Network & Peer Connectivity Event May 10th

If you are a Leader or Pastor who works with Kids, Tweens or Teens, you NEED to know this....Networking and Peer Learning makes you better, keeps you in ministry longer and makes you more creative.


You like that?

Here is a FREE event you need to be at.  You may win a FREE iPad or FREE tickets to Hawaiian Falls or more......


Holla to Rawd@PureGroup.org to RSVP or questions

Change is inevitable, except in vending machines.

"I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23

Yep, its one of those things that happens not when you least expect it but when you least want it.  When crazy change is all around us we look to Him who never changes.  Our stresses come and go.   We are up and down, things change for the good, things change for the bad, they always change…. But He doesn’t.  He never does.  He always was and always will be.  He is constant; we are not, we are finite, He is God and never changes.

Since change is here to stay, how do we deal with it?  It is better to learn to anticipate and adapt to change than to try to resist or alter it.  Flexibility is essential and helps one adapt with change.  However, if change is such a constant, how do we remain flexible but not lose sight of who we are or what we do?  Here are some quick thoughts to help us deal with things when they are not what we think they should be.

1.    Have the attitude of change.  Another way to say this is to change your attitude and welcome change.  Attitudes are not always easy to change but they are more valuable to us if we do.  Attitude is either your best friend or worst enemy so it makes sense to do whatever it takes to change our attitude for the good.

2.    Have good boundaries - since we know change is coming, build boundaries in your personal life to absorb them.  If we plan back to back to back, we allow little room for change, response or adaptation.  This should apply to work tasks, long term planning, family life and spiritual growth among others. 

3.    Be an optimist – Henry Ford said, “Think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right.”  Think right, think positive, think do it, get it done.  The “can do” attitude no matter the task is the person who gets the job done.  Strive to be the “can do” attitude person.

4.    Embrace it - find creative ways to like change.  Sometimes if you continue to push against something and it doesn’t move, you might ask if you need to pull. 

In the end, when it is all said and done, our problems will be gone.  Change will take place and things will be different; and depending on our choices, change should be for the better.  But we have confidence in this.  "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One." Revelation 1:8

Sanitizing the Sacred

Thanks to my friend and guest blogger today.  Great post!

Sanitizing the Sacred

By Gary Zelesky

Matt, 15:33 After Jesus had taken him aside from the crowd; he stuck his fingers in the man's ears. Then he spit and put it on the man's tongue.

Matt. 16:23Jesus took him by the hand and led him out of the village, where he spit into the man's eyes

John 9:6 After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes.

The Jesus I have come to know over the past 42 years was a man’s man; He was never predictable, seldom on time, hanging out with the wrong kind of people, didn’t always tell his parents where he was going and apparently liked to spit.

He was a carpenter most of his life and knew the touch of wood and what it was like to feel the pain of the hammer and the nail. He worked in a dirty carpenters shop making stuff out of wood with his father Joseph. He lived at home until he was 30 years of age and yet took on the full responsibility of a man when he turned 13.

When he went to church he hung out with the old guys having no problem talking to them about the things that mattered and they listened to him.

When he decided to start his church he chooses 12 dudes many who never went to church and put a thief in charge of the money. Apparently he lacked insight! Most of the time his guys didn’t have a clue what Jesus was even talking about but his only requirement of them was to follow! I guess he knew guys liked it simple.

What if Jesus were to plant a church today?

He better have a non-spitting leadership team.  He better know the right target audience he will be reaching out to and never spit. He must know what acceptable behavior is and never spit. And he must never hang around those who do spit or he could become a spitter too.

I find it a bit ironic that what we find as gross and disgusting Jesus used as a healing anointing oil. I fear that men have lost the power of the Holy Spirit and the adventure of living the Christian life because they are no longer allowed just to be men. We can no longer spit! Many Christian men are bored with their lives because it has become ruled by a feminist approach to being a man!

I not saying that men become the chauvinistic pigs that ruled the church years ago but what I am saying is that we have so sanitized the sacred that we have replaced the power of the Holy Spirit for the sophistication of acceptability. My heart is broken!

A Presidential Attitude

Attitude

And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you (Ephesians 4:23-24)

In light of presidents day, this is a good one.

