prayer | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts Kicking Off The Fall Right

The fall is one of our favorite times in our youth ministry. Summer is over and everyone gets ready to go back to school. And in our ministry — it also means “back to church” (we have church during the summer but attendance is much, much lower)!

As our regulars interact with their friends from school, something awesome starts to happen — it seems like the same pattern every year – they start bringing them to church! The fall seems to bring tons of opportunities for friendship evangelism and a boost of momentum. It doesn’t happen automatically, we’ve worked to create this kind of culture. How do you build this type of culture in your student ministry? Here are some ways that work for us:

Have a “fall kickoff” weekend
Our goal is that every youth service is safe for non-believing students — we always include an element of fun and an understandable message. But for fall kickoff we go all out – bigger and better than normal — and most certainly will include a clear Gospel presentation. Last year we handed out a bunch of youth group branded school supplies for our students to share with their friends as the school year started. They turned out to be fantastic conversation starters!

Host a big event right at the top of the school year
Every fall, our high school ministry hosts Pumpkinfest, a massive outreach event at the end of October, and our junior high ministry runs an event called The 3 ( $3, 3^rd Friday of the month, 3 hours)! We honestly don’t do too much outside of youth group in the fall — these are it! And for us, they pay off big time. A great activity will get people taking in the schools and on Facebook. You’re not into activities and events? You don’t have a budget or space to accommodate something like that? No problem! The principle isn’t “do something big and crazy”, but rather “do something different and creative…something that builds some momentum as you head into the fall”

Pray about it!
This is the season that sets the tone for the entire year for us. A great start gets us off and running through Christmas. We are sure to cover it in prayer and ask God to do something life-changing. This one doesn’t go without saying … we need to be reminded that we serve and do our part, but the real work is up to Him.

Make sure the next step is clear
With the natural momentum of the fall in youth group, make sure your students know the next step in your discipleship process. For us it is small groups, so not a week goes by without us talking about, promoting, showing a video or texting about getting in a group. Want to start the fall out right? Don’t be satisfied with entry-level ministry alone…challenge students to take the next step!

This post was written by Josh Griffin and Kurt Johnston and originally appeared as part of Simply Youth Ministry Today free newsletter. Subscribe to SYM Today right here.

Add Comment August 25, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts Open House and Day of Prayer for Students Heading Off to College

Had a neighbor invite our family over to an open house for their daughter today – this was her last weekend in Saddleback’s high school youth group and she is heading off to college this very week. The family is so great and it was awesome hanging out with them, they loved our kids and it is always great being in someone’s home.

They had balloons and cake and pretty much what you would expect at something like this, but it went beyond a traditional open house. In fact, they called it an Open House and Day of Prayer.

How cool is that? They invited their friends and family to drop in at any point in the afternoon and eat, laugh and pray over their daughter. They asked people for wisdom on making the big transition from high school to college life. They shared some stories and memories as well.

I just thought it was a next-level rite of passage. Not just your typical give-me-a-card-with-money-in-it kind of thing – it was really something special, something very spiritual as well. I think I just found an idea I’m going to steal for my kids someday. Thought maybe you could, too!

JG

1 View Comments August 14, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: The Mission Trip High

The ‘Mission Trip High’ as I call it is no secret in ministry. It’s that feeling people get after experiencing God in a unique way and they feel like they are spiritually on top of a mountain. It’s a great feeling, but it certainly can be dangerous if it is not handled in the right way. I think the enemy licks his chops when he sees Christians on that ‘Mission Trip High’ because he knows they are easy prey.

Most Christians who return to normal, everyday life after their mission trip or retreat do not prepare themselves for re-entry into the world and therefore fall prey to the onslaught the enemy throws their way as soon as they get home. So what can we, as youth pastors, do about it? Here are a few ideas:

Make your students aware that life after the mission trip, or retreat, is going to be difficult. Let them know that the enemy will be waiting for them and will want to make them fall. A firm realization that they are in the midst of a battle is a must.
Give them practical, user-friendly ways to spend time with God after the trip. It could be a devotional packet, a book, text message reminders, a prayer request list, or Bible reading; the point is that you are setting them up to succeed. You are giving them the opportunity to meet with God on their time and encouraging the development of their spiritual disciplines as well.
Pray earnestly for your students after you get back from the trip. Commit time to surround them in prayer and let the Holy Spirit do his thing.
Follow up with your students in the days and weeks after the trip. Ask them how their experience on the trip has changed the way they live and serve God. Reinforce the concept that discipleship = life change. When we meet God on a mission trip or a retreat, or anywhere really, our response should be worship and a change of life that more closely aligns us with God. This is an ongoing process and is not without its setbacks, so be sure to encourage your students to press on and when they fall to get back up and keep on moving closer to God.

