I just realized that in my last post I referenced a 5-year plan, then in a search of my blog archive I realized I’ve never articulated it here before. This isn’t exhaustive by any means, I should probably save this to drafts and scour my moleskin for more detail, but oh well. Here’s the plan of focused attack in the first 5-years in HSM, each building on the previous year’s goals and success:

2007

• Observation – see where the ministry is currently strong and weak
• Team assessment – see who the players are, figure out capacity

2008

• Invitation – invite everyone to get on the bus
• Reorg - put the players in the right position
• Weekend service – make in entry-level: understandable, fun, inviting, student-driven
• Refinery – grand opening of our student building
• Volunteers - make them the core of our ministry, eat dinner with them once a week for 3 months
• Small groups – revamp, unify, experiment in The Refinery then homes

2009

• Communication – add mass texting, update HSM blog in real-time
• Discipleship – relaunch HABITS, connect it to small groups and weekend teaching
• Student leadership – relaunch Student Leadership with campus emphasis
• Ministry teams – overhaul ministry teams to serve the church
• Response - start a response card system and followup process
• Pre-steps to fellowship – the jump from the weekend to small groups is big, can we make it smaller?

2010

• Next step ministry – baptism, CLASS 101, Fresh Start
• HSM LIVE - live stream our services
• Track attendance and follow-up - thumbscan attendance swipe, automated follow-up
• Hit the web – relaunch web presence, finally fully embrace social media
• Missions – partner with PEACE projects world-wide
• Upperclass Ministry - specific events, classes, trips for juniors and seniors
• Local service projects

2011

• Parent ministry – website, newsletter and regular meetings
• Take a deep breath … then fix everything that’s broken

JG

One of our summer interns is working toward his bachelor’s degree in journalism, so I got excited about a project that has been a part of HSM off and on in its history: a parent newsletter. In my 5-year plan, it is unfortunate this has to come so late in the game. But Rome wasn’t built in a day and we need to refine our discipleship process and follow-up plans before we stretch outselves to thin. But what if someone could own it for the summer, and we see where it goes from there? It sure beats 2011, when I think we’ll actually have the horsepower and volunteer involvement to pull it off right.

Now we’re good about printing calendars and planning events, but communicating beyond that to parents? Not so much. Keeping them in the loop about teaching series? Not really. Arming them with discussion questions and support for discipleship at home? Nope. But that’s about to change!

So it looks like we’re going to do a summer parent newsletter – just 3 issues, actually. PDF via email, and printed copies spread in key places at the church. We’ll use The Parent Link (youth edition) as a basic foundation, then run with it. Here’s part of the writeup from his proposal:

The newsletter would be a simple yet effective medium for keeping in touch with the parents in our ministry. It would give them something tangible to bring them up to speed with HSM’s events and learn about upcoming activities available for their high school students.

Because this is a monthly newsletter, it would allow us to go into more detail than usual about the special activities that occur on a month-by-month basis. In addition to previewing upcoming events, the newsletter would reflect on activities that took place in the past month, with photographs and accounts and stories from students. This would add a personal touch to the newsletter, bringing the experiences of HSM students to life in print.

JG

We’re finishing up our Backward$ series this week in HSM, I’m actually heading out after lunch today to finish up the talk for this weekend. I just noticed that Simply Youth Ministry is releasing a resource that might be good following the series. Stripped Clean takes a look at materialism and goes after living free of stuff. Looks like a perfect match!

JG

GROUP Magazine is sponsoring the banner ad at the top of the blog this month, offering a subscription to the most popular magazine in youth ministry today for only $15. One last thanks to Your Church Solutions for sponsoring last month, too! Be sure to check them both out to see if they would help your youth ministry!

JG

Here’s the second part of our summer intern orientation (part 1 here). More stuff we cover right up front with our new team members:

10. Write it down.
You should not go into a meeting (one-on-one or with the team) with out a pad of paper and a pen. We’ll provide you with a moleskin journal – DON’T bring your phone, it has become a major perception issue in meetings.

