video games | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts 10 Things Your Youth Ministry Shouldn’t Do in 2010

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

2 View Comments January 19, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts My Gamerscore Welcomes the New Year at 32,000

Ringing in the New Year here with a little boost to the Gamerscore on my Xbox 360. 32,000 is the latest mark to run past – thanks to some Christmas break gaming of Sega Genesis Collection (C+), Mini Ninjas (B+), Wall-E (B) and the really-fun-and-very-underrated Fracture (A-). You can read my 360′s blog all about it right here. Good times!

JG

2 View Comments January 1, 2010

Josh GriffinMore Posts Yup, Crossed 31,000 Gamerscore

Thanks to Guitar Hero: World Tour (B+), Spyro the Dragon (B+) and Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (B-), my gamerscore on the Xbox360 crossed 31,000 this weekend. Woohoo!

JG

Add Comment December 12, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts Interviewed at the Microsoft Store

While I was checking out the new Microsoft Store in our mall, I was interviewed by C|Net for an article they were running on the opening. Just found out it was online, here’s a clip for fun:

To that end, Microsoft has pulled out every tool in its arsenal, from PCs to phones to the Xbox 360, as well as a huge “video wall” made up of dozens of 42-inch flat screens connected to form a single, though constantly changing, image or video display.

But by far the biggest draw is a product that isn’t even for sale–the Surface tabletop computer. During the several hours I spent at the store, it was that device, more than the laptops, that drew people in and captured their attention.

Josh Griffin stopped in at the store with his three kids, with all four quickly heading to the Surface. “This is cool,” said Griffin, who came into the store to check out Windows 7 among other things. “I’ve read about Surface before, but never been able to see it. It’s actually a little cooler than I thought it would be.”

The three kids began carving virtual pumpkins on the Surface while we chatted, but eventually Griffin turned his attention back to the tabletop computer. “Can I do one?” Griffin asked his kids, trying only somewhat successfully to elbow his way in.

Surface, though, isn’t the only thing worth pointing out.

JG

2 View Comments December 2, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts Gamerscore > 30,000

My Xbox360′s blog will be updated shortly with the big news – my Gamerscore just crossed 30,000 points last night. That’s a TON of gaming! Recently I’ve been playing Modern Warfare 2, You’re In the Movies, Splosion Man and Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes. What have you been playing?

JG

10 View Comments November 16, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts A Glimpse Into Halo-ween

Had a fun 4-hour niche event this weekend playing “Halo”ween. Here’s a video of the setup taken by one of our volunteers, and we even had a guest appearance of another as Master Chief. So much fun!

JG

2 View Comments November 2, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts Halo-ween This Haloween Night

Why am I so excited for this event? The whole Refinery, filled with Xboxes.

JG

2 View Comments October 2, 2009

Josh GriffinMore Posts GUEST POST: 12 Ways to Connect with Students Outside Youth Group

My times spent with kids in an un-programmed environment outside the walls of the church have been some of the most rewarding and effective discipleship moments for me. Youth group events are only one way to minister to kids.

With the new school year right around the corner, there are great opportunities to connect with your youth group kids and meet new students who need to hear about Jesus. These 12 ways to connect are divided into three main categories, each category moving to a deeper level of relationship.

Ways to meet new kids and hang out with current youth group kids
1. Volunteer coach a sport at a local school — Coaching gives you a chance to meet dozens of kids. I had the opportunity to coach track this past Spring and I still have kids who call or text me for advice or just want to talk.
2. Give out free food at lunch — Last Fall I bought a couple dozen tacos from Taco Bell and passed them out to kids at lunch, just asking for their name. I met tons of new kids, a few who I still keep up with.
3. Volunteer at a school club that fits your interest
4. Tutor for free — Some schools have after school tutoring, volunteer for that in a subject you know well.

Connect and develop relationships with kids
5. Ride with a sports team to away games — Great idea from the guys over at YL Help
6. Help a student work on a project or hobby — Especially helpful during science fair season, or other big school projects. Participating in their personal hobbies are great ways to connect, too.
7. Offer to drive a student to something they want to do
8. Meet a student’s friends and/or family — You can meet an exponential amount of kids by constantly meeting students’ friends and then meeting their friends. It takes time and effort but it’s well worth it.

Disciple kids/transfer life skills to kids
9. Ask a student to help you complete a project — Let them know you need their help and/or expertise.
10. Invite a kid to hang out with your friends and/or family — Let them know that you are human too, not just some guy or gal who still hangs out with high schoolers all the time. Exercise wisdom here and keep good boundaries.
11. Invite a student to help you lead a certain event, then evaluate it afterward — This is a great way to transfer leadership skills through hands-on learning. For example, I invited one kid to help me lead a video game night, asking him to consider “What do video games have to do with Jesus?” During our debrief time (which ended up going just as long as our video game time) we talked about video games as a means to build relationships and how relationships are key to evangelism and discipleship. I bet he learned more through that experience than any youth talk.
12. Be a student of God and invite a kid to learn with you — Pray with a kid, or listen to a sermon together, or read the Bible together. Be an avid learner and invite kids along to learn with you.

There are plenty of other ways to connect with kids. How are you planning to develop relationships with kids this new school year?

Nick Arnold is the youth pastor at New Hope Community Church in Sunland, CA. Hit up his blog at http://ministryallies.com and his Twitter @nickarnold.