Youth Leaders

[Labby]

A thread for the youth leaders to get together and share the joys and trials of our ministries. This can be lots of fun, and can generate ideas for our groups.

We've had some events lately that have been designed to bring our students closer together. We had a lock-in a few weeks ago, and a massive outreach night a few weeks before that. And we have another event planned for the end of August, not to mention a community youth missions trip the first week of August.

With all this going on, some of us youth leaders were getting a tad burned out, and we decided we needed something just for us. So we thought about something that's fun to do, but we haven't done in a while. And then it hit us: rafting.

We used to go rafting every year (a comm. youth event), but a couple years ago our senior pastor said no; he had a bad feeling about it. That year there were several drownings involving people on church trips. So our youth group can't go rafting.

However, the youth leaders can. And we did; we were able to go with our old youth pastor's group (he's a SP now), because he had an extra (empty) raft. Not all of us could go, but those of us who did had a blast.

I'm still recovering, and have a number of bruises and scratches to show for the trip. Not to mention a sunburn on my face (surprisingly, the only part of me that's burned).

Fun times.

[LauraA]

Dan and I are not Youth Leaders, but we enjoy doing things with the youth. Next Friday night Dan is having a campout in our back yard for the guys and their sons/dads/friends. I've taken several of our youth to Jeremy concerts 3 different times. That's always a blast.

Dan and I are both kind of quiet and "behind the scenes" kind of people, so I don't see the Lord calling us to be youth leaders. But we both like to do what we can to help out. For those of you who are youth leaders, what kind of things would you appreciate help with? This will give us ideas on how to lend a hand.

[fireproof]

well i head up north to camp on thursday with the campers arriving late friday, im so excited.

Its gonna be different this year as its new event leaders and a lot of new folks to the team, but Gods got some great work in store for the kids and us this year. Iv got younger guys than im used to so that'l be a challenge aswell, but theres only 4 il be directly responsible for as opposed to six or so that normally happens!

Prayer appreciated!

[LauraA]

I'll be praying for you. I'm sure you will be a blessing to those kids. We need more people willing to do things like this.

[Amanda]

After the experiences I've had with my youth group this summer - Alive and then the Nor'easter (UM youth conference for the Northeast) I am so excited for this school year. I have gotten so many good ideas and I've been busy researching curriculum, generating ideas and dreaming of the future.

Coincidently, my youth group went rafting this past Wednesday. I did not go. I'm too chicken. :( However, all but one had a blast. That one got caught under the raft for a few minutes and it scared her.

They say they are taking me next year. We'll see.

[Labby]

I was talking with a couple fellow youth leaders this weekend, and all of a sudden, a number of ideas came out, based on some of the needs of our group.

A lot of students don't like to read the Bible. Often, it has nothing to do with the version they have, but the act of reading. If some of our students can't read very well, how about getting an audio Bible?

But audio Bibles are expensive! And trying to find a good version in understandable language can be difficult. So I had the thought of recording an audio Bible. It would take forever, but the payoff? I'd have to read this Bible multiple times (Mark chapter 15, take 20), and our students would have an understandable Bible that they can listen to.

But after some searching, I found this:
http://christiansupply.com/D40AE0A40B444B8CB38CC6C2626AA75B.asp?p_key=8FE22E8 2C01F4986A36DC5982B6163C2

I looked it up on biblegateway.com to see how it reads, as well as to put it through my litmus test (I look up Job 40 and 41, and Acts 8:36-38). Job 40 calls Behemoth Behemoth, and 41 calls Leviathan Leviathan (not an elephant and crocodile, respectively), and includes Acts 8:37 (look it up in an NIV Bible).

So I'll have my youth pastor take a look and see what he thinks, and maybe we can get some printed Bibles for the youth group.

[LauraA]

I was talking with a couple fellow youth leaders this weekend, and all of a sudden, a number of ideas came out, based on some of the needs of our group.

A lot of students don't like to read the Bible. Often, it has nothing to do with the version they have, but the act of reading. If some of our students can't read very well, how about getting an audio Bible?

But audio Bibles are expensive! And trying to find a good version in understandable language can be difficult. So I had the thought of recording an audio Bible. It would take forever, but the payoff? I'd have to read this Bible multiple times (Mark chapter 15, take 20), and our students would have an understandable Bible that they can listen to.

But after some searching, I found this:
http://christiansupply.com/D40AE0A40B444B8CB38CC6C2626AA75B.asp?p_key=8FE22E8 2C01F4986A36DC5982B6163C2

I looked it up on biblegateway.com to see how it reads, as well as to put it through my litmus test (I look up Job 40 and 41, and Acts 8:36-38). Job 40 calls Behemoth Behemoth, and 41 calls Leviathan Leviathan (not an elephant and crocodile, respectively), and includes Acts 8:37 (look it up in an NIV Bible).So I'll have my youth pastor take a look and see what he thinks, and maybe we can get some printed Bibles for the youth group.

