The latest episode of the Simply Youth Ministry Podcast. Enjoy!

JG

Have you had the new Domino’s Pizza? Just curious – see my post about The Pizza Turnaround yesterday.

JG

“There comes a time when you know you gotta make a change.”
-Patrick Doyle, President of Domino’s Pizza

That’s how the new Domino’s Pizza Turnaround campaign video begins. If you haven’t watched it yet, check it out quick, pretty great stuff:

Domino’s Pizza launched a new website last week and opened 2010 with a major marketing campaign admitting that their product simply didn’t taste good and they were tossing pretty much everything out in their core product and starting over. They listened to what people were saying and worked hard for months to give them what they wanted. The new campaign is an open invitation to try Domino’s Pizza … for the first time all over again.

At the end of the day, I’m 100% sure dollars were a major driving factor behind all of this – decreased sales or the bottom falling out of your company would help anyone see the light – but I’m still impressed a company would risk everything like this. Change isn’t easy. It comes with a great risk. Settling for a little less, which is still a lot, is always easier and always tempting you to play it safe.

So I tried the #newpizza last night at the end of our discipleship retreat. I wanted to reward a couple of amazing HSM volunteers for the love and care they gave a special needs student that attended the event – so had 8 of them delivered up to their room for their guys to destroy. Of course, I planned my little drop by to coincide with the delivery so I could be sure to get in on the action, too.

You know what? The pizza was pretty good!

The price was right ($6/pizza) and it was delivered quickly, just like Domino’s has always been famous for. Now I’ll admit, price and speed are far more important in youth ministry pizza than taste – but it was genuinely good – I think most would see a definite improvement at least. Now obviously, this isn’t a pizza/food blog (although that would be awesome), so what’s the point exactly?

The Church Turnaround
There comes a time when churches must realize they need to make a change – unfortunately, that is usually 10 years after a bunch of people have already realized it. How challenging would it be for us to admit that times have changed – that we simply didn’t taste as good now as we did in the past? Explosive growth was amazing but we can’t rest on the successes of the past to continue to work the present, much less an ever-evolving future. Is it possible that we need to take a hard look at our recipes, how and why we do things, and maybe make some big changes?

It won’t be easy. Change is challenging. Status quo is safe and makes enough people happy to get by. But what if we took a cue from Domino’s and risked it all?

To some degree, we face this right now in our high school ministry. In our upcoming season of ministry we’re taking a long look at everything we do and making sure it tastes great. Nothing is sacred. Everything is on the table. We want to concentrate on the right ingredients and perfect the right recipes to deliver a great product. And it isn’t about sales, souls hang in the balance – this isn’t giving people what they are asking for but praying for God’s guidance to give them what they need in a way they will receive it most effectively. I think we’re having this conversation at the right time, it feels like we’re doing a lot of things right and have a killer team of adults in place to pull it all off. But even a guy like me, who thrives on change and a big challenge, is sweating a little bit.

I’m proud of Domino’s for realizing where they were at and then doing everything they could to fix it. The church should be right there on the front lines doing the exact same thing.

JG

I really liked this post from Josh Herndon’s blog about 10 Things Your Youth Ministry Shouldn’t Do in 2010. Some good stuff, here’s a couple of the highlights:

1. You shouldn’t buy an expensive video camera. $2,000 is a risky investment to make for the industry’s premier camcorder. Instead, pick up a Flip Camera. They run about $200. The picture looks great. The software is user friendly. And you can take it to any event with ease, as it’s the size of your hand.

6. You shouldn’t buy nothing for your small group curriculum. Instead, buy Simply Youth Ministry’s Live Curriculum. The sticker price will shock you at $500 but it’s a 4-year program, making each lesson about $3.50. Well worth the price for a comprehensive, customizable, practical, and theologically grounded youth ministry. I haven’t picked it up yet, but it’s on my docket list.

