[TerraceCrawford.com]

10 Trends That Will Reshape Youth Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:59:00 +0000

There was more talk this week online about the future of Youth Ministry. I really liked Jim Candy's post on 10 Trends that will Reshape Youth Ministry. I'll list a few of his points here, and you can go [here] for the rest.

3. Sunday morning programs will become history

Congregations will become increasingly dissatisfied with the separation between adults and its young people at their weekend services. Worship services will change to accommodate younger people and those congregations that do not, will continue to disappear.

4. Same sex conversations will reach a fever pitch

Homosexuality, and the church's view on that topic, will be a lightning rod for middle and high school kids in considering faith in Jesus. Youth Ministries will increasingly need to lovingly converse with kids and the broader culture about its viewpoint - whatever it may be.

5. Professional youth ministry positions will become more rare

Churches will increasingly after structures so that entire congregations and caring for young people and will rely less on paid staff than in previous decades. This will also be financially driven as more congregations will be forced to have a leaner staff.

6. Youth workers will be older

The stereotype of the youth worker as someone in their early 20s who views youth work as a stepping stone to another pastoral position will continue to fade away.

You may also be interested in one of my prior posts: 5 Glimpses into the Future of Youth Ministry.

How Teenagers Are Using Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:42:00 +0000

A recent study released by Ericsson revealed that teenagers would rather talk than text. Here are some other highlights from the report that you can download [here]:

Video chat is growing
53% say their phone calls last less than 4 minutes
More than a third say they use video chat for homework
Average number of Facebook friends is 265
ooVoo is an emerging social tool

Behind the Scenes: My Last 3 Days

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:58:00 +0000

I love "Behind the Scenes" stuff. If you want my attention just do a blog post, a TV-Show, a magazine article, etc... and I will be hooked! I've asked a few other people to do Behind the Scenes posts on their blogs, but I haven't ever done one myself so here's a look at my last 3 days of my life.

(Editor's Note: this isn't a 'normal' week... but it's a quick look at my week nonetheless))

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14Th

(7:00 AM) - Shower, Getting ready for the day, Reading, Packing Car (for travel to SC)

(9:00 AM) - Quick breakfast

(9:30 AM) - Travel to South Carolina (for memorial service - my aunt passed away)

(5:00 PM) - Early Dinner with extended family

(6:00 PM) - Wake

(3:30 PM) - Arrival in South Carolina

(7:00 PM) - Memorial Service

(8:00 PM) - Visiting with extended family

(9:00 PM) - Travel to Parent's home

(10:00 PM) - Fell asleep in recliner... long day!

(11:00 PM) - Woke up and worked on ChurchLeaders.com weekly Youth Leader's Newsletter

(12:00 AM) - Finalizing message for this weekend's service

(2:00 AM) - Sleepy time

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15Th

(8:00 AM) - Shower, Getting ready for the day, Reading, Packing Car (for travel to VA)
(10:00 AM) - On the road again!
(12:30 PM) - Lunch
(3:30 PM) - Arrival in Virginia
(4:00 PM) - Light house cleaning (final preparations for small group)
(5:00 PM) - Meeting with my Intern; working on direct mail piece
(7:00 PM) - Hosting guy's small group at my home
(9:00 PM) - Catching up on emails, etc; Working on ChurchLeaders.com; polishing future talk
(11:30 PM) - Sleepy time

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16Th
(7:00 AM) - Shower, Getting ready for the day, Reading
(8:00 AM) - Running errands
(9:00 AM) - Travel to Richmond, VA for Innovative Church Network meeting
(10:00 AM) - Hearing Mark Batterson speak
(12:30 PM) - Met Mark Batterson; Lunch
(1:00 PM) - Hearing Mark Batterson speak
(3:00 PM) - Travel home
(4:30 PM) - Checking emails, returning phone calls; working on couple of projects
(5:00 PM) - 1 on 1 Coaching with Youth Worker in CO; quick bite to eat
(6:00 PM) - Shower and getting ready for next meeting
(6:30 PM) - Travel to Norfolk, VA; phone call with family on road
(7:00 PM) - Meeting with Chancellor of Columbia International University
(8:30 PM) - Travel home
(9:00 PM) - Working on side project for consulting group
(9:30 PM) - Composing this blog post (hope you like =)
(10:0o PM) - Texting friends
(11:00 PM) - Sleepy time

If you decide to do a Behind the Scenes post on your blog make sure you comment here with a link! I'll read it... and point people to your blog through my twitter (@terracecrawford)!

