This year in our Middle School Youth group we have been journeying through the Bible. One of the creative elements to this overview of Scripture is the motions we attribute to each segment of stories as we move progressively and chronologically through the Bible. Here’s what we have so far:
How to Play the “Ice Cream Makeover” Game Students must feed a friend ice cream. First one done, wins! source YouTube
Generally, I have found in working with middle school students over the last 7 years that they “believe” in God, but don’t really know what that means… and to top it off, it’s generally not being reinforced at home, so the 2 hours a week they are at “church” often seems like a losing battle… […]
How to Play the “Wheel of a Deal” Game Students are playing with 4 Aces, 4 Kings, 4 Queens, 4 Jacks, and 4 Tens… one by one they have to sort the 5 sets of 4 on different chairs (Aces on one, Kings on one, Queens on one, etc). They must complete it in under […]
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Eli and his two son, Hophni and Phinehas, get judged by God (according to Samuel’s) conversation with the Lord the previous chapter. Along with their judgment comes the Israelites’ as well as the Philistines’. I wonder if we treat God like He can be contained in a box? source Vimeo
I enjoy a good children’s book. That’s why I picked up “Halfway Herbert” by Francis Chan when I saw it available online. The book has stunning graphics and a pretty good story line. Halfway Herbert is known for doing things halfway. Herbert brushes his teeth, doesn’t finish his food, and approaches his schoolwork, all halfway. […]
We took the middle and high school students to Skate City in Rice Lake, WI on Sunday, November 14, 2010. source YouTube
About 3 years ago, our small group read and studied through the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson. The book walks the reader through the Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-134). While it was a fascinating and impactful study for our group, the title of the book has always stuck with […]
The Judges was a dark stain on the history of the Israelites. Doing what was right in their own eyes was a 400-year problem for the Israelites. The story of Ruth is the only bright, shining light during this chaotic time. Enter Samuel. Samuel will be the last Judge of Israel. Pretty soon Israel is […]
This past Sunday, I shared with the church a little about some math I had done: 24 hours a day x 7 days in a week = 168 total hours in a week minus 8 hours a day for SLEEP x 7 days = 56 hours sleeping per week minus 7 hours a day for […]
Wow. The book of Judges had some really interesting characters in it. Especially one of the last ones, Samson. He just couldn’t figure out how to be a stable “image of God” bearer. It seemed like he always was in a rash state of mind—unstable is a word I would use. The Main Street students […]
Whenever I read a book, I get excited. Whether it’s a novel or a how-to book, the author pulls me into this grand and ideal world, full of possibilities and vision. The characters are larger than life. Concepts leap off the page and what you once thought was impossible suddenly creates a desire to engage […]
realizing and engaging a rhythm to ministry and life Shannon Whaples shared this via his Senior Pastor, Kevin Myers. Shannon said that Kevin communicates it is important to take 2 days off a week, but work hard the 5 days you are in the office. Don’t take your work home with you. Take vacations. Realize […]
keeping things simple and focused and sustainable Colleen Derr (Children’s Ministry Leader via Spiritual Formation Department @ The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters) shared along with Shannon Whaples about this concept of church ministry called: “Simple Church”. The idea is to do a few things and do a few things well, rather than try to accomplish […]
celebrating and thanking volunteers regularly Shannon Whaples (Next Generation Pastor @ 12Stone Church) had a volunteer appreciation event called “Ovations” on the second night we were in Atlanta (Friday: 7-7:3o coffee and cupcakes, 7:3o-8:15 celebrate spotlighted volunteers at each campus [with awards and gift certificates], 8:15-9:oo comedian). It was a simple way to celebrate and […]
Capturing and capitalizing moments when you have a captive, parental audience Chad and Autumn Ward told me this @ reThink. After our meeting and question/answer time, I asked Chad about reThink’s family ministry strategy. I wondered if it was just informing parents about what their children learned during the children’s ministry hour on Sunday morning. […]
milestones (faith, social, physical, etc.) in a child & youth’s life and connecting with families (family ministry) at those natural, stages of life This is cool. Milestones: kind of like rocks, or significant moments in the life of a person. First time parents, baby dedication/infant baptism (depending on faith tradition), believer’s baptism, confirmation/catechism (depending of […]
creating a continual layer of leading leaders leading leaders As I said earlier, I have “evolved” into leading leaders rather than just doing the ministry myself. The thing that really gets me in trouble is my lack of understanding administration and organizational flow charts. I don’t mind the details and planning side of administration, but […]
having enough (programming enough) spaces for people to serve I love what we do on Sunday morning. I love the simplicity of it. I love the intentionality of storying through the Bible. I love that we are simple blend of large group exciting programming and old-fashioned, Sunday School-type “classes” after the large group time. I […]