Thursday, April 7, 2011
Big Brothers/Sisters Reveal Party!!
I won't try to describe the fun and BONDING that went on Sunday night. I'll just let you see for yourselves! You can see the rest on Facebook.
Exciting Plan for Sunday Mornings!
Hello All,
I'd like to share a really exciting plan to make our Sunday morning class time more purposeful and powerful. Here's the skinny:
I believe very strongly in the power of small groups. Bible class teaching is of great importance, and we will continue to have that, but I believe we can take what's there and make it more effective, on an individual level. As it stands now, a few obstacles that arise are....
1. It's really easy to slip in the door, sit in the back of the room, and drift off into dreamland with all the pretty, shiny things that can distract.
2. It's also really easy to come to class every Sunday morning, appear to be tuned in, but never really get engaged in the conversation, and therefore miss out on most of what's being said. (If we're all honest, we've all done it.)
3. For the quieter types, they may want to speak up, and have a lot to say, but may never have that moment when the time is right for them to get a word in edge-wise.
4. The fact is they've spent their week sitting in 7 hours of lectures a day. Class can become just another lecture.
HOWEVER...
If we keep the traditional bible class teaching format the first half of class, then take a list of discussion questions and break into smaller discussion groups, we can discuss how the passages we've just learned about from the bible apply directly to our modern, every day lives. So then....
1. Nobody has the chance to slide through under the radar. Everybody is involved, so the need to be mentally stimulated is there every single week.
2. With multiple, smaller groups going on, everybody is engaged. There's no longer a chance to merely appear to be tuned in.
3. I love this one. Finally, the quieter types are heard. People who would rarely, if ever, speak up in front of the group can speak up so much more comfortably and have their thoughts heard as much as the ones who may have no trouble with things like that.
4. This will distinguish bible class from every other class they've sat through for the past week. Conversation, as opposed to lecture.
PLUS...
5. (and here's where you come in..) YOU get to be involved in what they're learning. "How?" you ask? I'm glad you asked! Because you will be leading the discussion groups! You simply can't put a price on involving the family in the bible-learning process. This puts you right in the midst of what they're learning and how they're learning it. It also gives you the easiest possible starting point to bring up these conversation topics in your own homes, around the dinner, table, or on the way to school in the morning. Like I said, you just can't put a price on that.
We will soon have a sign up list posted on my door for parents to sign up to lead these discussion groups. They will most likely be a month-of-Sundays at a time. (But if you can't commit to 4 back-to-back weeks, we can work something out.) You can either sign up individually or as a couple.
We will also have a training session, probably one Sunday, on leading small group discussions. ANYbody, no matter what personality type, can do this.
I can't wait to get you guys involved in this! I think we're gonna see some amazing things coming from some amazing conversations!
THANK YOU ALL.
I'd like to share a really exciting plan to make our Sunday morning class time more purposeful and powerful. Here's the skinny:
I believe very strongly in the power of small groups. Bible class teaching is of great importance, and we will continue to have that, but I believe we can take what's there and make it more effective, on an individual level. As it stands now, a few obstacles that arise are....
1. It's really easy to slip in the door, sit in the back of the room, and drift off into dreamland with all the pretty, shiny things that can distract.
2. It's also really easy to come to class every Sunday morning, appear to be tuned in, but never really get engaged in the conversation, and therefore miss out on most of what's being said. (If we're all honest, we've all done it.)
3. For the quieter types, they may want to speak up, and have a lot to say, but may never have that moment when the time is right for them to get a word in edge-wise.
4. The fact is they've spent their week sitting in 7 hours of lectures a day. Class can become just another lecture.
HOWEVER...
If we keep the traditional bible class teaching format the first half of class, then take a list of discussion questions and break into smaller discussion groups, we can discuss how the passages we've just learned about from the bible apply directly to our modern, every day lives. So then....
1. Nobody has the chance to slide through under the radar. Everybody is involved, so the need to be mentally stimulated is there every single week.
2. With multiple, smaller groups going on, everybody is engaged. There's no longer a chance to merely appear to be tuned in.
