by | September 19, 2011

SMS: 10 Suggestions for Christian Camps

Over the last several months I have spoken at about 10 different Christian Camps, couple that with many years of being a Youth Pastor and experiencing a myriad of other camps, I feel qualified to write this email on behalf of the Youth Leaders (and churches) you serve.

The reality is, most camps have many great qualities, every single one of these recent camps I have visited and almost every camp I have used in the past (church and Youthmark) certainly aspires to be Christ-honoring in what they do! Thank you for that!

This list is simply a list of some things I think camps can and should do to possibly improve your overall approach. Note: Some of these are listed because they are glaring weaknesses, whereas others are listed because I saw it done at a camp and I think all others should jump on this train):

  1. SIGNAGE! It should be obvious where a group should go the second they pull in to camp. Furthermore, I think you should have a greeter specifically assigned to meet the group leader in the parking lot and give them the arrival instruction (this means consistent communication before the trip and even in commute so they know when they’ll arrive). Every Group leader needs to know: Where do we go from here?  where is the closest bathroom ? And where is my team meeting after we get them to cabins?
  2. LANDING ZONE! I think camps should have a covered area to unload busses, vans, etc. There’s nothing worse than unloading in the rain in the dark. Your “Landing Zone” can be well lit, covered and perhaps with good signs, can be the obvious place for your greeter!
  3. LANDSCAPING. Seriously, first impressions are lasting impressions. Camps who care about their grounds communicate that they care about their clients. I understand students may “mess up” the field with their crazy games, but you can have some flower gardens, walkways and sitting areas that aren’t play areas and the beauty will speak loudly about the camp.
  4. CHEAP BUT QUIRKY CONSTANTS. This may seem weird, but your cafeteria being stocked with a cereal station, toaster w/ bread and a lunch & dinner salad bar may make a world-of-difference for your clients. Even if the prepared food isn’t to my liking a bowl of cereal or a good green salad is a welcomed alternative.
  5. NO MORE NICKLE AND DIMING! I love it when I get to a hotel and read in the bathroom that if I forgot my toothpaste the hotel will be happy to supply me with that or virtually ANY toiletry I forgot. This is not what I am advocating for the camp (though it’s a nice touch), but several times this summer I was told that the camps charged extra ($5 a night) to supply linens (sheets and towels) for the speaker. Seriously?  Help the group leader treat his/her speakers, pastors and speakers well by having some of those things as standard with the contract.
  6. WiFi.  Yes, you should have it. Yes it should be free. Leave it to the user group to police how they want to use it (perhaps even give them the option of turning off routers in meeting areas).
  7. THINNER ISN’T A WINNER! Ultra-thin toilet paper is not the best cost saving move. If you can see through it, don’t buy it. Enough said.
  8. GREEN “REFUGE” ROOM. A room for “leadership” to grab a 5-10 minute break, an ice-water or hot coffee goes a long way toward making a lasting impression. Think “cafe” feel with no/low cost. Free brewed coffee or tea is great but don’t feel it is a must, sometimes just a quiet room with a “living room” feel for a Youth leader to grab a few minutes of rest is a big deal. I have seen it where the “Green Room” had a stocked fridge and a simple “donation box” on top of the fridge-great idea!
  9. IMPRESS THE LEADER, SPEAKER AND BAND. This one can sound extremely selfish, but honestly, if you impress me as the speaker or if you impress the Group Leader we are likely going to be the ones who become your spokespeople when we leave the camp. I tell people ALL THE TIME about great coffee shops and restaurants, don’t think that it is any different when it comes to camps! Go out of your way to make sure the leader is happy, the band is taken care of and the speaker is comfortable! I was so impressed this summer when one of the camps gave my wife a Golf Cart for her and my kids to get around! Believe me we let people know about this!
  10. PRAY TOGETHER & CELEBRATE SPIRITUAL VICTORIES! I wish all of the camps I have ever used took a greater interest in the actual ministry they were helping to facilitate. I’ve gotten “we’re praying for you” messages before and after camps, but never once have I been asked “how can we pray for you this weekend?” I think a spiritual partnership and interest in the agenda and ministries planned will go a long way for future partnerships! Have your guest services person pop in to the back of the service, worship with the group from time to time or even interact with campers… partnership is impressive!
Anything you as a youth leader want to add?
Don’t hesitate to pass this on to the camps as well. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get some more input and one day write a post from the camps perspective on 10 things they’d like guest groups to know… I can guarantee they would say something about the leftover sock that is left in each cabin!
Grace,
Brian

