newpeermin

May 19, 2015 by newpeermin

RECOMMEND

steal and use this letter for your seniors

Letter of Recommendation

From

First Church of First Town

Greetings!

This is our letter of recommendation for Greg Gregory. He will be moving to your area for (school, work) this fall. We hope that Greg will be as involved with a local ministry as he has here at First Church.

This letter may seem to be a bit unusual, but we believe all our youth are crucial front-line ministers who care, welcome and affirm others every day, everywhere and in every relationship. We are a leadership producing church! We not only want to celebrate our youth but also SEND them to new and exciting ministry opportunities.

We want to invite you to be one of the next equipping, empowering ministries for Greg. With Greg’s permission, we want you to be in regular welcoming communication as soon as possible.

Please connect at… 111-222-333 and GregGregory@hotmail.com

Greg is…

A child of God.
A member at First Church.
Trained in (Peer Ministry Leadership… etc.)
Experienced as a participant on (Mission trips, Youth gatherings,Camps… etc.)
And has many talents. You will discover quickly his love for (music, sports… etc.)

Blessings,

signed you!

May 19, 2015 by newpeermin

SENDING

pass your students off to their next ministry

(See also RECOMMEND and DESIGNING)

23. What if . . . graduating seniors were prepared and sent into their next ministry?

“My church calls me an extension of their ministry.” Youth move on to colleges and other areas of life. Leadership ministry intentionally sends youth to new ministries. When the youth moves away, write a leadership recommendation letter and send it to campus ministers or young adult ministries, letting them know how and in what ways they can expect the young person to become a valued part of their ministry. Develop prayer mentors from your congregation, who will stay in touch to offer support and prayer.

If we believe youth really are leaders, then after high school graduation, it is our job to send them into their next ministry.

Jim lives for college. He loved his home church. His youth ministry experience was central to his life and leadership. He graduated last spring, moved off to the university in the fall and quickly made new friends and got caught up in the life of campus. Homework loads in high school are nothing compared to what he experiences now. Church? It soon becomes something he did as a kid. He gives it little thought now.

Jackie also was involved in her church and youth ministry during high school. When she graduated, she started working at her family’s hardware store. For a while she continued to go to her church, but most of her friends had moved on. Everyone was polite, but there was not anything to get involved in. If someone would have asked, she may have gotten involved, but no one ever did. Bit by bit she quit going.

Jeremy had a good experience in his small church. He was one of three high school kids, so youth group didn’t seem to make sense. Instead, the church worked hard at cross-generational involvement. Jeremy knew many of the adults, and the adults cheered him on. As he arrived at college, one of the first groups of students to welcome him was a large Christian religious group that said it included all denominations. He went to some of their gatherings, which included lively singing, heartfelt talks, and their passion shined through. He joined a small group Bible Study. As he continued into the first semester, he was taught that he had never been a real Christian. He needed to give his life to Christ, to be born again. He started to believe that his home church had led him astray and were lukewarm Christians.

Jill graduated and decided to study in another state. Before she graduated, she was invited along with other high school seniors to her youth minister’s home. They ate pizza in the living room and then entered into discussions about college life and faith. She was told that the church had already contacted a campus pastor from her denomination. She was told how they had talked about some of her gifts and leadership abilities. When Jill arrived at school, guess who was one of the first people to call her? The campus pastor. It was so good to be wanted, and by someone that seemed to understand her faith journey. Not only that, but she got an actual handwritten letter from one of the adults who used to volunteer with her high school ministry. At Christmas break, her home church asked her and several of her classmates to meet with the new high school seniors, sharing college life and faith.

Some churches mark high school graduation with a baccalaureate service or a milestone celebration. What few churches have thought through is sending youth to their next ministry! Paul sends Timothy to the Philippians with glowing recommendations. (Philippians 2:19-24) We need a sending mentality, may be a “Timothy project.” For a new graduate, sending communicates a sense of worth and value.

As a youth I lived in Cedar Falls, IA and had become involved in Young Life. After high school graduation, I moved to Rochester, MN. My leaders were very concerned that I connect and be included in leadership. On a visit to the school I would be attending, I met with the area Young Life director. When it came time for school to start, I was quickly welcomed in and included. I remember the sense of importance I felt. I stayed involved, eventually moved to leading a junior high club and then on to church youth ministry.

I have a son who works for the retailer Nordstrom’s. He started working in their cafe, later moved to a Nordstrom’s Rack and worked in stocking. Mangers kept talking to him about his future. He was moved to sales, then to their management school, and now works in Des Moines. He has been impressed by the quality and mentality of the company. They may soon send him to Chicago. “We need you” is the message this business communicates. Nordstrom is about growing leadership, about sending talent to new positions and areas. As a church, we can learn to name and claim our youth’s talent and make sending connections. “You are important.” “We don’t want to lose you.” “We need you.” These are the phrases our youth need to hear from their church.

When we believe that youth are our ministry leaders, sending becomes an intentional and essential church ministry. Help your youth bridge their talents into the next congregation, ministry at your church, or campus ministry.