11. Expect to pay for your own meals.
Team lunches are a privilege, and we will try to feed everyone whenever we are asking them to work through a meal, but never assume it is on us.

12. Ask for a deadline.
Why? Because there is one! Ignorance is not an excuse and asking will save you from conflict and unknown expectations. Even if the person can’t give you an exact time, ask them about how long they think it should take you.

13. Don’t be scared to ask for time with people.
You are here to learn and experience the inner workings of ministry. EVERYONE at Saddleback is working with a packed schedule, BUT you can not receive unless you ASK. If there is someone in Student Ministries or the church that you would like time with ask JG and he will try his hardest to make it happen.

14. Let JG know when you need his time.
The easiest way is to set up a meeting with him, but even when his door is closed it is really open.

15. Protect your day off.
Because if you don’t…no one else will. Mondays are sacred, we treat them that way, make sure you do, too.

16. If you’re not doing anything…ask how you can help.

17. Volunteers are the key
So… learn their names, talk to them, tell them how much you appreciate them, involve them with what, you are doing ,ask for their help, make a big deal when they do help, pray for them.

18. Know who does what on the Student Ministries team.
Student Ministries is a team and it is so important that we help each other whenever we can. Attached is a list of who does what to help bring you up to speed.

19. Your Spiritual Life is Essential!
Spend time with God everyday. Ask His Spirit to fill and guide you.

REMEMBER: You have 72 days… make each one count!

JG

Today 2 of our 3 summer interns started in our High School Ministry, and we had a little orientation this morning going over a few basics. Here’s some of what we covered:

1. Know what is on your calendar before you come in for the day.
We live and die by our calendars in the office. Nothing throws you off more than forgetting about a meeting. Also, summer events don’t always allow you to run home and change. Outlook is a super important tool we really value in our culture.

2. Expect to be at all HSM events.
We do a lot of “all hands on deck” type of events. If you’re not sure, ASK, but the answer is probably yes.

3. Have a good attitude.
Your attitude is contagious! If you don’t have a good attitude, it can hurt the team. Be sure to take time for yourself to read, relax and refresh.

4. Know what is expected of you on the weekend.
Be on time – help set up – greet volunteers – jump in where needed – sit with students during the service – please don’t stand in the back!

5. You are responsible for your emails, voicemails, and texts.
One of the biggest complaints about our church is the lack of response to a phone call. So check your messages often and return them in a timely manner – no more than 24 hours late is the goal. Make sure take care of Pastoral Care issues immediately!

6. Communicate where you are going and when you will be back.
There is no such thing as over communicating and don’t ever assume someone knows where you are. Keep JG in the loop at all times. OK, you can go to the bathroom without telling him, we guess.

7. NEVER say “I don’t know” – ALWAYS say “Let me find out”.
Try and know the basics about every event on the calendar (location, price, times) and walk with the student or parent to get the information rather then sending them to find it. Also, make sure you listen to the person that did have the answer – then next time you won’t have to ask.

8. Know that everything can change at ANY moment.
We know this one is hard – you just have to go with it. There will be things you work on that don’t get used – hold everything with a loose grip.

9. Ask questions.
A lot of them. Why we do things? How we do things? What if we did things a different way? Even if it is to confirm what you already know… please ask questions!

JG

Haven’t done a Q&A in a while here on the blog, thought I would jump back into those since I got a good one today from a youth worker named Kyle. Send in your question, too:

Q: What do you give new believers as far as training or a packet? I’m trying to do some follow-up with new Christians in our group. Thanks for your help!

A: To be honest, this is something we need to get back to, we haven’t done this well recently. In the Fall I’ve got a plan to offer baptisms once a month and a beginners discipleship class called Fresh Start. We’re going to call it First Sunday and it will give our student ministry an easy answer to the question about when baptisms are and when a new believer’s class is offered. This particular resource is written in a 10-week format, 4 in a classroom setting and 6 on their own, though we’ll adopt it into something more like an extended 1-off with a devotional journal. Hope this helps!