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Filed under Student Ministry Stuff (SMS), Youthmark Stuff

by | September 16, 2011

Young Adults In Transition

It’s the middle of September, do you know where your college-age young adult is?

Whether you’re a parent, a pastor, a youth leader or just a friend of an 18-24 year old you may know exactly where that person is physically right now, but do you know where they’re headed overall? Do they know where they are headed in terms of hopes and dreams?

The reality is, I know a lot of 18-24 year olds who are visioning and re-envisioning what they want to do. Just today I met with a young man who thinks he wants to be a Youth Pastor. Last week I talked with a gal who is thinking that she’d like to work in vocational children’s ministry. Neither of these young adults have the $25,000-$35,000 per year to spend on a Christian College so they feel somewhat lost.

At the same time I know plenty who want to be an engineer, cop or teacher AND be a strong witness for Jesus but don’t feel well versed and equipped enough yet in their faith to really know the answers they want to know before heading into life!

Enter in Adelphia Bible School. As many of you know, I have been working with the school as a consultant for the last few months. In less than a month (Oct. 9) we’ll see the first class of students move into the remodeled rooms and go through the orientation. I’m excited to see the fresh-flock of young adults come with great anticipation. I can’t wait to see them grow as a community and plug in to jobs, churches and even the local community colleges as missionaries! The school is very unique in that the goal is to not just get these students away for a year to gain the foundation for life, but to actually live out the foundational stuff NOW! Mission51 at its best!

I know of an Adelphia student who will likely be a Youth Ministry Apprentice at a local church (helping get the youth ministry started at a small church) and work the afternoons in the work-study program at Lake Retreat Camp (where Adelphia is housed). All in all, this young man will receive great teaching, real community, an iPad, a two week mission and invaluable experience leading youth at a church and do all of this and more essentially for free (because of the pain apprenticeship and the work-study program). How cool is that?

If you know of an young adult who RIGHT NOW is still contemplating what he or she wants to do, Adelphia may just be the place for him or her! Check it out here and apply today (it’s not too late)! It’s a one-year (24 week program, spread over 7 months) experience that will truly bear fruit not just for years to come, but NOW!

Please share this with someone you know who may benefit from this great opportunity! Don’t say “no” for them, let’s dream big for these young adults, they can be extraordinary missionaries for Jesus!

Grace,
Brian

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Filed under Adelphia Bible School, Mission51

by | September 15, 2011

SMS: The Downward Spiral of Youth Leader (Part 2)

In two decades of being involved in Student Ministry leadership I have seen several consistent threads, one of these patterns I posted about yesterday–the downward spiral of a youth leader (read it here). The fact that the average stay of a Youth Pastor at any given church is 2-3 years merits some examination as to the contributing factors. Well, in networking with many of these Youth Pastors the story of discontentedness and frustration factors have been very consistent. I named three of these factors in my previous blog in relaying the story of “Garrett”:

  1. Taking On More Responsibilities (outside direct student ministry)
  2. Holy Huddle Ministry Focus (discipleship over evangelism)
  3. The Grass Is Greener ANYWHERE Else (not just listening to but exploring other opportunities)
The pattern has been pretty consistent and has gone in this order as well. Let me be the first to say that this isn’t a blame-game, quite often it is the immaturity of the YP and/or the inability/immaturity of others in leadership to even recognize where limits should be placed so that this ball never gets rolling. My hope is to help identify these things at the earliest stage (even before someone takes a call) so that we see longevity as something that can actually be accomplished.
So, here’s what I suggest to counter the pattern:

1. Stay “Student-Ministry-ONLY” Focussed As Long As Possible! Though “your voice” may be wanted in a variety of ministry settings and though the influence is tempting, it RARELY leads to anything other than frustration because you become less effective in your primary calling and more divided in responsibility (and I’m yet to see it lead to a significant pay increase for any Youth Pastor).