8. You shouldn’t buy game consoles at a retail store. Picking up a Wii, Xbox, or Play Station will put you $1,000 after picking up some games, controllers, and accessories. Instead, buy one off of your youth. Come Christmas they’ll get the newest consoles and part ways with their old one for a fraction of the cost to you.

JG

Weekend Teaching Series: Step by Step (series finale, week 3 of 3)

Sermon in a Sentence: Too often we are part of the crowd that is watching Jesus do miracles – when he wants to do a miracle in our individual lives, too.
Service Length: 66 minutes
Bible: Mark 7:31-37

Understandable Message: Special guest speaker Chuck Bomar (who was in town for our annual discipleship retreat) gave the weekend message.  It was an examination of the story where Jesus heals the deaf/dumb man and he challenged students to move out of the crowd and into the committed. Very good connection to the concentric circles from Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, some good stuff..

Volunteer/Student Involvement: This weekend our staff was all up at the retreat, except for me! Volunteers, students and student leaders all jumped in to work the services – it was a great weekend and went off without a hitch. I think this was a major step forward in continuing to move HSM toward simple, effective and clean programming. Good stuff!

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Jake appeared on video this weekend for the final segment of the Bible-evangelist Dr. Eugene Henry. Silly little video – we also opened with a fun YouTube music video of some of our female students made of Party in the USA. Taffy and I did the welcome/announcements with some random bits thrown in as well – promoting both the upcoming 2-week sex series and the killball event next weekend.

Music Playlist: Your Name High, After Your Heart, Consuming Fire, The Stand

Favorite Moment: My favorite moment was having our team of staff and volunteers gone for the weekend focusing on students that were at the retreat. It was cool to see everyone really slow down and just hang with students.

Up Next: The SEX (week 1 of 2)

Talked to a youth pastor not too long ago about transitioning the reputation and image of this church in his community.  The church didn’t have a positive image or reputation, so he was asking about some strategies for helping move them forward in this process. Up front, let me tell you that a church in transition is always challenging. How do you let them know about the new direction you’re going? Here are a couple of thoughts that might help or springboard you to the right direction if you’re in this position:

The first strategy is for people to SEE about the change – so you can focus on increasing your marketing in your community. Take out some modest newspaper ads, Google ads and set up a “under new management” banner (only somewhat kidding). Announce your shift in priorities, direction or style.

Seeing probably isn’t enough – they need to FEEL the change. Get out in the community. Send hand-written letters to everyone in your town. Get behind mass service projects, random acts of kindness, open a foodbank, etc. Get out there and let them know the changes they are reading on a banner outside the church are making a difference in the hearts of people inside  it, too.

Then, word of mouth kicks in and they HEAR about your church. They break down and come give it a shot, and you’re there to invite them to trust Jesus and become part of the movement that is emerging in your community.

JG

Being a pastor’s spouse is undoubtedly a difficult task. So I’ve learned a couple tricks along the way to protect my wife (and in turn, our marriage).

1. “You are not expected to come”. My wife loves me, our church, and our ministry. But there’s a lot of stuff that goes on that I need to be at that she doesn’t. I need to let her know that she’s not expected to be at every event I am at. If I don’t, she’ll burnout quickly.
2. “It’s not worth repeating”. Just like any workplace, there can be drama at the church office. So when I come home at night, I weigh what should or shouldn’t be reported. Sometimes news is news, and other times news is gossip. I try to keep the silly gossip out of the house.
3. “I appreciate you”. My wife has three jobs, co-leads our youth worship team, co-leads our Sunday worship team, and helps me with our small group. Recognition and thanks can go a long way. My wife’s help is a privilege, not an entitlement.
4. “Who you are is perfect”. Most pastor’s spouses’ struggle with their identity in this role. Affirmation in their calling helps filter out the unneeded expectations by churchgoers so they can become exactly who God intended them to be.
5. “The power is off”. Ministry is ongoing and if we aren’t intentional, we’ll never get “us” time. So we shut off all electronics every night at 10pm (though we try to even sooner than that). Make sure that you are not distracted from your role as husband and wife.

Do you have any tricks you’d like to share?

