"The results suggest that as girls progress from early puberty to late adolescence, certain regions of their brains become more active when they face a potential social interaction. Specifically, when an older girl anticipates meeting someone new — someone she believes will be interested in her — her nucleus accumbens (which is associated with reward and motivation), hypothalamus (associated with hormone secretion), hippocampus (associated with social learning) and insula (associated with subjective feelings) all become more active. By contrast, boys in the same situation show no such increase in activity in these areas. In fact, the activity in their insula actually declines." -TIME (07.17.09, John Cloud)
"This research combined with what we already know about gender learning preferences, gives insight into how we can create youth ministries that maximize both a teen's learning and social enjoyment," says Kent Shaffer, ChurchRelevance.Girls:
Labels: Church, Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, Research, Youth Pastors
- A church recently gives a trailer and portable equipment to another church.
- A church with a heart for church-planting provides grants to new church start-ups.
- A church provides tons of free resources from sermon series to other ministries globally.
- A church could have went on the defensive when another church moved into the neighborhood but instead welcomed them with open arms by intially changing their marquee to a message welcoming the new church to the neighborhood.
I'd love to see more of this action. More collaboration. I sincerely believe its the Kingdom way. I'd specifically love to see it among youth ministries. Whose with me?
Labels: Church, Culture, Issues, Leadership, Youth Pastors
Labels: Church, Leadership, quotes, Youth Pastors
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
I'm doing a little cleaning of the resource warehouse and have a number of resources that I want to give away. They are just too good for me not to share them with you. This time around I thought it would be cool for you to share the love... so basically you are entering for yourself and a twitter friend (aka "tweet peep"). What I'm giving away: *A book of your choice: Tribes by Seth Godin; Less Clutter Less Noise by Kem Meyer; Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris; Killing Cockroaches by Tony Morgan; Deep Ministy in a Shallow World by Chap Clark; Imaginative Prayer for Youth Ministry by Jeannie Oestreicher and Larry Warner... among other selections!
Increase your prize: I'll also throw in some free music (a CD for both you & a friend) if you tweet about this contest and leave the URL to your status\update in the comments (in your original entry please) as proof. (Just add this to your comment with @yourtwittername & your @twitterfriendname).
Recommendation of Tweet: @terracecrawford is giving away some resources http://bit.ly/2wYhH #FREEresources
WINNER ANNOUNCED: Congrats @ericebbinghaus and @markladams
Labels: Church, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors
Me and the boys standing in front of the reflection pool in Charleston.Labels: Photo Gallery
Save Time & Money:: I give you the 411 on how to save time & money just by reading blogs! Click here to find out more about how you can enjoy reading TerraceCrawford.com and your other favorite blogs in the comfort of your home (or office) and save money while doing it.
Graphics Designers:: I'm always jonesing for graphics designers to help me with imaging. Whether it be for personal or ministry use, I have a number of designers that I use from time to time but am always looking others who have the talent. If you are interested in working with me, shoot me your email address and I'll have a chit-chat with you at my earliest convenience.
Sponsorships:: I allow advertising on my blog and occasionally have space for additional sponsors. If you are interested in advertising on my blog drop me an email for rates and availability.
Blogroll:: Here in the near future I will be making some minor changes to my template (major overhaul will come later) and will be updating my blogroll. For the past year I've spotlighted my current favorites but have wanted to share some *link love* with others (like you!) who are making a difference. If you'd like to be listed in the blogroll leave a comment here with your full name and a link to your blog. *I will gladly link to anyone who shares the love and links to my blog from their personal blogroll.
Resources:: I give away a TON of resources through my blog. It's what I do. :=) I love resourcing leaders and plan to continue to do this as a ministry of TerraceCrawford.com. I have a small resource closet (sometimes I refer to it as 'the warehouse') and giveaway a number of items each week -- sometimes through face-to-face meetups, through my blog or even on twitter! If you have resources that you would like to donate to me or would like to form a partnership please contact me. I'd love to chat with you about how we can equip and encourage today's leaders.
Labels: Church, Marketing, News, Resources, Youth Pastors
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
It's been a crazy summer so far... but a good one. July has nearly drop-kicked me but I'm not complaining. I was the featured speaker for a week-long missions camp just two weeks ago, last week we host a kids camp at our church and this week I'll be in South Carolina all week long with students on mission. Our theme is Move. My prayer is that this week students will take significant steps in their walk with Christ.I've scheduled a few blog posts (like this one) to release this week while I'm away but you may also want to follow my daily musings (from the road) on twitter. Here's to a great week!
Labels: Church, Personal, Youth Pastors
Also, I did a little interview with Kem myself. Check it out [here].
RSS Subscribers: There is video here.
Labels: Church, Communicating, Hot Topics, Issues, Leadership, Resources
Free Music Winners
Published by Terrace Crawford on 7/14/09 at 9:11 AM.