2. Keep Evangelism As a Personal Commitment and It Will Overflow: If you are committed to reaching out to your peers with the gospel, it will overflow to your ministry and your students no-matter-what. Even if most of your gatherings are “holy huddles” students will eventually see you doing evangelism and it will begin to rub-off  on them in and through your stories. (NOTE: I wish I would have done a WAY better job of this while a Youth Pastor, the last 3 years have rocked my world and I love it!)

3. Consider Your Calling: The grass will often seem greener at ANY other position. Upon further examination, it may just be the weeds or moss that is green. All positions will carry frustrations, hurts and hard times. Be very thoughtful in considering if it is time to move on.

We all understand that God moves people, but I can’t help but think of what it looks like to see a youth leader faithfully pour into a group of students for three, five or even seven years; the fruit of his/her ministry often lasts for years and years to come. Maybe a single-focus (student ministry), with an emphasis on reaching out (personally and corporately) will lead to less discontentedness and looking on the other side of the fence!

I thank God for you, Youth Leader! Thanks for pouring in to the teens and may you be able to experience much fruit in your current situation!

Grace,
Brian

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Filed under Mission51, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS)

by | September 14, 2011

SMS: The Downward Spiral of a Youth Leader (Part 1)

“Garrett” arrived to his first Youth Pastor network meeting with the youth pastor look! You know, young-but-confident (cocky?), backpack-in-tow, as much facial hair as his 22 year old body could produce and a tight-fit stocking cap. He was quick to speak and let us know that he knew exactly what he was doing. He had an answer to EVERY question and his energy level led me to believe that he’d already had a second (or fifth) cup of coffee before he arrived at the 10:00 am gathering.

I love Garrett. And our network loved Garrett because we all looked past the Garrett he was trying to be and with/by grace we knew the Garrett he’d become. Most of us had been Garrett.

Like the others in that Youth Pastor Network, Garrett loved the teens at his church. His love for them grew and he was able to see the initial skepticism about him change to a genuine love for one another. As Garrett began to listen to wise counsel he looked to move from a one-man show to a team of 3-4 adult leaders who would faithfully pour into the youth. Garrett was “getting it” as a Youth Pastor and it showed as our conversations deepened at network and other social situations.

But then, after about a year, the downward spiral began…

I see this spiral way too often and there are typically three things that mark this downward trend. I write this to hopefully help the younger generation of Youth Leaders identify these potential game-changers.

These three things were true of Garrett, are they true of you?

1. Garrett Began To Expand His Ministry Role:  Because Garrett’s gifts and talents were obvious to many, he was asked to step into other areas of ministry outside of Youth Ministry. The once-in-a-while worship leading became twice-in-a-while pretty quickly. Many were concerned about what was happening to the high school grads and because Garrett had a heart for these young adults a Monday night Bible Study was formed for the students who were sticking around. Since his influence had grown the Senior Pastor asked him to take part in the board meetings so that Garrrett could represent those voices he was shepherding. The young couples at the church were anxious to get something going so Garrett and his bride took on the leadership role for the “Young Married’s.” Garrett’s twice-a-week evening commitments had become at least four nights a week, if not five (depending on the board meeting nights) or six (college, young married group, etc.).

It felt good to be wanted/needed and Garrett began to think that an expanded role will please the elders and they’d give him the pay raise he deserved (hold back your laughter please… he was young).

2. Discipleship Replaced Evangelism: First let me note that I don’t think that these two should be separated, but quite often in youth ministries (or churches) they are… Okay, back to Garrett. Youth Group Night was the time that students were encouraged to bring their unchurched friends, Garrett put a big emphasis on sharing the gospel at this gathering! Sunday mornings were “growing deeper” times as were the small group times (commonly known as “discipleship”). However, about 18 months into his time at this church he noticed more and more complaints about Wednesday night being “too basic” and “always the same message.” Students began to not show up and numbers began to drop. Parents began to voice their concerns to the board and to the Senior Pastor that students weren’t having as much fun as they used to. Therefore, Garrett changed his messages to being more “discipleship” in nature, most of the core returned.

