This fall's Youth Communicator's Cohort is shaping up to be simply incredible. If you are debating on whether or not it's worth the investment of your time... Here's what you will receive:
-Monthly mastermind-group communication coaching to help you become a better communicator to students.
-Personalized feedback, critique and encouragement for you on a message that you have recently given.
-Monthly communication-centered training on topics such as storytelling, guestures, homiletics (to name a few) that will help you sharpen your skills as a speaker.
-Interaction and networking with youth pastors and youth speakers from all around the United States who will challenge you to go to the next level.
-"Master Classes" on communication from seasoned youth speakers and pastors like Josh Griffin, Tommy Oaks and Richard Crisco that will provide you with tips, tricks and tools that the professionals use.
Best of all the Fall '13 Cohort is FREE for those who register by Friday, May 31. That's over a $500 value in training and resources for FREE! Space is extremely limited, so CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
3 Secrets to Determining the Depth of Your Message
How "deep" should your message be when speaking to students?
I have been asked this question on numerous occasions. My response is typically different than that of other youth pastors or youth speakers.
I believe we are called to preach and teach the Word of God to young people. I disagree with the mentality that they are "just teenagers" and "need the cookies on the bottom shelf." Jesus, the Great Shepherd, didn't pull any punches as He taught His disciples (who were mostly teenagers themselves).
Here are three secrets to determining the depth of your teaching to students:
1. Let the Word of God be living and active.
When you preach God's Word, the Holy Spirit is able to apply it to each student in the room. Be faithful to preach His Word and He can make it as deep as necessary. Be careful to not assume that the students won't get it.
2. Speak to your most mature students.
The belief that teenagers are just kids and can't understand deep spiritual truth is a fallacy. When you create your message, your target audience should typically be the most spiritually mature students in the room. Those who are less mature will still connect and get something out of it; moreover, it will lift the spiritual lid of your entire group and students will rise to the occasion. Consistently feeding students only milk will create a spiritually malnourished group as a whole.
3. Always allow the physical to teach the spiritual.
A Biblical principle is that earthly things can teach us about God's Kingdom. According to Hebrews, the earthly tabernacle was an example and shadow of the throne room in Heaven (Hebrews 8:5). Jesus used earthly concepts (farming, management, birth) to teach spiritual principles. In the same way, you can teach your students deep spiritual truth through Biblical earthly allegory.
I have been asked this question on numerous occasions. My response is typically different than that of other youth pastors or youth speakers.
I believe we are called to preach and teach the Word of God to young people. I disagree with the mentality that they are "just teenagers" and "need the cookies on the bottom shelf." Jesus, the Great Shepherd, didn't pull any punches as He taught His disciples (who were mostly teenagers themselves).
Here are three secrets to determining the depth of your teaching to students:
1. Let the Word of God be living and active.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)
When you preach God's Word, the Holy Spirit is able to apply it to each student in the room. Be faithful to preach His Word and He can make it as deep as necessary. Be careful to not assume that the students won't get it.
2. Speak to your most mature students.
The belief that teenagers are just kids and can't understand deep spiritual truth is a fallacy. When you create your message, your target audience should typically be the most spiritually mature students in the room. Those who are less mature will still connect and get something out of it; moreover, it will lift the spiritual lid of your entire group and students will rise to the occasion. Consistently feeding students only milk will create a spiritually malnourished group as a whole.
3. Always allow the physical to teach the spiritual.
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:45-47 NIV)
A Biblical principle is that earthly things can teach us about God's Kingdom. According to Hebrews, the earthly tabernacle was an example and shadow of the throne room in Heaven (Hebrews 8:5). Jesus used earthly concepts (farming, management, birth) to teach spiritual principles. In the same way, you can teach your students deep spiritual truth through Biblical earthly allegory.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
The FREE Youth Ministry Coaching Network
If you are anything like me, you are always on the lookout for quality student ministry resources and training... Especially FREE resources and training.
One of the best free training resources we have come across is called the Youth Ministry Coaching Network. If you are looking for practical youth ministry coaching, YMCNETWORK is for you.
Is it really free?
Yes. No strings attached.
Who are the coaches?
Previous coaching calls have been facilitated the likes of Duffy Robbins, JC Worley and Greg Steir (to name a few)... With an upcoming call being facilitated by Jeanne Mayo.
