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Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 97

Go ahead! Try texting “HSM series” to 39970 to see how this works

Weekend Teaching Series: The End: what happens when its over? (week 2 of 2)

Sermon in a Sentence: Exploring what the Bible says happens after we die.
Service Length: 69 minutes

Understandable Message: Last week was all about death and Hell – but we ended with the hope of Jesus Christ. This week we went after Heaven – what it is like, how to get there and what our response to this series should be. Honestly I liked the structure and pacing of last week’s message a bit more – but this was a fun talk to create. We had a “man on the street” interview video about what students thought Heaven was like, and talked through the process of what happens after death and some of the Bible’s strongest passages on Heaven/New Earth. I was amazed by what I wasn’t able to cover in the weekend – it was a great exercise in not trying to teach everything we know about Heaven in 35 minutes.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: The band and choir doubled this week as greeters, and students controlled the cameras, lights, sound and control room. Volunteers jumped in to encourage and greet students who attended the service – I made a specific point in my message that if a student had questions about Heaven/Hell/afterlife to seek out anyone wearing an HSM shirt.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Once again we opened up with a couple of www.polleverywhere.com questions — 1) specifically asking students if and when they had trusted in Jesus. An amazing 25% of the results each service said they first accepted Christ in High School. And 2) asking them a funny question about what they wanted to do for eternity in Heaven. We also continued the idea of playing off “The End” theme by playing a fun game called Spoiler Alert where we asked questions about the ending/pivotal scenes of some of their favorite movies to win candy bars.

Music Playlist: Kings and Queens (30 Seconds to Mars cover), Til I See You, Lead Me to the Cross, Only Hope, Hold Me Now

Favorite Moment: Tough moment this weekend – this week we celebrated the goodbye of a couple that has been on our team for years. Jared and Alanna Moine are heading to Virgina to take a junior high youth ministry position there. Always tough to say goodbye to great friends and coworkers.

Up Next: Camp Promo Wkd (1-off, Doug Fields speaking)

1 View Comments May 31, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Book Review: Steering Through Chaos

Finished up reading Steering Through Chaos: Mapping a Clear direction for Your Church in the Midst of Transition and Change. It wins the award for the longest subtitle in book history – and it is a great read if you’re in transition. And let’s be honest, who isn’t? Even in a “change-friendly” church like Saddleback, there were great moments in the book where I nodded about resistance to change and the importance of early and strategic change to spur on more growth. Too often leaders are too eager to make change or miss the optimal window – both cause problems and division. One of the best keys in the book was recognizing the chaos that leadership creates when we make change, and how that is part of the process. It hits on a few familiar themes like authenticity and the leadership gap (with frequent nods to Good to Great, etc), and forges new learnings with chapters focusing on all too often overlooked prayer and celebration. The last couple of years in HSM has been nothing but change so lots to connect with for me, this book will help you navigate it in your church, too. Good stuff.

JG

Add Comment May 25, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 96

Weekend Teaching Series: The End: what happens when its over? (series premiere, week 1 of 2)

Sermon in a Sentence: Exploring what the Bible says happens after we die.
Service Length: 65 minutes

Understandable Message: This week was a challenging talk to create – I wanted to follow-up the You Own the Weekend series with a plain message series about Heaven, Hell and what happens in the afterlife. Students seemed to show a genuine interest in the topic, I wanted to speak plainly about Hell this first week – focusing at the end on God’s love and the hope we have in Heaven. Lots of good comments afterward and excited to see students digging in to this challenging topic.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: The band doubled this week as greeters, and students controlled the cameras, lights, sound and control room. We were a little light on volunteers this week but those that were there jumped in to encourage and greet students who attended the service.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We opened up with a few www.polleverywhere.com questions – 1) specifically asking students if they considered themselves a Christian, and 2) asking them to respond with what they believe happens after you die. Interesting results – somewhere between 60-80% of our audience considers themselves Christian, depending on the service. We had a simple The End series video and also played a round of Total Recall where we played the end of Monsters, Inc then asked a few trivia questions about the clip. Fun, well-themed, clear program.

