4 Ways to Spend Your Downtime This Christmas
53 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 12/24/12 at 7:47 PM.
My friend, Josh Griffin, posted this great article a few Christmas seasons ago, but I still refer back to it when this season rolls around. It's all about how to spend your downtime (if you're fortunate enough to unplug!). I'll post a couple of his suggestions here, and you can go [here] for the rest!
"I realize not everyone gets to enjoy the Christmas season at a slower pace – for many youth workers, the Christmas season is a giant snowball that builds and builds, eventually gaining insane speed and crashing into the New Year with a resounding thwack. But for me this year, we’re scaling way back for the holidays. We cancelled the Christmas Extravaganza, small group parties are happening on their own, a special speaker doing the Christmas teaching and the big New Year’s Dance never made it on the final winter calendar. So what to do with all of this new found time, free from the endless barrage of emails, phone calls and events? If your pace does slow down a bit, here are 4 places you may want to spend your Christmas downtime:
"I realize not everyone gets to enjoy the Christmas season at a slower pace – for many youth workers, the Christmas season is a giant snowball that builds and builds, eventually gaining insane speed and crashing into the New Year with a resounding thwack. But for me this year, we’re scaling way back for the holidays. We cancelled the Christmas Extravaganza, small group parties are happening on their own, a special speaker doing the Christmas teaching and the big New Year’s Dance never made it on the final winter calendar. So what to do with all of this new found time, free from the endless barrage of emails, phone calls and events? If your pace does slow down a bit, here are 4 places you may want to spend your Christmas downtime:
Spend time alone Finish the books you’ve started 2 months ago and are still on chapter 2. Get away from the noise. Turn off your phone and escape for a day. Pray. Meditate, reflect, celebrate. Get a waffle cone and people watch.
Spend time with students Gather up the core students for a spontaneous night out. That one kid who comes on Sunday morning – ask a regular kid what his name is again then take him out for coffee. Think about that regular kid who needs a big challenge, the newbie who could use a connection and the hurting kid who could use a hug. Go after the people you haven’t had the time for this Fall."
[Go here] for the rest of the post.
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Labels: christmas, joshua griffin, Leadership, soul care, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
One of the things I've learned over the years as a youth worker is that the relationship that I have with my Senior Pastor can positively or negatively affect everything. I value my friendship and the professional relationship that I have with my pastor, but I talk with youth workers all the time who don't have a good relationship with their senior leader. Since I founded the Youth Worker Coaching Network over two years ago I've coached a number of rookie youth pastors who want to better their relationship with their boss and I sought ways to help them improve their relationship.
Regardless of where your relationship stands with your senior leader, you should take some time to celebrate your Senior Pastor for the work they do. And in the spirit of celebrating Senior Pastors I thought I might offer my help to invest in the relationship between you and your boss too!
Here's what I've done... I have spoken with my friends at Outback Steakhouse and they wanted to celebrate with us, so they've given me 2- $50 gift cards to giveaway here on the blog!
[Go here] to find out how to enter this contest! You are reading the old blog. Subscribe to the new feed by clicking [here].
Labels: Books, giveaways, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
What is Your Scorecard for Measuring Success?
8 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 4/13/12 at 9:45 AM.
We need a new scorecard for measuring success in Youth Ministry. Quite frankly, in the CHURCH period! I get sick of hearing from youth workers all over the nation who get treated so poorly by their leadership (and even fired) because they aren't producing enough numbers. Numbers aren't always an accurate picture of health, and therefore, should not be the scorecard for measuring success. This is an entirely different blog post waiting to happen, so I digress...
What got me thinking about this topic at all was a quick read from an expert of a job description posted on Tim Steven's blog from Granger Community Church. Check out this line...
So what is your scorecard for measuring success? What do you think about this job description?
By the way, if you are looking for a position or know someone who might be a great fit for this role, as Student Ministries Director, tell them to apply soon.
