New Series

Tonight we started a new series in Jr. High called MIRROR IMAGE. Over the next few weeks we'll be taking a look at what it means to truly reflect the image of Christ in our everyday lives.

Our Jr. High intern, Matt Schoettle, shared with our Jr. Highers last night. Matt talked about the truth that we are all made in God's image. Each day we are bombarded with lies from the enemy that we aren't good enough, that we don't look pretty enough, that we are popular enough and of course there are more. I'm sure you could insert your own "not good enough" statement in as well. The point is, when we understand that we are created in God's image and we don't worry about having to look like the standards the world sets, there is freedom in how we live.

It's in those times that we must claim the promises of God that He's given us in His word. What are some of your favorite promises of God that you find yourself repeating to yourself in those times that you just don't feel good enough? Share them in the comment section.

Tuesday Basketball - GAME ON

Had a great time tonight watching the 7th and 8th grade boys B teams play tonight against John Young. I sat in the student section tonight and think I may have lost some hearing tonight as the students were pumped and shouting for their school. It was hard to catch on to their different cheers although they were rather catchy. However, all that cheering paid off as both teams won.

7th Grade Boys B-Team - NWMS - 30 John Young - 27
8th Grade Boys B-Team - NWMS - 43 John Young - 14

Middle School Monday: Game On

If your in youth ministry or any setting where your working with students, it's always good to have some games in your back pocket. Whether it's for your main programming, retreats, overnighters or at a school function games have the power to break down walls with students. Whether it's breaking down gender walls, walls created by going to different schools or have a wide spectrum of students with different personalities, games bring an element of fun, laughter and leveling the playing field for the worst or best athletic student.

As I look to the array of games that I've tried in youth ministry I wish that I could say every game was a success. There will always be those times when even the best game doesn't seem to connect. Here are some tips that I've learned from experience and from youth ministry friends and specialists like Kurt Johnston that I'd pass along.

1. Keep It Simple - Don't over complicate the game. Keep your instructions clear, concise and quick. If it takes to long to explain the game before it starts you run the risk of already losing before you start both in momentum and with your audience. Sometimes it is a worthwhile exercise to have other students or leaders that you've talked to beforehand to be a visual example as your explaining the game.

2. Vary Them Up - Mix up the types of games that you do. We'll try to mix up games styles from ones where everyone participates (at least for a time), group games, physical games, mental games and on-stage games that just call for a few people. The big thing with this is to keep the game moving quickly so that you don't lose momentum for any students who aren't playing or have been knocked out or eliminated. If students aren't participating their interest in the game will decline quickly.

3. Be Excited - If you aren't excited about the game your audience won't be either. Always go into a game with the mindset that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. You need to be the salesperson for why this is the greatest game your students will ever play.

4. Tweak - Don't be afraid to take old games and re-tweak them a little bit. A few weeks back for our series we played 'Reverse Paper, Rock, Scissors'. Just a small twist to a common game with a visual slide to remind students of what would beat what with reversing the game and it was neat to watch the expressions of students who thought they won but then realized they lost. It added a great fun factor. Our finalist ended up being a guy VS. girl faceoff. The guy totally got blown away and of course we took advantage of it.

5. Always leave them wanting more - Always end your game on a high point. You've got to be aware of when to cut off a game because your audience is having a great time as opposed overdoing a great thing. Even a great game can become a bore the more and more you do it, whether it's from week to week or just taking too much time one night to play it. Be sure to end the game in time for students to groan a little bit because they want to play it longer. In the long run this will help you have a good game in your pocket that kids already know how to play and that they love at a time that you need to infuse a little excitement and energy.

6. The 'WOW' Factor - Whether it's a big event, an outreach, overnighter or just a regular night in your ministry, having a game from time to time that creates the "Wow Mom" factor is a great thing. Anytime you can get students to walk away talking about game saying "I can't believe they did that" you create a buzz amongst your students and a talking point for them with friends. Obviously you need to make sure that the game is appropriate, doesn't put a student in danger and won't cause illness. It doesn't have to be a fear factor type game where they have to eat insects to be fun and something that is completely unheard of so be creative. We did a game at our kickoff this year called "Ice cubes of Awesomeness" where we took everyday items that are in your fridge, froze the contents and asked blindfolded contestants to guess what it was. It ranged from coffee to milk to mustard and more.