Youth Ministers Meme

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:54:00 +0000

FREE Valentine's Lesson from @YM360

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:28:00 +0000

My friends at youthministry360 are giving away a FREE downloadable Valentine's Lesson to church leaders. It's a message the finding and living the real, amazing love that God has for us. You'll receive a handy Leader's guide that will show you how you can use the story of Ruth and Boaz to talk about the God-centered love that we read about in the scriptures. What a great message to share with students, who are bombarded with the broken image of love from the world!

If you want to download this freebie, just [click here].

This is What Has Made Me Pretty Famous

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:24:00 +0000

I was giving some thought about an upcoming talk I'm preparing to give to students on the subject of Heaven and then I viewed this video online where a guy sings about how he's "looking for a city." This may inspire you like it did me. Ha!

My favorite line: "This is what has made me pretty famous." I've been walking around the office all morning quoting that one line over and over again after I do just about anything.

RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]

My Interview with YouthMin.org

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Recently I was interviewed by YouthMin.org about working with teenagers and also about my Coaching Network (that you can be a part of by simply applying [here] -- today is the deadline!) I'll include a couple of questions here that I was asked and then you can go [here] for the rest.

[YM] What led you to create the Coaching Network? [Terrace] I feel like God has been nudging me to Coach youth workers for a few years now but I never did it. I've seen a great need in the world of youth ministry for people who are just starting out to have someone to help guide them in building youth ministries from scratch. Over the course of the last year a couple of close friends asked me why in the world I wasn't coaching. EJ Swanson is one of those people who talked with me about this. After our last talk I spent 3 weeks of focused prayer about it and knew that I should follow-through. So early last year I founded the Youth Worker Coaching Network designed for youth workers who have been in the field for 5 years or less.

[YM] What's something about the Coaching Network that you have enjoyed the most?

[Terrace] Being 17+ years deep in youth ministry, you forget about what things were like in your first few years. It's been wonderful to be able to help rookie youth workers walk through the challenges of just starting out and to help dream with them and inspire them in their journey.

Go [here] for the rest of this interview. [Click here] to apply for my Coaching Network.

I'm Looking for 10 Leaders...

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:11:00 +0000

One of the things that makes great leaders is knowing what your resources are and knowing how to use them. I think that many leaders just don't know what is available to them so they encounter obstacles (more often than not) in their journey when they could have made things easier for them just by knowing the right people, having the right tools, and knowing how to use those tools.

I've created what I think is a great resource for youth workers, but unfortunately many people aren't aware of it. Last year I founded the Youth Worker Coaching Network designed to help youth workers who have only been in the field for 5 years or less. It's a 6-month process where I come alongside and coach rookie youth workers in ministry.

I'm just about to start my second round of Coaching and I'm looking for 10 leaders who are in need of a coach. That's where YOU come in... Would you help get the word out about this great opportunity? Perhaps you don't need a coach but you know someone who does? If you have a blog, facebook or twitter, would you mention it for me?

I'm including a couple of things you can use to share this news with others:

Tweet This! Been in #YouthMin for 5 years or less & need a coach? Apply to be a part of @terracecrawford's network by January 18th http://t.co/MX4XyROD

Here's a promotional video (including several testimonials) you can share with leaders:

Shoot me a link (by email or on twitter) to your tweet, blog, or facebook mention and I'll be glad to retweet you.
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]

8 Benefits of Joining My Coaching Network

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:24:00 +0000

I've nearly finished my first round of coaching and its been a very rewarding experience. I've had a great time providing help to youth workers who have been in the field for 5 years or less.

Perhaps you'd like to join my next group? Let me tell you a bit about it...

My coaching network will offer everything you might get from a conference, but it will be a semester long (approximately 6 months).

Here are 8 benefits of joining my Coaching Network:

1. I'll be your personal coach and cheerleader for 6 months.
2. You'll get practical guidance and personal counsel.
3. You'll get a weekly phone call with yours truly.
4. You'll get encouraging but constructive feedback.
5. You'll get occasional free books from publishers.
6. You'll get the shared experience with other network participants.
7. You'll get chat sessions with notable thought-leaders.
8. You'll get other free resources too.... and other fun surprises!

I'm limiting the network to only 10 participants, so you'll want to apply [now]!

The application form will be LIVE until Friday, January 20th.

I'll carefully review the applications and announce to all applicants who will be participating in the first round of my network on or just after Friday, January 20th.

If you don't need a coach, perhaps you know someone who does. Would you please spread the word for me?