The numbers improved (which often translates to “job security”), but he was preaching three “growth” level messages a week and there was no influence on lost souls. Evangelism “events” were often just another gathering of the core-students. Garrett’s personal evangelism didn’t exist though either…

3. Garrett Was Asked About A Different Position: Because Garrett had a vibrant personality he was a natural “upfront” guy. In fact, in multiple church group settings (camps/retreats)  he was often the guy asked to lead the game or lead worship. His network was growing and after two and a half years on the job the 24 year-old was asked to apply for a position at an out-of-state church. The raise had still not come in his current situation. His frustration of being out at least four nights a week had gone unnoticed and his perception that his job was being judged just by the number of complaints or non-complaints Garrett felt the freedom to sneak a peak at not just that opening, but ALL openings. The grass sure looked greener EVERYWHERE. Hiding the search from all others (including the network), he grew more and more excited about the other opportunities and found it almost impossible to put his best foot forward here. By the time we knew about the majority of his struggles and his search he had already said “yes” to the move.

Unfortunately Garrett’s story is very common. In many ways it has been my story at times. This is not to say that Garrett was wrong to leave, I’m not looking at placing blame, I hope that I can simply help some Youth Leaders identify some of the patterns that cause discontentedness. So the question arrises, what can be done to counter this?

Tune in tomorrow for part two!

Grace,
Brian

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Filed under Home and Ministry, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS)

by | September 6, 2011

Refuge, Resource and More… Get Networked!

Back in 1995 a postcard awaited me as I began unpacking my boxes for my brand-new Youth Pastor position at Melrose Community Church. The postcard was a simple invite to the Youth Pastor Network meeting Tuesday morning at Mom’s Cafe.

I had barely even met the people in my church let alone anyone else in this town, but I decided to risk and go–if nothing else, I figured the bacon and eggs would be worth it. I walked into the upper floor of the cafe and immediately heard the distinct sound of group laughter down the stairs. “This must be the youth pastors” I thought to myself. The 90 minute gathering felt much more like family than a meeting. At the conclusion of our time, Kirk, one of the guys in attendance handed me his business card and said, “call me anytime in the next week and this card is good for a free lunch.”

I remember saying,”yeah, I’ll check my schedule and see if I can make that happen.” Internally I was rejoicing and thinking, “I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING going on, but I’ll wait at least two days to call…”

Today, Kirk is one of my good friends (and actually works with me at Youthmark). His simple invite was an invitation that has led me to a life-long commitment. A commitment that says that we are better together.

You may not feel you need a Network. In fact, many of you may have a great circle of support already. However, you may be the perfect “Kirk” for a Youth Leader in need. Or perhaps you’re the “Brian” of yesteryear and really do need to have someone surrounding and supporting you.

I have the privilege of being involved in several network circles and two local networks that I coordinate. Though no longer a Youth Pastor, I am heavily involved in Student Ministries. I am excited to serve alongside these great brothers and sisters. The younger among us teach us much about current youth culture, whereas the older among us offer up our mistakes as things to avoid as well or our triumphs as things that may be worthy of repeating.

The National Network of Youth Ministries has existed for many years and is committed to better-networking Youth Leaders with one another. They too believe that we are better together! In order to better understand what is and what is not happening in the world of the youth leader and networks they have put together a survey they’d like all youth leaders to complete. I’d love to help them get the information they need. I just took the survey and it took me eight minutes. Would you support the network in a similar way? Here is the survey!

I hope you’re involved with a network, it truly is a resource, refuge and much more. Know that you have gifts to give and gifts to receive from others! If you have questions about a local network, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask, I can probably point you in the right direction.

Grace,
Brian

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Filed under Feeling Friendly, Random/Rant, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS), Youthmark Stuff

by | September 3, 2011

(CONTEST) WAIT: Going Green

(WAIT) What Am I Thinking?