What got me thinking about this topic at all was a quick read from an expert of a job description posted on Tim Steven's blog from Granger Community Church. Check out this line...
"Many youth pastors measure their success on what they can do. The person in this role will measure success by what they equip others to do."What a wonderful way to measure success. Spot on, Granger. Spot on.
So what is your scorecard for measuring success? What do you think about this job description?
By the way, if you are looking for a position or know someone who might be a great fit for this role, as Student Ministries Director, tell them to apply soon.
Labels: church leaders, Hot Topics, Issues, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
The 7 Best Practices for Teaching Teens the Bible
12 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 4/4/12 at 12:49 PM.
It's arguably THE most important responsibility we have as youth workers... do you know what it is? Teaching teenagers the Bible. If this is a true statement, we must then ask ourselves are we effective teachers? My friend, Andy Blanks, co-founder of YM360 has recently released a book to help you be more effective in your teaching. It's called "The 7 Best Practices for Teaching Teenagers the Bible!" I just recently got my hands on it and read through. I can honestly say, Andy has a wonderful grasp of what discipleship is all about. In fact, I met with him recently and told him how much I would love to learn more from him!
I want to urge you to pick up a copy of this book for a few reasons:
1. It explains what the 7 Best Practices are for Teaching Teenagers the Bible
2. It explains why each practice is important
3. It provides ample strategies and examples so that you can immediately apply what you learn to your teaching.
So what are the 7 Best Practices? Here they are:
Best Practice #1: Engaging with God
Best Practice #2: Prepare well, Teach well
Best Practice #3: Context is Key
Best Practice #4: Embrace Unpredictability
Best Practice #5: Plan for Interaction
Best Practice #6: Teach for Application
Best Practice #7: Know your Role
Andy has done a masterful job of putting together a resource here that makes it easier for you, the youth worker, to become an even more dynamic and effective Bible teacher. Seriously, this is a very inexpensive resource that you MUST read. I'll even treat the first 2 people to comment on this post to a FREE book (just leave me your name & email or twitter name). That's right... I'll pick up the tab for you because I believe in this resource.
Labels: Books, contests, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
I got to meet Jefferson Bethke at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in early March. You may know him as the "I hate religion but love Jesus" guy. This spoken word video has had over 20 million views on YouTube. 12 million of those views were within the first 4 days after the video was posted on the internet!
Recently Jefferson was interviewed by Trevin Wax from The Gospel Project on his thoughts on Student Ministry. I really enjoyed listening to his insights on what is most relevant in youth ministry today, what needs to change, and the Gospel. This is definitely worth your time.
Labels: Church, Issues, Leadership, Resources, Videos, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
My friends at YouthMinistry 360 have cooked up another great piece of curriculum just in time for Easter. This FREE lesson will help you share the message of Christ's glorious resurrection in a new light! The lesson helps you, the youth worker, tell the greatest story of redemption with a prepared outline, handouts, and a powerpoint presentation. Teenagers will walk away from this message having a better understanding of what Christ has done for them but will also see the thread of Love that has been woven throughout history. Click [here] to download this FREE lesson now ... and also explore the other great resources from the folks at YM360.
Labels: Creative, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Win a FREE Ticket to the Orange Conference!
13 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 3/22/12 at 8:05 AM.
I've really enjoyed attending the Orange Conference and I'm very excited to be a part of it again this year... and I want YOU to join me! I thought it would be fun to giveaway a FREE registration to the conference. You can win it here! (see details below)
Here are the details of the Conference:
Date: April 25-27, 2012
Location: Gwinnett Arena - Atlanta, GA
Here's how you can win the FREE registration in two-easy steps:
Step 2: Comment on this post and share in one sentence why you want to attend the Orange Conference. ((Link to your twitter status or Facebook status in the post!))
Please note:
Tweet this: RT @terracecrawford: Win a FREE ticket to the Orange Conference! www.bit.ly/wintickettoOC #thinkorange #kidmin #stumin
Share this on Facebook: Win a FREE ticket to the Orange Conference! www.bit.ly/wintickettoOC #thinkorange #kidmin #stumin
Step 2: Comment on this post and share in one sentence why you want to attend the Orange Conference. ((Link to your twitter status or Facebook status in the post!))