Attitude is almost everything and a good attitude often means a great smile.  Anyone can smile on a good day.  An old adage but true.  Its way more difficult to smile on a day when you got too little sleep, woke up late for a meeting, forgot to iron your clothes, rush to the office late and then realize its Saturday, yep, much more difficult.  We all have bad days and will have some in the future but the good news is, a bad day doesnt have to mean a bad attitude.  Attitude is so important and because its indirectly affected, probably overlooked way more than it should be.  Attitude is our best friend or worst enemy.

Since presidents day is approaching I think of one of Americas greatest presidents, Honest Abe.  This guy had justifiable reason for having a bad attitude but history doesnt record that.  It does record his trials and triumphs and we all celebrate his ultimate triumph of freedom and equality. Below is a tough track record, but untimatly, we remember him as one or the best leaders in history and certainly one of the best presidents of the US.

Lincoln's Attitude
Your attitude is communicated to others in three ways,—7 percent by words, 38 percent by tone of voice and 55 percent in non-verbal ways, such as posture. 

Those who have the most to overcome in life are often the ones who make the most of it. People usually consider Abraham Lincoln one of the top 5 of the best presidents of all time. Look at some of his many obstacles. 

If anyone had a "reason" to have a bad attitude, it was Lincoln.

* He had to work to support his family after they were forced out of their home. 1816 
* His mother died. 1818 
* Failed in business. 1831 
* Was defeated for legislature. 1832 
* Lost his job and couldn't get into law school. 1832 
* Declared bankruptcy, and spent the next 17 years of his life paying off the money 
he borrowed from friends to start his business. 1833 
* Was defeated for legislature again. 1834 
* Was engaged to be married, but his sweetheart died and his heart was broken. 1835 
* Had a nervous breakdown and spent the next six months in bed. 1836 
* Was defeated in becoming the speaker of the state legislature. 1838 
* Was defeated in becoming elector. 1840 
* Was defeated for Congress 1843 
* Was defeated for Congress. 1846 
* Was defeated for Congress again. 1848 
* Was rejected for the job of Land Officer in his home state. 1849 
* Was defeated for Senate. 1854 
* Was defeated for Vice-President -- got less than 100 votes. 1856 
* Was defeated for Senate for the third time. 1858 
* Was elected President of the United States. 1860

Next time you feel like you have more reason to frown than smile just remember, its easier to act your self into feeling than feel your way into acting. 

Make it a great day!

Top 10's of 2011 - Music Releases

Regardless if they were released in 2011 or not, i got em in 2011

U2 - Duals
Some stuff you have hear of, most you havent but all the songs are with U2 and someone else.  My fave is Where the Streets Have No Name/Amazing Grace (U2 and the Soweto Gospel Choir) and I've always loved Miss Sarajevo (Passengers and Luciano Pavarotti).


Asteroid Galaxy Tour - Fruit
I first heard this band on a Heineken commercial then on an indie compilation.  Once I got the music I was hooked.  Good, different and worthy of multiple listens.  Fruit was originally released in 2009 but I guess the underground from Denmark to Dallas took awhile.  Indie bands, sheesh.


Portugal the Man - In the Mountain in the Cloud 
Heard them in the background many times and never paid much attention til my friend Scott Sorgea sent me a link to "So American".  I still cant get enough.


Adele - 21
Cant say enough so I'll say little.  If you actually have been under a rock, get this recording.


Civil Wars - Barton Hallow
Simple, whiny, beautiful.  So melodic and harmonic and did I say whiny.  I guess I like that.


Mumford & Sons - Sigh no More
Thank Justin La Fond for the recommendation.  Part folk, part Irish sounding (although they are another Danish band) and part psychedelic cool (but more folk harmonies and feel good toe stamps than anything else).

Evanescence - Evanescence

The fourth release in twice as many years is saying were here for a while.  I loved them in 2003 and thought their cool goth/rock/power vocal with a pinch of bubble-gum might grow tired but I was wrong.  I bit more maturity here but the same old Evanescence.

Beatles - Abbey Road
Stop making fun.  I know this was released in 1969, I just got it.  Been loving it for years and just came to the party.  I want you is still so creepy and cool.

Mutemath - Odd Soul
Thanks again Justin.  From a city know for everything rock, good old NOLA rock never sounded so good.

Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials

I'm intrigued with FATM but also uneasy.  More vocals than I like but the music makes up for it.

Bamboo Farming, the Saw and the Goal

Its a hodgepodge post but stay with me, they all fit together.


I've recently become a bamboo farming theoretician.  Not really, what I mean is, I've been doing some research on the growth of bamboo plants and trying to pull some stories or applications from that.  Its actually pretty interesting stuff.  At the same time I've been asked to write an article about how to best use the 7th Habit (See Stephen Covey's great book) all while pondering my New Years goals, new starts and all the other stuff that one thinks about around this time of the year.


BAMBOO
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet.  It is very sustainable, has a myriad of uses and is relatively easy to grow.  Bamboo can grow two or three feet in a day with the right circumstances (but usually 12-14 in a normal growing cycle).  Here is where things get more interesting.  It if very difficult to harvest and plant bamboo seeds because bamboo rarely flowers (when a plant releases seeds) and when it does it is irregular and if/when it does, they seeds are difficult to harvest.  Here is what i'm intrigued by; sometimes some varieties of bamboo seeds take a long time to germinate; some take a couple of months, others a year or two.  When the bamboo seed does finally push through the ground and when the roots system is ready it can rapidly grow.  During the time the seed is growing its root system UNDERGROUND is getting ready for rapid growth ABOVE GROUND. 


SEVEN HABITS
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is a must read book.  It deals with values, life, productivity, purpose and success (among many other things).  The book develops 6 habits (the list) and the 7th is making sure the other 6 stay healthy and in balance.  Those 6 habits are divided into two categories; PRIVATE VICTORY and PUBLIC VICTORY.


NEW YEARS GOALS
Each year I plan out my New Years Goals. I see my goals as elements for growth; a flower needs sun, etc.  For some time I have organized my goal elements according the scripture that shows the growth of Christ; "He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and favor with man."  I make a couple of goals in each category: wisdom (mental), stature (physical), favor with God (spiritual), favor with man (social) and it seems to keep me well balanced.  Without these four elements I wouldn't have very good goals and without goals to help me grow, even worse.


SYMBIOSIS & INTEGRATION
All three of the above are related, they need and are dependent upon each other.  Unless we have roots, foundation or personal victory, we cannot achieve growth, flowers or public victory. Without the elements of soil, water, sun,(mental, physical, spiritual, social) etc there would be no plant growth at all.  To grow a healthy plant/life, etc I believe all of these things need to be in harmony. 


Without out one element a plant can survive, without two, it is in trouble, without three it stands little chance.  The same is with us, we need we rounded goals; all four areas in place.  When they are, we can best grow strong and healthy.These well balanced and healthy goals help us continue to grow and growth above and underground helps us to maintain our goals.


NOW LETS MAKE SOME GOALS

Mental Goals
1) ________________
2) ________________

Physical Goals
1) ________________
2) ________________.

Spiritual Task
1) ________________
2) ________________

Social Goals
1) ________________
2) ________________

If more goals are needed here are some additional suggestions; marriage, family, ministry, educational, financial, emotional, professional

Improving Your Serve

There should be a scale whereupon we can measure our servanthood.  Something like a thermometer that would instantly tell what a person’s servant quotient was; their SQ.  If we could have a barometer for individuals, we should also have one for organizations.  It would be great to see just how effective organizations that exist to serve a cause or people really are. How would governments fair?  Are postal workers or politicians serving their communities?  What would our SQ be as the church?  Would church hierarchy even have an SQ or do they really exist not just to say they serve, but to have others serve them?

Unfortunately, this chapter doesn’t contain an SQ test, but we should be able to look into our own hearts to see what kind of marks we would give ourselves as servants.  After all when the Lord returns we’ll have to answer to what we’ve been doing down here all this time while he has been in heaven building us a home.  Have we been building THE kingdom or our own kingdom or have we been building at all?  If this is a wake up call, its time to get busy and start serving.  Its never too late to build your SQ.

DO ELEPHANTS NETWORK (aka The Necessity of Networking and Peer Learning)

THE ELEPHANT GRAVEYARD

I recently watched a documentary about the Elephant Graveyard.  Fact or fancy, the tale goes something like this (oversimplified is an understatement).  Older Elephants get the sense of their impending demise and travel sometimes thousands of miles to die in the "Elephant Graveyard".  The EG is rumored to be littered with thousands of tusks and elephant bones.