Amen! Also quite interesting... check out :

Matthew 17:21 Matthew 18:11 Matthew 23:14 Mark 7:16

Mark 9:44, 46 Mark 11:26 Mark 15:28 Luke 17:36

Luke 23:17 John 5:4 Acts 15:34

Acts 24:7 Acts 28:29 Romans 16:24

[fireproof]

so camp was awesome (check out the prayer and praise for more details) and it turned out i had 6 guys in my group instead of the initial 4 i was expecting, but they were all great. so its all good!

[LauraA]

On Jeremy's home page, you can sign up to get Jeremy's newletter and info on resources for youth leaders/workers.

[Labby]

Um, bumpage.

I actually got to go to youth convention this year (first time since '02), and my YP's comment was it was fun to watch me: I didn't really know what to do with myself. I didn't have to do set-up, clean-up, run sound, hit the lights, do the powerpoint, etc. I was free to completely enter in and worship Him (which was awesome -- I'd forgotten what that's like).

Next weekend we head to Wildhorse Canyon for Winter Camp, which is going to be exciting. I've never been (even though I know so much about the history of it -- if you want to know, google or wiki "Rajneesh", "Big Muddy Ranch," etc). Everything I've heard about it is amazing.

[Amanda]

^That's awesome. I've been reading in The Journal of Student Ministries about how important it is for youth pastors/leaders to create balance in their lives and remember you need time for your relationship with God too.

Next up for us, the youth and about 20 others from our church are going to see the Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration concert down in Charleston. I'm really looking forward to it and I'm so excited it's turned into a church event and not just a youth event. :)

[ktyme06]

So I am a "sometimes youth leader", that is mainly because I am helping with the AWANA program this year and that goes on at the same time as youth group. I miss helping out a lot though. I am helping when AWANA isn't going on though and during the summer.
We put on a concert in April and like no one came...maybe 15 people that weren't working it. But it was fun.

[Labby]

Camp was absolutely amazing (I know it's been a week, but still).

15 students gave their hearts to Christ for the first time.

20-something recommitted their lives.

And 89 received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues for the first time.

[PrayerPower]

Camp was absolutely amazing (I know it's been a week, but still).

15 students gave their hearts to Christ for the first time.

20-something recommitted their lives.

And 89 received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues for the first time.

That sounds awesome. God is really moving through youth groups. I see Him moving through our youth group right now. I am so blessed to be a youth leader and get to see how the youth are changing.

Right now one of our young guy youth leaders has taken on the task of having something called Pray and Play time. Once a month he gets the guys together and they pray for about an hour or so and then they hang out and play basketball. He just started it and he says it is going good. He is hoping it will expand over time.

[drake71449]

will be praying for your play and pray time and that God continues to bless it

:p

[Labby]

Have any other youth groups been hit by the current economy (which, btw, is nowhere near as bad as the recessions of the 70's and 80's)? Our church recently put a "hold" on all extra expenses, as we were at a loss all last year (meaning we spent/gave out more money than the congregation was putting in).

For the youth group, that translates into us not doing a couple events that we've been considering: J's concert for one (which we didn't even announce), and a Break Free conference that same weekend (which looked interesting, but showed little student interest).

Fortunately we haven't been hit equipment-wise, probably because we youth leaders spend our own money and don't put in for re-imbursement. We have no problem finding the gear we want/need: mics, monitors, lights, mirrors, etc. Usually for pretty cheap (comparatively). Thank God for eBay, right?

[drake71449]

Amen! Also quite interesting... check out :

Matthew 17:21 Matthew 18:11 Matthew 23:14 Mark 7:16

Mark 9:44, 46 Mark 11:26 Mark 15:28 Luke 17:36

Luke 23:17 John 5:4 Acts 15:34

Acts 24:7 Acts 28:29 Romans 16:24

WHOLE Bible verses deleted in the NIV

The following WHOLE verses have been removed in the NIV--whether in the text or footnotes...over 40 IN ALL!!!

Matthew 12:47 -- removed in the footnotes

Matthew 17:21 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

Matthew 18:11 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."

Matthew 21:44 -- removed in the footnotes

Matthew 23:14 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."

Mark 7:16 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 9:44 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

Mark 9:46 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

Mark 11:26 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Mark 15:28 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."

