More Than Dodgeball | Youth Ministry Blog by Josh Griffin

Josh GriffinMore Posts 5 Questions with Tony Morgan, Author of Stuck in a Funk

I’m excited to interview Tony Morgan, church strategist and author of the new book, Stuck in a Funk. Here is 5 questions with Tony, and you can get a copy of his new book on Amazon right now for $5. He’s helped lead several churches I follow closely and have been inspired by him (and his incredible blog) regularly. I respect this guy a lot, and am thankful for all of the great things God is doing through him. Enjoy our discussion!

1. Excited to read your new book, Stuck in a Funk, have you ever found yourself in one? You better believe it. It’s part of life. We face being stuck in our organizations, but we also face it in our personal lives. In both instances, I’ve personally found that sense of stuckness happening when the future vision is unclear or there isn’t a plan to see the vision accomplished. Then once I determine the next steps, I need the discipline and perseverance to work my plan. All of that gets easier when you’re doing life with people who embrace the same vision.

2. Are there specific signs you’re stuck in a funk? Sometimes I find myself there but unable to explain it or how I got there to others? I think being too comfortable is a sign. The funny thing is everyone else around us is pursuing comfort and happiness. Wouldn’t it be nice if a warning light popped on in our lives when we’re getting too comfortable? It’s those seasons when we began to trust too much in our own experiences and capacities. The ironic thing is that I typically experience the most joy when I take risks where I genuinely have to trust God for wisdom and strength.

3. This book is about churches who are stuck, but it seems like at it’s core it is about leaders that are that way. Yes? Ah… I tend to agree. I think leaders getting stuck is certainly one of the key reasons that organizations get stuck. Leaders need to go back to whatever it is was prompted them to become a leader in the church. They need to recapture that passion and purpose from God. But, just to be honest, it’s going to take a different vision, strategy and systems to get different results. Hope is not a strategy. And, that’s the challenge — leaders actually have to lead at some point.

4. What is the biggest obstacle to getting out of a ministry funk? Every church is unique. Because of that, the combination of contributing factors that lead to a church getting into a ministry funk are going to look different from church to church. That said, one common challenge is being inward-focused. Another is holding onto leadership approaches or structures that may have worked in the past, but don’t now. Another common issue is gaining a clear vision, but, more important, being intentional about the strategies and systems to see that vision become reality. To get to where you want to go tomorrow, you have to know what’s important right now. Just to be honest, sometimes we need an outside set of eyes to facilitate us through that process.

5. Many youth workers have big vision and have a harder time with systems – can you explain an easy way to keep these connected to move forward? Yes, vision is important. You certainly need that. The big mistake pastors (including youth workers) make is that they just need to teach people the vision, and everything will take care of itself. Well I can have a vision for being a physically fit, but hearing someone teach about it isn’t going to cut it. It may change my thinking, but systems help shift behaviors. I need new disciplines. I need an exercise system. I need an eating healthy system. I need a buddy system to stay motivated. You get the point. There are many systems in any body, and, unless the systems are healthy, the body won’t be healthy whether we embrace the a vision for health or not.

Thanks so much, Tony!

JG

Add Comment April 15, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Being a Barnabas

Who or what inspired you to enter youth ministry?

For me I was inspired by a great pastor who invested time in me. I became quick friends with his son, but in addition to being my friends father, he took plenty of time to teach me about life, ministry and integrity. He is one of the 3 men I most admire in the world.

When we look to Barnabas in the Bible we see a great encourager who brings Saul into the fellowship of Apostles. Think about the fact that without Barnabas we might have missed out on some of the impact of Paul on the world.

If you look at the survey results coming out right now, it is obvious less and less people are interested in working in ministry. Can you blame them? I know I don’t see a lot of pastors who live inspiring lives that make you strive to be like them. And that is where I come in. Just the other day I was talking to a missionary and my lead pastor and they asked me what I thought about this issue, and I began to ask if it was because Sr. leaders aren’t all that inspiring to be like. Sure there are some who are excellent, I think of someone like Francis Chan and go ‘Wow I wish I could live like that’.

So I began to ask myself if I am living in a way that would inspire my students and those around me to want to aspire to ministry. The sad fact is the answer to that question is probably no. I am a good role model, and I believe most of my students look up to me. But I don’t know if I am doing more than inspiring a Christian lifestyle.

While our primary role is to encourage people towards faith, we do have a role to bring up future church leaders. What ways are you leading others towards entering ministry?

Kyle Corbin has been serving youth as a volunteer or pastor for over 10 years. He is currently the youth pastor at the Bridge Church in North Vancouver B.C. You can follow his blog at: kylecorbin.blogspot.com or Twitter: @CorbinKyle

2 View Comments April 14, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Created in His Own Image

“So God created human beings in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) God has made each of us beautiful even with our imperfections. Imperfections enhance our beauty when they are embraced. Seeing the beauty in your imperfections comes by seeing you as God sees you.