TRUST YOUR GUT

Truth or fiction, the point is that there is something in our gut that tells us certain things.  I know!  You know it and Malcolm Gladwell (blink is an amazing book that needs to be in every thinkers library), among others have written books about it.

GUT, NETWORKING, HEALTH, LONGEVITY

We all know that hanging out with peers, like minded and even those better than us makes us better.  We also know that we get further down the road by stealing (I mean sharing) ideas, praying for each other and creating deeper connections.  So why dont we network regularly?

IMPORTANT BUT NOT URGENT

Some of the best things in life are like this.  Important but not urgent.  Several things come to mind; eating healthy, exercising , personal growth...anyone feeling me yet?  We would all rather eat junk food and never improve ourselves with exercise or education and hope we would all look like we just jumped off the cover of People mag, but good health and looks are not accidental.  Neither is being a good Youth Worker.  We must work at!  Almost everyone I chat with agrees that Networking is Important but they also dont attend local meetings as much as they should.  Sound like passing on the burger for the tofu sandwich?

WHAT TO DO?

1.  Get involved in a local network.  

2.  Make a commitment to attend regularly even come early and bring some business cards to share with others.

3.  Chant this...Better Together, Better Together, Better Together.  Then believe it.

4.  Play it forward. Thats just it, go first, lead the way.

The law of reciprocity is one of my favorites.  When it comes to networking maybe we should think about others and not just ourselves knowning that we will receive way more than we imagined.

Lastly, I dont know if elephants network but if they do, I'm sure they wouldn't have to travel thousands of miles to do it.

Back To School Party feat. I Am Second, PureGroup & Hawaiian Falls

Just saw a great article about the Back To School Party event last Thursday with I Am Second, Hawaiian Falls and PureGrup.  The event was awesome and this is a great news story about it.  

More than 1200 people turned out for the I Am Second Back-to-School party at Hawaiian Falls Garland on August 18. Guests donated school supplies to benefit local kids. The worship band from Stillwater Community Church in Rowlett performed a blend of rock and roll classics and Contemporary Christian worship music on the stage at the wavepool.  read the entire article oh NeighborsGo here

Thanks for all your help and prayers.  Lord willing we can all do it again next year if this is something use to help further your ministry and can help plan/design and see more people worshiping in the water and maybe even do it at other H Falls locations.


Is this a community of Love and Hope or what?

Thanks to David Alvey and http://neighborsgo.com/stories/73988 for the pics and story

Character Sauce

When I grow up I wanna be a Rock Star Chef!

Not a short order cook (Waffle House) or the guy that defrosts things from the freezer and puts them on your plate (nope) but the one who writes the cook books and has their own show (Mario Batali, Alton Brown, Paula Deen).  Until then, I'll just keep rocking the back yard grill and providing healthy "gourmet" meals for my family.

I threw lots of good and fresh ingredients in a pot.  As I was adding some fresh herbs and spices I began stirring it up and wishing it was already dinner time and the magic of time had worked its miracle of taking raw individual ingredients and amalgamating them into amazing Italian goodness.  I love pasta and I love pasta sauce; ya, I can buy it in a jar but it is so much better when I take time to do things right.  Here are the 5 things for Awesome-Sauce (@noahbenjamin).

  1.  Solid Ingredients
  2.  Recipe
  3.  Preparation
  4.  Cook Time
  5.  TLC

Wait for it.....Then I pondered Character and thought, its kind of like us on our spiritual journey...lots of ingredients that can be made into something really good.  All that is needed is the crucible of time, heat, stirring and TLC.  Now go back and read the 5 things for Awesome-Sauce but this time think of how Christ is cultivating your character.

Cant wait until its done!

Back to School ----------- Party!

Join I Am Second and PureGroup at Hawaiian Falls for a Back to School Party on August 18. The purpose of the event is to reach our campuses and community for Christ, connect believers before school starts, collect back to school supplies for those in need, and party righteously in Jesus name cause He is First and we are second (#mouthful). Plus, wont it be cool to have 2500 believers hanging together having a blast? Right now we are only selling bundles of tickets...click on the pic below to find out how to get tickets for your group TODAY!!!  Individual tickets (if there are any left) will be on sale the day of the event.