Great pictures from the weekend. We traveled up to Michigan this weekend to visit my family for Thanksgiving. This is what happens when Jordyn and her cousin, Shannon, get together. Dress up anyone?

Middle School Monday

What were you like in Middle School? Can you remember that far back? I know for some of us it wasn't that long ago.

That's one of the biggest questions I could recommend for those of us working in Middle School to take some time reflecting on. If we can't think back and remember what Middle School was like for us it will be very hard for us to reach the generation today.

For me, I was in 7th and 8th grade in 1992-1993.
I went to a Catholic School.
I was a straight A student.
Computers were just starting to be more common in homes and so was the internet.
We had a switch of president from George Bush Sr. to Bill Clinton.
There was a change from VHS to DVD, tapes to CDs
We had shows like Growing Pains, Full House, Family Matters - Oh how I miss those
I was started to become more interested in the opposite sex
I showered more - :)
Ghost was a hit movie in the box office
The Bulls were the dominate NBA team
Some top artists at the time were: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, UB40, Gin Blossoms, Boyz II Men

What about you? Think back to you middle school time. What was hot? What were you struggling with? What emotions were you wrestling through? What was your faith like? What were your thoughts about God?

If you want to stay up on Middle School students try these things:

Watch MTV, MTV and other Music Award Shows, MTV and other Movie Award Shows, Teen Choice Awards - This will give you perspective on what your students are watching and listening to. I know, some people in church may not agree with this but I promise you it's an eye opener.

Go to the mall and observe the students there

Visit your students for lunch at their school

Ask your students about some of their favorite bands/artists, shows, magazines, movies

Get online and surf to do research

The thing I've learned in youth ministry is that the culture is always changing and we need to be watching, listening and doing our homework if we want to be effective these days.

Hope this is helpful to those of you reading. Until next time . . .

Sunday Fly By

Today was another long but good day.

Started out at church meeting with a team of Jr. High students to talk through our ministry on Wednesday nights. We had our ADD moments but I think the conversation was good. Pumped about what these students are capable of doing.

Rose and I hung out with some friends and leaders after church today at Hacienda. These trips are starting to become fairly hard with small children. They don't want to sit in one place too long. Although what can you do when you have a craving for Hacienda?? Ya know? Looks like next time we may just have to order carryout and bring it home to socialize and eat at our house.

Finally . . . we just finished the Effect, our young adults service, a few hours ago. Terry Bley, our Life Development Pastor, shared a great word and led some discussion on True Community. I lead worship in the Effect with an amazing team of volunteers just about every week. Tonight this was our Worship set:

Ab - Filled with Your Glory by Starfield
D - I Am Free by Desperation Band
G - No One Like You by David Crowder Band
G - Your Love, Oh Lord by Third Day

We had a lot of fun with the set and I think the Young Adults did as well. We turned the corner a little bit from fun and celebration to reflecting on the simple and true promises of God as we sang the words to "Your Love, Oh Lord"

Lord . . . help us this week to truly "find our strength in the shadow of your wings." Give us your peace and rest during this week and help us to truly reflect on the blessings that you've given to us. You truly are AMAZING!

Student of the Culture

One thing I've learned in youth ministry is that you have to be a student of the culture. Some times you might even have to do things that you don't want to. For example, tonight after what I hope to be my final mow at our house and helping get the girls ready for dinner I met up with my bud, DP, and we went to see "Twilight: New Moon". We'd have rather gone to see the new movie "The Blindside" but with all the buzz amongst tween and teen girls over "New Moon" we knew this would be a good opportunity for us to be fully informed on what our students are watching and the message that is getting acrossed to them.

Although the acting was sub par for me, it was funny to listen and watch the reaction of the 80-90% of the audience when Jacob took his shirt off and the amazing pick up/romantic lines. At one point it was really quiet in the theater and you heard one girl go "aww" after a line from Jacob. You see very mixed emotions as Bella tries to find balance between her feelings for Jacob and Edward. No wonder we have so many girls that ride the emotional rollercoaster when they are in and out of relationships. I'm sure there will continue to be much talk and discussion with our students who have seen this over the next few weeks.

Currently "New Moon" has topped the box office claiming the record for the biggest one-day gross, The Twilight Saga: New Moon raked in an estimated $72.7 million on approximately 8,500 screens at 4,024 sites. The Dark Knight was the previous title holder with $67.2 million on around 9,300 screens at 4,366 sites.

Read more here.