Ways to Connect with Students for Leaders

Time outside the church with students can be one of the greatest times of relationship development. Josh Griffin on his blog this week had a guest blogger with some great ideas about how to connect with students outside of church. Parents can even use this to get involved in their student's lives. These 12 ways to connect are divided into three main categories, each category moving to a deeper level of relationship.

Ways to meet new kids and hang out with current youth group kids
1. Volunteer coach a sport at a local school – Coaching gives you a chance to meet dozens of kids. I had the opportunity to coach track this past Spring and I still have kids who call or text me for advice or just want to talk.
4. Tutor for free – Some schools have after school tutoring, volunteer for that in a subject you know well.

Connect and develop relationships with kids
5. Ride with a sports team to away games – Great idea from the guys over at YL Help
6. Help a student work on a project or hobby – Especially helpful during science fair season, or other big school projects. Participating in their personal hobbies are great ways to connect, too.

Disciple kids/transfer life skills to kids

11. Invite a student to help you lead a certain event, then evaluate it afterward – This is a great way to transfer leadership skills through hands-on learning. For example, I invited one kid to help me lead a video game night, asking him to consider “What do video games have to do with Jesus?” During our debrief time (which ended up going just as long as our video game time) we talked about video games as a means to build relationships and how relationships are key to evangelism and discipleship. I bet he learned more through that experience than any youth talk.

12. Be a student of God and invite a kid to learn with you – Pray with a kid, or listen to a sermon together, or read the Bible together. Be an avid learner and invite kids along to learn with you.

There are plenty of other ways to connect with kids. How are you planning to develop relationships with kids this new school year?

Nick Arnold is the youth pastor at New Hope Community Church in Sunland, CA. Hit up his blog at http://ministryallies.com and his Twitter @nickarnold.

Click Here to see the complete list. Tons of great ideas.

Prayer Can it Really Change Things?

I believe it can. Prayer is the most powerful communication device to speak with and hear from God. I wonder what would happen if students began to become burdened in prayer for their friends, classmates, administration, and campuses. What if everyday of the week all over the country student were praying for their schools. Watch the video below and then click the link below to see how you can begin to intercede for your campus.

Claim Your Campus from Ryan Humm on Vimeo.

Claim Your Campus is a movement of students praying for their schools.

Will you join the movement?

Student Drop Out Rate and How Parents can Help

One of the most disturbing things about church is how fast students are leaving "it" after they graduate from high school. The topic of student drop out is huge in the student ministry sector. If you haven't heard about this problem before I want to enlighten you about this problem. I feel at this point parents have the greatest ability to help break this trend. I believe as we partner together to help students learn how to know what they believe, serve others, share their faith and disciple others person this epidemic could be overrun. Check out this article about how parents can make a difference in this fight.

Is this the first time you have heard about this problem?

How does it make you feel as a parent or student?

Have you seen this happen to anyone you know?

This Sunday at RPM & Fuel Groups

This sunday, August 16, we start a new series called: NEXT

This will be our first time back together on sunday nights. I hope you will come and invite a friend. It will be a great time to hang out and learn more about the one who made us. Doors open at 4:45pm. The snack shack will be back in full force with drinks, chips, and candy for purchase. We will have a new check in system up and ready to go. We will kick off with worship in the auditorium at 5:15pm and then head to fuel groups after that at around 7:15pm. If you bring a guest or you are a guest you get to go to the After Party. This will be a great time to get to know people without the pressure to share your deepest secrets and to find out more about 72students.net. Everything will end around 7pm. I really want to encourage you to come and bring a friend. It will be a great time as we kick the student ministry year.

Reason's to Come to the Parent.Student Connection

Reasons to Come to the Parent.Student Connection

• Free Food
• Great Conversation
• Find Out More Info about 72students
• Get the Inside Scoop
• Get to meet the fuel leaders
• Get to meet the other leaders
• Get to meet other parents and students
• Learn more about your student(s)
• Vision for the future
• Programming Info

If any of these interest you please come. No reservations necessary unless you need child care. Go to 72students.net to find out more.

Parent:Student Connection Cookout

Parent:Student Connection Cookout

Date: August 9th

Time:5-7pm

Location: The two-story building on The Brook Campus

For More Info: Call Josh Britt @ 837.6633 ext. 107 or check out 72students.net

The Parent:Student Connection is to help parents and students to connect and understand more about our student ministry and each other. We will be sharing some of the upcoming events that are going on as well as resource parents with materials to help them grow closer to their students. This event is for the whole family. We will provide dinner and a great time together. Childcare is provided free of charge for kids 6th grade and under. Childcare must be made in advance by emailing josh@thebrookchurch.com or by signing up online at 72students.net. This will be a great time for us all to connect with each other. I hope you and your family will make it.

What has been going on with Josh this summer?

This summer has been crazy! God has been doing so many things.

1. We found out Michelle is pregnant with our 4th child, which is due February 2nd. Reality...it will probably be a few weeks before that. We are getting ready excited.
2. I spent 12 days in Guatemala doing missions with our students and adults. It was truly an amazing trip. God challenged me to think about all I had and how I would be a better steward of what my family has.

   MX09 Guatemala - recap from Josh Britt on Vimeo.

3. Spent a weekend in July speaking and leading worship for FBC Decatur in Panama City Beach, Florida. It was a blast getting to hangout with those students. A plus to this event was my family being able to come with me.
4. After Speaking and leading worship we had the opportunity as a family to vacation a little long in Panama City. We had a great time at the beach and at the "kitty cat" pool.
5. Spent a week at Super Summer Alabama leading worship and teaching in one of the schools. It was a great week with several 100 students growing in their depth and knowledge of God. It was an amazing camp experience. It impacted the students that went. We hope to take several more students next year.

Wow!!! Summer isn't even over yet. You can follow the craziness in our lives at twitter and through our student ministry blog.