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Networking Saves the Day

Yes, networking is something bigger than you,
Yes, networking is something every Youth Worker needs to be part of,
Yes, there are groups all over Dallas and Collin Counties that meet monthly, 
Yes, they are all open groups the anyone can join,
Yes, I will post more info on the event below, but for now....

Network Celebration and Free Lunch

Win an iPad

May 19, 11am-1pm, IBOC church (7710 South Westmoreland Road, Dallas, TX 75237)

FREE for all area Youth Workers

RSVP here ---->  http://pureymr.eventbrite.com

Get Your Skin On!

technically speaking

Skin in the game = buying in, having something at stake, a personal passion or intense desire to make things happen.  I think that everyone wants to network and be part of something bigger than themselves but I don’t think a lot of Youth Workers have a lot of skin in the game.

Skin, Time, YW Networking

I have a couple of truisms I’ve developed over the years about networking.

1.      1.  People want to network

2.      2.  People consider networking important but not urgent

3.      3.  YW Networking by definition and action are misunderstood

4.      4.  People are more inclined to network in the face of a personal social interaction

What is NOT factored into the above is TIME.  Not considering that, networking looks like a no brainer activity that everyone is clamoring to be part of; sadly that is not the case.  I would have to say that most Youth Workers don’t network and of those that do, half attend monthly meetings regularly and the other half attend twice a year.  What makes the bi-annual attendees attend less is that they feel out of touch with the heartbeat of the group and end up attending less and eventually just falling away.

So I think people would be more inclined to valuate networking more if they had more skin in the game.

Here is how to get your skin on

1.  Commit – that’s it, make it a point, a high priority to attend local networking meetings.  In fact, tell everyone at the next meeting that you are committed and will be at every meeting through the end of the year.  You will either be at them or

2.  Schedule – put it in, write it down, set an alarm and make it happen.

3.  Culpability – I really mean accountability but wanted to use a different word so people would read this without just glancing by.  If you make yourself accountable to someone to be there, you probably will.

4.  Leadership – if you are involved at the leadership level people depend on you and you have not only skin in the game and not only a cool unofficial title like “Mr Local Network Cool Guy That Is There For Others” (MLNCGTITFO for short) BUT you also make yourself available to help others and to be the one people look to. 

5.  Pay it forward – bring resources and swap them amongst the other attendees or buy a dozen books

In closing....

Our symbiotic relationship with others is like skin… it is probably more like wearing a tattoo than a Christian t shirt too.  So I’m going to be more purposeful in how I can stay skinned.  The comments below are more about managing others expectation and not so much the uplifting end to this, so read if you want, otherwise, this is.... 

The End

How Much Skin Can I Expect Other to Have in the Game?

Every person and situation is different but once there is agreement, 100% of that agreement should be fulfilled.   Also the context here is Youth Worker Networking so the comments below build on that. Big factors are time and money but there are others.

Here is what I think a person can volunteer and how effective they can be.

1-2 hrs - Attend a monthly meeting

3-5 hrs - Plus help organize or lead the group and maybe contact a couple of other YW off line

10+ hrs - Plus be a resource to a geopraphic area

20+ hrs - This should be reserved for staff; no one has this much time to volunteer??

Leadership should be very aware of how much they ask people to give and also what they ask them to do (it must be important).

Back To Basics

 

 "Let's start at the beginning. This is a football. These are the yard markers. I'm the coach. You are the players." Legendary Green Bay Packers Football Coach, Vince Lombardy

Had a great discussion earlier this week with some local youth workers/networkers. I'm asking them to take a more of a pastoral role over several groups, not just one (geographical area director) and then using the principles we have developed for group development to oversee 4 local groups and build another. As we discussed influence, relationship and current networking templates, we had a couple of great takeaways.

I was casting vision for more leadership; more groups but the more I did, the more I felt like we were contriving something old, outdated and not healthy. Long story short, here are a couple of the take aways we have been pondering since:

Movement not meeting - we need to think bigger and think world change, not ihop back room; changing lives, strengthening ministry, growing the kingdom, not 20 people sitting in a round table.

