I'm really looking forward to sharing with you on the blog this new year. It's been incredible to look back at the last year and see what brought many of you to the site. I thought I would share with you today the Top 10 Posts of 2011 on TerraceCrawford.com!
Top 10 Posts of 2011 (ranked in order):
... and the number one post of the year:
Thanks so much for reading the blog! Hope you enjoy reading through these posts. If you haven't subscribed to my feed, please click the Subscribe to RSS link in the sidebar!
Labels: Blog Shout, Resources, Site Shout, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Behind the Scenes of the Coaching Network
0 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 7/7/11 at 2:09 PM.
There's been a bit of buzz around the net in the last few weeks about my new Coaching Network I'm launching in August. I couldn't be more thrilled to invest as much of my time as possible into youth workers who need a coach. (By the way, tomorrow is the deadline to apply!)
I've come up with plan to invest 6 months of my time into personally investing into youth workers who have been in the field 5 years or less. Behind the scenes of this blog I have been talking with veteran youth workers who want to be a part of that experience too. They will be pouring into the participants as well. I'm also excited to have corporate sponsors, like my friends at Simply Youth Ministry, on board to help deliver some great resources and offer encouragement to those wanting to learn.
I was chatting with a pastor friend the other day about some of the things that seminary doesn't really prepare you for in ministry. I talk with youth workers each week who are fresh out of academia and struggle with some of the things they deal with while working for churches. Part of my role as a coach and cheerleader during the 6-month stint will be helping youth workers process through the demands of ministry and help deliver some care and insight to areas where they might need it most.
If you are in need of a coach, I encourage you to join me for 6 months. I hope (and plan) to make this a incredible experience for you. Sign up today! (Tomorrow is the deadline)
I also wanted to share with you some of the great bloggers who have interviewed me or just talked about the network recently. Here are 4 blogs you really need to read...
Jeremy Zach is a well-known YM blogger and works for the ReThink Group. He interviewed me recently on his blog:
Why did you go into youth ministry?
Ultimately, I went into youth ministry because I felt God’s call to it. I was very involved in my youth group (as a teen) and my youth pastor gave me leadership opportunities. I felt God’s call to full-time service during my time there.
What is your prediction for the future of youth ministry?There was some talk a while back about the future of youth ministry and I shared (via churchleaders and my blog) 5 glimpses of what I thought we would seeand who are the younger voices that will help shape the future of YM.
Russell St. Bernard is a youth worker and thought-leader in Maryland. He is not only a blogger but does some youth worker training. I was honored recently when he wanted to interview me and share about the coaching network.What is one of the most memorable moments you have had in youth ministry? I could talk about many different memories but nothing can trump the changed lives. One that I think about a lot is being called to the scene where a teen attempted suicide. Fortunately he wasn’t successful at taking his own life. I ended up mentoring this teen and months later hearing him talk about how I helped change his life left a lasting impression on my mind and heart for eternity.
Read the full interview [here]...
Michael Bayne and I have been friends for a long time. Back in the glory days Mike & I were doing youth ministry in the same city and he was a part of a youth pastor network I led. I have always felt Mike was such a great thought-leader. He's doing amazing things in TN now... but we keep in touch and he's excited to be an encouragement to participants of the coaching network. He recently shared about it on his blog, which you need to read.
Mark Cox is a blogger at ThinkNextNow.com. I've been so impressed with Mark in the short time I've known him. Not only does he really love youth ministry but I can tell through his blog and the conversations that he and I have had over the last couple years that he's constantly looking to grow as a thought-leader. So when I shared with Mark about my plan for a coaching network he was stoked. He also wrote about the opportunity on his blog. You can read that [here].
Labels: Blog Shout, coaching, Resources, Youth Pastors
Whiteboard is coming to Va Beach... and I'm looking forward to networking with fellow bloggers and readers at this world-class conference. I recently tweeted and asked who was coming to the area. Here's a list of bloggers who indicated that they will be at Whiteboard: I look forward to connecting with each of you.