How do I sign up?
That's easy. CLICK HERE for more information and to get registered for upcoming calls (or to listen to archived calls from the last few months).
Did I mention it's all FREE?
One of the best free training resources we have come across is called the Youth Ministry Coaching Network. If you are looking for practical youth ministry coaching, YMCNETWORK is for you.
Is it really free?
Yes. No strings attached.
Who are the coaches?
Previous coaching calls have been facilitated the likes of Duffy Robbins, JC Worley and Greg Steir (to name a few)... With an upcoming call being facilitated by Jeanne Mayo.
How do I sign up?
That's easy. CLICK HERE for more information and to get registered for upcoming calls (or to listen to archived calls from the last few months).
Did I mention it's all FREE?
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The Illustration Exchange
Have a great message illustration that you think other youth communicators would benefit from having in their illustration file? If so, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Just CLICK HERE to go to the Illustration Exchange submission form and submit your great illustration (only what you would consider a good or great illustration please).
Who knows... You and your illustration may be featured in a future Youth Speaker Coach "Illustration of the Month!"
Just CLICK HERE to go to the Illustration Exchange submission form and submit your great illustration (only what you would consider a good or great illustration please).
Who knows... You and your illustration may be featured in a future Youth Speaker Coach "Illustration of the Month!"
Monday, May 6, 2013
Investing in Your Growth as a Communicator
Taking a resource and spending some of it to gain more of something else is called investment. When you choose to invest money in the stock market, you expect a financial return on our investment. When you choose to spend quality time with our children, you expect a deepening of relationship with them in return. The same holds true for investing time or money in your personal growth as a communicator.
Before examining some different ways that you can invest these valuable resources in your communication growth, you need to answer the question, "Which of these resources is more important to you... time or money?"
Before you respond "MONEY!!!", take a moment to think it through. Money is a renewable resource. You can work more, sell stuff or get a second job to get more money. Time is a non-renewable resource. You only have 168 hours per week. You only have 70-80 years of your life to live. You can choose to prioritize and spend your time differently, but you only have so much of it to spend... Then, it's gone.
INVESTING YOUR TIME
Investing time in your communication growth can take a couple of different forms. You make an investment every time you do extra practice and rehearsal of your message. Taking the time to read books on communication (free at the library) or free online communication resources is an investment as well. Both of these investments will bring a solid return in the form of increased skill and knowledge. Here are a few communication-sharpening, time investment ideas:
-Read a free book.
-Watch free communication training videos online.
-Join a free communicator's mastermind group (like the Youth Communicator's Cohort).
-Join a free preaching or speaking webinar.
-Rehearse your message a extra time.
-Watch a recent video of yourself speaking.
-Join a local Toastmaster's group (cheap not free).
If you feel like you are strapped for time as it is, you can try "stealing an hour" a few times a week. Stealing an hour for personal growth just takes a bit of practice. Basically, you find an extra hour during your day (when you usually watch TV, forcing yourself to get up early or stay up late) and use that hour to develop your communication skills (reading, rehearsing, writing messages, etc.)
INVESTING YOUR MONEY
Investing money in your personal growth is a touchy subject. While there are numerous shysters out there who are only after your money (in the name of personal growth), there are some legitimate ways that you can financially invest in your growth as a communicator. Here's a few:
-Buy a book and read it (usually the most inexpensive $$$ investment).
-Attend a communication seminar.
-Join a fee-based communicator's mastermind group.
-Get communication training on DVD.
-Get a personal speaking coach (Youth Speaker's Coach offers affordable options... contact us)
-Take a communication guru out to lunch and interview them.
Personally, I have utilized many of these skill-building resources and invested both time and money over the years. At the end of the day, it's not about just making the initial investment, but regularly putting into practice the things you are learning and soliciting feedback from others.
Before examining some different ways that you can invest these valuable resources in your communication growth, you need to answer the question, "Which of these resources is more important to you... time or money?"
Before you respond "MONEY!!!", take a moment to think it through. Money is a renewable resource. You can work more, sell stuff or get a second job to get more money. Time is a non-renewable resource. You only have 168 hours per week. You only have 70-80 years of your life to live. You can choose to prioritize and spend your time differently, but you only have so much of it to spend... Then, it's gone.