Additionally, if your organization or corporation would like to partner with me to invest in youth workers nationwide please feel free to contact me about becoming a sponsor.

RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]

Are You a Coach or a Quarterback?

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:31:00 +0000

A couple months ago my friend, Greg Stier, joined an online meeting I hosted for a few of my Coaching Network members. We had a great time and sure learned a lot from Greg. I enjoy having notable thought-leaders, like Greg, share with my Coaching Network in online collaborative meetings during our 6 months together. Sometimes they even write articles exclusively for network members.

Recently Greg Stier sent me a piece that he wrote for my group, and today I thought I would allow you to read what he shared:

Are you the Coach or the Quarterback?

"Many of us come to youth ministry evangelism from an invitational mindset. We've been all about encouraging our students to invite their friends out to youth group so the unreached can hear an adult tell them about Jesus. In this invitational evangelism model, when the unchurched show up at our weekly meetings or organized outreach activities, many of us see ourselves as the team quarterback who's there to lob the quick touchdown pass and nail the 'conversion' point.

Now don't get me wrong, I believe it's critically important that we give the gospel each week at our youth group meetings and that we rejoice over every soul who gets introduced to Jesus through our meetings. But I'm convinced that we would see even more fruit from our evangelism efforts if we shifted our perspective away from being the quarterback who's standing at the ready to deliver the touchdown pass, and instead started to see ourselves as the team coach.

The coach's job is to train and equip the individual members of the team with the skills they need to get off the bench and into the game themselves. (Check out Ephesians 4:11-13.) The coach's job is to explain the strategy, refine the skill sets and techniques and motivate the team to bring their best to the game.

Evangelism can't just be an occasional curriculum topic we brush up against once or twice a year, or even a quarterly outreach meeting we organize with all the bells and whistles. It has to be a mindset we're cultivating year round in our students as we coach them week in and week out so they can get off the bench and into the game.

Wouldn't it be awesome if it were our teens who were initiating spiritual conversations and sharing their faith one-on-one with their friends? When another teen comes to them stressed out about grades or hurting because someone backstabbed them, what better way for our teens to step into the distress and talk about the strength and comfort they've found from having a personal relationship with God? Or imagine the impact if they'd bring Jesus into the conversation with their friends who are looking for direction or purpose in life.

But this will only happen if your teenagers see themselves as players in the game. So are you coaching and equipping the teens in your spiritual care to do the work of evangelism? Or are you behaving more like the quarterback than the coach?

You don't have to be gifted or "an expert" in evangelism to coach your team. But you should be leading the way by your own example, seeking to personally share your faith with others and letting your teens in on your efforts, sharing with them about both your successes and failures. The example of your own life, coupled with your intentional efforts to coach your teens regarding the basic gospel-sharing essentials, will get your students owning their faith, sharing it with friends and seeing people reached with the gospel."

What a great message! Thanks Greg, for investing in youth workers!

Greg is currently on a tour all across the country to help train teens to share their faith with their friends. It's a tour called "Game Day" and you should check it out...

Oh, and I'd love for you to be a part of my next Coaching Network group! I'm only accepting 10 members. I'll be officially opening registration on Monday but if you'd like to try to secure your spot early you can [apply here] now!

Site Shout: DNOWONLINE.com

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:38:00 +0000

My friends at YM360 produce great curriculum for Youth Ministry. A few short months ago I heard about a new site they were working on to help youth workers create Disciple Now Weekends and I couldn't wait to see what developed because I knew this would be such a great resource for youth ministry!

Here's the scoop: YM360 has teamed up with LeaderTreks to create DNOWONLINE.com, a comprehensive solution for your Disciple Now or Weekend Retreat needs.

DNOWONLINE.com is loaded with so many features -- large group outlines, small group lessons, videos you can use, incredible student resources, online video training for your facilitators and instructions to lead you step-by-step in how to use the site.

The past two weeks I spent some time tooling around the site and I really like what I see! The curriculum is great... the site is user-friendly...there are a number of resources to help pull off just about any retreat weekend I'm planning... and its affordable too! This is a no-brainer ... sign.me.up!

Check out this video and then head over to DNOWONLINE.com to try it out for yourself.

RSS subscribers: there is [video] here.

Crowder-Sourcing for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:37:00 +0000

I heard some buzz about this weeks ago, but I just viewed the video on YouTube. At the National Youth Worker's Convention this year (Youth Specialties) Mark Matlock asked the crowd (thousands of Youth Workers) to pull out their cell phones and record the David Crowder band. The end result... a nicely done, crowd-sourced Christmas video. Merry Christmas!

