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Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 36

Weekend Teaching Series: The Kind of Girl I Want My Son to Marry (Week 2 of 2)
Sermon in a Sentence: God gives us “the list” of qualities to look for in Mrs. Right in the book of Proverbs – start looking for a women of character settle for nothing less.

Key Verse: Proverbs 31 The Proverbs 31 Woman

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 5 out of 10 – average week, but the short work week (because of summer planning) made it feel more challenging
Attendance: up 7% from last weekend, up 69% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 75 minutes

Understandable Message: This weekend Doug Fields taught a checklist of character traits a woman should be striving to live out and guys should be looking for in a potential mate. This series has definitely struck a chord with our students and has quickly become the most requested audio CD of the past year. The only passages from the Bible used this week were from Proverbs, so it was fun to teach through a chapter of the Bible. Fields used classic clips from YouTube including Miss South Carolina, Dove Evolution and Billy Madison – all which worked perfectly. To be honest, this was a character series framed up in a very unique and engaging way. I’m excited for this to become a resource at Simply Youth Ministry, it was so good! We also promoted these 2 new books for something students could read further on the topic as well.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the band, and did the lights, camera and sound. A good number of students were involved in greeting and cleanup as well.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We had some fun in the beginning of the service with a couple single guys talking about how hard it is to find a good girl. It segwayed into a hilarious fake eHarmony video that one of the guys found of the other one online. It was a great laught, and as awkward as possible. We also did a classic Letterman bit (turning the camera on a person in the crowd to reveal what they’re “thinking”) to creatively give announcements.

Music Playlist: Womanizer (cover song opener), May the Words of My Mouth, Salvation is Here, Divine Romance

Favorite Moment: This weekend my favorite moment was all of the great conversations that took place after each service. It seemed like more than ever students were anxious to talk about getting involved, connecting and boyfriend/girlfriend issues.

Add Comment January 18, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts 99 Thoughts About Girls … for Guys

My friend Katie (who is on the Student Ministries team here at Saddleback but does a ton of leadership stuff with me in HSM) has a new book coming out today! 99 Thoughts About Girls – For Guys’ Eyes Only hits Simply Youth Ministry this week – a great idea to give guys insight into the world of teenage girls. I’m so proud of her!

JG

Add Comment January 15, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 35

Weekend Teaching Series: The Kind of Guy I Want My Daughter to Marry (Week 1 of 2)
Sermon in a Sentence: God gives us “the list” of qualities to look for in Mr. Right – start making your own list of what you want in a man and settle for nothing less.

Key Verse: Philippians 2 Epaphroditus and Timothy

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 6 out of 10. This weekend was a combination of a great talk, purchased videos, rented wedding props and some delicious cake.

Attendance: up 14% from last weekend, up 65% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 77 minutes

Understandable Message: This weekend Doug Fields taught a checklist of character traits a man should have in order to attract the right kind of girl. He concentrated on the life of Timothy and Epaphroditus to give us a list of character traits that girls should be looking for in a guy. The message was clear and simple – guys, step up and be the man God wants you to be – girls, don’t settle for anything less than God’s best.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the band, and did the lights, camera and sound. A good number of students were involved in setup and cleanup as well.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: Lots of fun details this week! We had a full wedding setup on stage this weekend – two lit candle sets and an arch covered with white wedding lights. The band entered to Canon in D and I welcomed everyone dressed as the officiating ministry in a full suit. In the talk we played several videos, including Mandles and True Men of Genius. At the end we even served wedding cake to everyone as they left!

Music Playlist: Single Ladies, Lead Me to the Cross, Always Forever

Announcements: Praise and Worship Night (Fuel), Discipleship Retreat (Chi Alpha), Superbowl Family Party

Handouts: Spring 2009 Calendars, Chi Alpha registration packets, Refinery After Hours cards

Favorite Moment: Walking my 3-year old daughter down the isle of church to a wedding-themed stage has to be my favorite moment of the weekend! Talking about the day I’ll someday have to give her away? Not so much.

Add Comment January 11, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 34

Weekend Teaching Series: Best Year Ever (Week 2 of 2)
Sermon in a Sentence: Casting the vision for where HSM is heading in 2009 – a look at how we will reach, connect, grow, discover and honor.

Key Verse: Genesis 37-44 The story of Joseph

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 8 out of 10. Multiple videos, stage setup, music, live bits, extra slides, costumes and lots of timing issues.

