Small Groups, Outreach, Dolphins, and Making Your Voice Heard

Small Group Night...

Will be this coming Wednesday (Dec. 10th) here at the church at the regular youth group time (6:45-8:05). This focus of this evening will be--you guessed it--small groups. Lorie has some interesting things planned for the girls, which would be of no interest whatsoever to the guys, whom will encounter a different format.

After that will be 3DYC for those of you elite and highly spiritual people who chose to go this year (which will be the 28th-30th).

Speaking of small groups, in your expert opinions, as expert teenagers who have sat through many a small group, what are ways to make these more appealing not only to yourselves, but outsiders as well. I know it's awkward sometimes to talk about deeply personal things to people you don't immediately know very well. Heck most people don't like talking about important things to even their best friends. Thoughts on how to further break the ice and make this more natural aside from "We need to do more games in small groups" or "We just need time to talk and hang out" (Both of which are semi-regular functions of small groups anyway).

Another topic if that one isn't too fun for you...what about church teens who don't really like going to church, or specifically are not too fond of youth group. I know the common reasons...mom and dad always made me go and they can buzz off now because I don't want to, it's boring, my friends don't go there, I'd prefer just sit around, etc, etc. But what saith all of you regarding those whom we can't even get to give it a try. I'm somewhat OK with these excuses if they are actually valid...not if one is just making assumptions.

Maybe we are lame like most the rest. Or maybe we are doing some good things that shatter some of these expectations. How do we convince both the traditionally churched and unchurched to put those assumptions to the test?

Add your thoughts or you'll incur 11 years of bad luck and nobody will ever want to date or marry you.

Become a Student Leader!!!

All those Senior High School aged students interested in joining the newly forming "Next Level" leadership group are encouraged to attend the first gathering Sunday night at Zach Smith's home. The purpose of this first session is to let students know what the purpose, vision, and goals are of the group as well as the expectations of all contributing students. This group will not just be a Bible study nor is it intended to be just something to do for those looking to fill their Sunday evenings. We are looking for committed, involved students who want to dig deeper into God's word, learn how to witness to and disciple their peers, grow and mature as individuals, and be true leaders in our youth group. Those interested in this new and exciting ministry who want more information should join us tonight at Zach's place at 5186 Lakeshore Rd, Fort Gratiot, MI 48059 at 6:00PM and be picked up promptly at 8:00PM.

Fall Youth Program About to Start!

Tonight is the Back to School Bash.

Next Wed. (Sept. 3) youth group will resume again normally in the chapel at the regular time, 6:45-8:00PM. I'd actually like to start on time this year :) There will be no bussing on the 3rd, but bussing will resume on the 10th. Spread the word.

The 10th will also be the day of the Fall Kickoff. So after we come together on the 3rd it will be a good time to spread the word for the following week. Let's start off with a bang. The kickoff itself will be a special event which should be a good time for all.

Our new theme for the coming school year is "Going to the Next Level." I pray that this will be a fun, but productive time of challenge that spurs in all of us spiritual, personal, and social growth.

Get ready!!!

They Found Bigfoot? (Or,¨´Here´s an Update on Youth Ministry´´)

Greetings from a vastly overpriced Mexican internet cafe. Don´t worry, I haven´t forgotten about the blog. But Brown City Camp came and then this past week I´ve been out of the country on vacation. I haven´t really been online to post anything, but you can count on at least a post or two a week from here on out. Some of you have asked what´s up with Wednesday nights. Here´s the answer:

This coming Wednesday night is a church-wide Movie Night.

The following Wednesday night is a church-wide Back To School Bash.

Then finally the Wednesday night after that we will get back to our regular Senior High Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:00PM.

Yes, yes, I have missed them too, but for those of you who have participated, we´ve actually had a lot go on in the summer, though I´ll look forward to getting back to our regular format.

Watch soon for the unveiling of a theme for the coming year. I know you will all come back repeatedly, every ten or twenty minutes or so, in extreme anticipation just waiting to find out what it is.

Oh yeah, Bigfoot. So while I´ve been secluded from the outside world, a war has broken out between the Russians and Georgians (the former USSR Georgians, not the hillbilly ones to the south of us), Michael Phelps has won about 45 gold medals, and some guys claimed they discovered Bigfoot and it got the whole world speculating. But alas, it looks like Bigfoot still only exists in our imaginations (and in the imaginations of distant people´s and cultures over the ages who had no contact with each other--Hmmmmmmm......).

So my question is, do you have any sensational claims or discoveries that you´d like to share with us? Just like the Bigfoot guys, they don´t have to be true I guess, just interesting and fun.

Now excuse me while I go enjoy my final couple hours in the ocean. See you this coming week, assuming I get home safely.

Informal Get Together This Coming Wed. Night--Need to Make Announcement Video

OK, so here's the deal. I need to make a video that's going to be shown on a Sunday morning to help recruit sponsors. So this Wednesday, anyone who wants to show up, meet at the church at 6:45. I don't want to tap the youth fund much more this summer, so bring a few bucks each and we'll order pizza and pop, we'll make a 2 minute video (not everyone will be involved in it, but I want teens in it), and just have a real relaxed time of hanging out. Not a ton of structure, just relaxing, fun, and anything else I decide to add into the mix.

When: This Wed.
Where: The church, meet in the chapel.
Time: 6:45-8:00
What to bring: Bring five bucks each for pizza and pop.

See you there.

Give Me Your Fall Event Ideas

If you're reading this, give me some ideas of what YOU'D like to see happen as monthly special event ideas for the youth group. Keep in mind, I'm trying to control costs so be realistic yet fun in what you suggest. I have some ideas, but wanted to hear yours as well. If you're reading this, RESPOND and give me some feedback.

Cheers,

Big Double B

No Wed. Night Youth Group Tomorrow

Because of VBS. Things will be a bit more informal basically until the Fall kickoff. But I will let you know if something happens.

Speaking of all this, I've inherited the summer schedule stuff, and so did Pastor Dan. What do you guys think of slowing things down in the summer? Do you prefer it, or do you wish the regular Wed. evening program went all year uninterrupted?

Tell me ya'll think, yo.