You can read more Q&A’s right here.

JG

Thinking on my walk tonight about students in our ministry who recently accepted Christ. What are the steps in someone’s spiritual journey? I’ve heard many stories this past year of life change, and while each of the stories are unique there are definitely some common themes.

Here’s what I feel I keep hearing in stories of life change:

A reputation - He is different from everyone else. She lives out what other just talk about at church. I’ve heard good things about your youth ministry. The reputation is critical to moving someone forward in their spiritual journey. If a non-believer feels someone’s reputation is inconsistent with their faith, it stands in their way. The reputation of your youth ministry as a whole is also in play – what your community thinks about your youth ministry can be a dealbreaker or a big win right from the start.

A request – Dude, come with me to church tonight – its not like what you think. Killball is awesome, you’ve got to be on my team. In every case there was some sort of invitation. An invitation to a service project. An invitation to the weekend or to a small group. An invitation to cross the threshold.

A relationship – We’re friends – you can tell me anything. Here’s my story. Friendship evangelism is how we reach out in our context, but the importance of friends sharing not just Christ but their lives with their friends is critically important in seeing someone step across the line of faith.

What are other common themes you’re seeing?

JG

This new resource on SYM, Through the Bible,  looks promising to take your growing students to the next level. Caught my eye today:

If your teenager still think of the Bible as a disjointed jumble of stories and history lessons (trust us: they do), give them the perspective they need. Ground their faith and confidence in God’s Word.

All 12 lessons are highly experiential! Your teenagers will create a mural and add to it each week. By the end, they’ll have a panoramic view of God’s story as revealed in the Bible!

JG

Oh man! What a day for the Xbox 360! Project Natal looks astounding, and the 360 also gets Facebook and Twitter? If they would just add Hulu and some type of blog reader and I’ll never go on the internet or watch cable again.

JG

Fun little pre-service video during the countdown this weekend in HSM. We were also doing some testing with our new Flip Ultra HD, talk about quality video on a small budget!

JG

Ministry Best Practices just posted of their love for TED (that I share, too!) but also included their version of the 10 Commandments to speaking at their event. So good!

1. Thou shalt not simply trot out thy usual shtick.
2. Thou shalt dream a great dream, or show forth a wondrous new thing, or share something thou hast never shared before.
3. Thou shalt reveal thy curiosity and thy passion.
4. Thou shalt tell a story.
5. Thou shalt freely comment on the utterances of other speakers for the sake of blessed connection and exquisite controversy.
6. Thou shalt not flaunt thine ego. Be thou vulnerable. Speak of thy failure as well as thy success.
7. Thou shalt not sell from the stage: neither thy company, thy goods, thy writings, nor thy desperate need for funding; lest thou be cast aside into outer darkness.
8. Thou shalt remember all the while: laughter is good.
9. Thou shalt not read thy speech.
10. Thou shalt not steal the time of them that follow thee.

JG

Weekend Teaching Series: Backward$: week 1
Sermon Title: Good for Your Heart
Sermon in a Sentence: Learning to give is a backwards way of thinking.
Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 7 out of 10

Attendance: Down 1% from the previous weekend, up 120% from the same weekend last year
Service Length: 71 minutes
Understandable Message: Doug Fields taught this weekend on giving. He went after how giving is good for our hearts and asked what the world would look like if we were more generous. The world offers one message – get more and more, consume, get, must have – our life becomes a quest for stuff. But Jesus offers a backward way of thinking about money and giving it all, and yourself, away. He used this great SNL clip about debt to kick off the message, too.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: The band and choir doubled as greeters and ushers. Other students ran the cameras and one student made a promo video for camp as well. I grabbed a few students to pass out bulletins and pens during the message, and they also helped hand out stuff at the end, too. A great band (led by a couple of seniors) and the choir always adds extra energy, too.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We played “Who Wants to Be a Hundredaire” – bringing a contestant on stage and having them work through some interesting questions on money. We did an “Ask the Audience” lifeline using PollEverywhere.com that was fantastic as well. Taffy’s funny Killball Cup video played strong, too.