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).
I have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13).
I have been washed in the blood and all of my sins have been forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).
I have been made right with God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I do not belong to myself (1 Corinthians 6:19).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
I receive the free gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
I have the peace of God which transcend all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
He who lives in me is greater and mightier than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
I have been chosen by God. I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
I have stripped of my old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. I put on my new nature and am renewed as I learn to know my creator and become like Him (Colossians 3:9-10).
I receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God and the eyes of my heart are flooded with light so that I can know and understand the hope to which He has called me (Ephesians 1:17-18).

This only briefly touches on the many wonderful words God speaks about you. Speak these words, believe them, and you will live them. There is power in agreeing with what God says about you.

Ashley Fordinal is the Children’s Church volunteer at Family Life Church in Sulphur Springs, TX.

Add Comment April 13, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Volunteers Gain More Than They Give

“Service to a just cause rewards the worker with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture of life.” – Carrie Chapman Catt

It is absolutely true that oftentimes the people volunteering feel like they are getting as much out of it – if not more – than those they are supposedly helping. Why? Here are some of the most common reasons I’ve heard:

Knowledge. Volunteering can teach you things about the world that you didn’t even know you didn’t know, whether the experience happens on another continent or right in your backyard. You might discover something about a particular group of people that makes you rethink the previous views that you held, or learn how the ostensibly “helpful” systems we have in place are actually keeping certain problems from getting better. And I can’t tell you how many people say they feel like the experience of volunteering taught them a lot of things about themselves – good and bad – and showed them how to be better.

Skills. When you volunteer, you might come away from the experience knowing how to do just about anything – it really just depends on the kind of volunteer work you’re doing. Builders for Habitat for Humanity learn a number of skills related to house-building, including carpentry and teamwork, but those who volunteer in other departments might learn transferable skills in administration, marketing, leadership, and more. Chances are, if you can think of a skill you might need in the workforce, it’s something that you might be expected to do somewhere as a volunteer.

Experience. Knowledge and skills are great, but what’s especially powerful about volunteer work is that, depending on the kind of activities you were engaged in, many employers look at almost as another type of job experience. Cooking in a soup kitchen for a year is great experience for someone looking to make meals in the food industry, especially if you can add to it some formal training in the classroom. In fact, this kind of experience can be incredibly important in times like this where jobs are scarce and it’s difficult to get an entry level position to get the work experience you need.

Joy. How can you beat the smiles of an entire village in Africa after you dig a well that will provide them with drinkable water for the next three generations? Or the tears of happiness shed by a family after you fix their home that was ravaged by a storm? Or the look of relief on the face of a mother as you hand her Christmas gifts so that she doesn’t have to tell her children that they won’t be getting anything that year?

Perspective. No one has an easy life, but if you ever start feeling like the world is out to get you and sabotage your success or happiness, I recommend volunteering. Nothing puts things in perspective quite like seeing families dig through dumpsters together or be thankful that they have a roof over their heads even though they live in a shantytown in Brazil where each family’s “house” is little more than a metal box. Most volunteers end up heading for home happier than when they arrive if for no other reason than they are thankful for all that they now realize they have.

Aileen Pablo is part of the team behind Open Colleges and <a href=”http://newsroom.opencolleges.edu.au/”>InformED</a>, one of Australia’s leading providers of Open Learning and <a href=”http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/distance-education.aspx”>distance education</a>.

Add Comment April 13, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 210

Weekend Teaching Series: You Own the Weekend: Capo High School (week 3 of 5)

Sermon in a Sentence: We try to fill our life with so many things … but only Christ fills.
Service Length: 63 minutes

Understandable Message: This week two students took on the message they had chosen – Nikki (I blogged a little bit about her last week already) and Bryce (the president of the school’s FCA). Both of them were incredibly comfortable on stage and did a great job teaching about the hole inside all of us that students try to fill with so many different things. They were both honest about their past journey and struggles and really helped students understand their searching for what they hope fills them is a perilous and in the end, empty pursuit. They did a great job!

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Great environment this weekend – the coffee cup became synonimous with the idea that Christ fills, so the room was decorated with lots of cups and coffee beans. They also had a funny video about Jesus pouring water on people, helping them realize they needed His filling. Lots of student greeters and energy.

Music Playlist: Cups [Anna Kendrick cover], Go, Our God, God Above All

Favorite Moment: The inflatable cougar mascot head filling up our whole entryway. Love it. Oh, and the high school principal came to youth group. So awesome!

Up next: You Own the Weekend: El Toro High School (week 4 of 5)

Add Comment April 12, 2013

Colton HarkerMore Posts Small Group Leader Tips

Recently, I got one of my good friends to help me co-lead my small group. Leading a small group is his very first taste of youth ministry and it has been such a cool thing to be a part of. One of the cool parts about helping him is realizing how much God has taught me about leading a small group over the past three years. I thought I would share three of the most important lessons that I shared with him:

-It’s all about the discussion! Small group isn’t the place the lecture. Too often, small group leaders take up their entire lesson sharing what they want to talk about. While I admire their passion for sharing what God has put on their heart, small group is a place where students learn and discover, and a part of the process is making them do a little work. Small group is a place for students to grow together as a group. They should be processing and engaging with each other. As a small group leader, we are simply there to facilitate a conversation. Always find a way to get them talking and engaging with the material. They should be speaking WAY more than you should be.