These are just a few of my thoughts, I’d love to hear yours. Comment and let the discussion continue.

Cam Brennan is just finishing his first full year of Youth Ministry and is the Youth Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Gardner, KS. He blogs regularly at www.anewgravity.com.

2 View Comments July 20, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts 4 Reasons Why Summer Camp is Amazing

Just got this email from my boss here at Saddleback, Kurt Johnston:

Hey incredible HSM team!

Just wanted to let you know that I will be praying for you as you head off to camp on Monday. As the parent of two campers, I am so very thankful for the time, effort and prayers that have gone into this camp!

I’m sure Josh has already given you plenty of “Pep Talks” concerning camp, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to share a few brief thoughts with you:

- Lives get changed at camp! For some students, this will be the week they meet Jesus for the first time. For others, it will be the week the decide to take him seriously. For some it will be the week they feel called into a life of ministry. God will use this week at camp….the silly games, the chapels, the cabin talks….all of it to impact HSM students in a significant way.

- Leaders are what make the magic happen! Pour into the incredible men and women who are giving up vacation and family time to be counselors. Look for ways to encourage them, to lighten their load, and to spur them on. If not for them, camp couldn’t happen.

- Camp is for the camper! This is a phrase the junior high team has heard me say over and over and over again. It’s just a simple reminder that camp isn’t about you, your comfort, your preferences, your “rights” etc. Everything about camp is for the camper. Look for ways to serve our students in unique ways. Look for opportunities to sacrifice something for the benefit of a camper. Look for a chance to do something that makes a student say, “wow…I can’t believe a leader just did that for me”.

- You are a leader….so lead well. As wonderful as camp is (for all the reasons listed above, and more), it is also an opportunity for poor leadership, unwise decisions, bickering, and recklessness to bubble up. Lead well this weekend so you set the best stage possible for the Holy Spirit to show up in the lives of our students.

I am praying for you….see ya on Monday morning!

KJ

Just the encouragement we needed! In the home stretch now … summer camp here we come!

JG

Add Comment July 8, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: 4 Non-Negotiable Small Group Leader Expectations

We have pretty high expectations of the leaders in our student ministry as I have written about previously and it’s to the benefit of our students and the effectiveness of the small groups that we do it. We are beginning process of review and meeting with all our leaders from this year and asking them to consider whether or not they want to lead next year. Many will remain and a few will leave, but those returning will hear 4 criteria that we ask them to sign off on doing week in and week out for the next school year.

Commit: This is the foundation of all of it, asking leaders to be there every week, present and engaged with their students. It’s a big ask, but worth it when leaders honor it. We fully recognize that there are circumstances that might cause a leader to miss a week, but asking them to make mentoring high school students a priority means that they will be far more diligent about being there. Sporadic attendance from a leader can be the death of a small group, as momentum, trust and relationships are lost, not only that it can really be detrimental to other leaders as well, who have to pick up the slack or lead two groups.

Call: This might be the toughest thing to get leaders to do regularly, but calling their students is so important. That mid-week phone call tells a student they are wanted, memorable and worth the effort. It might be the best part of their week, even if the awkwardness of the conversation might indicate otherwise. Calling students is more important than leaders realize, the fruit of which is regular youth group attendance and a closer relationship with their leader. We ask our leaders to set aside an hour per week to call all the members of their small group.

Pray: We ask our leaders to pray for their students and when they call them, ask what they can pray for them about and let them know they do pray for them each week. Put yourself in the shoes of a high school student and someone you respect greatly, calls you each week to see how they can pray for you. That is powerful stuff!

Prepare: We give our leaders curriculum each and every week, but we ask that they read it, know it, study the word and come prepared to teach it. There are few things worse than an ill prepared small group leader stumbling through the questions and fumbling through their bible in front of their group as they are seeing it for the first time. Leaders need to lead their group and being prepared is a key part of that.

These are four non-negotiable expectations we have and you could add more but I chose to focus on these four because they have a tremendous impact on the student’s spiritual growth. Its important that we see ourselves as the advocates for our students needs, and what our students need are leaders who are willing do these things, and do them consistently well.

What are your non-negotiables?

Geoff Stewart is the Pastor of Jr & Sr High School for Journey Student Ministries at Peace Portal Alliance Church and regularly contributes GUEST POSTS to MTDB. Be sure to check out his Twitter stream for awesome ministry goodness. Want to get in on the fun and write up a guest post yourself? See how right here.