Music Playlist: Gives You Hell (All-American Rejects cover), Yours Forever, You Never Let Go, Lead Me to the Cross, Hosanna

Favorite Moment: Without a doubt the coolest moment was the object lesson on stage. One of our volunteers created a couple of platforms with a gulf between that symbolized the end of life on earth and Heaven. At the bottom of the chasm was Hell, and at the end of the talk I spoke about God’s love through the cross, carried a cross on stage then used it as a bridge to Heaven. Cool way to illustrate victory over sin, Hell and Satan – ended with the song Lead Me to the Cross. Good stuff!

Up Next: The End (week 2 of 2)

8 View Comments May 24, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 95

Weekend Teaching Series: You Own the Weekend: Tesoro HS (series finale, week 5 of 5)

Sermon in a Sentence: God gives us faith, faith that can move mountains.
Service Length: 67 minutes

Understandable Message: The message this week was taught by a couple of students and a couple more shared their stories. The message focused on having faith in God, and how powerful that faith is, in that it can move mountains. Students taught the story of Peter/Jesus walking on the water to teach this biblical truth. Fun twist – when I went to our adult services this weekend it was fun to hear Pastor Rick teaching on the same passage. Awesome!

Volunteer/Student Involvement: This ENTIRE weekend service (and the whole series, really) was put on by students from start to end. Students made the videos, did the speaking, greeted at the doors, decorated the room, played in the band, picked the songs and hosted the weekend. An adult was assigned to mentor and coach the student leaders in charge of each weekend.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: The students played a silly video they created at their school, as well as brought in several school-specific groups (jazz band, glee club, etc) – the drum-line was my favorite! We played the new camp promo video and pushed for students to sing up online for camp. We Are Tesoro still reigns as the best YOTW video of all time.

Music Playlist: Your Name High, One Pure and Holy Passion, The Stand, Solution

Favorite Moment: This week I just reflected on an amazing 5-weeks where out students have done everything. It was a powerful experience – and our highest attendance in HSM history. An epic series, so proud of our students. Wow.

Up Next: The End – What Happens When Its Over (series premiere, week 1 of 2)

1 View Comments May 16, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 94

Weekend Teaching Series: You Own the Weekend: Mission Viejo HS (week 4 of 5)

Sermon in a Sentence: Treasure He who treasures you (or “Ye” – since it rhymes!).
Service Length: 65 minutes

Understandable Message: Students chose the two parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46). The message was broken up into two parts (one part for each parable). I think both messages had strong biblical truths in them, but the parables weren’t necessarily the right support for them. Students walked away the knowledge that they were treasured by God, but there may be some confusion of what each parable really means. You can watch the intro video they made here.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: This ENTIRE service was put on by students from start to end. Students made the videos, did the speaking, greeted at the doors, decorated the room, played in the band, picked the songs and hosted the weekend. It is always a little hard for our volunteers during a student-run weekend because they feel like they are searching for jobs.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: The opening song “Meet Me Halfway” was a super fun way to get people pumped up. Two girls entered from outside to do the rap and dance with the band. The surprise was fun, and gave the song lots of energy.

Music Playlist: Meet Me Halfway (Black Eyed Peas cover), Inside Out, How He Loves Us, and Your Love is Strong

Favorite Moment: Students handed out gold coins as a takeaway for students to keep in their pockets, purses, backpacks etc. and be reminded that God treasures them.

Up Next: YOTW: Tesoro HS (series finale, week 5 of 5)

[this report was written by HSM staff and volunteer recruiter extraordinaire Ryanne Witt]

Add Comment May 11, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Helpful Guide for Student Greeters

Jessica Torres (on the HSM team) is responsible for mentoring and shaping the final weekend of the You Own the Weekend teaching series in our ministry. She’s been coaching her Tesoro High School students on a great greeting ministry and shared some great thoughts with them this week. I asked her if I could share them here on the blog – thought it might be helpful in your ministry setting, too:

Before the service
Everyone be in “places” 10 minutes prior to service starting.
Open doors 5 minutes before service starts.
Greeters in room – encourage students to “move in”, carry bulletins and pens in hand.
Greeters at doors – welcome students, pass out pens and bulletins.

During service
There must always be a greeter in the theater by the doors welcoming and passing out pens/bulletins to latecomers.
Quickly help students coming in late to find a seat.
Sit with a student who is alone and be engaged during the service (singing, listening, taking notes-you are part of setting the mood).
Be available to pass out pens/bulletins to students we missed as they entered the theater.
Don’t be afraid to politely ask “chatty” students to please step outside if they wish to have a conversation.
DO NOT stand in the back of the theater blocking the doorway.