3. I love this one. Finally, the quieter types are heard. People who would rarely, if ever, speak up in front of the group can speak up so much more comfortably and have their thoughts heard as much as the ones who may have no trouble with things like that.
4. This will distinguish bible class from every other class they've sat through for the past week. Conversation, as opposed to lecture.
PLUS...
5. (and here's where you come in..) YOU get to be involved in what they're learning. "How?" you ask? I'm glad you asked! Because you will be leading the discussion groups! You simply can't put a price on involving the family in the bible-learning process. This puts you right in the midst of what they're learning and how they're learning it. It also gives you the easiest possible starting point to bring up these conversation topics in your own homes, around the dinner, table, or on the way to school in the morning. Like I said, you just can't put a price on that.
We will soon have a sign up list posted on my door for parents to sign up to lead these discussion groups. They will most likely be a month-of-Sundays at a time. (But if you can't commit to 4 back-to-back weeks, we can work something out.) You can either sign up individually or as a couple.
We will also have a training session, probably one Sunday, on leading small group discussions. ANYbody, no matter what personality type, can do this.
I can't wait to get you guys involved in this! I think we're gonna see some amazing things coming from some amazing conversations!
THANK YOU ALL.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
CRAVE THIS SUNDAY!!
Hello Folks!
I'm REALLY excited about CRAVE this week. (We had to move it to this Sunday due to Christeens being this past weekend.) We're going to do something REALLY special to demonstrate God's transforming power. My request of you is a simple one. PLEASE make it a priority to get your teens there. The main purpose of CRAVE is to get our friends there, but for one thing, this message is for ANYbody, and for another, when we bring friends, they need to see that at least our own teens make it a priority to be there. It's going to be a powerful night, I assure you. Last month, we got to see Stephen Holroyd put Christ on in baptism, so who knows what will happen this month.
Here are the specifics:
WHEN? CRAVE this Sunday Night, March 6, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE? In the gym and youth room
WHO? 7th - 12th grades
HOW MUCH? Food provided, NO COST
Again, PLEASE make sure your teens are there, and that they bring AT LEAST ONE FRIEND!
Thank you all! Things are happening!
AC
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
3 Phases of Building the Youth Group in 2011
Plans are being made, folks. But there are two kinds of plans. There are the plans we make for events we take, times to leave, where to stop and eat, and there are the plans that resound more like the ones God talks about in Jeremiah 29:11. I would like to take a minute and talk about those kinds of plans. Here's a vision-explanation. You need to know about where we're going, and perhaps even gain some insight on where we've been. And of course, we welcome any thoughts you have on any of this stuff. It's time to think BIG picture.
You may wonder why we are doing certain things (like spending a TON of time bonding with people that we've already spent years with), and not doing certain other things (like sharing our faith or focusing on bringing friends). Here's the nutshell: first things first. I sincerely and firmly believe that things need to be done in a certain order, so that when we get to certain things, we'll be ready. Prepared.
PHASE 1: REBUILD
Before we get to things like reaching out to each others, sharing our faith, serving others, and DEFINITELY before we start focusing on bringing others into what we have, we've got to dig into bonding with each other. One teen recently said, "I think what's going on is that we just don't talk to each other about 'things'". People can (very easily) be around each other for years, attending the same events, sitting in the same classroom, without really knowing each other.
We've been spending a LOT of time getting to know each other...even getting to know people that they've "known" for years. They're finding out things they've never known about each other. They're finding out that people have gone through the exact same things they have. They're finding out that they're not alone in a crowded room.
In that process, they're telling each other how much they love each other in spite of the things that they've done, in spite of their fears, and in spite of the things that have happened to them.
In THAT process, they're finding that they don't to hide things from each other in the fear of being judged.
And in THAT process, they become closer, respect each other, and suddenly have this completely safe place to belong. They can witness the love of Christ in action, going out and coming in. This phase paves the way for phase 2...
PHASE 2: RECLAIM
In this phase, we go after those who have been there, but have gone other directions. We go after the people we miss. We go after the ones we used to see when we walked in the room, but that aren't here anymore.