Add Comment June 26, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Letting God Be God

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

I was working with a student who had decided to make one of the stupidest choices in his life so far. It was tough to see him get hurt the way he did because we had such a good relationship. I felt like I had failed, trying to be a good role model and him not following in that path. But I was determined to work with him again and help him grow.

I know that teens sometimes do not make the best decisions simply because they did not know better, he knew better.
I know that sometimes students are raised in crappy situations, he is not one of them.
I know that many people his age do not know what God wants for them and so live their life-like the world, he knows some stuff better than I do.

So for six months, I was extra intentional with him, to show him Christ’s love and talk with his parents about what is going on. Then, one day I get the phone call from the father that his son would not be coming with us to the ski retreat because he had done something even more dumb than last time. I put on a good face for the phone call that lasted for thirty minutes, but I was deeply hurting.

“How could he do this? What was going on in his mind? Was he even listening to me?”

I spent several hours in prayer, for his parents, for him, for those around him, and myself. At the end of my time with God, He spoke something deeply into my heart, “Let me do this. Ask him the tough questions and listen to what he has to say, but let Me be the one to fix the situation.”

The idea is not theologically revolutionary, but in this context for me, I was blown away. My heart was filled with joy, it was not my job to fix the situation and make sure the student does the right thing. I let go of the crisis and gave it up to God and my heart rejoiced for His wisdom and power.

So what are you holding on to? What is the worst thing that could happen if you let go and let God be God?

Jeremy Smith is a 26-year old youth pastor at the Air Force Academy chapel, working for Club Beyond, and attending Denver Seminary for his Master”s of Arts in Counseling Ministries. He has been involved in Youth for Christ for eight years – check out his blog at Seventy8Productions.

Add Comment May 28, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts 3 Cries and 3 Dreams

Occasionally I’ll post a question or thought that I won’t answer in hopes that you will. Today is one of those days! Here you go:

What are your top 3 cries to God?
What are your top 3 dreams?

Very interested to hear what you have to say!

JG

7 View Comments February 28, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: Bumper Sticker Jesus

Do we show our love for Jesus in a “bumper sticker” or in how we live our life? Either way, its the example we are showing students.

Driving on the freeway today I saw a bumper sticker that said, “No Jesus, No Peace…Know Jesus, Know Peace.” Cute, I thought to myself. But it made me think, am I showing students how to love and praise and worship Jesus in bumper stickers or in the way of living my life? Bumper stickers get right to the point, but I want to be an example to students, not in sound bytes, but in the way I act in all situations. When it comes to words, I’m good and witty and clever, it’s one of my spiritual gifts. But I don’t want students to think that “God is my Co-Pilot.” He’s the pilot. Period. I’m not even worthy of being the guy who cleans the plane after a flight. Students need to see that when I get angry, I don’t start spewing a ton of four-letter words, when hard times come my way, I still praise God for what is good and try not to dwell on the bad.

I used to be the “bumper sticker Jesus” guy. I knew the right things to say, but usually didn’t put them into practice. I knew about tithing, but didn’t, I knew about prayer, but usually waited until I was in a bind before I would turn to God in prayer. I knew about the need for a quiet time everyday, but I seldom made the time for one. I’m happy to say I’m not that guy anymore. If I go a day without a quiet time I feel it, I begin to feel disconnected and I don’t like how that feels. I’ve learned to pray throughout the day, not just in the morning or when I go to bed. I want to help students by-pass the “bumper sticker Jesus” time in their life and have them put good, solid ways of worship and praise into their lives. I want to be a good example.

It’s not just about saying the right things at the right time. It’s necessary to live out what you talk about with your students. I can say “love your neighbor,” but if I don’t live that out, what good is it? It not only pushes me backward as a Christian, it shows my students that I don’t really care about what I’m teaching them. If I don’t care, why should they? Is it easy to tell people what they should do and then continue living our lives the way we want? Absolutely. But it’s not what we’re called to do. Maybe you’re not realizing that you do this. Now is the time to evaluate: am I a “bumper sticker” Christian, or am I someone that people know live out God’s Word in my life every day?

What are some steps you take to make sure you’re more than just a “bumper sticker” Christian?

Matt Reynolds and Steven Orel are volunteer youth workers at Saddleback Church. They approach youth ministry from two different generations and perspectives. Look for lots more from them in the future — for now you can follow them on Twitter and check out their previous blog posts here.