I'm going to be honest, my first choice was to get away at a lake house or somewhere far away where our student ministry team could pray, play and perhaps even build a campfire. Heck, maybe we could have joined together in a incredible rendition of Kum Ba Yay. Who knows?
It wasn't going to happen. Each of us have been traveling and are incredibly busy. You know, that whole things where you try to balance life, school, family and ministry? It's a challenge.
It was a priority to get away to dream and pray but how? Where could we find the time and energy?
We came up with a solution. Instead of escaping for 24 hours we decided on an in town retreat. Our time was incredible. We didn't accomplish all we would have by getting out of town but for us it was just what the doctor ordered.
Here are some thoughts to consider...
Get Away From Your Usual Meeting Space
We all need a change of scenery. Whether its simply someone's home or a back room at a restaurant, it's important to find a spot that says, "hey, this is different than your weekly staff meeting". We would not have accomplished what we needed without finding a cool spot in downtown Dallas.
Pray Together
The first 90 minutes of our time was spent sharing what's going on in our lives. As each of us shared we were tempted to share ministry needs but we tried to keep our discussion about what was going on in each person's personal life. As a team we're pretty close to one another, but when given the time and space to share it was amazing to hear what's going on in each person's life.
Talk About "30,000 Foot" Issues
Avoid the temptation of getting into the details. You have your regular weekly meeting for that.
Our time was dominated by 2 issues. How are we doing with our students who are in our deepest discipleship groups and how are we doing at our entry points for new students. In other words we assessed and dreamed about the "bookends" of our ministry. Sure, there was so much more we could have discussed but we worked hard at keeping our discussion at the dream / visionary level.
Eat Great Food
After spending 3 1/2 hours at our meeting space we headed to a close by restaurant and had some delicious food. Yes, we spent some money but think about all the money we saved by not going out of town? We laughed, shared stories and connected in significant ways.
Follow Up
This is where the challenge comes is. When you dream about "30,000 foot" issues it's sometimes difficult to implement those ideas. Right now our team is in between the dreaming and the doing. We've dedicated an hour of our weekly meeting this upcoming week to think through what we spoke about at our half day get away.
Getting away for a half day is relatively inexpensive but effective. Spring is a great time to take your team and dream because you have time to wisely implement change by fall.
By the way, if you don't have a paid staff team don't fret. These half day settings work perfectly for key volunteers who would love to dream with you.
When are you getting away?
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Push, Pull, Tug, Tow - YSPalooza
yspalooza
Our student ministry is committed to encouraging and equipping Godly adults to rub shoulders with students. Because of this philosophy there is nothing more important to us than our staff serving and encouraging adult leaders.
Now saying that, we often have mission drift. Mission drift is when you know what is most important but you spend time, money and energy focusing on something else. This often happens often when ministry is judged by numbers and how happy parents are with their kids going to Sunday School.
Sure, we do other important activities in our ministry but our "special sauce" is relationship. Although we often find ourselves "drifting" a little we always return to our calling to unleash a team of adult leaders to serve students.
Encouraging our adults to attend YSpalooza is a no brainer for us. There's no way we could get them to a full NYWC or other national retreat but having them exposed to other youth leaders will be a shot in the arm to our ministry. They're going to experience phenomenal encouragement and training from some of the best student ministry voices in the country. And what could be more inspirational than worshipping with other like hearted youth leaders in the same room?
I can't wait to debrief with them about what they hear and experience. With all of us engaging in the same training it will give our entire team a common language to think about how we better engage the hearts of our students.
So, if your within 219 miles of Dallas I hope to see you and your team there. My hope is that this short weekend will strengthen youth ministry all over our region.
Our student ministry is committed to encouraging and equipping Godly adults to rub shoulders with students. Because of this philosophy there is nothing more important to us than our staff serving and encouraging adult leaders.
Now saying that, we often have mission drift. Mission drift is when you know what is most important but you spend time, money and energy focusing on something else. This often happens often when ministry is judged by numbers and how happy parents are with their kids going to Sunday School.