Relationship is the resource - personal relationships are the most important things in life, period. Our relationship with Christ, spouse, family, friends...why then are we so caught up on events, promotion and someone sponsoring a free lunch/training. We need to find a way to harvest the collective. Everyone has something to offer and everyone needs something someone else has. We are in this thing together, lets figure out a way to significantly connect with each other; from that synergy, momentum, strength and health abide.

Networking is the fruit not the tree - if we purposely find ways to cultivate the above, if we work at making sure the tree is healthy, relationships are solid and pure, fruit has to happen.

For me it's time to simplify things, get back to basics and think people; think big, but think people.

Why Youth Worker Networking Sucks

The following started as a letter to NNYM Dallas and Collin County Network Leaders but quickly became a diatribe on the state of YW Networking as we know it, why it sucks and how we MUST work to make things better.  This is a letter to ALL Youth Workers.

I’m writing to all Dallas and Collin County Network Leaders.

I used to think network groups were solid; set em up and let em go.  After  18 months of formally working with the National Network of Youth Ministry as the Metro Dallas Coordinator, overseeing Dallas and Collin Counties, I can truly say, I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Youth Worker Networking groups are liquid and I’m trying to find ways to embrace that and find traction for our groups both for today and tomorrow.

Why are Youth Worker Networking groups so fragile?  I believe it has to do with the nature of “Professional Youth Ministry” and a misunderstanding of Youth Worker Networking.

High Turnover Rate in YW’s

No surprise here: every survey points to the fact that Youth Workers don’t stay in current positions very long.  I’ve tracked 40% turnover among our group, non-leader participants (those in leadership positions stay longer.  I’ve got some theories to explore later).  That means that a successfully launched group with 20 members that is vibrant and healthy will, in two years turn into a four top at the IHOP.

Misunderstanding about the Purpose of Youth Worker Networking

For a while I wanted to stop using the term “networking’ because it is nebulous and meant different things to as many people as had an opinion.  But then I sent a tweet, checked my facebook and realized that people see the value in “social” networking, although they probably didn’t agree on what it means but they realized it was valuable.  I guess even though there may be widespread (dis)agreement on what general networking is each person uses if for their own ends.  Nice!  So, what is the purpose of Youth Worker Networking or Networking groups?

No Value Place on Youth Worker Networking

Some see “off the grid” networking as NOTworking.  Too bad, they fall so short.  Others see it as a place to promote their cool youth group event.  You know , the, “Hey come to my event and bring your students because I want big numbers and really don’t care about anything else and my event will probably still suck because this is how I’m promoting it” guy.  Way off and getting colder.  Still others see it Youth Worker Networking as a monthly lunch meeting – getting warmer, barely.  Here is a concept: RELATIONSHIP IS THE RESOURCE!!  Read that last sentence out loud, memorize it and let is set you free.  Your are the resource!  The person across the table from you is the resource!  Everyone has something to give and something to get.

We Need to Think Forward

Thinking about Youth Work into the next decade two things stand out bigger than ever and we need to deal with them if formal Youth Work is to survive.  If we fail to deal with these two issues, the Youth Worker of today, as we know it, will become extinct.

1.        We need to redefine who the Youth Worker is.  Here is a hint; its not ONLY the guy who wears skinny jeans, goes to all the local High School games and has an office at the church that says “Youth Pastor”.  There is a place in our next decade paradigm for this “Youth Pastor Guy” but he is not the only horse in the race.  Everyone who works with teenagers is a Youth Worker; the high school coach, the ballet teacher, the Jr Optimist leader, the scout troop sergeant, the guitar teacher and the parent.  Everyone who works with teenagers is a Youth Worker and we need to think about how we can offer our services to recruit and train them.

2.       We need to define or assign value to relational networking.  I’m blown away about how Youth Workers overlook and dismiss this.  Last year, According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking. In 2009 1 in 6 people married met their mate through social networking/online dating.  Ludite, silo Youth Work is going the way of the dinosaur.  We need to not only find value but find ways to add more value and promote the value of the Youth Worker Network group.

So where do we go from here?

Think!  We have to change our thinking about who a Youth Worker is and find ways to connect with the new breed and find ways to mesh the new and old breeds.

Database!  We lose track of 40% of our people each year.  Sometimes we lose entire churches form moving or relocating or extinction.  Other times churches spring up and we don’t know about it.  Someone needs to 1, locate churches, 2, find out who the youth contact is and 3, give the info to a local network lead that can and will do something about it.  Churches are only one avenue of the new breed of Youth Worker, how can we identify and find new databases of the new breed?