May 3, 2015 by newpeermin

SURPRISE ME, JESUS

I remember reading about the element of surprise in a business journal which touted, “Surprises are what get talked about.” It is true. My memories are not of the ordinary, but of the extraordinary.

I remember walking into a restaurant where two employees exuberantly opened two big doors, welcoming me in, learned my name, and then used my name throughout my visit.

I remember the camp where we drove in, finding the staff in costumes, swinging down from trees and roof tops, ready to meet and greet us, and then immediately engaging us in games.

I remember the congregation in St. Louis, where a 13 year old boy walked across the sanctuary to welcome my friend and me. He was so genuine and seemed delighted that we were there.

I remember the congregation in Iowa and the hospitality of a pastor, who stood in the parking lot greeting people as they drove in, who invited me to his home afterwards for lunch, and who gifted me with a bottle of his homemade wine.

I remember the friend who flew across the country and showed up unexpectedly at my door during a particularly tough time in my life.

I remember visiting the youth ministry where I was assigned a couple of young hosts who made sure I was introduced to others, that I was included in activities, who sat with me during the program, who explained why they did the things they do, who thanked me for coming.

The journal article was right. I still talk about times that surprised me. I remember the great acts of hospitality, unexpected gifts, fun humor, people who remembered my name, the unannounced extras in the schedule, and the people who showed up when they didn’t have to!

The element of surprise is the element that is most talked about after the event! When the unexpected happens, people remember. They want to come back for more. There is delight in surprise. “I didn’t expect that.” If you want people talking to others about your camp, program, lock-in etc … plan surprises.

I first learned the prayer Surprise Me, Jesus from a small congregation in Pepin, WI. Surprise Me, Jesus became an unwavering part of their prayer experience. Praying this prayer, “Surprise Me, Jesus,” gives permission to do what Jesus does, the unexpected. Jesus welcomes the un-welcomed, heals people, plays jokes (“Throw your nets on the other side,” he says to the disciple who had been fishing all night), is born in a manger, is raised from the dead … surprise after surprise after surprise.

In fact, the more I think about it, every story in the Bible should end with the word SURPRISE!

What unexpected welcomes do you remember?

When people leave your ministry group, what surprised them? What is remembered?

What welcoming surprises could you add?

May 3, 2015 by newpeermin

SURPRISE PLANS

Echoes of Surprise

“He remembered my name.”

“I never laughed so hard.”

“I didn’t expect them to play that song.”

“They gave us free pizza at midnight.”

“When we pulled in they where all dressed in costumes hanging in the trees.”

“He gave me his own hat!”

“We came home from the mission trip and there were a hundred people waving banners welcoming us home!”

The element of surprise is the element that is most talked about after the event! When the unexpected happens people remember. They want to come back for more. There is delight in surprise. “I didn’t expect that.” If you want people talking to others about your camp, program, lock-in etc… plan surprises. Add the extra’s

There are good surprises and bad surprises. Good taste and common sense are a must. Scary, shocking, and upsetting surprises need to be avoided. Generally concrete sequential people don’t like surprises. Ask yourself if your element of surprise would cause anxiety for anyone. Be sure the humor in an element of surprise for the benefit of your participants and not just something you find humor in at their expense.

Here are a few thoughts to get you started.

Hospitality – It is surprising when people go out of their way to welcome. People know when extra thought has been put into hospitality. What people don’t want is the awkward feeling of walking into a group where the surprise is that someone new showed up. Make the surprise one that is meaningful and memorable.

Comedy – Most comedy is based on surprise. People laugh because they hear things, or witness things they did not expect to hear or see. Unexpected words and actions used in new ways can cause laughter. Find those with this gift and set them loose!

Gifts – We expect gifts at our birthday, but when something is given at an odd time, or something given that recognizes an important caring relationship, it stands out. Gifts may be material, physical and even verbal. Random acts of kindness appeal to us as they are unexpected. Appreciation and recognition, such as just stopping and asking everyone to applaud someone for something that normally does not get recognized is remembered.

Schedule – While the schedule is important for people’s comfort, build in some surprises that are not on the schedule. “It says lights out… but tonight you can stay up until… and just for fun we have pizza for you!”

Surprise Guest – Wether it be someone in costume impersonating a character in a humorous skit or your own local celebrity sharing words of wisdom, or kids parents filing in with letters of affirmation, the honor that someone shows up just for your ministry group is remembered.

Trusting – “I would like you to…” There is an honoring surprise when someone thinks you have the gifts, the talents, the ability to take on a task. Ask people to use their gifts! It is amazing that someone noticed. “It is amazing that someone even noticed me.”

Surprise Me Jesus – Jesus did everything different than people expected. Arriving as a baby in a manger, healing, miracles, practical jokes (hey guys, throw your nets over on the other side.) upsetting the established religion, rising from the dead… Jesus’ life was and is a surprise to all, as is his continuing love and grace. What a great prayer to pray! “Surprise me Jesus.” We never know what is next!

Plan to welcome. Plan the extraordinary. Learn of the surprises of Jesus. Pray, “Surprise Me Jesus.” Listen and watch for the unexpected surprises and responses from your prayer.