INVESTING YOUR TIME
Investing time in your communication growth can take a couple of different forms. You make an investment every time you do extra practice and rehearsal of your message. Taking the time to read books on communication (free at the library) or free online communication resources is an investment as well. Both of these investments will bring a solid return in the form of increased skill and knowledge. Here are a few communication-sharpening, time investment ideas:
-Read a free book.
-Watch free communication training videos online.
-Join a free communicator's mastermind group (like the Youth Communicator's Cohort).
-Join a free preaching or speaking webinar.
-Rehearse your message a extra time.
-Watch a recent video of yourself speaking.
-Join a local Toastmaster's group (cheap not free).
If you feel like you are strapped for time as it is, you can try "stealing an hour" a few times a week. Stealing an hour for personal growth just takes a bit of practice. Basically, you find an extra hour during your day (when you usually watch TV, forcing yourself to get up early or stay up late) and use that hour to develop your communication skills (reading, rehearsing, writing messages, etc.)
INVESTING YOUR MONEY
Investing money in your personal growth is a touchy subject. While there are numerous shysters out there who are only after your money (in the name of personal growth), there are some legitimate ways that you can financially invest in your growth as a communicator. Here's a few:
-Buy a book and read it (usually the most inexpensive $$$ investment).
-Attend a communication seminar.
-Join a fee-based communicator's mastermind group.
-Get communication training on DVD.
-Get a personal speaking coach (Youth Speaker's Coach offers affordable options... contact us)
-Take a communication guru out to lunch and interview them.
Personally, I have utilized many of these skill-building resources and invested both time and money over the years. At the end of the day, it's not about just making the initial investment, but regularly putting into practice the things you are learning and soliciting feedback from others.
FREE Illustration of the Month (Mentoring May Edition)
This month's free illustration comes to you by way of Pastor Richard Crisco and a student ministry leadership workshop that he led a number of years ago. The main topic of the workshop was the importance of spiritual parenting and mentoring the students in your ministry. I have subsequently used this illustration with both students (in talking about the importance of finding a mentor) and with adult leaders (in reference to spiritually fathering and mothering the next generation).
In my Evernote app, this illustration is entitled, "Team Hoyt."
In my Evernote app, this illustration is entitled, "Team Hoyt."
About Team Hoyt
The Early Years
Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace.
Dick and Judy soon realized that though Rick couldn't walk or speak; he was quite astute and his eyes would follow them around the room. They fought to integrate Rick into the public school system, pushing administrators to see beyond Rick's physical limitations. Dick and Judy would take Rick sledding and swimming, and even taught him the alphabet and basic words, like any other child. After providing concrete evidence of Rick's intellect and ability to learn like everyone else, Dick and Judy needed to find a way to help Rick communicate for himself. More...
With $5,000 in 1972 and a skilled group of engineers at Tufts University, an interactive computer was built for Rick. This computer consisted of a cursor being used to highlight every letter of the alphabet. Once the letter Rick wanted was highlighted, he was able to select it by just a simple tap with his head against a head piece attached to his wheelchair. When the computer was originally first brought home, Rick surprised everyone with his first words. Instead of saying, "Hi, Mom," or "Hi, Dad," Rick's first "spoken" words were: "Go, Bruins!" The Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals that season. It was clear from that moment on, that Rick loved sports and followed the game just like anyone else.
In 1975, at the age of 13, Rick was finally admitted into public school. After high school, Rick attended Boston University, and he graduated with a degree in Special Education in 1993. Dick retired in 1995 as a Lt. Colonel from the Air National Guard, after serving his country for 37 years.
The Beginning of Team Hoyt
In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."
This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days. More...
In a triathlon, Dick will pull Rick in a boat with a bungee cord attached to a vest around his waist and to the front of the boat for the swimming stage. For the biking stage, Rick will ride a special two-seater bicycle, and then Dick will push Rick in his custom made running chair (for the running stage).
Rick was once asked, if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? Rick responded, "The thing I'd most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once."
The 2009 Boston Marathon was officially Team Hoyt's 1000th race. Rick always says if it comes down to doing one race a year he would like it to be the Boston Marathon: his favorite race. Dick Hoyt hopes that he is able to push Rick in the Boston Marathon when he is 70 years old (2011)! Neither Dick or Rick are ready to retire yet.
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