We lay no guilt trips. Instead, we offer acceptance.
We demand no explanations. Instead, we offer a listening ear, when people choose to tell their story.
"Why", you may ask, "would this not be the first phase? Is it not that urgent??" Make no mistake, it is urgent. However, we have to go through phase 1 first, because when we get these people back in the door, they need to see the safe, forgiving, loving, accepting place that will make them feel welcome. They desperately need to know that whatever kept them away for so long is not going to be held against them. They need to know, in spite of their fears, that they will not be judged (Matt 7).
PHASE 3: REACH
So, then we finally come to phase 3. We reach out to our friends and bring them into the family we've established. We offer them the same welcome, the same love and forgiveness and acceptance that Christ offered the woman caught in adultery (John 8). We'll talk more about phase 3 as we get closer to it, but we'll mention this now: We're not just going to invite the masses to events and call that outreach. We will do that, but lives are changed by discipleship, which is a one to one thing. This is why we absolutely have to wait until we go through phases 1 and 2 before we start focusing on phase 3. Once we make it through the first two, we will keep the people we reach out to in phase 3.
So, where are we in this process? We're still in phase 1, and we will stay with certain elements forever. But as of the posting of this blog, we're just diving into phase 2. We're writing letters to people we miss. We're about to start a Big Brothers & Sisters program within the group. We're letting people know they matter to us, the same way they matter to God, no matter where they've been (Luke 15).
It's hard to say when we'll move into phase 3. We just have to keep a watchful eye on the climate as we go through phase 2. We will spend as long as phase 2 as we need to. They are our first priority.
We will get there. God will grow this group. EVERYTHING is intentional. There is purpose in EVERYTHING. God is moving, people. Things are happening! Your trust, support, and prayers will be ESSENTIAL, so thank you so much! Buckle up, 'cause here we go...
It's hard to say when we'll move into phase 3. We just have to keep a watchful eye on the climate as we go through phase 2. We will spend as long as phase 2 as we need to. They are our first priority.
We will get there. God will grow this group. EVERYTHING is intentional. There is purpose in EVERYTHING. God is moving, people. Things are happening! Your trust, support, and prayers will be ESSENTIAL, so thank you so much! Buckle up, 'cause here we go...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
CHRISTEENS!
Hello again, RAVERS. Here is the info for Christeens!
WHEN: We'll be meeting at 5:00 on Friday, Feb 25 and returning on Sunday, Feb 27 around NOON.
WHEN: We'll be meeting at 5:00 on Friday, Feb 25 and returning on Sunday, Feb 27 around NOON.
WHERE: Christeens is held at Westside Church of Christ in Russellville, AR. HERE is their website. We will be staying in the home of Jamie Sorrels.
WHAT DO THEY BRING: They just need their regular clothing for Friday night through Sunday. Dressy clothes will not be necessary. We will be eating 3 meals on our own, one of which will probably be a little nicer than fast food, so I would recommend $25-$30 for food. Everything else is provided. AND EACH PERSON NEEDS TO BRING THEIR BIBLE.
***THEY ALSO NEED TO BRING ALL TOILETRIES, INCLUDING TOWELS, etc.***
***THEY ALSO NEED TO BRING ALL TOILETRIES, INCLUDING TOWELS, etc.***
WHO:
- Kevin Bradley
- Lindsey Parker
- Ashley Kinne
- Marisa Pless
- Morgan Hughes
- Leslie Embry
- Elizabeth Kinne
- Dylan Toon
- Sean Wilson
- Grant Haskins
- Chandler Passmore
- Stephen Holroyd
- Noah Franklin
- Josh Poulos
From everything I've heard, this is a great trip! I can't wait to see everybody there!
Monday, February 14, 2011
OWLS Banquet Dinner
Welcome back to normal weather everybody! I assure you I did not bring this snow with me when I came...I blame the Kilmers.