Josh Herndon is a rookie youth pastor in El Sobrante, CA. He blogs at joshherndon.com and twitters @joshua_herndon.

Had a question the other day about which weeks of the year are typically the biggest for our youth ministry. There are weekends that perform well because of content (a sex series, a series with high student involvement like You Own the Weekend = we save these for the typically slower times), but here are a few weeks that naturally draw in students:

Fall kickoff weekend
The first weekend back as school in the fall is always our biggest of the year. Summer is over and students are anxious to see each other and get back into the school year routines. We typically put a ton of energy into the fall launch of our youth group and do our best to encourage everyone we can to to attend. As you wrap up next summer, consider putting extra energy, promotion and effort into the Fall kickoff and see what happens. It could be big!

Campaign Kickoff
Every fall we also do a church-wide campaign. Typically they lose steam by the end of the series, but the kickoff and first few weeks are usually very strong. Consider working with the leadership of your ministry to pull together a campaign that the whole church gets behind and see what happens in your youth ministry.

Post-Thanksgiving heading into Christmas
Typically the week after the Thanksgiving break is good for student attendance – many students were gone over the holidays and in the stretch to Christmas things slow down and they make more time for church. We plan a Christmas series that usually does well heading into the holidays. Make Christmas extra special – people are more likely to head to church that time of the year.

The first of the New Year
It is natural for students (and their parents for that matter) to concentrate on turning over a new leaf in the new year. Our New Year kickoff is similar to the fall kickoff – lots of effort and energy as we focus on new beginnings and goals.

Now that I look at the list, its interesting to see how they are all stacked in the first half of the school year. Huh.

JG

Curious: As a youth worker, how many nights out are you on a typical week?

JG

We wish it didn’t have to happen, but from time to time it simply has to – you’ve got to kick a kid out of your small group. Later this week I’ll try to post some reasons NOT to remove a student from your small group, but here’s a few reasons someone just might have to go:

Disruption
Sometimes the entire group suffers because of the misbehavior of one, and that simply can’t be. Now don’t penalize a student for not having the social skills in a small group setting, but coach them along on how to be an effective participant in a group environment. If that doesn’t work and a student is still a consistent source of major distraction, it might be time to let them go.

Conflict
Conflict can be healthy, but at some point it again might come at the expense of the group. If you’re having conflict with the parents and their expectations of the small group, or with the student with his or her expectations of the group, a possible resolution might be to ask them to join another group. Hopefully you’re not a conflict avoider, because a little conflict is good. Be sure not to flinch as soon as someone airs a concern, but if the conflict escalates without expected resolution, it might be time to move along.

“Fit”
This one is ambiguous, and if we’re not careful it could become the “catch all” to remove a student on not much more than a whim. But there is something to be said for the way a student fits into the group – usually they know it and so do you, so a conversation giving them permission to seek out a new group where they fit better is probably in order.Be careful with this one.

We all have “that one” kid in our small group – so be patient and long-suffering and ask God to make it clear if a student genuinely needs to be removed from your group. The goal must always be to “repot” a student into a group where they can connect and grow.

JG

Liked this post from Chuck Bomar over on the YS Blog – Chuck is coming out to teach at our discipleship retreat this weekend as well. Excited!

One lesson I’ve learned through the years is to take things slowly and especially when it comes to putting people into leadership positions. One of the balances we need to be very careful of working in college ministry is that of developing giftedness and character. College age people aren’t lacking in giftedness, but character can be an issue. Now, I know plenty of college age people that have a very solid character, but I also know those that have giftedness that far surpasses their character (same true for jr high or high school students). I confess, this was my story when I was in college. I had some gifts, but my character fell far behind. I wasn’t living a crazy lifestyle, but I didn’t have to for my character to be lacking. It’s said that giftedness is what gets you places, but character is what keeps you there.

