coaching structure has crumbled. Too some degree, small groups are all over the place. Small groups have so much autonomy, which can be their strength, that they’ve developed some problems. Some have grown too big, some have stopped meeting or some are headed in the wrong direction altogether. Honestly, many are doing fine (the drawing is a worst case scenario based on too little information to feel comfortable in anything more positive), but for the sake of the whole a change was in order.

In the second picture – Small groups are all headed in the same direction. They are temporarily contained in a box (The Refinery) and will from now on use a unified curriculum. The leaders are cared for and mentored, rookies are given veteran mentors and we “meet and eat” each week together through the Fall. Ideally, they become a fierce unit in community ready to take on the tough topics and tough student challenges that lay ahead. The only change after Christmas break is the removal of the box around the groups.

JG

14 View Comments June 11, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts Before He Speaks

Silly … any youth workers out there who’ve gotten trouble for using a spouse as an illustration? Thanks to Clayton for the heads up.

JG

Add Comment June 11, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts Student Ministry Team Twitters

Last week I posted about the Student Ministry blogs from our church teams, this week I take on the Twitterers among us. Here’s a few of the notable youth ministry Twitterers on our team:

Jake Rutenbar – Jake is infamous for his rap videos, lesser known for being the student ministries pastor at our San Clemente campus. A great guy and friend, just starting out in the Twitter world.

Leo Galarza – Leo is the student ministry pastor of our Irvine campus. Good dude!

Doug Fields – He’s witty and fun. A surprisingly regular Twitterer. Best so far: I just now finished the season finale of LOST. I can’t believe I stayed away from people who knew the ending. Maybe I have no friends.

Kurt Johnston – the Student Ministries pastor at Saddleback. He’s just getting into it, but gets it and is fun to follow. His best tweet so far: I’m small, but back seat of this truck is even smaller….it’s going to be a long 10 hours. But having good conversation with the fellas.

Allison Murray – an intern on the HSM team focusing on communications, also just jumping on the Twitter bandwagon.

Daniel Scotti – Daniel is the sound, lights and video guy in The Refinery. In all fairness, I just found out he Twitters today, but I like it.

Bethany Johnston – Bethany manages small groups in Wildside (junior high). she’s only Twittered 3 times, but I’m holding out hope.