Monetization!  There is influence in Youth Worker Networking but not necessarily finance.  We need to find creative ways of funding the groups and the people building and sustaining the groups.  Those creating the groups and the value are often the ones without a full time salary backing and the important task of building networks is left to those who can raise their own funds.  There has to be a way to turn influence into capital in a ministry setting.

PR!  What is the only reason to start a Youth Worker Networking group?  To change the world by starting  a movement to reach more students for Christ. Every movement needs a propaganda machine.  We need consistent, regular, quality info and PR.  Good communication and PR can bring effective talk points, assign value and grow the movement.

Unity!  We need to esteem each other, make time for each other and do life together.

I know there are more things needed and I guess this is the point where we harvest the power of the collective.  Please share your thoughts.

Hey Soul Surfer

Just returned from a special screening of the April movie release of Soul Surfer.  I have to write about it because it is a powerful, useful and entertaining media experience.

This is not a movie review but it is some insight on the movie experience and some (hopefully) useful application.

This screening was hosted by the PR and screen team that worked for the movie.  During a post-movie Q & A she touted this movie as a Hollywood faith based movie effort.  Interesting.  Since Sony owns TriStar and some type of partnership with Integrity music, I guess there is some synergy or relationship that makes sense.  Anyway, the movie was done via Hollywood and not via local church (fireproof, etc).

Two things about the Hollywood influence before some specifics about the flick.

The cast was all star; not A list but defiantly some names we all know: Dennis, Quaid (everything...), Helen Hunt (everything..., Annasophia Robb (Because of Winn-Dixie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules {i had to put that}) and playing the part of cool and sexy Youth Workers everywhere....drum roll please...Carrie Underwood.

Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the SS soundtrack but i can find any info on it currently.  I'm pretty sure i heard Switchfoot, Coldplay and a couple of U2 joints.  Also pretty sure there will be a Carrie Underwood tune somewhere but since the movie wasn't finished there were no closing credits, which is where it will probably land.

The movie was inspirational, motivational and a great tool to use to surface conversation with friends; believers and non alike.  Here are some favorite scenes and potential discussion starters.
  *  Eerie Jaws flashbacks - There were some eerie underwater scenes that reminiscent me of my jr high days when i saw the movie jaws (no this is NOT a spoiler because we all know she looses an arm to a shark).  Lots of discussion about not being in control or know what will happen next but how we can make the most of things.
  *  I can do all things - There are a couple of great scenes that they evoke the Philippians passage; one pre attack and one post.  Together these scenes ask lots of questions and answer some too.  Can we really do all things?  Does that mean everything or anything, or both?
  *  Dont apologize for compassion - at one point Bethany sees something  that causes her to cry.  She apologizes and turns away.  Her Youth Worker tells her to not apologize for compassion, its who God made you.  Great thought about being real.  This was also a pivotal point in the movie (i wont go into applicational detail here and risk a spoiler)
  *  The interactive youth group lesson - "Pastor Underwood" finishes up a great/typical youth talk during one scene using a powerpoint presentation.  She makes the point that things arent always as them seem.  Actually, trust me on this one, i didnt describe it so good here but it is a great moment of teaching, creativity and youth grouping.
  *  The bad chick - we were told that there was not actually ONE villain in the story but that the bad chick was an amalgamation of lots of evil surf vixens.  At one point Bethany thanks her nemesis for making her better.  Awwww.

Its a great movie about redemption and winning against tall odds and how can you go wrong with that?  So, this Hollywood faith movie has all the ingredients of win (faith or not) an all star cast, a beautiful Hawaiian surf background, heros, villains, drama, emotion and triumph.

.....:::::Links for more info:::::....

Bethany Hamilton - this chick is solid.  i'd put some links but there are a ton, just google her.

Youth Worker Resources - for networking and resources in the DFW area www.pureymr.com
Interlinc has some great materials for the film including an interactive DVD bible studies, posters, and curriculum.  My buddy Troy Hargrave (thargrave@interlinc-online.com) co-hosted the special screening also gave me free stuff from Interlinc-online.com also go here for more SS resources from Inter-linc   http://bit.ly/edfTS7