I’ve posted in the past about the importance of having legitimate roles and responsibilities for the volunteers in your youth ministry – you can check out some great guest posts about it in posts like 1-Sentence Job Descriptions and Mission Critical Jobs. This week Geoff Stewart offered up his student ministry’s volunteer roles brochure to share with everyone. Download it here!
JG
What do you think?
Well, College Ministry From Scratch has finally released. Actually, it released a few days ago…I just forgot! If you’d like to read a sample (the brief introduction as well as the first chapter) click here.
Below is the table of contents. I hope it’s a help to you and your ministry!
INTRODUCTION
SECTION ONE: Chapter One: A Story of Perceived Success Chapter Two: Creating And Measuring A Sustainable Ministry Chapter Three: Developing A Job Description (that fits our goals) Chapter Four: Your First 90 Days In College Ministry Chapter Five: Understanding College-Age Issues?An Overview Chapter Six: Providing A Place To Belong
SECTION TWO: Chapter Seven: Recruiting Older Adults?Overcoming Obstacles Chapter Eight: Recruiting Older Adults?Characteristics To Look For Chapter Nine: Leading College-Age Leaders Chapter Ten: One-On-One Conversations?Questions To Ask Chapter Eleven: Starting And Sustaining Effective Small Groups Chapter Twelve: Shifts In Teaching Approaches Chapter Thirteen: Seven Critical Teaching Topics Chapter Fourteen: Mission Trips?What To Include And Why Chapter Fifteen: College-Age Retreats Chapter Sixteen: Working With Interns Chapter Seventeen: Church-Based Campus Ministry Chapter Eighteen: When Students Are Away At School
There are a lot of changes happening in our student ministries right now. In the midst of the crazy summer so many other components are moving in different directions. Many of the changes are great, and needed. And it will be exciting to see how God will unfold all that we have been praying for. But there are a few changes that I (as the wife) do not like so much and don’t understand. It is these changes that I don’t know what to say, and not say, and just what to do. My pride wants to shout at my husband, “Hey, did ya think it all through? Are ya real, REAL sure about that one?!” And my favorite, “Listen to me, listen to me, just listen to me!” BUT…..I know I shouldn’t.
I don’t know if I’m alone on this one, or what?? Anyone else fear change as much as me? I totally trust my husband and his call to this ministry. I do believe he is brilliant and gifted and a wonderful leader. Buuutttttt, what do you do when you don’t agree with it all?? Nothing? Pray? Vent, and visit this site?
I did take a big step (for me) this weekend. Our Pastor asked us to choose one area in which we would come to God daily for the summer and ask his guidance. I was certain that I was going to ask for wisdom concerning all these changes happening for us [...]
As a youth pastor in an urban setting, I need to be able to resource my youth group ona budget. A lot ofthe guys Italk too say the very same thing. I’m going to take the next week or so and talk about some resources and ways to be an Urban Youth Ministry Baller on aBudget!
My boy Scott Mills from LifeWay was feeling me when he wrote this….
As a student minister, I am sure you have to tighten your belt these days and make more youth ministry happen with fewer dollars. With the economy like it is, everyone has to make the most of what we have ? at home, at work, and in our ministry
Did you know that LifeWay has many options for Bible Study? We have options for all budgets, but you will not lose anything when it comes to solid biblical teaching that is built on a strategy for developing students spiritually. All our Bible study resources line up with a solid strategy to help students KNOW God, OWN their faith, and make their faith KNOWN. (www.lifeway.com/studentstrategy)
Here is how these resources compare per week if you have 1 teacher and 20 students:
I told you a little about this new book by Doug Fields last week. It has now officially released.
Check it out here:
You can also get 5 copies bundled with the Plugged In small group video curriculum:
Enjoy!
After a few weeks off, Doug, Josh, and Jana sit down to answer your questions. Topics covered include: prayer teams, “ringing the bell” of your ministry, service length, Josh’s cameo in Far and Away, Senior Pastors checking out, using facebook in your ministry, and dealing with a students past.
We wanted to give you “Insiders” a first peak at a new book by Doug Fields, 10 Minute Moments: Plugged In. It’s a companion study devotional to the Plugged In video small group curriculum. Here’s a quick description:
10-Minute Moments: Plugged In is a daily devotional that’s set up as a journal. Students read a Bible passage, poke their brain with a few questions, get some suggestions on what to pray about, and then space to write down their thoughts. It’s a one-month plan that’s easy to read and easy to stick with. And, if you hadn’t guessed from the title, each “lesson” only takes about 10 minutes.
This time around, they’ll tackle the five biblical purposes of our lives—Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. Keep ‘em on hand for new students, pass ‘em out as graduation gifts, or just hide them in their backpacks. You can’t lose!
And we’d love for you to take a look at the first few couple days of the devotional to see if it’s right for your students.
Ten Minute Moments: Plugged In
Watch for 10 Minute Moments: Plugged In to be available next week at SimplyYouthMinistry.com.
We’ve been playing with this technology for awhile now, and are really excited that it’s ready for you use. It’s an online version of our latest Simply Jr High catalog. You can flip through it, zoom it, click on products, and go right to the store. And it includes a special dot-to-dot you don’t want to miss.
CLICK HERE to take a look.
We return this week with Doug, Jana, and Matt. Josh couldn't make it, he was off "Dreaming". It all about the Carefrontation this week as the group talks about Easter feeling numbers oriented, sweat suits in retirement communities, dealing with your past and it's effects on your current ministry, liability in homes, Tax Time, including other churches in your summer camp, Andy being nicer now that he's moved, cell phones and Quicken. (Yes there was discussion about Quicken the financial software. Luckily it was at the end, so I recommend turning this off when you get there).
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