Sure, we do other important activities in our ministry but our "special sauce" is relationship. Although we often find ourselves "drifting" a little we always return to our calling to unleash a team of adult leaders to serve students.
Encouraging our adults to attend YSpalooza is a no brainer for us. There's no way we could get them to a full NYWC or other national retreat but having them exposed to other youth leaders will be a shot in the arm to our ministry. They're going to experience phenomenal encouragement and training from some of the best student ministry voices in the country. And what could be more inspirational than worshipping with other like hearted youth leaders in the same room?
I can't wait to debrief with them about what they hear and experience. With all of us engaging in the same training it will give our entire team a common language to think about how we better engage the hearts of our students.
So, if your within 219 miles of Dallas I hope to see you and your team there. My hope is that this short weekend will strengthen youth ministry all over our region.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Youth Ministry Unconference
Sometimes I wish my brain was larger. Thoughts of more effective student ministry, new relationships and deepening older friendships are flooding my mind.
Yesterday at 12:20 pm the "unconference" http://youthministryunconference.com/ officially ended but the conversations were just beginning. After lunch with youth workers and time at the pub I realized what I experienced over the previous 30 hours had profound impact on me. As I'm beginning to unravel what "unconference" means for my ministry and perhaps for student ministry in general I have 3 observations to share...
1. Conversation is almost always better than lecture.
We know this don't we? Conferences and conventions are so much fun and useful, but to be honest the high points of my learning and contribution as it relates to student ministry and life have come from settings where intentional conversations happen.
That's really what this "unconference" was all about. Discussions and topics flowing from the needs, interests and expertise of those who were there. For me valuable learning happens when story, questions and experience come together. In every discussion I had there was pertinent information I learned and hopefully some I contributed.
That's how I (and most people) learn the best.
2. Youth Workers need each other
It's super neat to see the instant camaraderie that happens when people with like hearts come together for problem solving. I'm a big believer in relational networking for youth workers but was reminded of it's importance again. In addition to expertise there were relationships that began and friendships that were deepened.
There are many people on staff at churches who don't feel they have a safe place to be vulnerable. For some, "unconference" gave a glimmer of hope that there are safe people out there who will encourage and walk beside us when we mess up.
3. Experts are everywhere
It was amazing to watch experienced and inexperienced people rub shoulders. I learned from women who have been in student ministry for just a few years and from others who where veterans. Every person who attended added value to the conversation. Sure, some had more experience but sometimes too much experience keeps us from seeing things from a new perspective.
Tomorrow we'll meet as a team to unpack all that God taught us. I'm excited to hear what they heard, experienced and contributed.
Yesterday at 12:20 pm the "unconference" http://youthministryunconference.com/ officially ended but the conversations were just beginning. After lunch with youth workers and time at the pub I realized what I experienced over the previous 30 hours had profound impact on me. As I'm beginning to unravel what "unconference" means for my ministry and perhaps for student ministry in general I have 3 observations to share...
1. Conversation is almost always better than lecture.
We know this don't we? Conferences and conventions are so much fun and useful, but to be honest the high points of my learning and contribution as it relates to student ministry and life have come from settings where intentional conversations happen.
That's really what this "unconference" was all about. Discussions and topics flowing from the needs, interests and expertise of those who were there. For me valuable learning happens when story, questions and experience come together. In every discussion I had there was pertinent information I learned and hopefully some I contributed.
That's how I (and most people) learn the best.
2. Youth Workers need each other
It's super neat to see the instant camaraderie that happens when people with like hearts come together for problem solving. I'm a big believer in relational networking for youth workers but was reminded of it's importance again. In addition to expertise there were relationships that began and friendships that were deepened.
There are many people on staff at churches who don't feel they have a safe place to be vulnerable. For some, "unconference" gave a glimmer of hope that there are safe people out there who will encourage and walk beside us when we mess up.
3. Experts are everywhere
It was amazing to watch experienced and inexperienced people rub shoulders. I learned from women who have been in student ministry for just a few years and from others who where veterans. Every person who attended added value to the conversation. Sure, some had more experience but sometimes too much experience keeps us from seeing things from a new perspective.