Time to announce the free music winners from this post. The winners were chosen (at random) through Random.org. The winning numbers were: 1, 13, 17, 3, 11, 19, 20, 7, 5, and 9.
Here are the recipients:
Note to Winners:
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
Here are some snapshots of prayer requests (in random order):
Please say a prayer for an open door.
Here are some snapshots of praises (in random order):
What prayer requests & praises would you like to share?
Labels: Personal
Site Shout: Innovative Ministry Leader
0 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 7/9/09 at 9:02 PM.
I spent some time last week on the phone with one of the co-founders of Innovative Ministry Leader.com. IML offers web-based training from some of the most notable, innovative speakers and leaders today. The training is centered around five key areas: worship, marketing, technology, culture, and leadership.After getting access to the site, I spent some time watching some of the training myself - including videos from the archive from Mark Batterson and Anne Jackson.
While conferences may never die (and I personally hope they don't), training that is both affordable and convenient (online) is something I think we'll begin to see more of. Innovative Ministry Leader is at the forefront of this movement and producing some good stuff! I highly encourage you to check them out... and if you decide to become a member I can offer you a 10% discount code if you use my last name: CrawfordLabels: Creative, Leadership, Resources, Site Shout, Youth Pastors
Try to normalize these people, and you'll never be able to sustain their positive impact. There are few environments that can handle them. It's the leaders around me to who I, quite literally, owe my life. They grow what's best in me, channel my energy and give me hope in the things that would be easy to quit. The pull me out of status quo and a life of mediocrity. I know this isn’t a short answer to that question, but you knew there had to be something deep and profound there to keep me in Granger, Indiana. Am I right?
Me: Greatest lesson learned?
Kem: A + B does not guarantee a result of C. But, in spite of the result, I’m still responsible for my input.
Allow me to elaborate. A and B might be my part of the equation (my influence & input) but there’s more to the equation than me. My actions can’t be dependent on a guaranteed result—they need to exist in spite of the result. There are other influences/input (C+D+E, etc.) that might yield a result of ‘F’. My greatest lesson learned? Live in the tension—it’s not “all or nothing.” When act like it’s “all or nothing” I assume full credit for the wins and full blame for the losses. Both are dead wrong. I’m a stakeholder. I’m not God.
Me: You are all about Less Clutter & Less Noise. What has been the biggest help in creating less clutter and less noise in your life?
Kem: Caller ID.
Me: Congrats on your new book! Who is this book written for and why should people read Less Clutter & Less Noise? Kem: While I believe the local church is the hope of the world, I don’t believe in huddling inside the church walls. This book is for businesses, schools, not-for-profits or any organization struggling to find ways to get the word out and, simply, do better.
Me: What is something that most people don't know about you?
Kem: That I'm not a people person. I really have to work at it.
Me: You are a blogger...What have you learned through blogging? What do you enjoy most about it?
Kem: Let me count the ways: Adds value to others. Develops sense of community in spite of pace, location and different schedules. Bonding. Helps give a voice to introverts. Information is posted once, used over and over. Records what’s happening. Puts a face & personality on the ministry. Removes the sterile, corporate voice. Forces me (and others) to organize thoughts and follow-through. Public reminder that people are watching--I’m accountable. Facilitates connectedness and expressiveness. Provides direct access leaders & ministry experts. Immediate access to training, tutorials, experts, best practices. Micro-leads to macro information. Instant focus groups. Contributions to community development with peers. It’s a way to give back & share insights. Reduces “corporate” time creating content. Increases “individual” connectedness to the content that already exists.
Me: As the communication guru for Granger could you offer a few of the greatest resource finds\tips for churches?
Kem: Visit me here or here. Read this, this, this, this and this. Go here, here or here.
Me: Hobbies?
Kem: Food, gadgets, movies.
Me: Is there any help for me Kem? Click here.
Kem: Get me a paper bag. I’m hyper-ventilating.
Follow Kem's blog at www.kemmeyer.com
Check out the book at www.lessclutterlessnoise.com
Labels: Church, Leadership, Life on Life, Resources
This week I'm speaking at a week-long World Changers project in Portsmouth, VA. This group has been one of the best audiences to speak to. Over 250 students have come from at least 6 different states to work in the community and we've experienced God together.Labels: Personal, Photo Gallery
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
One of my favorite things about working in radio years ago was all the fringe benefits - like getting free music. Occasionally I still get free music but I can't reveal my sources. :=) A kind provider just gave me 10 Jami Smith CDs to giveaway to you, my dear readers. If you would like a copy of Jami Smith's album "Bravo God" just leave a comment with your full name and your current location or territory where you live. I'll select 10 winners (at random) on this Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
RSS Subscribers: There is video here.
Labels: Church, Creative, Marketing, Personal, Straight Up Funny, Videos
Clayton Bell currently serves on staff at Every Nation, Tallahassee as Family Pastor. He won't be there much longer because he is stepping out to plant a church. This is part of his story.