Can You Help Me Name This Bible Challenge?

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Earlier this year we challenged our students in a number of ways to get them reading the scriptures. Two of my favorite challenges: the B90X challenge and the 30 Day Bible Challenge. Those were not original ideas, but I loved them... and they worked well. We saw many students rise to the challenge to read the scriptures.

Now I've come up with what I think is great (original) idea that will continue to challenge students to get in the Word this new year... but I'm having some trouble coming up with a fitting name for it. This is where you come in. I want you to help me name\theme it.

One of the things that people say prevents them from reading the Bible is time ("not enough time" or even "remembering to take time" to do it). I came up with an idea that helps take those excuses way. This idea, I believe, will help students to take a little time (at least a moment or two) to read the scriptures and will also help keep them accountable to do it. I even added some competition to the idea, which I love (because, yes, I am a bit competitive).

Here's the idea:

I would like to challenge students to READ one (at least ONE) scripture each day for 30 days. After they read a scripture that they find meaningful to them (and hopefully meditate on it a bit), they will be asked to TEXT that scripture in to our student ministry (a number we'll provide them with). Here's the thing though... (and where it really becomes even more of a challenge), if they miss a day they have to start ALL over!

So, now that you know my idea, what are your thoughts? Can you help me come up with a fitting name for this challenge? Leave your ideas in the comments field!

Top 5 Lessons Learned in My First Two Years

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:27:00 +0000

Earlier this week I hosted an online meeting with a few members from my Coaching Network (a network for youth workers who have been in the field 5 years or less). One of the things we discussed during our time together was what we've learned in Youth Ministry in our first 2 years. I thought I would share the Top 5 lessons learned that came up during that conversation.

Top 5 Lessons Learned (in Youth Ministry) in First Two Years:

1. Take time for rest and recreation - It's very easy to be overcome with your responsibilities on the job. One of the key lessons you'll learn in your first few years in ministry is to take time for rest and recreation. Make sure you don't cheat yourself of solitude anda sabbath. This is an issue for many ministers, so it might be a good thing to get someone to hold you accountable.

2. Your students aren't 'stupid' kids - Can you remember the first time that you've seen the students you lead as young people that God can use and not just "kids"? One of the things that made our list is learning that our students can be ministers. This is actually why I am such a huge advocate for student-led ministry. When you allow students to lead you see what amazing things God can do through them more clearly.

3. Know your boundaries - Many of the lessons you'll learn in your first few years in youth ministry you'll actually need to recall for years to come. One of the most valuable lessons you'll learn is about the importance of boundaries. Creating and respecting boundaries will not only protect you (and others) but will help keep you in ministry for the long haul. Without question one of the most important boundaries: don't counsel someone of the opposite sex alone.

4. Don't miss out on the opportunity to befriend your Pastor - You might find yourself working in a ministry where your Lead Pastor pursues you... but not everyone can say that. Quite often you might need to befriend your pastor. You would think this wouldn't be an issue in ministry but it is. In fact, one of the biggest reasons youth workers leave their positions is because of the relationship (or lack thereof) with their pastor. Even if you are working for a mega-church and can't really build a relationship with the Senior Leader you can do this with your direct reports. It's refreshing to work in an environment when you have a great relationship with your Lead Pastor. I've worked with some pastors who were distant and others that I found easier to build a relationship with. In both cases I know there were opportunities missed for me to be a great friend (and minister) to my pastor.

5. Remember that God has chosen you - Youth workers often have a hard time in ministry. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked personally "when will you pursue a 'real pastor position'?" This goes to show you how ignorant people are -- seriously. In the thick of ministry you may struggle and wonder if you are too inexperienced, not good enough, and how you'll ever make it another day. Never forget... if God has chosen you that is all that matters. Cling to the truth of God's calling on your life.

I'd love for you to be a part of my next Coaching Network... launching in January. Registration opens next week! Feel free to drop me an email right now if you would like more information. The Youth Worker Coaching Network is sponsored by: Simply Youth Ministry, Bethel Students, and interlinc! If you want to join my team of sponsors, contact me.

What did you learn in your first few years?

Black Friday Prank [Video]

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:27:00 +0000

I watched this video recently and just had to share with you. Two guys go into Target and attempt to buy an insane list of nonsensical items. This is milk-through-the-nose funny!

Facebook Stalker!

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:38:00 +0000

I loved Josh Griffin's "Facebook Hack" game idea that he shared on his blog a few months ago. It inspired me to not only play that game with students but I ended up creating another game as well... "The Facebook Stalker" game.

