7 Postmodern Techniques to Utilize Music in Your Message

Today, I had a featured guest post on Josh Griffin's student ministry blog, Love God Love Students. The post is titled 7 Postmodern Techniques to Utilize Music in Your Message.

Check it out HERE.

Youth Speaking Ninja Tip #32

Trying to filter everything in your message through a singular, main theme?

Utilize Youth Speaking Ninja Tip #32:

"Write your main theme at the top of each page of your notes."

This will serve as a reminder as you refine and present your message. If you are presenting without notes, write your theme on a Post-it and stick it to the cover of your Bible, the podium, lectern, music stand, or wherever you will see it as you deliver your message.

You will find this Ninja tip along with over 50 more in the new book, How to Become a Youth Speaking Ninja, releasing next month exclusively on Kindle.

Upon reading this book, you will also learn:

-The 10-step, ninja-process of developing and delivering messages that connect with students.

-How to connect with students EVERY time you get up to speak.

-The youth speaking ninja process for accurately exegeting scripture.

-How to discover and deliver relevant illustrations for students.

-How to strategically avoid the pitfalls that most youth speakers fall into when communicating to students.

-Over 50 practical youth speaking ninja tips, tricks, tools and secrets to becoming a more effective communicator.

-And much, much more!

How to Become a Youth Speaking Ninja will be available exclusively for Kindle in September.

3 Weeks and counting... How to Become a Youth Speaking Ninja

Only 3 weeks until How to Become a Youth Speaking Ninja is released exclusively for Kindle.

Keep an eye out for some various freebie Youth Speaking Ninja Tips & Tricks to be released over the next few weeks here at Youth Speaker's Coach.

I am excited to publish this practical handbook for youth pastors, youth workers, youth leaders and youth speakers.

Put on your black morph suit, grab your throwing stars and get out your Post-it notes. Upon reading this book, you will learn:

-The 10-step, ninja-process of developing and delivering messages that connect with students.

-How to connect with students EVERY time you get up to speak.

-The youth speaking ninja process for accurately exegeting scripture.

-How to discover and deliver relevant illustrations for students.

-How to strategically avoid the pitfalls that most youth speakers fall into when communicating to students.

-Over 50 practical youth speaking ninja tips, tricks, tools and secrets to becoming a more effective communicator.

-And much, much more!

How to Become a Youth Speaking Ninja will be available exclusively for Kindle in September.

What Gene Wilder Taught Me About Chutzpah

I was 14 years old.

God had yet to call me into full time ministry, but I was eager to grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ and the "new kid" in a new church and new youth group.

Somehow, one of the youth leaders had convinced me to join the youth group at a week-long, high school youth conference, Summer in the Son at Kentucky Christian College. Little did I know God would you this youth conference and Gene Wilder to radically transform me from the shy new kid to a bold-as-could-be, spit-fire, risk-taker for the Kingdom.

The transformation itself took place in a "Drama" workshop led by speaker/comedian Tim Jones. During the first day of the workshop, Tim introduced the students to the concept of "Chutzpah" (one's willingness to be audacious, bold and courageous). Tim explained that those with great stage presence were always willing to take the risk to look stupid and go for it, even if they only have one line on stage.

Then we were shown this clip of Gene Wilder from Blazing Saddles:

Tim proceeded to emphasize the importance of "milking the moment" of every line, just like Gene Wilder did.

I'm not sure what happened during that week in Tim Jones' workshop, but I vividly recall thinking "have some chutzpah, go for it" before I would share my faith with someone, get on stage to speak, or take a risk for the Kingdom of God. I have utilized the "Chutzpah Principle" for the last 24 years and will continue to do so. No more fear of failure. No more stage fright.

Thank you Tim Jones.

Thank you Gene Wilder.