Tomorrow we'll meet as a team to unpack all that God taught us. I'm excited to hear what they heard, experienced and contributed.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Keep It Fresh
To be honest I've never been that great of a bike racer. I raced for 4 years and had a couple top 5 finishes. Our team did very well and won some races. It was great fun to be a part of a successful team but in reality I was pretty mediocre as a cyclist.
Even though I wasn't winning races I was fit. Saturday mornings would consist of a 3 1/2 hour training ride that was about 70 miles. The ride averaged about 22 mph which is actually pretty fast. When I was training I would ride around 175 miles a week.
That was 2 years ago.
Saturday I went on a group ride with some fast riders. At first I thought it wouldn't be a problem to hang on and enjoy the ride. You see, I haven't really been on a serious ride in about 8 months but something in me believed I still had "it" whatever "it" is.
Within 30 minutes or so I was suffering immensely. I couldn't hang on just because I was in good shape 2 years ago.
Here's the deal. It doesn't matter how fit you WERE. All that matters is how fit you ARE. This is true for bike racing and true for ministry.
Are you ever tempted to lean on how God used you in the past? Are you always telling stories of what God did a few years back but don't have stories about what God is doing now?
I'm not saying we should forget God's faithfulness of the past but if ancient history is what you remember most fondly perhaps it's time to do a serious assessment of your life and ministry in the now. It's often an uphill battle to stay fresh and live in the now. God longs to work in you and through you now, not just in the future or in the past.
So here are a couple of suggestions of how to stay fresh. I hope to apply them to my life soon...
Take a 1 day refreshment retreat
Go to your immediate supervisor and ask for permission to get away for a day to reflect and pray. When I do this I take a book, Bible and pen and paper. Sometimes it's great to go with no agenda. Just sit and listen to God. Take a nap, read or just daydream.
Go to a conference
Ok, you may not learn anything new, but being around people who do what you do is almost always energizing. You may not learn anything new but you may be reminded of something you forgot.
Visit another church
Worshiping in another setting where you have no responsibly is awesome. I need to try this a couple times a year.
I know you have some suggestions of what you do to stay current and fresh. Please post them for all to enjoy.
May we be pastors and leaders who experience the presence and work of Jesus NOW. Let's fight to stay fresh.
Even though I wasn't winning races I was fit. Saturday mornings would consist of a 3 1/2 hour training ride that was about 70 miles. The ride averaged about 22 mph which is actually pretty fast. When I was training I would ride around 175 miles a week.
That was 2 years ago.
Saturday I went on a group ride with some fast riders. At first I thought it wouldn't be a problem to hang on and enjoy the ride. You see, I haven't really been on a serious ride in about 8 months but something in me believed I still had "it" whatever "it" is.
Within 30 minutes or so I was suffering immensely. I couldn't hang on just because I was in good shape 2 years ago.
Here's the deal. It doesn't matter how fit you WERE. All that matters is how fit you ARE. This is true for bike racing and true for ministry.
Are you ever tempted to lean on how God used you in the past? Are you always telling stories of what God did a few years back but don't have stories about what God is doing now?
I'm not saying we should forget God's faithfulness of the past but if ancient history is what you remember most fondly perhaps it's time to do a serious assessment of your life and ministry in the now. It's often an uphill battle to stay fresh and live in the now. God longs to work in you and through you now, not just in the future or in the past.
So here are a couple of suggestions of how to stay fresh. I hope to apply them to my life soon...
Take a 1 day refreshment retreat
Go to your immediate supervisor and ask for permission to get away for a day to reflect and pray. When I do this I take a book, Bible and pen and paper. Sometimes it's great to go with no agenda. Just sit and listen to God. Take a nap, read or just daydream.
Go to a conference
Ok, you may not learn anything new, but being around people who do what you do is almost always energizing. You may not learn anything new but you may be reminded of something you forgot.
Visit another church
Worshiping in another setting where you have no responsibly is awesome. I need to try this a couple times a year.
I know you have some suggestions of what you do to stay current and fresh. Please post them for all to enjoy.
May we be pastors and leaders who experience the presence and work of Jesus NOW. Let's fight to stay fresh.
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