Mark 16:9-20 (all 12 verses) -- There is a line separating the last 12 verses of Mark from the main text. Right under the line it says: [The two most reliable early manuscripts do not have Mark 16:9-20] (NIV, 1978 ed.) The Jehovah's Witness "Bible" also places the last 12 verses of Mark as an appendix of sorts.

Luke 17:36 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

Luke 22:44 -- removed in the footnotes

Luke 22:43 -- removed in the footnotes

Luke 23:17 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)"

John 5:4 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."

John 7:53-8:11 -- removed in the footnotes

Acts 8:37 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. It's deletion makes one think that people can be baptized and saved without believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Sounds Catholic. What are you NIV readers missing?
"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Acts 15:34 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."

Acts 24:7 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,"

Acts 28:29 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."

Romans 16:24 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

I John 5:7 -- Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"].

[drake71449]

wow this is stuff i really was ignorant off thanks for helping me guys b/c i was gonna actually buy a niv bible but now i'm gonna look into the nkjv

:p

[Labby]

Bumpage

In a few hours I'll be leaving with a couple other youth leaders and five students (a sixth will join us) for Fine Arts Festival. Basically, students display various ways of celebrating God -- through singing, human videos, skits, preaching, signing, photography, worship dance, playing instruments, etc. It's going to be insane; it's also the first year I've been able to go, so I have no clue what to expect once we get on-site.

Wish us luck, and pray for me -- this is yet another youth trip where I start out on zero sleep.

[cori]

definitely praying, labby!!

[Labby]

Our students all did an AMAZING job at FAF this year. Every entry was within five points of being invited to Nationals -- that's pretty dang good. And their Large Group Drama actually DID get invited -- so we're going to Orlando! AHHH!!!!

We're especially proud of one student in particular. She entered a brand-new category that nobody really knew what to expect: Worship Dance. And as it turned out, she was the only one who was able to perform (another student of ours entered, but had to leave early; then there was a guy who signed up by accident). While she didn't get an invite to Nationals (only one point away), they did ask her to perform at the opening of the Celebration Service. So she got to perform in front of everyone there.

We're so proud of all of our students, and already planning ahead to August (I did a little preliminary search on plane tickets -- that alone will cost at least $3000).

And we got everything we did on video, so I'll post links once we get them uploaded.

[cori]

that is AWESOME!!!! congrats to you & your youth!!!! :)

i LOVE seeing youth really expressing their hearts for the Lord. maybe it's because our youth group is more of an outreach, so our work is in the heart cultivation & not so much the fruit, but.....there's just something really powerful about a teen laying down their pride to express their love, KNOWING that they will probably catch some heat from their friends & peers about it.

i can't wait for you to post the links! :D

[Labby]

I was up at an "ungodly" hour (for a night auditor, anyway) to help clean/organize our new Youth Leaders Work room. Our YP gets his office back, and we get a room where we can do what we need to -- the only caveat being that it's still used as a middle-school Sunday School class. But middle school is Youth, so we're fine with it.

Anyway, we never actually got around to going up to the church. First we stopped by St. Vincent de Paul (used store similar to Salvation Army) to see if they had any cheap desks. We've got two, but want a third: that way we'll have a Worship desk, Drama desk, and General Purposes desk. Coolness in all.

Anyway, when we didn't see a desk, we ("we" being myself and my friend/fellow youth leader Tris) headed to RadioShack to see if there were any decent keyboards for the worship desk. That'll help some people learn, as well as give me yet another toy to play with. :P While we didn't see any "good" keyboards, we did see a special deal on a laptop: an Acer Aspire One for $80 if you sign up to get 3G service through AT&T.

Tris called her husband (our IT guy), read him all the specs, and passed the word: it's a really good deal. So we brought it to the register. After a few difficulties (turns out AT&T charges a $500 deposit for new customers; I can't afford that. But Tris and Rich are existing customers, so they added the laptop to their plan, and I pay them), I walked out with the World's Smalles Laptop. Seriously; I can just about cover the entire screen with one hand -- it's about the size of a portable DVD player. No cd drive, but I can get an external if I need it.

And then Tris started to laugh when I was going to XXXChurch (http://www.xxxchurch.com) before we left the store (heck, I hadn't even PAID FOR IT YET) in order to figure out how to install their tracking system (basically, it'll send a list of any questionable sites you visit to a couple different e-mail addresses that you specify. A wonderful accountability tool). Finally did that when we went to the motel to show her husband (he works the 3-11; I work the 11-7).

So now there's one more thing that will keep me from being excessively productive at work. I've already watched one episode of Future Weapons on Netflix Instant Watch, and am looking forward to much more late-night viewing.