Please note:
*The deadline to enter is Tuesday, March 27th at 5:00PM EST. I'll use random.org to determine a winner (your # will be based on the order you comment in) and the winner will be announced via Twitter just after 5.00PM EST on that same day.
*Airfare and hotel accommodations are NOT part of the giveaway. The "winner" receives one FREE registration to the Orange Conference.
*Only one entry (comment), per person, will be accepted.
*Entrants must follow both steps (Step 1 and Step 2 -- as outlined in the post).
Labels: Conferences, giveaways, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
A Different Approach to Recruiting Volunteers
1 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 3/21/12 at 7:45 AM.
Recruiting volunteers is not easy for many youth workers. I'd like to encourage you to try a different way of recruitment next time you need to add volunteer staff. Here's a 3-step approach I tried recently with our student leadership team:
1. Ask your students WHO they would like to see on the team.
2. Write down the names suggested and commit to pray over them.
3. Challenge the students to make the ask!
Follow these 3-simple steps, coach your students as much as you'd like in the process, and then see how God uses your teens to bring new volunteers your way! I only wish I would have let the students lead like this sooner.
Try this approach and comment on this post to let me know how it goes for you.
1. Ask your students WHO they would like to see on the team.
I gathered our student leaders together and asked them to identify one person (or at least one) that they would like to see help out in our ministry. Immediately they voiced the name of a person they highly respect and love. I heard things like "It would be awesome if they were a part of our ministry!" You're already off to a great start when you hear things like this...
2. Write down the names suggested and commit to pray over them.
Tell your students you would like to pray over the names and ask them to pray along with you. Ask God if these specific people should be a part of your student ministry.
3. Challenge the students to make the ask!
It makes all the difference in the world when the "ask" comes from the student. Why not challenge your students to go and ask the person they recommended if they would like to serve in Youth Ministry?
Follow these 3-simple steps, coach your students as much as you'd like in the process, and then see how God uses your teens to bring new volunteers your way! I only wish I would have let the students lead like this sooner.
Try this approach and comment on this post to let me know how it goes for you.
Labels: Church, Creative, Hot Topics, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
The Summit: A New Event for Youth Workers
0 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 3/16/12 at 11:03 AM.
Have you heard of the Youth Cartel? It's a new youth organization led by two of my youth worker friends, Mark Oestreicher and Adam McLane. You really need to check out their website to learn about all of the things they offer, but one of the really cool things they are doing is putting together some great gatherings for youth workers.
Recently announced on their blog is a great, new event called "The Summit." It's a two-day gathering of youth workers to learn and dream together and its happening this November in Atlanta. I encourage you to check it out, visit the site often -- as new speakers are being added periodically -- and register!
I'd also encourage you to check out this quick promo video. Lean in... and listen to the bearded-Marko:
Recently announced on their blog is a great, new event called "The Summit." It's a two-day gathering of youth workers to learn and dream together and its happening this November in Atlanta. I encourage you to check it out, visit the site often -- as new speakers are being added periodically -- and register!
I'd also encourage you to check out this quick promo video. Lean in... and listen to the bearded-Marko:
Labels: Conferences, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Got ministry questions? ChurchLeaders.com just launched a brand-new site recently where you can ask any ministry question that you have... and get some much needed feedback! Go check out the site [here] and ask away! Oh... and if you are a youth worker, please tag your question under "youth ministry."
Labels: Resources, Site Shout, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
10 Quick Ideas for Connecting with Students
8 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 3/14/12 at 7:17 AM.
I'm always encouraging youth workers to build into students and find ways to connect with teens. In the past week I've thought a lot more about how important it is for me to set staff up for success. If I don't properly coach volunteers, and share practical ways to do ministry, I'm inevitably setting them up to fail. With that in mind, I thought I'd jot down a number of quick ideas I had for developing relationships with students and share them with leaders.
