Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/31/11 at 7:25 PM. 
TODAY is the early-bird deadline to register for the Simply Youth Ministry Conference coming to Louisville, KY in March. This year you'll hear from Francis Chan, Jon Acuff, Shane & Shane, Jeremy Camp and nearly 80 more presenters (including yours truly). Don't miss the fun... [Go here] to register today and save!Labels: Conferences, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/29/11 at 11:28 AM.
I think I just witnessed the most amazing light show ever via video. This dude in Riverside, CA out did himself this year with his Halloween tribute. Features 4 singing pumpkin faces, tombstones, hand carved pumpkins, strobes, floods, and thousands of lights -- controlled by 1144 channels. Labels: Creative, Straight Up Funny, Technology, Videos, Youth Pastors
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/25/11 at 11:06 AM.
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/24/11 at 9:48 AM.
I recently visited Orange County, CA and enjoyed touring a few churches: Saddleback, Mariner's Church and Rock Harbor. My friend, Michael Bayne, and I had a great time getting to meet with some great friends while there: Kurt Johnston, Doug Fields, Josh Griffin, Jared Kirkwood and Matt McGill, among others. I had so much fun and learned a lot! Here are a number of snapshots from my iPhone: Labels: Personal, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/20/11 at 12:25 PM.
One of the special elements I've intentionally programmed into my Coaching Network is some online meetings where I bring together all the participants to meet with me. For a few of these I'm inviting some special guests to join us. Last week I was stoked to have my friend Greg Stier share with us about reaching teens who don't know Christ and ministry to local school campuses. It was awesome! I just love Greg's passion and so appreciated his time with us.Pictured above you see a few of the guys I'm currently coaching that logged on to the webinar. We also had a few people listening in by phone. Gotta love technology!
Hope you can join me for my next Coaching Network, which launches in January 2012!
If you want more information about how you can join my next Coaching Network group just drop me an email with your interest and I'll contact you!
Labels: coaching, coaching network, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/11/11 at 3:11 PM.
Our editorial team at ChurchLeaders worked on a special project together earlier this year. We pulled together the best articles that we've published on the website (including articles for Pastors, Youth Pastors, Children's Pastors, Worship Leaders, Small Group Leaders and Outreach Leaders). The result: The Top 100 articles put together in a nice book!This resource features content from some of the most respected leaders in the church today: Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Thom Rainer, Craig Groeschel, Greg Stier, and more!
This book is now available for purchase and to celebrate the release of the book I'm offering 5 FREE COPIES here on my blog!Here's How to Win:
1. Follow @terracecrawford on twitter.
2. Tweet this: I just entered to WIN a FREE copy of the Top 100 from @terracecrawford here: http://bit.ly/mU03TP
3. Comment on this post: include your twitter name (so we know you did step one & two) and what city & state you are from.
4. At 5PM (EST), this Thursday, October 13th we will choose 5 random winners (1 book for each winner!) from the comments & we will tweet you!
Labels: Church, church leaders, contests, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/7/11 at 11:07 AM.
My good friend, Nate Hogan, has been in youth ministry for years. I just love learning from him. His expertise is in organizational leadership (the guy has a degree in it!) and helping shape the culture of youth ministry. He and I have lots of talks about the future of youth ministry and what our part is in that. I recently asked Nate write an article for ChurchLeaders explaining how to develop a strategy plan for your youth ministry. If you missed it you can catch an exerpt here on my blog and [go here] for the rest:When I first became a student ministry pastor I had very little training. I had to build a ministry almost completely from scratch. What was already in place needed rebuilding. Over the past 12 years I have learned some ministry tools to systematically make a strategic plan for ministry. There are a few models for creating a strategic plan. I offer this short version: Prepare, develop guiding statements, look at the landscape, develop a plan, and set a date for review and reform.
Prepare
Assemble a team. There is no substitute for collaboration. In preparing to plan, assemble a team in ministry you trust and can depend on. The trust factor is important because you want people who can tell you what they perceive to be happening in the ministry. What are the current realities? If you develop a plan, how can commitment be generated? How is success going to be determined when your plan goes into action? A team of trusted co-laborers can offer feedback, help assess the environment, and offer suggestions that you alone could not possibly think of on your own. Finally, life in ministry goes far smoother when consensus is built before action is taken.
[Go here] for the rest of the article.
Labels: Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Published by Terrace Crawford
on 10/4/11 at 10:43 AM.
Recently ran across this video courtesy of the creative minds at 12StoneChurch. This is not only a great video but reminds me to tell you that we should be connected on Facebook... just don't break my Facebook.Labels: Creative, Media, Resources, social media, Straight Up Funny, Videos, Youth Pastors
One of the special elements I've intentionally programmed into my Coaching Network is some online meetings where I bring together all the participants to meet with me. For a few of these I'm inviting some special guests to join us. Last week I was stoked to have my friend Greg Stier share with us about reaching teens who don't know Christ and ministry to local school campuses. It was awesome! I just love Greg's passion and so appreciated his time with us.
Our editorial team at ChurchLeaders worked on a special project together earlier this year. We pulled together the best articles that we've published on the website (including articles for Pastors, Youth Pastors, Children's Pastors, Worship Leaders, Small Group Leaders and Outreach Leaders). The result: The Top 100 articles put together in a nice book!