And the bonus about 3G: anywhere Tris gets cell reception, I can get on-line. If we need directions while on a youth trip, I can just whip out my laptop and find them. Woohoo!

[Labby]

FINE ARTS VIDS ARE UP!

Tris loaded everything to YouTube, so here you go: the vids of our students at Fine Arts Festival.

First, a Summary Video Warning: 10 Minutes Long (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SZBGS7O5zU). Sampling of our students performances, Judges Choice performances, and some random trip pics (including one of me trying to sleep during a practice).

Next, a Human Video Solo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVfe3OUijvI) featuring Saidie "A Ball of Energy", according to one judge. 4 mins.

And then our Small Ensemble Human Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9DUT4Gq8E0) which I still can't watch without tearing up. 4 mins.

Laura's Judges-Choice winning Worship Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Kuor77jTk), where I accidentally bribed one of the judges with chocolates (long story)

And finally, our Large Ensemble Drama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwSH-XYTtNw), which was invited to Nationals!

[cori]

oh labby, i can't WAIT to watch them all! i can't do it right NOW, because it's after midnight & i have to get to bed, but.....YAY!!! i know what i'll be doing for a while tomorrow! (and, i CAN, because i got all the laundry done TODAY! hehe)

[fireproof]

those are phenomenal mate, what a talented bunch for sure!!!

Fair play to saidie for dancing to that song, not easy one to dance to!

The love me sketch was amazing, and the last one had me chuckling away.

Good job!!!

[Labby]

Students and Tris get all props. They worked hard, and Tris wrote the group skit and human video, and worked with Laura on the worship dance. I was there as emotional support and a back-up driver (Rich, Tris' husband, was our main driver -- partly because I got off work at 7 am the day we left).

[DawnAurora]

Looks like they worked hard on their presentations. Kudos to them.

[Labby]

ATTENTION ALL YOUTH WORKERS OR THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT TEENS:

I receive regular e-mail updates from other Assemblies of God youth leaders throughout Oregon, and one sent me a very disturbing link. Everybody who works with teens/cares about teens needs to go check it out.

The New Goodnight Kiss (http://www.thenewgoodnightkiss.com/index.html)

A very disturbing trend among teens. Unfortunately, this is old news for some of us.

Pray for this generation. That's all I can really say.

[LauraA]

That certainly is disturbing! We really do need to commit to praying for this generation as never before. Thank you for posting this, Steve. I'm going to forward this to our pastor, so he can share it with the youth leaders if he wants to.

God bless.

[drake71449]

wow thats terrible! i seen a movie on this type of thing on the lifetime channel....its so sad and degrading and these young women and teen girls are being exploited and all. its just terrible!

:(

[cori]

it absolutely SICKENS me to know that this goes on. they are also sending nude photos of themselves to each other on their cell phones (old news, i know) - we had one of our girls CONSENT to let a friend take a pic of her *delicate under-garment* (WHILE SHE WAS WEARING IT! :eek:), and that pic ended up on myspace! i remember being their age (teens) & going to the bathroom in groups to giggle or whatever, but we seriously have to MONITOR the bathroom, to make sure they go in ONE at a time after that.

the sex trade is definitely becoming more prominent again, and, unfortunately, our youth are blindly walking right into it nowadays.

truly heartbreaking. :(

[Labby]

Bumpage

I'm so tired right now. I got to spend several hours at the church today re-wiring the sound system, tweaking worship songs (correcting mistakes, adding keys, changing the font to make it bigger, etc), and then got to do a whole bunch of Winter Camp organization...

We're taking 16 people to Winter Camp this year, which is awesome. My boss may or may not go; he's considering that this may be my "jumping off" point. If he goes, sweet; if he doesn't, it means I'll be taking over all of his responsibilities at camp -- registering our group, attending any/all leadership meetings, and -- here's what scares me the most -- leading the entire camp in prayer for a half-hour before all of the services.

Leading 10-20 people in prayer? Piece of cake. Leading 200-300, including ordained pastors and evangelists? I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a bit nervous about that.

Yeah -- should be fun, right?

[Angie Rose]

hey all... saw this thread and thought i would reccomend the movie To Save a Life... personally, i think anyone who works with/cares about youth NEEDS to see this movie. :) coming from a teenagers point of view, i love that its realistic. these are things that teens have been facing/struggling with for a long time, so its about time someone said something about it. :) so yeah, i would highly recomend seeing it w/ your youth group.... but watch the theatrical trailer first... its rated PG 13 for a reason, folks... watch the trailer... by the way.. that one scene in the trailer cuts in the movie at the same time it does in the trailer, you dont see anything more than what the trailer shows (watch the trailer, and youll know what im talking about.)

angie