We need to focus on the character of people and intentionally think through whether or not giving them a leadership position (in any capacity) is best for their long term character development. We don’t usually think about it this way. We see the gifts someone has and then typically release them in ministry…trying to balance character as they go. But often times this can lead to a damaged heart and potentially one filled with so much pride that it causes their ministry to come to an end. So, I’d encourage you to be very mindful of who you place in leadership – and when. They don’t need to be perfect (we certainly are not), but there ought to be a balance of how we lead them in developing their character and giftedness.

JG

If you don’t know what a Sack Chair is, head over to Simply Sack Chairs and take a look. We’ve got a few of them in The Refinery and the students LOVE them. Want one? Enter the new contest right here – just send them 3 creative ways you would use a Sack Chair – and you could win!

JG

I read the book Simple Student Ministry a few months back and never got around to posting a review of it so here goes:

I love a clear discipleship process in youth ministry – the parent book, Simple Church, was one of my favorite books of 2007 and I was hoping their team would bring out a student version of the title. It seems the longer churches are around the more “pile on” programs you have, each intending to help but eventually crowding the discipleship pathway. Simply put, we like to add stuff without taking anything away. Churches have the tendency to program creep, to the point where the core mission is diluted or even disappears altogether. I’m all for simple, clear and effective – to some degree, this is part of the journey we’re on right now with our High School Ministry (HSM). This book strongly urges that direction (large parts of it remind me of a Purpose Driven Youth Ministry combined with What Matters Most) and is a good read if you’re thinking you’re getting over-programmed.

JG

All good things must come to an end. And we probably haven’t said it enough while you have been serving so let me say it now – THANK YOU for all that you’ve done. You’ve changed lives and prepared students spiritually for adulthood. Since we can’t convince you to stay on for another season (and we can’t right?), here are a few ways you can leave right as one of our key leaders:

== Finish Out Your Commitment
We ask each of the small group leaders in our ministry to serve for a year at a time – we hope they re-up at the end of the year and come back for more, but it isn’t always the case. If you sense your commitment is about to change, do your best to serve out the rest of the school year if it is at all possible. There are times when this isn’t the right answer, in some instances leaving is actually better. Weigh out the options and if possible, finish the year strong.

== Communicate with the Small Group Leader/Coach
Don’t let you not coming back as a small group leader come as a surprise to the leadership of your student ministry. Let them know with ample warning they need to fill your spot in the coming year. You care most effectively for your students in this transition by giving the team time to search for a great small group leader to fill the big shoes you’re leaving behind.

== Support the Ministry from Afar
You know the mission and heart of the student ministry from first-hand experience. Use that passion and knowledge to encourage parents considering joining your church to be a part of the ministry. Use that knowledge to build up the perception of student ministry in your circles of influence inside and outside the church.

== Always Be a Recruiter
Although you’ll no longer serve actively as a small group leader – you know personally the reward that it can bring into someone’s life. Be contagious and encourage others to fill the needs in our church and volunteer in student ministry.

Thanks again, you will be missed!

JG

January 25th is the last chance for a discounted rate for the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. Jake and I are putting the finishing touches on the evening general sessions – you really should check it out and join us late next month in Chicago. Going to be GREAT!

JG

Really appreciated an article written by one of our HSM volunteers over on Volunteer Youth Ministry. Some good stuff in there about small group leaders digging behind the smiles to get to what is really going on. Here’s a clip, definitely head there for the whole thought:

Being a “young” youth ministry leader, I have very little experience. This small event has changed the way I will look at my students entirely. No matter how well we know each student, or how much they open up to us, the human soul is always a mystery to everyone but God. As a leader, I have to remember to take nothing for granted.

Each week may be the week that someone opens their eyes to Christ. Someone who looks solid by all human means of evaluation may actually the one who is at a spiritual crossroads. This thought unnerved me… had I ever neglected her because I thought she had it together? Had I focused totally on the kids who were obviously hurting or struggling and forgotten about those who seemed happy? Could I potentially have been responsible for letting her slip through the proverbial cracks just because she wasn’t a mess?

Of course, God works throughout all of our efforts as servants to these kids, and this girl’s story seems like it’s heading in a wonderful direction. She activley serves in missions in the church and continues to grow into a beautiful young woman inside and out.