Did I not mention you? Leave me your name and blog URL and I'll add you to the list!
To register for WiBo, click here.
(Editor's Note: Here's looking at YOU, Catalyst One Day... Bring yourself to Va Beach!)
Labels: Blog Shout, Conferences, WhiteBoard Sessions
I've written a number of guests posts for friends over the years but I've never really entertained the idea of having guests posts on my blog. If there is two quick things you need to know about me, its this: I love networking and I love resourcing other leaders. I figure I can scratch both itches by having YOU write a blog post for me. The way I see it, I'll get to share YOU with my readers and your offerings might be a great resource to leaders everywhere. It's a win win.
Email me a guest post if you'd like to participate, and I'll sort through and choose posts to feature here on my site. If your post is chosen, I'll contact you personally and let you know when I'll be posting your content here at TerraceCrawford.com. Since I don't blog much on the weekends, I'd like for you to take the stage then. Readers, look for the very first guest post as early as next week!
Email me a guest post if you'd like to participate, and I'll sort through and choose posts to feature here on my site. If your post is chosen, I'll contact you personally and let you know when I'll be posting your content here at TerraceCrawford.com. Since I don't blog much on the weekends, I'd like for you to take the stage then. Readers, look for the very first guest post as early as next week!
Labels: Blog Shout, networking, Resources, Youth Pastors
Blogging has slowed down so much that I'm starting to wonder if certain bloggers have thrown in the towel. I even emailed one of my favorite bloggers this week to ask if he was on sabbatical. With that said, I want to increase the number of blogs I read from 40 to about 80.
So what blogs are worth the read?
Who do you recommend?
You might also be interested in these wonderful links if you are a blogger:
Michael Hyatt's 10 Mistakes of Blogging
Ben Arment's Types of Bloggers
Labels: Blog Shout
In a recent blog post I mentioned that I read 20 blogs per day but I never mentioned which ones. I actually read about 25 blogs per day. I subscribe to the RSS for 20 of them, while others (approximately 5 different ones per day) I visit by direct URL.
Here are my 3 current favorite reads (random order):
Steven Furtick - Steven is the lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and blogs daily at Steven Furtick.com. Elevation has exploded over the past 5 years, since its start-up, with over 5,000 people worshipping at their church. While some pastors might be boastful about such growth, Furtick is quite humble and you can see that clearly through each post. I am inspired, challenged and humbled by his writings. You can too if you check it out [here]
Joshua Griffin - Josh is the high school pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. He and I have become quite the virtual friends over the last couple of years. I not only appreciate his friendship but his daily offerings at morethandodgeball.com. I gain a lot of insight in the area of youth ministry and leadership from his posts and you can too if you check his site out [here]
Ben Arment - There is one blog that I read over my morning cupa joe each day and that belongs to my friend, Ben. Yes sir, the creator of StoryChicago himself. I love reading his blog (www.benarment.com) each day because he inspires me, challenges me and spurs me on to creativity like no other. I've been blessed to receive occasional coaching from him and, more importantly, prayer support. Thank God he now lives within a stones throw of me in Va Beach. You can check his site out [here]
So who are your favorite reads?
Here are my 3 current favorite reads (random order):
Steven Furtick - Steven is the lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and blogs daily at Steven Furtick.com. Elevation has exploded over the past 5 years, since its start-up, with over 5,000 people worshipping at their church. While some pastors might be boastful about such growth, Furtick is quite humble and you can see that clearly through each post. I am inspired, challenged and humbled by his writings. You can too if you check it out [here]
Joshua Griffin - Josh is the high school pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. He and I have become quite the virtual friends over the last couple of years. I not only appreciate his friendship but his daily offerings at morethandodgeball.com. I gain a lot of insight in the area of youth ministry and leadership from his posts and you can too if you check his site out [here]
Ben Arment - There is one blog that I read over my morning cupa joe each day and that belongs to my friend, Ben. Yes sir, the creator of StoryChicago himself. I love reading his blog (www.benarment.com) each day because he inspires me, challenges me and spurs me on to creativity like no other. I've been blessed to receive occasional coaching from him and, more importantly, prayer support. Thank God he now lives within a stones throw of me in Va Beach. You can check his site out [here]
So who are your favorite reads?
