I spent a few days last week at the Worship Facilities Conference and Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a great event with lots of practical hands on educational training, as well as the latest cutting edge design ideas for … Continue reading →

A name is something huge!! Whether it’s a child or an event, when you put a label/name on it, it begins to live up (or down) to its name. That’s the power of naming.

In my opinion, everything that is born of God deserves a good name. In giving a name to your youth ministry or event, it is important to think about what it says about who your are and how it will appeal to both churched and unchurched teenagers. Here are ten names* that have significant spiritual meaning, yet are not religious sounding, that I have come across over the years.

1) Revolution – God has called his church to revolt from sin and rally people to His cause.

2) Flood – Isaiah 44:3 says, God will pour water on him that is thirsty and floods on dry ground.

3) Ten-Ten (10/10) – John 10:10, hence “ten-ten” promises abundant life to those who serve Jesus.

4) Flo – An acronym for “Forever Live On” based on the John 11:26 promise of everlasting life.

5) Young World – Isn’t this what every youth group ought to be?

6) Everfree – whom the son sets free is free indeed.

7) Fish – Jesus said, “Follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men.”

8) Last Rain – Joel prophesied about the day of the latter rain, which we now are in.

9) Slam – “Students Living A Mission.”

10) Awake – The scripture tells us to awake from our slumber.

For example, our high school ministry name is “Force”. Our middle school ministry name is “Impact.” Our college ministry name is “explosion.” They all center under Matthew 11:12: “the kingdom of heavens suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” These are aggressive, action words to describe how we are going from our local church to reach the unreached.

*You may want to check out trademark and copyright protection on these names before using them.
Hope I helped,
pg

If you are going to successfully pass on a new area of vision to your student ministry, you must walk through each of the stages one at a time and in this order:
1) The Personal Stage. This is the stage where the Lord puts the vision firmly in your heart through careful prayer, study and practical research. Long before you ever get it out of your mouth, it should marinate for a long time in your heart. “out of the “abundance” of the heart, the mouth speaks.” In other words, your heart, head, and hands should spend many many hours, days, weeks, and months allowing this new shift to get “in you” before it comes out of you.
2) The Pastoral Stage. This is where you submit your new area of vision to your Senior Pastor, seeking his support, input and refinement. Staying under authority is critical with vision casting from a secondary leadership position. “di”vision is not a God-thing. The word “di” actually means “2.” Your vision should always fit in your pastor’s vision. If it doesn’t, it’s probably not God’s vision for that House of Worship. If it does fit, then make sure you can show direct lines of connection between what your pastor is trying to get done, and your new vision approach. Rebellion is not an option.
3) The Leadership Stage. This is when you meet with your key staff and volunteer leaders, giving them the inside scoop on what you’re about to introduce. Everyone like to be “in the know.” There is nothing more demoralizing to key leaders then to hear a “new” shift with the “commoners.” It’s much harder to come off the mountain alone, then to have a entire leadership buy-in. Take the time to get it to your key influencers. They can be the “Paul Revere’s” of your student ministry.
4) The Student Stage. This is when you present your idea to your students in your weekly meeting. Approach your students with a “I believe this is where God is leading us” approach verses a “thus saith the Lord.” Trust me. After years of demanding change and nothing happening, the softer public approach is much more of a morale boost.
5) The Community Stage. This is where you create city-wide awareness for your vision by promoting it effectively with the schools, the media, and the business community. This is where most people blow it. How do you market this new vision in a way that people outside of your church can buy-in. Walking billboards are HUGE in advertising. Find a way to get it on a shirt, on stickers, on cars, on tattoos, whatever it takes to get this new vision out.

Hope I helped,
pg

Charles Tremendous Jones said, “You are the same as you are today five years from now, except for two things: The people with whom you associate and the books you read.” We should grow every day of our life by learning something new. Here are 8 books that will help you achieve your maximum potential. Don’t be alarmed that they are secular. If the principles they teach are working, it’s because they are based upon Biblical principles.

1)7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey will help prioritize your life around what is truly important.

2)“5” Where will you be five years from now by Dan Zadra will help you create a purpose that starts your mission that helps you get aligned for the next 5 years all based upon your personal values.

3)The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard will help you motivate your leaders in less time.

4)Lincoln on Leadership by Donald Phillips will give insight on the characteristics and principles of what it takes to become a great leader.

5)Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki will help you develop a plan for financial independence. It’s easier to focus on your leadership faith when you don’t have to focus continually on your finances.

6)All Business is Show Business by Scott McKain will help you understand that presentation and promotion is HUGE in every single thing you attach your leadership energy too.

7)The Purple Cow by Seth Godin will help you to become “remarkable” and distinctive in what you are doing verses very other student ministry around you is doing.

8)The Disney Way by Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson takes you into the creative giant of Disney and empowers you to unlock your creative genius.

hope i helped,
pg

Brainstorming meetings have the potential to create brand new programs, outreaches and systems that can cause your ministry to explode. Make sure you show up with the following in order to see the results you want:

1) Bring your faith-filled, wide-open imagination.
If you are not open, well rested and excited, why would your team be??

2) Bring at least 3-5 of your key leaders or students with them same kind of imagination.
TRUST ME!! The last thing you want in a brainstorming session is a negative or unimaginitive person

3) Bring a large tablet and 3-4 colorful markers to record all your ideas without prejudice.
It’s a “storm” no idea is bad.