Music Playlist: Gone, With Everything, Everything, Your Love is Strong

Favorite Moment: We did several baptisms this weekend – four students from a local high school all got baptized on the same night, surrounded by tons of their classmates cheering them on. Epic.

Next up: Backward$ week 2 (series finale)

Little bumper video we played right before the message during this new series on giving.

JG

Video used at the open of our service promoting this Friday’s Killball Cup!

JG

Today we hosted an event to help trasition our students from junior high (Wildside) to high school (HSM), and it triggered that it might be helpful to share all of the methods we’re using this year. Kurt talked a little bit about the idea last year, and here’s how we’re attacking the handoff:

8th Grade Retreat - This morning we hosted the tail end of a retreat for our graduating 8th graders. This was their last hurrah with the Wildisde team, and we took over the program today to begin to introduce our team, values and setup to them. It was a great morning getting some intrductions out there and show some faces that will hopefully become familiar to them. We also captured cell phone numbers and began to build our database of contacts.

Freshmany Frenzy - In three weeks, we do an inexpensive ”the day after school is done” event to help reach out to all of the newly minted freshman in the community. You can only go if you’re a freshman, though we stack the team with upperclass student leaders as well.

Promotion Weekend - We pick out a weekend every June that is “the one” throughout the church where people move up to the next level. This year we’ll have some fun programming that is freshman-specific, complete with just a little hazing of the newbies. A fun weekend, with lots of traditions we do every year.

Freshman Parent Orientation Night - Just a simple who we are type of evening to meet parents and bring them up to speed on how our ministry works. Here’s last year’s exact schedule and idea if it would help you in planning yours.

What do you do that might help other youth workers?

JG

Our three summer interns start this coming week – I’m super excited to welcome Taylor, Taylor and Kyle to our staff for the summer. This Tuesday is the big start – so I was reading up on the subject getting prepared. Brian Mills has a great post called 20 Ways to be an A+ Intern when he mentions a Forbes article about interns that ended up as CEOs.

Good stuff – I wonder which of the three will be the next High School Pastor?

Many CEOs seem to have gotten their ambition itself from their first internships. Oringer discovered that he craved creative autonomy. Jacqueline Beauchamp, the CEO of Nerjyzed Entertainment, a videogame company, interned at IBM and found that she wanted much more. “I saw that my digital-animation dream would require very hard work, strategy and passion to become reality,” she says. “I knew I wanted a business that was revolutionary and cutting edge.

“That type of success doesn’t happen by accident.”

I’ve written a couple times about our summer interns here and here if you want to see some thoughts from last year.

JG

Used this SNL clip this weekend to kickoff our “Backward$” giving series. Revolutionary thinking!

JG

Wrapping up another book that’s been on my reading list for a couple of months. Tribes, by Seth Godin, is a book about everyone leadership. Gone are the days of the royal select, the elected and the CEO – now is the time for us all to lead. It is a call to action that the opportunity is ripe for there to be many chiefs in many tribes. If you are a fan, lead a band of fanatics. If you are a rebel, lead the rebellion. If you have a love of any sort, chances are there are people out there just like you waiting for you to lead them. I loved the section on fear and how belief must scream through the heart of a leader. The paragraphs (there are no chapters) encouraging heretics, rogues and rule-breakers made me smile reassuringly, too. It’s a must read. A+

JG

I watch a TED talk as part of my personal development almost every week. They’re amazing because they are a) world-class speakers, and b) they are given no more than 18 minutes per talk. Now, I definitely don’t agree with everything I watch, but they are mind-shaping and thought I would pass on a few of the more notable ones to you and see if I can hook you, too.

Al Gore has tons of super visuals about climate change, Seth Godin blazes us with his Tribes talk, Shai Agassi goes after electric cars and Mike Rowe talks about Dirty Jobs. And the JJ Abrams talk about the mystery box is incredible Bill Gates and the mosquitos was epic.

JG