Labels: Blog Shout, Personal, Resources
I've been following the blog of Matt Logelin recently. I heard about him through an interview where he was telling of the adventures of being a single parent to daughter, Madeline.
Matt experienced joy and sadness in 27 hours time when his daughter was born and then his wife passed away. Matt started a blog soon after to share about daily life as a single parent. Word quickly spread and 40,000 subscribers [to his blog] later he has found himself on national television and his story published in People Magazine.
Matt experienced joy and sadness in 27 hours time when his daughter was born and then his wife passed away. Matt started a blog soon after to share about daily life as a single parent. Word quickly spread and 40,000 subscribers [to his blog] later he has found himself on national television and his story published in People Magazine. I found this to be a very interesting and inspiring story about how he [Matt] has moved forward from such a painful experience to create something to help people. His blog is now a community for single parents, a place for giving and sharing advice, and he has created a foundation (named after his deceased wife) to assist families who find themselves in the heartbreaking situation of having lost a spouse or parent.
Labels: Blog Shout, News
What is the best blog post you've read in the last 30 days? Share in the comments the links to these posts so we can all be inspired and challenged.
Labels: Blog Shout, Resources
Steven Furtick, lead pastor of Elevation Church, LOVES my blog. At least, that is what he twittered. Guess its April Fool's on me. When I first got this tweet from him [on March 27, 2009] I was skeptical if it was the real Steven Furtick twittering. This is one twitter account but here is yet another under his name also. Yea, its not so much him [the real Steven Furtick] that sent me the tweet. I did some further checking (into his earlier tweets) and there is a confession by the poser that he is not the real Steven Furtick. Actually, he apparently wants people to guess his identity. I have no clue, but my guess would be that its one of the 20 people @sfurtick is following (and no, its not me).Would the real Steven Furtick please stand up! please stand up!
Labels: Blog Shout, Straight Up Funny, Youth Pastors
I've been following the blog of Jonny Baker for a while. He's got a creative mind and blogs about faith, culture and life. One of the coolest things I like to check out on his blog are what he calls worship tricks. I've already used a few of his ideas. Thanks Jonny B.Labels: Blog Shout, Church, Creative, Culture, Resources
I received an email from a frequent flyer here recently who said "how the heck do I subscribe to your blog?" This dear reader somehow missed the links to subscribe on the sidebar here but I'm so grateful he persisted and took the extra step to email me for the info. (I've since tried to make the links more visible.)
For those of you who aren’t subscribers yet, I’m about ready to save you a lot of time. How? Let me introduce you to Google Reader. I use it to track updates on close to 80 different websites each day. I get to choose what sites I subscribe to, and Google Reader lets me know whenever any of those sites has new content. No more surfing from site to site. All the content comes automatically to me. Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever heard of?
Ever wondered what this orange icon with the white radio wave-like symbol was all about? That’s an indication that the site you are visiting has an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed available. If you have signed up to use Google Reader, you can just click on that button anywhere on the Web and you’ll have the opportunity to subscribe to the content. It’s simple…really simple.
1. Register for a Google Reader account.
2. Come back to my site and click the “subscribe by RSS” link.
That’s it. Now you know why they call it “really simple syndication.” Here’s the best part, you can also subscribe to other websites using your same Google Reader account. Let me recommend 10 friends (and some of my favorite feeds) to you:
Ben Arment - experience and innovation director for catalyst
For those of you who aren’t subscribers yet, I’m about ready to save you a lot of time. How? Let me introduce you to Google Reader. I use it to track updates on close to 80 different websites each day. I get to choose what sites I subscribe to, and Google Reader lets me know whenever any of those sites has new content. No more surfing from site to site. All the content comes automatically to me. Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever heard of?