Me: Tell us about where you are currently serving and what you are currently doing? Clayton: Well, right now I'm in Chantilly, Virginia for the North American conference of Every Nation Churches, the denomination I'm a part of, and will be planting our church through.
Next week I'm back in Tallahassee, Florida for my last two weeks as the Family Pastor of Every Nation, Tallahassee. I've spent the last year here overseeing the children's ministry and the middle and high school ministries.
Me: Can you describe your intial call to plant a church? How did God speak to you?
Clayton: Hmm...My call to plant a church was a long and winding one. In the summer of 2005 my wife and I attended a pastoral school for our denomination, with my intent to be a better executive pastor (my role at the time). Many of the other pastors there suggested we consider being lead pastors one day, which we'd never really aspired to. At the end of the school we recieved a prophetic word that God was calling us to lead a church, which strongly confirmed what we felt in our own spirit.
And then...nothing.
I spent the next year trying to figure out where and when with several possibilites never really leading anywhere. As soon as we decided to start moving in a direction of planting I lost my job and we went through a tremenously difficult family situation, all within the same 30 days. How we went from there to here is better answered in the next question. a church planter must learn before he sets out: I can do nothing else but this.
Me: Church planting is what some would call "risky business." What was the 'tipping point' for you to take the plunge into starting a new church?
Clayton: After losing my job in 2006, I explored several other options at churches around Florida, but we felt God calling us to stay in Tallahassee to be around friends. I found a job at a local marketing and PR firm, and I had NO idea what I was doing!
Thankfully, God blessed me with an incredible boss and coworkers, and I learned so much during that time. In fact, I learned the one thing a church planter must learn before he sets out: I can do nothing else but this.
I had opportunities for advancement at the PR firm, but didn't want them. I would be praised for a project and almost suffer a breakdown in same day because I knew I wasn't called to this. Minstry wasn't something I did as a job; it was a holy and humbling calling that God had placed upon my life, and it wretched my soul to not be walking in it.
Me: What do you think you'll miss most about your current role\ministry?
Clayton: The people. The comfort. The security. The knowing what was next, what next Sunday would be like. The friendships we've formed. This is the only church I've ever been a part of, and I've been serving in one capacity or another for 10 years. That's not going to be easy to leave.
Me: Tell us about the new church you are creating? What will it be like? Will it be unique? Clayton: OK, I love you, Terrace, but I hate that question. And maybe I'm stupid because of that. But I don't care if my church is uniqe or different, I just want it to be honoring Jesus. I don't care if someone drives past another church to get to mine. I just want them in a Christ-centered church, no matter who's it is! (Editor's comment: AMEN!)
Now that we're past my rant (Editor's note: This is why I love Clayton Bell - he keeps it real & brings the heat!), I'll answer you in one line - Trinity New Life Church exists to see people love Jesus, love people and serve the city. Everyone loves God, but loving Jesus means being in a relationship with him and obeying His commands. Not many are willing to do that, but it's the only thing that matters! Additionally, any life truely transformed by Jesus will not be lived in isolation or selfishly. So we will love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we will love our neighbors as ourselves. While our faith will always be personal, it will never be private.
Me: So when do you launch?
Clayton: Trinity New Life Church is planning on launching on a weekly basis March 14, 2010.
Me: What does the road look like prior to your launch?
Clayton: We're currently building a team of 40 adults to help us launch TNLC, as well as raising funds to launch the church. In November we're planning on hosting our first monthly preview service, which will continue until February of 2010. In between we're planning on facilitating multiple service projects, community outreaches, and neighborhood parties. We're not expecting everyone to come to us when we open our doors, so we're going to them to show and tell all about Jesus.
Me: What's the most valuable thing you've learned so far in this particular leg of your journey?
Clayton: Faith, brother. Faith and confidence in Jesus, not in self or circumstances, is more crucial than I can convey. The importance of prayer, both corporatly and personally, has increased in my life. And perhaps the greatest leson so far has been the clarification of my motivations. Church planting's a popular thing to do right now; is that why I'm doing it? Why am I doing this? There can only be one real reason- to lift up the name of Jesus Christ among those who are lost and hurting. No church planter should step outside of his door any morning if that is not his primary motivation.
Me: How can we support you in this new endeavor?
Clayton: So glad you asked! Checks can be made out to... :-)
Actually, the biggest thing everyone can do it PRAY! And not just say they'll pray, but actually pray! You can sign up to join our prayer team by clicking here
Additionally, if you live in the Tampa area and you're interested in helping with a church plant, come on down! If you know anyone in the Tampa area and want to hear more about the church, please let us know that as well.And if you do feel led to support us financially, in any capacity, we'll be more than happy to help you store up treasures in heaven! (Editor's note: Yet another reason I like Clayton. He is hilarious!)
Me: Anything else you'd like to say?
Clayton: Thanks for the opportunity to share about Trinity New Life Church! You can follow us on the web at @trinitynewlife.com, trinitynewlife.com, and become a fan on Facebook.
Labels: Church, Leadership, Life on Life
