Youth Ministry Tech Stuff

The Minute To Win It Novel…

Brandon Early — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:24:34 +0000

A few years ago youth ministries were blessed with NBC’s Minute To Win It. It was a fun show but more than that it gave youth ministry nearly one hundred fresh game ideas! I have used several of these games the past 2 or so years but have wanted it to be easier to to grab a game. This week I stumbled upon a PDF file with a tone of Minute To Win It Games. Click, download, and pass on to who ever leads your game time!

2 Graduation Gift Ideas…

Brandon Early — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:41 +0000

I have given graduation gift to graduating classes for years. It has usually been in the form of a Bible or a gift card to a local Christian book store so they could get an item they might want before they leave for college. I have come to the conclusion that they already have a Bible, if the first Bible they get is their senior year I probably have not done a great job communicating the need for a Bible the past 4 to 6 years, and forget the gift card…I want them to have something I think they NEED. This year we are moving towards getting our graduating seniors a few books that will encourage and grow them beyond our walls. These two bundles below each have 3 great resources…$25 worth of books for under $15, you got to like that! What do you gifting your graduates this year?

Thrive, 99 Questions Jesus Asked, and Living With Less Bundle
Live Large Be Different Shine Bright, Creative Time With God, and 99 Thoughts for College Students Bundle.

S.W.A.G. 2 (a.k.a. Free Game Resources)

Brandon Early — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:21:33 +0000

More free stuff links. We play a game almost every week in our youth services and these sites help me look good. Here are a handful of very helpful resources that have games for you to download freely. Click, browse, and get ready for teens!

gameshowblog.com
youthleaderstash.com
stuffyoucanuse.org
marketingjesus.net
pastor2youth.com
thesource4ym.com
youthministry.com

What great, free game sites are you using that I am missing?

S.W.A.G. (a.k.a. Free Resources)

Brandon Early — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:12:21 +0000

I shared 5 of my favorite “FREE STUFF” websites in the January/February 2012 issue of Group Magazine (If you are not a subscriber consider doing so here, (it will be a great use of your resources). I have more words available to me in the blogosphere so here are those 5 plus so much more. If you need some sermon series ideas, graphic design help, and a few other things you just entered the awesome zone!

creationswap.com
openresources.org
stufficanuse.com
open.lifechurch.tv
seeds.churchonthemove.com
vintagechurchresources.com
resources.elevationchurch.org
youthministrymedia.ca
youthworkercircuit.com
crazychurch.com
pastor2youth.com
thesource4ym.com
youthministry.com
youthspecialties.com
dare2share.org
muddyrivermedia.org

What great, free resources sites are you using that I am missing?

Five Techie Ways To Support Your Senior Pastor…

Brandon Early — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:07:05 +0000

Words of encouragement do not come easy to me. I like a lot of people, it is just hard at times to articulate why I like you. This is not a post to help you brown nose your senior pastor, it is pretty easy to tell between genuine encouragement and when someone wants something form you. This is a post to encourage you to articulate your appreciation for their leadership, your job, and the partnership you have together. Try doing something from this list and let us know how it was received.

Digital gift cards
Chances are your church gives your senior pastor a book budget, so an Amazon gift card or digital gift code could be lame. But if you feel like giving your senior pastor a “I like you this many dollars worth” gift, maybe a Starbucks gift card will hit the spot. If you have the genuine Starbucks app you can email a gift of $5, $10 or $20…something that’ll say “this drink’s on me.”
Good old-fashion email
Write your senior pastor a thank you note for something that he’s done for you or something he taught you. We are always trying to catch our students doing something good why not apply that to your senior pastor?
Text message
If your senior pastor allows you to have his cell phone number (I am sure there are some super private people out there) send a message highlighting something they said, personally or in a sermon. “Thanks for your message today I really liked when you said….”
Tweet At or about your senior pastor
Similar to the text message, just tweet the phrase that you liked and quote/credit their words. If they have a twitter account make sure to tag them.
Sheer goofy flattery
Grab your Senior pastor’s picture from your church website or their Facebook page, uploaded to one of these choice JibJab videos and sent the link to their email. #Winning

What techie things have you done for your senior pastor that says you appreciate and support them?

Mother’s Day Video

Brandon Early — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:05:25 +0000

Looking for a great video to show at a Mother’s Day Program…Here it is!

Funny Spoof…

Brandon Early — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:40:46 +0000

One of our readers sent over a clever spoof on the Dove commercial the we posted last week. Funny, check it out!

David Pogue: 10 top time-saving tech tips (TED TALK)

Brandon Early — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:37:05 +0000

The idea behind the “TED” is pretty cool. TED Talks are given by an expert at a specific thing (whatever that thing or idea is). The presenter has a maximum of 20 minutes to share their ideas in the most innovative way they can.

This talk is nothing ground shaking, but that is exactly why David Pogue (tech writer from the New York Times)is sharing. Here are 10 tech tips you thought everyone knew but actually does not. Enjoy!

Dove has done it again! (Video Illustration)

Brandon Early — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:04:44 +0000

Dove (skin care) made a commercial a few years ago that went viral…it was a great illustration of real beauty or our duplicity. Click here if you have not seen it, once you watch it you will probably be urged to tuck it away and earmark it for a future message you teach.

Dove has done it again! This is a great video illustration for youth ministry. Teaching on self image? This would be an amazing clip. Teaching on how others view you? This is a great video illustration. Watch this clip and earmark it for a future message.

Games from Youth Alpha

Brandon Early — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:17:36 +0000

If you have not heard of the Youth Alpha course you might want to check it out, if you were at SYMC 2013 you may have seen their booth. Learn about Youth Alpha here.

While browns the web today I found a slew of games ideas on their site…YES, I SAID A SLEW! Click over to their games site and grab a digital slide of a game for your ministry this week!