Ever wondered what this orange icon with the white radio wave-like symbol was all about? That’s an indication that the site you are visiting has an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed available. If you have signed up to use Google Reader, you can just click on that button anywhere on the Web and you’ll have the opportunity to subscribe to the content. It’s simple…really simple.
1. Register for a Google Reader account.
2. Come back to my site and click the “subscribe by RSS” link.
That’s it. Now you know why they call it “really simple syndication.” Here’s the best part, you can also subscribe to other websites using your same Google Reader account. Let me recommend 10 friends (and some of my favorite feeds) to you:
Ben Arment - experience and innovation director for catalyst
Tim Schmoyer - best "how to" youth worker blogger i know
Zak White - executive pastor at connection church
Tony Morgan - simply strategic guy and cso for newspring
Josh Griffin - high school pastor at saddleback church
Mark Oestreicher - youth specialties pres
Clayton Bell - family pastor at every nation, tallahassee
Tim Stevens - executive pastor at granger church
Josh Treece - youth worker and master movie reviewer
Well, you get the picture. You can subscribe to just about anything you’d like to know about using Google Reader and RSS feeds. The best part? It’s all FREE! I just saved you time and money. So go... subscribe.
**For additional blogger recommends check out my blogroll on the sidebar**
**For additional blogger recommends check out my blogroll on the sidebar**
Labels: Blog Shout, Resources
One of the things that Catalyst offered was opportunity to meet-up with other bloggers... and thanks to Brad Ruggles we had an organized meet-up.
click on graphic to enlarge
One of my good friends, Zak White, does some amazing magic tricks and blew us away with his mad talent.
click on graphic to enlarge
(Photography by Scott Fillmer)
One of my good friends, Zak White, does some amazing magic tricks and blew us away with his mad talent.
(Photography by Scott Fillmer)
Labels: Blog Shout, Conferences, Photo Gallery
My good friend,Dave Daniels, asked me to join in as special guest on his Short Takes podcast over at ChurchyMedia. In this installment Dave and I chat about all things Catalyst!
Click here to visit the Catalyst site.
Click here to see a list of the Catalyst Bloggers.
Labels: Blog Shout, Catalyst, Church, Media, News, Resources, Technology, Videos
Catalyst will offer an incredible meet-up for bloggers by default. I enjoyed getting to put together a blogger luncheon for WiBo and it was definitely a highlight of mine, but this time I'm simply attending a meet-up. I would; however, like to know what bloggers are planning to attend the Catalyst Conference and planning to blog about it? I've started a running list... that I'll add you to if you leave a comment with your blog URL.
...and be looking for special behind- the- scenes blogging and live video on a special Catalyst Backstage site hosted by Anne Jackson.Labels: Blog Shout, Catalyst
Graphic genius, Barton Damer, dropped me an email early this morning to let me know about a new blog he has created titled Already Been Chewed.net. The posts on his blog are related to digital art, motion graphics, video, web, and live productions - and how they can be used in the church. It is an incredible resource joint for ministries today.
I first met Barton at Ben Arment's Whiteboard Sessions last May and was blown away by his motion graphics he created for the conference. Damer now serves as the creative director for RT Productions, Inc. (Igniter, Collide, WHM and Echo Conference) and you can see his fingerprints throughout this entire production company. Barton really captures his new site in one simple sentence: "serving up fresh media ideas for churches because nobody likes to be fed something that's already been chewed." Go check it out.
Labels: Blog Shout, Church, Creative, Marketing, Media, Resources, Site Shout, Youth Pastors
I have a great idea... Wouldn't it be cool for ALL of us to meet online at a specified time and just hang out together? We could worship... discuss theology... and maybe even just 'shoot the breeze.' Well, someone already came up with that brilliant idea. In fact, for the past few days LifeShare has been broadcasting here to the world. LifeShare, in a nutshell, is a 7-day challenge for all of us to extend the love and compassion of Jesus to our friends, followers and online communities. There have been times of worship (like the session led by Carlos Whittaker, pictured above), Q&A, prayer and, of course, lots of sharing.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 23rd there will be no live video meet-up; however, there will be a focused day of prayer. Consider clicking here to sign-up for a 30-minute time slot and commit to pray. All of us could use some focused time praying. I just signed up. Won't you?