Disclaimer: This list was written exclusively for small group leaders, but these tips could really apply to anyone who is looking to connect with teenagers.
2. Mentor them
3. Post regularly (or even periodically) to the wall of your official Student Ministry Facebook page
4. Host a "girls only" or "guys only" (whichever applies to your group) event and get them to invite friends
5. Each lunch with students (at school, on weeekend, etc.) or meet them for coffee or ice cream after school
6. Have dinner with their family
7. Attend their extra-curricular activities (sports, dance, etc.)Students love when you support their interests. This is a great way to show you care... and let's face it, sometimes you might be filling in the gap for their parent by sitting on the sidelines when the parent can't make it to cheer on their child!
8. Send them text messages throughout the week (between Sundays\Wednesdays) to check-in and encourage them
9. Work on a service project together
What other great tips & ideas would you add to this list?
Disclaimer: This list was written exclusively for small group leaders, but these tips could really apply to anyone who is looking to connect with teenagers.
10 Quick Ideas for Connecting with Students (in Your Small Group):
1. Start a Facebook Group for your small group only
Start a Facebook Group and change the privacy settings to make it a closed group ("secret group"), which will allow you to share prayer requests, etc and it will keep things private. Just keep close watch on your group and moderate what is posted.
2. Mentor them
Each student really needs a mentor. Why not spend an hour with a student each week? (or even 30 minutes!) It's really the best investment you could make with teens.
3. Post regularly (or even periodically) to the wall of your official Student Ministry Facebook page
Sharing a brief message on the Student Ministry Facebook wall shows the excitement you have for your group and also may appeal to other students outside your small group that you might not otherwise reach.
4. Host a "girls only" or "guys only" (whichever applies to your group) event and get them to invite friends
Hosting an event for your small group is a great way to build into your students.
5. Each lunch with students (at school, on weeekend, etc.) or meet them for coffee or ice cream after school
There is nothing like getting on their turf! Meeting up with students to grab a bite to eat or treat them goes a long way. (I've heard youth pastors like this too. ;-)
6. Have dinner with their family
This is a wonderful idea -- if you can secure an invite from the family to come over for dinner. You get to see what life is like for the student (at home) and get to build into their parents too!
7. Attend their extra-curricular activities (sports, dance, etc.)Students love when you support their interests. This is a great way to show you care... and let's face it, sometimes you might be filling in the gap for their parent by sitting on the sidelines when the parent can't make it to cheer on their child!
8. Send them text messages throughout the week (between Sundays\Wednesdays) to check-in and encourage them
Students really need to hear from caring adults throughout the week. Sending them a text or tweet during the week is a great way to show you are interested in them. Otherwise, your communication with them sounds like just a plea to get them to your event.
9. Work on a service project together
Working a project together really helps create community within your group and will help you connect with students individually too!
10. Attend student events\programs you might not otherwise attend
Don't be content to limit your interaction with students to the one or two events or programs you are normally a part of. Why not surprise them by showing up to other youth ministry events to participate?
What other great tips & ideas would you add to this list?
Labels: ideas, Leadership, Resources, youth ministry, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Here are some great highlights from the National Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Louisville! [Click here] to check out the new website and to register for next year!
Labels: Conferences, Video, youth ministry, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
JON ACUFF
- Jon Acuff runs a well known blog, StuffChristiansLike.net
- So excited I got to present with him this weekend!
- He started out with some "Jesus Jukes" satire from his blog.
- Why do we allow 1 negative comment to ruin 1,000 compliments? (I personally did that this weekend -- ugh!)
- Who is attacking your ministry?
- Who doesn't like you? (We can normally think of 'that' person right away)
- Why do we react to vanity? (Gave example of Twitter spam: "Did you see the awful things said about you in this video???")
- Whatever you do that is 90% perfect and is shared changes lives...