Anyway, I just wanted to remind everyone of the OWLS' Banquet Wednesday night. It is our PRIVILEGE to dress up and serve the dinner that night. A few things to remember:
Dinner officially begins at 5:30, so WE NEED TO BE THERE AT 5:15 at the latest.
Teens need to DRESS UP. Let's show a lot of respect in how we present ourselves.
We will have RAVE Youth Worship immediately after this at our regular time of 6:30.
***ALSO, we have traditionally set up and decorated for this in lieu of TNBS. This time, we'll do both. On Tuesday night, we'll meet at church at 6:00 to decorate, and then have bible study after that.***
This is a GREAT way to bridge the typical generation gap, and connect with a beautiful, wise group of wonderful people! Please encourage your teens to come to this, whether they usually come to TNBS or not. We need all hands on deck!
Anyway, I just wanted to remind everyone of the OWLS' Banquet Wednesday night. It is our PRIVILEGE to dress up and serve the dinner that night. A few things to remember:
Dinner officially begins at 5:30, so WE NEED TO BE THERE AT 5:15 at the latest.
Teens need to DRESS UP. Let's show a lot of respect in how we present ourselves.
We will have RAVE Youth Worship immediately after this at our regular time of 6:30.
***ALSO, we have traditionally set up and decorated for this in lieu of TNBS. This time, we'll do both. On Tuesday night, we'll meet at church at 6:00 to decorate, and then have bible study after that.***
This is a GREAT way to bridge the typical generation gap, and connect with a beautiful, wise group of wonderful people! Please encourage your teens to come to this, whether they usually come to TNBS or not. We need all hands on deck!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
FACEBOOK FOLLIES SCAVENGER HUNT
I know a LOT of you guys are stuck at home bored to tears, so here's a little fun Rachel and I came up with to get you going a little. Boredom kills so here's how to stay alive...
Ok here's how it works:
1. Accomplish each mission in this list and take a picture of whatever it says.
2. Create a photo album called FACEBOOK FOLLIES SCAVENGER HUNT and upload the pictures to it.
3. Text me when you're done!
Ok, here's your list:
1. (500 pts.) MOUTHFUL: Your mouth full of food
2. (2000) MUM'S THE WORD: You as a head to toe, toilet paper mummy
3. (500) A TIGHT FIT: Get all the way into a clothes hamper
4. (2000) NERDS RULE!: Dress up as a nerd (and do NOT just dress up as me..)
5. (1000) SNOW FACE: Your face covered in snow
6. (3000) THE TIN MAN: A life sized person made of household items
7. (2000) PILE IT ON: You wearing at least 20 different articles of clothing
8. (1000) TEA PARTY: You having a tea party with stuffed animals or manly action figures
9. (500) TRICKY FEET: Cross your toes
10. (500) FISH OUT OF WATER: You pretending to be a fish
11. (500) SPOTLIGHT: A scary, flashlight-in-the-dark face
12. (1000) BALANCING ACT: Balance 4 books on your head
13. (500) CHUG A LUG: Drink directly out of the milk or juice jug
14. (1000) UPSY DAISY: Turn one piece of furniture upside down
15. (2000) FLASHBACK: Your mom or dad fixing your hair EXACTLY like it was when you were 5
16. (2000) CAMPOUT: Make a tent out of plankets and such
17. (1000) USE YOUR HEAD: Do a head-stand
18. (1000) SWEET N' SOUR: Eat a cookie or something like it, dipped in mustard
19. (1000) BLACK OUT: Black out your teeth (be creative)
20. (1000) TEN CANS: Stack 10 cans in a tower
Bonus: (1 point) Cross your eyes (Hey, it could be a tie breaker! What have you got to lose?)
YOU WILL HAVE UNTIL 4:00 TO PUBLISH YOUR ALBUM ON FACEBOOK. Don't forget to text me when you're done!! Rachel and I will add up the points, and determine the winner.
THE WINNER WILL BE DECLARED "COOLEST PERSON ALIVE" ON MY FACEBOOK STATUS FOR AT LEAST 3 DAYS. And you will receive honors and a prize and at the SOUPerbowl Party tomorrow night. Let the games begin!!
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