Then join your friends on Wednesday, September 24th at 8.00pm CST\7.00pm EST for the final LifeShare broadcast here.
For all the details regarding LifeShare, go here.
Labels: Blog Shout, Church, Culture, News, Resources, Site Shout
This weekend my friend, ChurchyDave, overheard me telling his wife how I'd like to take some classes at a community college on graphics design, among other things. He immediately told me about Lynda.com which offers over 400 training programs -- ALL online. For only $25.00 a month you can literally have access to (get this) EVERY program. I was blown away. What an incredible resource.Then Dave told me that he got to interview the people behind Lynda.com earlier this year (video follows) when he attended the NAB in Las Vegas. With over 400+ training program titles, I'm sure you'll find what you need training in... and if you don't, I guess it'll be time to enroll in a community college near you! :-)
NAB - Lynda.com from Churchy Media.com
Lynda is such a nice lady.
Labels: Blog Shout, Site Shout
Youth Worker Appreciation Continues...
2 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 9/5/08 at 10:45 AM.
Sara Eden Williams loves her coffee and spontaneous dance breaks... but thats not all she loves. Sara loves students.
Sara is a youth worker in Williamson, NY at First United Methodist Church of Williamson. Sara loves to blog and tells me that she doesn't always blog about youth ministry (neither do I), but that is her passion -- and its evident. Today we honor you, Sara. Thanks for your all you do for students. Keep up the great work.
I encourage you to check out this cool vid Sara's students put together to thank the youth workers for their hard work. It's good stuff.
Williams wins FUEL curriculum (courtesy of LifeWay, valued at $150.00) , a Starbucks gift card, a copy of Mark Yaconelli's Growing Souls, (courtesy of Youth Specialties) and will be eligible for our grand prize drawing.
Click here for more details on Youth Worker Appreciation Week.
Labels: Blog Shout, Resources, Youth Pastors
Youth Worker Appreciation Continues...
0 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 9/4/08 at 2:12 PM.
Nic Burleson isn't new to the world of youth ministry but he is new to the staff of The Connection Church in Kyle, Texas. I actually recall meeting Nic at a conference we both attended back in May and he made a good first impression with me -- very humble guy with lots of life. Pretty soon The Connection Church noticed his love for students and these qualities about Nic and snatched him up! I'm glad to see that Nic submitted an entry for our drawing -- and today we honor him for his wonderful work with students. Burleson wins FUEL curriculum (courtesy of LifeWay, valued at $150.00) , a Starbucks gift card, a copy of Walt Mueller's Youth Culture 101, (courtesy of Youth Specialties) and will be eligible for our grand prize drawing on Friday.
I called Nic personally today to congratulate him on his win... and to thank him for his work with students.
Click here for more details on Youth Worker Appreciation Week.
Labels: Blog Shout, Resources, Youth Pastors
Youth Worker Appreciation Week Continues...
3 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 9/3/08 at 1:37 PM.
Meet Stevan Sheets. Stevan is a youth worker at Our Savior's Wesleyan Church in Mukwonago, WI. He loves God, his wife, Jessica and daughter, Ella and is doing an incredible work for the Kingdom of God. I tried to call Stevan today to personally congratulate him and thank him for his hard work in youth ministry. I left him a voicemail notifying him that he just picked up a copy of Living with Questions (Dale Fincher), a DVD resource FUEL Starters and a Starbucks gift card. Stevan is also a fellow blogger and would probably encourage you to check out his wife's blog and his daughter's blog too!
Thanks Stevan... for all you do.
Stevan will also be entered into the grand prize drawing at the end of this week. I'll announce the "what" on Thursday and "the winner" on Friday.
Click here for more details on Youth Worker Appreciation Week.
Labels: Blog Shout, Resources, Youth Pastors