- Many times when we give 100% and don't share it goes nowhere.
- The drive to be a Christian celebrity is the worst drug.
- God is not surprised by the ministry you are doing now (no matter how large or how small it may be)
- God wants us to know that He knows our name... THERE'S YOUR FAME!
- We believe that if people find out who we are, they will only abandon us.
- What is fear afraid of?
- Do you listen to the voice of comparison?
- Never compare your beginning to someone else's middle. (I love that!) For instance, don't compare your ministry (especially if you are only 2 years deep into ministry... to someone who has done ministry for 20 years)
- What are your voices saying?
- Sometimes when God is quiet we think we have failed!
- Did you notice in the story of the prodigal son that the father didn't say one word to the son who returned home? He only called for a celebration! We need more celebration.
- The work YOU are doing is critical!
- Listen to the one, true voice -- the voice of God!
Labels: Conferences, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
CRAIG GROSS
- Craig is the founder of XXXChurch.com
- He started off with a story about how his family was robbed once.
- His family responded to this by adding alarms, traps (ok, made that one up), etc...
- John 10:10
- The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy!
- Craig suggests that we let our sin write a letter to ourselves. Wow, that's deep!
- He shared a video - "Letter from an Addiction"
- Don't wait until you are sitting in rehab to make necessary changes in your life!!!
- Responses to addiction:
- -- Change your belief about yourself.
- -- Be a better truth teller.
- -- Protect yourself
- -- Change your belief about God.
- Think about your addiction (or obsession) in these terms: Do you want your wife and kids to be taken? Do you want to lose your job?
- If you don't work hard to fight your addictions and the sin in your life you don't stand a chance!
- Craig invited Jeffuhson Bethke to the platform to recite his spoken word piece, "Sexual Healing."
Labels: Conferences, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Here's a little promo video for next year's Simply Youth Ministry Conference. Hope you can join us in INDY! Check out the [new site] that just launched! Registration now open!
You in? Leave your name and a link back to your blog!
Labels: Conferences, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
FRANCIS CHAN
- The investment of my youth pastor was monumental.
- No one probably knows this guy but he dug deep and poured into me!
- He understood "discipleship."
- He got fired from his job because of his "numbers." He chose to focus on discipleship.
- We all need to get realllly focused.
- Francis told a story about a drugee he witnessed to for a while, named "James."
- He told how God worked on James without him.
- It's ALL up to God... it is HIS power that works in us!
- Psalm 27:4
- We are not good "dwellers." ((see Psalm 27:4))
- If I got a transcript of your prayer for the last month would it be full of distractions?
- Are you in love with Jesus?
- John 15
- I'm a simple man.
- People try to talk us out of our faith...
- Remember when you were a kid and you heard Bible stories and just believed?
- Do you really believe John 14:12?
- "Whatever you asks in my name I will do," says Jesus.
- Do you ever get squashed down about what you can't do?
- Talk to God! Ask in faith! Believe!
- Do you believe this book (holds up Bible) literally?
- As you look at kids in the face, don't forget the supernatural... believe the book!
- Have the faith of the centurion! Remember that guy? He said "Jesus... you can just say the word and he will be healed!"
- What would happen if we had that kind of faith?
Labels: Conferences, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
Watch the Simply Youth Ministry Conference LIVE!
1 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 3/2/12 at 7:56 AM.
If you can't join us in Louisville this weekend, I encourage you to watch the LIVE stream of the conference, beginning at 4:30PM later today. You can catch all general sessions plus some action going on between 1-6PM on Saturday and Sunday!
If you're at the conference, I'd love to meet you. I'm doing a few workshops also and would love to see your face. Just look for my name on the infamous "yellow sheet" to get the times and locations.