4) Bring your most important ministry priorities for discussion and planning.
Creativity is a lot less spontaneous and random than we realize. Stay on task otherwise you’ll be wasting hours on stuff that is irrelevant and probably irreverant, as well. Experience is talking.

5) Bring a $20.00 bill as reward to the person with the “best idea of the day” to provoke participation.
High expectations should be matched with high rewards!!

6) Bring a notebook for each person to record their assignments at the end of the session for follow-up research.
What’s the point of the meeting if there is nothing to leave and do? What’s the point of the people in the room to create something they can’t go to work on, as well??

hope i helped,
pg

From a recent message.

I had kids go home an write these over the mirror in permsnent marker. That way they had to see who He says they are verses what they are looking at at that moment.
Hope it helps!!
pg

The Message (Matt. 10: 38-39)”If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.

Who I Am In Christ

I AM GOD’S…

· possession Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20

· child John 1:12

· workmanship Ephesians 2:10

· friend James 2:23

· temple 1 Cor 3:16/ 6:16

· vessel 2 Timothy 2:2

· co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18

· witness Acts 1:8

· soldier 2 Timothy 2:3

· ambassador 2 Cor 5:20

· building 1 Cor 3:9

· husbandry 1 Cor 3:9

· minister/instrument Acts 26:16 / 1 Tim 4:6

· chosen Ephesians 1:4

· beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13

· precious jewel Malachi 3:17

· heritage 1 Peter 5:3

I HAVE BEEN…

· redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9

· set free from sin /condemnation Rom 8:1-2

· set free from Satan’s control Col 1:13

· set free from Satan’s kingdom Eph 2

· chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4

· predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11

· forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13

· washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5

· given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7

· given the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:22

· adopted into God’s family Romans 8:15

· justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24

· given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3

· given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4

· given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22

· authority over the power of enemy Lk 10:19

· access to God Ephesians 3:12

· been given wisdom Ephesians 1:8

I AM…

· complete in him Colossians 2:10

· free forever from sin’s power Romans 6:14

· sanctified 1 Cor 6:11

· meet for the Master’s use 2 Timothy 2:21

· loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 /

· eternally kept in the palm of his hand Jn 10:29

· kept from falling Jude 1:24

· kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5

· not condemned Romans 8:1-2

· one with the Lord 1 Cor 6:17

· on my way to heaven John 14:6

· quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1

· seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3

· the head and not the tail Deut 28:13

· light in the darkness Matthew 5:14

· candle in a dark place Matthew 5:15

· city set on a hill Matthew 5:14

· salt of the earth Matthew 5:13

· his sheep Ps 23 / Psalms 100:3/ John 10:14

· a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11

· hidden with Christ in God Psalms 32:7

· protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18

· kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5

· secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29

· set on a Rock Psalms 40:2

· more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37

· born again 1 Peter 1:23

· a victor 1 John 5:4

· healed by his strips Is 53:6

· covered by blood of Jesus Rev 12:11, 1 Pet 1:19

· sheltered under his wing Psalms 91:4

· hidden in secret place of the Almighty Ps 91:1

I HAVE…

· access to the Father Romans 5:2

· a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2

· all things in Christ 2 Cor 5:17

· a living hope 1 Peter 1:3

· an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19

· a hope that is sure and steadfast Heb 6:19

· authority to tread on serpents Luke 10:19

· power to witness Acts 1:8

· the tongue of the learned Isaiah 50:4

· the mind of Christ 1 Cor 2:16

· boldness and access Hebrews 10:19

· peace with God Romans 5:1

· faith as a grain of mustard seed Luke 17:6

I CAN…

· do all things through Christ Philp 4:13

· find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16

· come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16

· quench all the firey darts Eph 6:16

· tread on the serpent Luke 10:19

· declare liberty to captives Isaiah 61:1

· pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36

· chase a thousand Joshua 23:10

· defeat (overcome) the enemy Rev 12:11

· tread Satan under foot Rom 16:20

I CANNOT…

· be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39

· be perish or be lost John 10:28, John 3:16

· be moved Psalms 16:8

· be taken out of my Father’s hand John 10:29

· be charged or accused Romans 8:33

· be condemned 1 Cor 11:32

Romans 8 is emphatic when it says, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, rose again, and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us.”

Too often I believe the lies and accusations of the enemy. I either am ignorant of what God has said or I willingly disbelieve it based on my “feelings.” I do not need to “feel” anything! God’s truth is God’s truth. “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4 )

I am learning who I am in Christ and I am confessing the same out loud.

I am what God says I am regardless of how I feel about myself. My feelings cannot change the absolute truth of God’s word. I must see myself in the light of God’s word.

Once I have heard and seen God’s truth I am to RECKON it to be so.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:11.

The word reckon is “logizomai” in Greek, which means to calculate, count it up, logically sum it up as so. I sum up what God says about me as truth and refuse to allow anything less than His words to get close enough to me to doubt who I truly am.

List all of your faults, failures, hurts, wounds, scars, etc and “reckon” them against eveything God says about you. God’s point of view wins everytime!!

Last month, I competed in my gym’s annual ironman competition. Now before you call me a liar or get impressed, they give us a month to complete the ironman verses the insane people who can achieve it in 1 day or less. If you don’t know what it takes to…