Okay, here’s another contest. I have a Joe Poppino CD that I’ll give to the winning quote/thought/caption…

Submit your thought in a comment (if it doesn’t post right away, no worries, I’ll get to it). If yours is funny/creative enough you’ll make it into the running.

Have fun. This one’s unique.

Grace,

Brian

*********In The Running********

  • Hi, my name’s Peat. ~the wifey
  • Now THAT’S a bad hair day! ~unowho
  • “Muchas Grass-e-us” ~Wes
  • Can’t believe I have to miss the big game this week . . . I’ve got turf toe. ~the wifey
  • I think I just soiled my underpants. ~the wifey
  • Psst… wanna buy some grass? ~Kevin
  • Bluegrass festival mascot 2011 ~WhoaShmo
  • “…so when the Rogaine didn’t work, my “friend” recommended these Chinese herbs….” ~uknowho
  • When Hairy Met Sally: The Untold Story. ~AJS
  • “Up from the grave he arose” ~Kathleen Fast (note: possibly a little sacrilegious, but pretty funny nonetheless)
  • Please go out with me. I really am a fun-gi! ~Lori
********** Winner ************
Holy smokes this was a fun one! There were several others who could have been in the running as well!
Here we go, I laughed the most at “…so when the Rogaine didn’t work, my “friend” recommended these Chinese herbs….” ~uknowho
Way to go “uknowho” I’ll get you a “uknowhat” (Joe Poppino CD) next time I see ya! Congrats!

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by | September 1, 2011

An Open Letter to Church Members/Pastors

Overheard at  any church this week: “I’ll pray for you.”

Praying for others is awesome…

But what if?

What if more often we changed the word for to with?

My friend Timothy Eldred, President of Christian Endeavor is spearheading an effort (pray with youth) that I believe can change the very makeup of YOUR church. I encourage you to continue to pray for the youth, but what if we had many actually pray with youth?

Please take the time to read-up on this movement because there are so many additional components that can/should be explored and included as to how you and your church incorporate praying with youth. However, the movement launch date is coming up next week, September 11, 2011. I suggest you talk to your Pastor, Youth Pastor, Worship Leader, or whomever you need to make something simple but significant happen!

This simple and significant cause is to get an adult to commit to praying with a youth (students approximately 12-20 years old). Though many will commit to praying for the youth, what would it look like to have the seasoned saints in your congregation praying with the youth.

In your church services on 9.11 invite any/all teens who are in attendance to come to the platform (or just stand where they are if you want to honor the shy ones). Start by praying for this group of teens.  Thank God for them, plead with God to use them as missionaries on their campuses, in their clubs, within the community and even at your church.

Now, do something even more bold…

Explain that praying for the students is great and needed, but let the adults know that we want to move from just praying for to praying with them!

Invite any adult (or several) who would like to commit to partnering in prayer with one of these standing to go and stand by them, speak with them and pray with them (perhaps have a worship song led for all others?)

It’s small, but five minutes set aside for partnering in prayer can lead to something that becomes very significant. Ultimately I believe you should do the entire Pray21 program (which partners adults with youth for the purpose of prayer for 21 days… please note that they’ve thought through all the liability issues, please follow their lead).

I believe that the youth can and should be the best missionaries we have in the United States (and beyond). But they need not just our prayers, they need our partnership. Praying with them will lead to greater intimacy in the church. Students will sense their significance and the church (the one body) will unify. I firmly believe we’ll see more and more students stay in our churches and we’ll see a significant missional movement in the lives of our students. Such a movement that we’ll actually see the hearts of our adults melt and our congregation members will become missional as the youth are unleashed to do ministry!

At Youthmark we’re committed to Mission51, the 51 weeks beyond a mission week, a retreat or even a pray with youth Sunday! I believe this Pray With Youth movement will FUEL mission51!

Will you take this to your people?

Grace,
Brian

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Filed under Feeling Friendly, Mission51, Random/Rant, Student Ministry Stuff (SMS)