Attendance: down 1% from last weekend, up 62% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 75 minutes

Understandable Message: This weekend we took a huge departure from normal and went with a late night talk show setup. We had a producer come on stage and talk to the live studio audience, then the show went “live.” I came out and did a monologue of sorts, we had the band play a fun cover then we went through a succession of special guests on the program, who each highlighted various upcoming events, resources and plans HSM has for 2009. We went through each purpose, framing them all under the banner of worship, and talked about the new events and activities to invite friends to, how to get in a small group, highlighted a few resources to help them grow on their own and showed videos and told stories of students serving in the church and on mission trips. Huge departure from typical, but I’m glad we took the programming risk and gave it a shot.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the band and also did lights, cameras and sound. Some students were also involved in the program, we interviewed several during the sections on small groups and serving. Volunteers were involved in the audience keeping a positive environtment and greeting students inside the room. Students also were asked to fill out a postcard we would mail them in a few months reminding them of the decisions they made as they started the New Year.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: The significant format differences made for a fun change from the typical. We had some fun images of 2008 that we put on the screen and had them cheer or boo – Miley Cyrus always got the most mixed reaction. We also had a few images of students and volnteers and aged them 30 years as we “looked into the future” that got some laughs, too. And we had 4 little The More You Know videos as well that played as commercials during the show.

Music Playlist: New Year (Def Cab cover), [I forget one other song we did], We Shine

Favorite Moment: Last year we started off 2008 with a Best Year Ever vision mesage, it was exciting to do it again – HSM is ready to take on 2009. And there was a ton of excitement announcing a return to our Spring Break trip to Ensenada, Mexico and a new trip to the Dominican Republic. Excited!

Add Comment January 5, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Christmas Photo: Volume 2

Here’s this year’s shot of Saddleback Church’s High School Ministry team. You can see last year’s picture here – I’m hoping that every year we can take a picture in the same spot (the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland). So fun – Merry Christmas!

JG

Add Comment December 23, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 32

We only cancel our youth ministry services twice a year – Christmas and Easter. So if you’re looking for the HSM Weekend in Review – it’s just not going to happen this week! To take a look back on the past 31 weeks in our High School Ministry at Saddleback Church, click right here.

JG

Add Comment December 22, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 31

Weekend Teaching Series: XMAS: Finding the Christ of Christmas Series Finale (Week 3 of 3)
Sermon in a Sentence: God knew you long before you were born, sent His Son Jesus to make a way for salvation and guides you in the path of life.

Key Verse: John 3:17 “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 8 out of 10. Multiple videos, an incredible opener, a couple of fun games up front, a dramatic reading, amazing singing and a special speaker.

Attendance: up 18% from last weekend, up 69% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 69 minutes

Understandable Message: Jeff Baker, one of our 2-year interns in high school ministry, spoke during this his last weekend. Jeff is a total heart guy and challenged students to live in relationship with Christ, and let Him guide and challenge you through life. Jeff shared some personal stories and had some great pictures of himself growing up that connected him to the audience. He also used a hilarious (edited) clip from Talladega Nights at the open of his talk. Students listened intently, totally appreciating the 2 years of his life he has given them.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the STOMP band and the regular band, camera operators and students also ran the sound and lights. A few students were called up on stage as part of the game at the opening. Volunteers and some of Jeff’s small group also joined us at the very end for a prayer for Jeff as he takes his next steps post-internship. We need a stage manager volunteer role for sure.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: This was the last weekend for Rick Cutout is My Friend, so we had a human Christmas tree decorating game. I was dressed as candy-cane-tossing Santa Claus, and one of our staff scored the much-coveted role of the elf. The elf was randomly booed and generally sabotaged all weekend long – at one point the sound guys even jacked with his mic to make him sound more “elf-like” to match the features of his face. Brilliant! The banter was fun, the game was fine, and we managed to sprinkle in some fun ministry highlight videos to honor Jeff Baker – basically this video on repeat. One of our adult volunteers had some fun and made this HSM Elf Yourself video that played well, too. I loved it all!

Music Playlist: Drummer Boy (STOMP-style opener), Mary Did You Know?, Savior King, Fire Fall Down, O Come All ye Faithful

Favorite Moment: This whole weekend was really great. I loved every second of it … one of the Top 5 weekends of 2008 in my book.

Add Comment December 15, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 30

Weekend Teaching Series: XMAS: Finding the Christ of Christmas – Week 2 of 3
Sermon in a Sentence: Exploring the manger scene and Emmanuel – reveals God’s power, glory, hope and love.

Key Verse: John 3:16 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” (NCV)

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 7 out of 10. We had a couple of videos, some fun games up front, singing and a speaker. A little more challenging than last week, and hey, you always want to do you best when one of the adult pastors is down in your neck of the woods, right?

Attendance: Down 16% from last weekend, up 27% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 72 minutes

Understandable Message: Pastor Tom Holladay spoke to our high school students this weekend continuing our student Christmas series. He used a couple of videos to carry each of his four points, contrasting what the world thinks of power, glory, hope and love to what can be seen in the manger. Tom used a couple of great personal stories and his journey to faith to connect with students.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the band, camera operators, sound and lights. A student assisted/ran the video control room this weekend as well. A few students were called up on stage as part of the game at the opening.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: This series we’re planning on having a little Christmas-themed fun each week. The Rick Warren cutout appeared yet again – the winner got a Polaroid picture with it. The game this week was Home for the Holladays, where Pastor Tom (what a good sport) threw Little Debbie Christmas tree snack cakes twoward the stage in a 500-style game. Instead of catching the treats, they had to go through the person’s Christmas wreath.