End of service
Make sure to prop doors open right before the service ends. Be in position before all of the students are dismissed.
All greeters be at doors at end of service to collect pens.
Clean theater. Pick up trash, pens, etc. that might be left on the floor.
Make sure you’re all stocked up with pens/bulletins for the next service.

JG

Add Comment May 11, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Phil Chenery – Newest Member of the HSM Team

This week HSM was happy to announce that Phil Chenery was added to the HSM staff here at Saddleback. He originally interned here the past 2 years with children’s and junior high before landing on the high school team.

He just completed his Master’s event and has already proven himself as a master event planner. He has a great heart for missions – he was on HSM’s recent trip to Kenya and planned the New Mexico mission trip, too. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to HSM! Oh, and he’s British – what an accent!

JG

Add Comment May 6, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 93

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

Sermon in a Sentence: An apology to non-believers for the way Christian living doesn’t support the message of Jesus, and a challenge for Christians to live for Him.
Service Length: 59 minutes

Understandable Message: The message focused on the misconceptions of Jesus as taught out by His followers. It was taught by 3 students – each starting with a heartfelt “I apologize…” and then talking about where they and other Christians fail to live out their faith despite the instructions to do the opposite by Christ. Hypocrisy and being judgemental were the main focus and a student testimony talking about a church split and recovering from following people instead of Jesus made for a really solid message.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: This series is about students doing everything — and that’s exactly what they did again this week. Lights, camera sound, band, choir, control room, setup, cleanup, stage, greeting, activity afterward, prayer patio, testimony, speaking, program. Students took over every role, the adult team simply looked for conversations and helped create a welcoming environment.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Capo made a couple of great videos and had some great energy up front – but the star of the night as far as the fun was concerned was “Air Guitar” – a little while after the service groups of students came up and did lip-synched songs and dances – hilarious and fun.

Music Playlist: We Shine + 3 more (sorry I don’t remember them!)

Favorite Moment: We don’t do communion too often as a student ministry – so it is special whenever we have it. One of the students led the time, focusing on the importance of not just ritually following Jesus but living out our faith and beliefs every day. Good challenge – followed by some baptisms, too!

Up Next: YOTW — Mission Viejo HS (week 4 of 5)

1 View Comments May 4, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Jon Varner — Newest Member of the HSM Team

This is Jon Varner – he’s the latest addition to the HSM team. Jon is finishing up his 2-year internship with Saddleback, with a ton of recent transition in our staff he’s landed with HSM, and I couldn’t be happier (especially since he looks a bit like Wolverine). Jon has helped with regional campus ministry, spiritual growth and now student ministry. Pumped to have him through September of this year!

JG

2 View Comments April 26, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 92

Weekend Teaching Series: You Own the Weekend: El Toro HS (week 2 of 5)

Sermon in a Sentence: God is the Great Rescuer.
Service Length: 69 minutes

Understandable Message: The weekend told the story of the Prodigal Son through a message as well as real-life stories of God rescuing students and bringing them back to him. A powerful combination of the teaching of the passage and illustrations of it on stage.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: This series is about students doing everything – and that’s exactly what they did! Lights, camera sound, band, choir, control room, setup, cleanup, stage, greeting, activity afterward, prayer patio, testimony, speaking, program. Students took over every role, the adult team simply looked for conversations and helped create a welcoming environment.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Students created a positive atmosphere with creative school-themed decorations like streamers and posters, as well as had a ton of greeters to make everyone feel welcome. They had a funny video as part of the countdown and used the school drum line as part of the opening to the night, and even included them in the worship songs at the end of the night. Positive, fun, memorable.

Music Playlist: Song of the Broken, Amazing Grace, With Everything

Favorite Moment: My favorite moment came Sunday afternoon – I took my kids to Yogurtland as a treat for doing so well in flag football Saturday morning. The student behind the counter regularly attends HSM, and she mentioned bringing her friend for the first time, and that they absolutely loved it. The weekend is our front door – we work hard to create a positive, welcoming environment with lots of students involved sharing an understandable message – it is always a great feeling when students feel safe enough to bring their friends. Love it!

Up Next: YOTW – Capo HS (week 3 of 5)