Labels: Conferences, Media, Resources, social media, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
I'm out in Louisville, KY speaking at the National Simply Youth Ministry Conference (LIVE blogging to commence!), but I really wanted to alert you to a FREE, online conference that you need to be watching today. It's called GroundSWELL and the speaker line-up is made up of all students! Gosh, we REALLY need to lean in and listen to this folks! My assistant, Seth Adams, is one of the speakers. You'll get to meet him at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference if you attend. =)
Here's a snapshot of the GroundSWELL conference at GroundSWELL.tv:
[Click here] to connect to GroundSWELL.tv. A rebroadcast of the online conference will be held TODAY at 7:00PM EST.
Here's a snapshot of the GroundSWELL conference at GroundSWELL.tv:
[Click here] to connect to GroundSWELL.tv. A rebroadcast of the online conference will be held TODAY at 7:00PM EST.Labels: Creative, Leadership, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
A recent study released by Ericsson revealed that teenagers would rather talk than text. Here are some other highlights from the report that you can download [here]:
- Video chat is growing
- 53% say their phone calls last less than 4 minutes
- More than a third say they use video chat for homework
- Average number of Facebook friends is 265
- ooVoo is an emerging social tool
Labels: Research, Resources, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
I love "Behind the Scenes" stuff. If you want my attention just do a blog post, a TV-Show, a magazine article, etc... and I will be hooked! I've asked a few other people to do Behind the Scenes posts on their blogs, but I haven't ever done one myself so here's a look at my last 3 days of my life.
(Editor's Note: this isn't a 'normal' week... but it's a quick look at my week nonetheless))
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14Th
(7:00 AM) - Shower, Getting ready for the day, Reading, Packing Car (for travel to SC)
(9:00 AM) - Quick breakfast
(9:30 AM) - Travel to South Carolina (for memorial service - my aunt passed away)
(5:00 PM) - Early Dinner with extended family
(6:00 PM) - Wake
(3:30 PM) - Arrival in South Carolina
(7:00 PM) - Memorial Service
(8:00 PM) - Visiting with extended family
(9:00 PM) - Travel to Parent's home
(10:00 PM) - Fell asleep in recliner... long day!
(11:00 PM) - Woke up and worked on ChurchLeaders.com weekly Youth Leader's Newsletter
(12:00 AM) - Finalizing message for this weekend's service
(2:00 AM) - Sleepy time
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15Th
(8:00 AM) - Shower, Getting ready for the day, Reading, Packing Car (for travel to VA)
(10:00 AM) - On the road again!
(12:30 PM) - Lunch
(3:30 PM) - Arrival in Virginia
(4:00 PM) - Light house cleaning (final preparations for small group)
(5:00 PM) - Meeting with my Intern; working on direct mail piece
(7:00 PM) - Hosting guy's small group at my home
(9:00 PM) - Catching up on emails, etc; Working on ChurchLeaders.com; polishing future talk
(11:30 PM) - Sleepy time
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16Th
(7:00 AM) - Shower, Getting ready for the day, Reading
(8:00 AM) - Running errands
(9:00 AM) - Travel to Richmond, VA for Innovative Church Network meeting
(10:00 AM) - Hearing Mark Batterson speak
(12:30 PM) - Met Mark Batterson; Lunch
(1:00 PM) - Hearing Mark Batterson speak
(3:00 PM) - Travel home
(4:30 PM) - Checking emails, returning phone calls; working on couple of projects
(5:00 PM) - 1 on 1 Coaching with Youth Worker in CO; quick bite to eat
(6:00 PM) - Shower and getting ready for next meeting
(6:30 PM) - Travel to Norfolk, VA; phone call with family on road
(7:00 PM) - Meeting with Chancellor of Columbia International University
(8:30 PM) - Travel home
(9:00 PM) - Working on side project for consulting group
(9:30 PM) - Composing this blog post (hope you like =)
(10:0o PM) - Texting friends
(11:00 PM) - Sleepy time
If you decide to do a Behind the Scenes post on your blog make sure you comment here with a link! I'll read it... and point people to your blog through my twitter (@terracecrawford)!
Labels: behind the scenes, Creative, inside look, Personal, Youth Pastors, Youth workers