Music Playlist: Center, All I Need is You, O Holy Night

Favorite Moment: I love the fun up front in the service, and also loved everything coming together in Zack’s super rendition of the unexpected carol, O Holy Night.

Add Comment December 7, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 29

Weekend Teaching Series: XMAS: Finding the Christ of Christmas – Week 1 of 3
Sermon in a Sentence: Pastor Rick’s wife Kay Warren spoke to our high school students: Jesus came to earth for the sick, the oppressed … and for you.

Key Verse: Luke 19:10 – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 6 out of 10. We’re back after Love in Action with a more traditional series setup. We had a couple of videos, some on stage fun, singing and a speaker. The short Thanksgiving week and being shorthanded over the holiday weekend did make it challenging.

Attendance: Down 1% from last weekend, up 39% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 59 minutes

Understandable Message: Kay opened up the new series by focusing on who Jesus came to. Her travels are far and wide and her heart is so big! It was awesome to see her pictures of people she had a chance to meet and minister to – when she spoke of outcasts she had pictures from a leper colony she visited. When she talked about the sick she talked about moments meeting people with HIV/AIDS and the crisis plaguing our world. Indian prostitutes, Russian kids who deal drugs, and so much more. A compelling, global view of the people of the world who are rejected by it but still loved by Christ. Kay was able to take this “out there” concept and still bring it back to the student’s life, how God loves them and came for them at Christmas, too.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students made up the band, camera operators, sound and lights. We had a student assist/run the video control room this weekend as well. A few students were called up on stage as part of the game at the opening, too.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: This series we’re planning on having a little Christmas-themed fun each week. We opened up with some Christmas karaoke, and the band did a fun 12 Days of Christmas cover with lots of candy canes being thrown into the crowd. We played a Christmas tree decorating game with the Rick Warren cutout – the winner got to take a cell phone picture with it.

Music Playlist: 12 Days of Christmas, Til I See You, O Come Let Us Adore Him

Favorite Moment: The response time after the message was good – Kay ended on a powerful essay about Jesus coming for the poor, needy, athletic, winners, losers … and at the end said, Jesus came for YOU. Good stuff.

Notes: This weekend lended itself perfectly to World AIDS Day event we’re hosting tonight at The Refinery. Also, immediately after the service Kay Warren, flew to Washington DC for a World AIDS Day event with the President of the United States. You can watch it online here tonight!

Add Comment December 1, 2008

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 28

Weekend Teaching Series: Love in Action (series finale) – Week 3 of 3
Sermon in a Sentence: Love is a verb – do something!

Key Verse: James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Weekend Scale of Difficulty: 9 out of 10. The actual “service” part of the weekend wasn’t that hard to pull off – but the advanced planning and logistics needed to pull of the service project part was absolutely enormous. The service had a video, testimony, music and a complete assembly line and shipping station for Global Soles. Wow … I’m tempted for make this one a 10 out of 10 for challenge.

Attendance: Down 26% from last weekend, up 41% from same weekend last year
Service Length: 59 minutes

Understandable Message: The idea is that we do less talking and more doing – this series as a whole felt good coming on the heels of 40 Days of Love. This weekend we decided to take on the final distribution of our 40,000+ pairs of shoes collected for Global Soles. We had about 20,000 pairs left in storage, and an opportunity to send them to the Dominican Republic. God provided the money and the place for the project – this weekend was all about manpower. The experience was the message, and students had a great experience seeing pictures of who would receive the shoes, hearing a testimony from the man who will lead the distribution of them to churches in the Dominican, and getting their hands dirty sorting, zip-tying and disenfecting shoes into shipping containers.

Volunteer/Student Involvement: Students ran the lights, sound, cameras and band this weekend (note: the worship leader got a shoulder sublex during Killball and couldn’t play the next day so we had an adult fill in). Students also did the entire service project, including everything from getting the shoes from storage to the final loading of them into the overseas shipping container. Volunteer involvement was good, though we should have warned them more in advance what we were doing so they could be prepared and more in the loop.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We had some fun banter built into the programming and enjoyed some stunning karaoke, but the fun and environment was really created by the freedom to move around and hang with friends during the service project.

Music Playlist: Song of the Broken, Cannons, Majesty

Favorite Moment: The best moment for me was standing on top of the RV surveying the whole project and just soaking in exactly what the students were accomplishing. There’s amazing power when the church moves in unison with love. Watching the semi trailer and shipping container leave campus full of shoes was inspiring, too.

Notes: This weekend was again a total risk. It was messy, required a ton of work and cleanup. It was also super cool. Very proud of Jeff Baker, who led the project from start to finish. He’s in his last month of his 2-year internship, and I’m proud of him for finishing strong.