The idea I had behind this game was really two-fold. I wanted to leverage Social Media a little bit more and encourage students to share with their friends via mobile updates to their Facebooks that they were at church (at our event), but I also wanted to have a fun (and engaging) crowd game to play during our time together. We encouraged our students early in the evening to update their statuses saying they were at our event (you could do this with a simple slide on the screen too) and then later in the evening we had our media tech pull up random Facebook accounts (from random students we selected ahead of time) on the screen LIVE during our event!

If the student had updated their status (prior to our playing the game) to reflect that they were at our church event they won a prize. If they didn't they were a big fat loser!

This Facebook game was a win... and students loved it!

Grab FREE MUSIC Right Now! [While Supplies Last!]

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:49:00 +0000

I'm very excited to announce the newest sponsor of my Youth Worker Coaching Network... interlinc!

interlinc has been around since the mid 80's and exists to provide youth workers in getting quality Christian music to their students! The staff at interlinc doesn't just talk youth ministry though... many of their staff members serve in youth ministries!

To celebrate the new partnership interlinc is offering ministry leaders 13 Christmas songs for FREE (for a limited time only!). In order to redeem the FREE music all you have to do is call the wonderful folks at interlinc at 800-725-3300 and tell them you're looking for the "Terrace Crawford deal." You will be given a redemption code and will be able to download your music right away! It's just that simple! You must hurry though...operators are standing by! (tee-hee)

I'm stoked about the relaunch to my Coaching Network in January 2012. The last few months of coaching have been very fulfilling for me. If you are a youth worker who has been in the field 5 years or less and need a coach, send me an email (or tweet me @terracecrawford) and I'll contact you with the information!

Vote & Give $ To Youth Workers in Need!

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:12:00 +0000

On Saturday I viewed 18 videos from Youth Workers who entered the huge Christmas Giveaway my friend Tim Schmoyer is doing. Tim asked me to serve as one of the judges. I ended up watching all of the videos in the morning (all of them heart-wrenching stories) and spent time praying throughout the day over each story trying to find someway to narrow the field to just 4 people who deserved a shot at receiving the prize package. This was a tall order... as each person (all 18 persons actually) presented a great need that they had this Christmas.

Now we've turned things over to you to vote on those (4) final stories and pick the youth worker you think should be given the $1,500+. You may vote for up to two youth workers once per day until December 20, 2011 at 11:59PM. The youth worker who receives the most votes will receive all the money just in time for Christmas.

Here's the thing though... the youth worker can receive even MORE money if you either purchase a copy of Tim Schmoyer's latest ebook "Focused Youth Ministry" or buy a watch from IWontWatch.com (as half of the proceeds from these items will go to the fund!). Click on the videos below ... listen to the stories ... and vote with your heart.

Bethlehemian Rhapsody [Video]

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:02:00 +0000

Saw this over on Marko's blog. While I haven't watched that many Christmas videos so far this season, I'd be willing to bet this one will be my favorite (hands down!) this Christmas.

Watch... enjoy... and share.

groundSWELL Conference (with Teen Speakers!)

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:48:00 +0000

I'm a firm believer in student-led ministry and I believe youth workers need to coach students (and give them opportunity) to speak to their peers... so I'm very excited to share this announcement with you today.

My friends at Leadership Network have created a number of really great online conference experiences since their first Nines event a few years ago. Their most recent offering is called "groundSWELL: the church of tomorrow speaks today" and I'm excited about it -- primarily because ALL of the speakers will be 13-19 years of age (that's right, ALL teenagers!).

This online experience will be held in early 2012 and details are still forthcoming, but you can nominate a teen speaker using [this online form] right now.

I've already taken the liberty of nominating someone I know who would make a great addition to the speaker list. Can't wait to hear from these students!

$5,000 Giveaway This Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Can you use $5,000 this Christmas? Watch the video... and read on.

My friend, Tim Schmoyer, is doing something really cool this Christmas. He's written a brand-new ebook on how to walk you and your team of leaders through a 30-step process to discovering what God's vision is for your unique ministry context and he's planning to give a portion of the proceeds (up to $5,000!) from the profit of the book to a youth worker this Christmas!

All you have to do to enter is submit a quick video and tell your story about how you could use the money by December 9, 2011. I would love to submit my own video (I mean, we're talking about big dollas here!), but Tim asked me to be a judge. =) I'm honored to serve... and can't wait to hear your stories.