-Meet them where they are at. I feel like this is something that many first year small group leaders struggle with. Part of being a small group leader is being intuitive. You need to be able to feel out where your students are at. I think some first time leaders go into it expecting high school students to know a lot about the Bible already, so they plan lessons about advanced doctrine. The truth is, many students aren’t ready for that, many students still can’t even tell you the Gospel! We have to see where are students are at in their faith and meet them there. Don’t wait for them to catch up to where you want them to be, go back and help them get there.

-You have to invest in social stock. I was talking with a small group leader about spending time with students and he didn’t see the point of just getting lunch with a student without a deep, life-changing conversation. What he hadn’t realized yet is the power of social stock. You can’t expect every student to immediately open up to you. You need to build social stock. Every inside joke, every Starbucks run, every midnight Denny’s breakfast builds your stock with them, allowing them to learn to respect you, trust you, and feel comfortable being vulnerable around you. Social stock is what takes a student from just hearing you, to listening to you. It is what lets you speak truth into their lives. This social stock is one of the most powerful tools we have in relational ministry.

What is one thing you would make sure to tell a first time small group leader?

Colton [Email||Twitter]

3 View Comments April 11, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts 5 Questions with the Authors of 99 Things Every Guy Should Know

There are actually 3 dudes behind the book 99 Things Every Guy Should Know. JEFFREY WALLACE is the President & CEO of Front Line Urban Resources, MIKE HAMMER is a youth pastor and MATTY MCCAGE works on the youth ministry team at Group Publishing.

What’s the story behind the book, 99 Things Every Guy Should Know? The story behind 99 Thoughts basically came from the fact that Matty, Mike, and I are all fathers of boys and we all desperately shared the desire to do whatever we could to try and make sure they did not make some of the same mistakes we made growing up. We all agreed that if there was some type of manual, road map for young men, or resource out there, besides “true love waits”, when we were growing up, we may not have made some of the same decisions and mistakes. We also wanted to leave a legacy for our boys that they could look back on and be proud of and at the same time, help other young men who do not have a father in their life, a positive male role model, or just simply have typical male Adolescent issues and questions about the journey of life.

Matty, I know you had a lot of struggles you could share about growing up. Can you share one that was cut from the book? Growing up, my dad was in the house but he wasn’t totally engaged in me and my siblings lives. My dad believed in the saying, “do as I say, not as I do”. And because of that, my father never really talked to me much about what it meant to be a real man. Our sex talk consisted of him bringing a condom and a banana in my room, putting the condom on a banana and then telling me, “don’t bring any babies in this house!”. I learned about being a man from my older brother and hanging out with my boys in the streets. And as you can imagine, that wasn’t the best examples to have as a curious teenager. As a result of the way I was raised and the lack of guidance from my father, I got into any and everything. I struggled with what it meant to be godly man even though mom took us to church weekly and I honestly had a desire to be spiritual. I knew there was more to life than what I saw, I just didn’t know how to obtain it. As I got older, I struggled even more with making proper decisions when it came to my future, relationships, lust, sex, and struggles with porn, Finances and handling money, my education, and the type of people I should allow in my life….you name it, i struggled with it. I was totally lost and I had no one to guide me but my big brother, the homies on the block, and what Tupac, Biggie Smalls, and Jay Z taught me through their music. As a teenager, I equated success with things and masculinity with the number of girls I was talking to. Basically I had no clue! I so wish I had this book to give me some type of insight and perspective on the things I needed to know as a young man.

What would be the best way to use the book? Just give it to the guys and be done with it, journey through it together as a small group, graduation gift? This book can be used in small groups as discussion items or trending topics, gifts for rising ninth graders and graduating seniors, or for any young man that you know does not have a consistent role model or influential male voice in their life and they’re unsure about the answers to specific issues that they’re struggling with. They need help when it comes to their journey to becoming a healthy and productive young man.

What were some other topics you were hoping to cover that didn’t make the 99? Some other topics I would have love to cover in the book is how to recover from grief and tragedy, a deeper conversation about how to bounce back from rejection, disappoints, and set backs, and how to deal with being molested, abused, or abandon. I believe a lot of these hard issues are very much a reality for a lot more young men today then we know or believe.

If you could give one piece of advice to a freshman guy coming into high school this Fall, what would you tell him? My middle son Christopher is a freshman this year in high school and if I could give other freshmen a piece of advice, I will tell them like I told my son; enjoy the journey, but take it one day at a time. Take your time and develop a rhythm that works for you. Be true to who you are and don’t try to be something that you’re not. The investment that you make in your self today will dictate your journey and destiny tomorrow.

Thanks for your time, guys! Get the book here!

JG

1 View Comments April 10, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts POLL: The Importance of Your Denomination

Had an interesting conversation with a youth worker this week about the pain of leaving his denomination over some issues they are taking different sides on. Made me think about my own allegiances, my upbringing and the state of denominations and youth workers. Inspired this week’s poll – vote now!

JG