God’s lesson to me was this: You can’t always see what I’m doing under the surface… you must be consistent and faithful with each one that I send to you.

My job is to cheer on these girls as they take each little step towards becoming more like Christ. My new prayer is that God will help me never to forget to cheer as loudly as possible, no matter where they are on that path.

JG

Some youth ministry resources to help your ministry to hurting kids:

We will ride every ride in the park in 2010!

We got Disneyland annual passes from my parents this Christmas, and we’ve decided to put them to good use. Our family fun day goal is to ride every ride in the park at least once before our passes expire. I found a list of all of the Disneyland (and California Adventure) attractions, and converted it all into an Excel sheet that will track our progress. Excited to balance out the frantic pace of ministry with turn-off-the-phone-family-fun in 2010.

JG

PS: If you want to download it, go ahead.

So you just signed up to be a small group leader. You got a little training, probably from someone who is just a little older than your children – and the first meeting of your small group is next week. This might help get you thinking about the kids God has trusted to you in this next season. I want to highlight a way of connecting with students – my mentor Doug Fields’ always called it the 5-3-1 Rule. Here’s my take on it:

Care for all
You’ve been given somewhere between 5 and 12 students – and we’re asking you to care for all of them. Simple stuff really, just know their names, be involved in their life and connect with them on a weekly basis. We divide up the large group into small groups so all can be cared for. This is where you come in – be a minister, think of yourself as the pastor of this little church within a church.

Pour into a few
There’s a few of the students in your small group you immediately connect with. Maybe it is a share interest or a similar story – either way, you just click with them. So pour into them a little more than the others. When you’re running an errand, ask one of them to join you so you can turn the mundane into ministry. When you happen on a day you can sneak away from the office, try to sneak by and catch the end of their swim meet or pick them up for a life conversation over a Coke.

Mentor one
After a few weeks, ask God to show you the student who you believe He is calling you to mentor. Pray for them, give them extra challenges, ask them to step up and lead the group one night when you’re gone. Connect with them outside of group, meet regularly and share what God is teaching you. Allow God to speak through you to shape them into a great minister and future small group leader. Maybe it’ll be the church kid who needs you, maybe it’ll be the unexpected fringe kid. You’ll know!

Blessing as you serve students in your small group!

JG

Some suggested youth ministry resources to help small group leaders:

A fun little opening video from our Super Sweet Leaders Night this week.

JG

A few resources that might help youth ministry volunteers:

Weekend Teaching Series: Step by Step (week 2 of 3)

Sermon in a Sentence: Spiritual growth comes from taking steps forward in your walk with God – to grow on your own, to share life in community, to serve others and spread the Good News.
Service Length: 77 minutes
Bible: Acts 8:26-40

Understandable Message: This week Jason talked about the story of Philip and the Ethopian Eunuch from two perspectives – 1) from Philip, on being prepared to share your faith and grow on your own, and 2) from the Eunuch’s perspecive of searching out what God is pressing on your heart. Good applications for all types of students that attended our entry-level service this weekend.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Ministry team students ran lights, camera, sound, band, control room, and student leaders owned greeting in the services. Limited volunteer involvement on Saturday night, but good the rest of the weekend. Lots of students involved for sure!

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Jake reprised his character of Dr. Eugene Henry, an overly-excited Southern evangelist who likes to take pop culture songs and put God’s Word to music. This week’s story of Noah set to Sweet Dreams by Beyonce – totally brilliant. We also had Not Fair rolling during the countdown which got a solid response, too.

Music Playlist: We Shine, Count Me In, Hosanna, Tell the World

Favorite Moment: For sure the best moment in the service was the live baptism – the story from Acts ends with a baptism, so we did a live baptism on stage to finish, too. We played a quick little interview with each person (a different student was baptized at each service) and students cheered and loved it. We usually do baptisms once a month after services, but these were special for sure. Awesome!

Up Next: Step by Step (series finale, week 3 of 3)