Go [here] to read ALL of the details and guidelines for this giveaway and to purchase the ebook.

The Mindset List for the Class of 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:49:00 +0000

I ran across this video recently online. It's part of an interview with Tom McBride (Beloit College) where he discusses this year's mindset list created for the Class of 2015. He created the (witty) list back in 1998 to help faculty at the college "watch their references" with incoming freshman. The list includes 75 references of the Class of 2015. I'll include 15 of them here and you can go [here] for the rest. Lists like this could prove very helpful to youth workers or church leaders (in general) in knowing the audience they are speaking to.

There has always been an Internet ramp onto the information highway.
Ferris Bueller and Sloane Peterson could be their parents.
States and Velcro parents have always been requiring that they wear their bike helmets.
The only significant labor disputes in their lifetimes have been in major league sports.
There have nearly always been at least two women on the Supreme Court, and women have always commanded U.S. Navy ships.
They “swipe” cards, not merchandise.
As they’ve grown up on websites and cell phones, adult experts have constantly fretted about their alleged deficits of empathy and concentration.
Their school’s “blackboards” have always been getting smarter.
“Don’t touch that dial!”….what dial?
American tax forms have always been available in Spanish.
More Americans have always traveled to Latin America than to Europe.
Amazon has never been just a river in South America.
Refer to LBJ, and they might assume you're talking about LeBron James.
All their lives, Whitney Houston has always been declaring “I Will Always Love You.”
O.J. Simpson has always been looking for the killers of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

I also found the website for the mindset lists, which gets over a million hits per year. It was interesting to read up on the class I graduated with (2002).

RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]

Free Curriculum from @YM360

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:39:00 +0000

One of my newest sponsors here at TerraceCrawford.com is none other than my good friends at Youth Ministry 360! I'm so excited to partner with these guys to bring you great content each week here on the blog. Just this week I affirmed Les & Andy (the founders of YM360) in how great they are at putting curriculum together.

Now, I'd like to share with you some of it... FOR FREE. YM360 has put together a great piece of curriculum just in time for Thanksgiving and they want you to have at it. [Click here] to download the freebie now!

Additionally, check out YM360's newest site, DNOWonline.com -- a great resource for youth pastors who are planning a Disciple Now weekend experience for students!

And, if you'd like to become a trusted sponsor & partner in ministry with me, shoot me an email (or tweet me) and let's chat. I'm always looking to make new friends.

6 Reasons Young Christians Are Leaving Church

noreply@blogger.com (Terrace Crawford) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:41:00 +0000

David Kinnaman has just released a new book based on eight national studies by the Barna Group. The studies explore the challenges of faith development among teens and young adults and the findings are included in the new work titled "Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church and Rethinking Church."

The research identified six themes and uncovered why nearly 59% of young Christians today are disconnected from church after age 15.

Here are the 6 reasons outlined in the study:

1. Churches seem overprotective - Young Christians expressed concern about how the church seems to "ignore the problems of the real world" and is too concerned that movies, music, and video games are harmful." Their experience of this kind of Christianity is fear-based... and must be abandoned.

2. Teens' and twenty-somethings' experience of Christianity is shallow - A second reason cited for leaving the church is the lack of an experience in church. 31% of those surveyed said that "church is boring," while 24% said "faith is not really relevant to my career or interests."

3. Churches come across as antagonistic to science - Young adults feel disconnected from church or faith because of the tension between science and Christianity, according to the study by the Barna group. Three out of ten young adults with some sort of a faith background stated that "churches are out of step with the scientific world," while some even cited "Christianity is anti-science."

4. Young Christians' church experiences related to sexuality are often simplistic and judgemental. According to the findings, young Christians are as sexually active as their non-Christian peers, even though they tend to be more conservative in their opinions about sexuality and 17% of them said "they have made mistakes and feel judged within the church because of them."

5. They wrestle with the exclusive nature of Christianity - Younger Christians have been shaped by a culture that embraces tolerance, open-mindedness and acceptance for all races, sexuality, religions and cultures. Three out of ten surveyed (29%) said that "churches are afraid of the beliefs of other faiths" and they "felt forced to choose between their faith and their friends."

6. The church feels unfriendly to those who doubt - Young adults think the church today does not allow for space to express or embrace doubts. Today's young person wants to be able to ask pressing life questions within their faith community and the current perception is that there is disregard for those who have significant doubts about their faith. Additionally, one out of every six people surveyed said their faith "does not help with depression or other emotional problems they experience."

What are the implications for youth ministry?

[For the full story from Barna Research, go here]

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