Archives for March 2014

Large Group vs. Small Group

March 31, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

Let’s play out a mock scenario. You are alone in ministry and are presented with the option to provide a dynamic large group program that dozens of students enjoy attending OR recruit and equip other leaders to provide small groups for the same group of students.

Large Group or Small Groups? And you can only choose one.

This may not be the current reality of your leadership position or church, but depending which one you choose in this mock scenario says a lot about your ministry philosophy and how you will execute that philosophy.

Perhaps you do offer both the large group program and the small group model. One of these will receive more planning this week than the other. One of these has a larger budget. One of gets more time and attention.

Why did I create a mock scenario for you? Because it’s easier to think that this is a pretend situation rather than a reality that happens every single week. Every week you will choose as the ministry leader whether large group or small group is more important. You will program for one better than the other, you will put more time and effort into one rather than the other. It may be time for you to re-evaluate your priority of large group vs. small group.

I’ve got more to say about this in my next post and announce the winner.

Give them time.

March 29, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

My most repeated request from small group leaders over the past month has been, “Can we get more time for small group?”

I love what the ReThink groups states: Love over time matters. If that’s the case, here is what I would say to all the youth pastors out there, “QUIT TAKING ALL THE TIME.” If you have an opportunity to put another leader in the spotlight, do it. Make small groups a reality.

With our student programs being scheduled to include both large group and small group time, the large group time can easily trump the small group time–but it shouldn’t. The large group time has many moving elements–games, announcements, message and worship. Just because it has more moving parts, doesn’t give it a more dominant position. When we weigh the importance of small group time vs. large group time, the actual amount of time given is your measurement. Small group leaders need time to build trust. When trust is built then students open up and relationships happen. Relationships matter the most. Relationships are the glue of our ministry.

I have been guilty of hijacking the time of my small group leaders during our large group time. Leaving your leaders just enough time to get into a quick discussion before closing in prayer is like giving them a cake and not enough time to eat it.

Give them time.

Dream Car.

March 28, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

I love cars, and am fascinated by all the makes and models out there but the Volkswagon Westfalia Vanagon has a special place in my heart! After doing a short trip up the California coastline in college and seeing many of these, it was westy love at first site.

This thing is a road trip, camping machine! Probably not the best daily driver, but a great option for those with a sense of adventure. This vehicle sleeps four and comes with a stove, fridge and sink. The top pops up into a tent where two people sleep up top and two on bottom.

I’d love to get my hands on an oldie and restore it. As a matter of fact, I was super close to buying one of these but my dad had a mechanic look at it, the guy said it would need about 3k in repairs. Most of them these days are in need of repair, popularly some replace the engine with a Subaru engine.

Perhaps someday I can get my hands on one and have a restoration project on my hands. Would love to do long weekend trips in the TX hill country in one of these things!

VW made a similar model called a Syncro, this one is 4 wheel drive but a very limited edition, pricey and almost impossible to get your hands on. I’d settle for just a plain Westy, they are very neat set ups.

Let them lead, it’ your missing puzzle piece.

March 27, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

I strongly believe that I lead where I do today because someone let me lead way back when. If you don’t have students leading in your ministry or another ministry in your church–it’s the missing puzzle piece.

One of my first leading experiences was to help lead a team of 3 other students as we did backyard bible clubs for kids in neighborhoods around our church. This leading experience had its ups and downs, but I was learning and someone entrusted that leadership to me. I was a freshman in high school.

I know that one of the best ways to get our students involved, engaged and keep them connected to the church is through serving and leading opportunities. These students are the future leaders, volunteers, and staff of our church. How will you empower them? What kind of opportunities will you give them? What kind of risks are you willing to take?

Let them lead.

Leading your leaders.

March 27, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

Perhaps the best thing you can do for your students is understand that you simply cannot lead them all. Whether your youth group size is 30 or 300, you need to inherit this mindset if you don’t already have it. An authentic relationship is hardly possible with 30, let alone 300.

Do you want to offer the very best to the students and make sure they are connected to great leadership? The answer isn’t you, at least not for all of them. Offer the best through your leaders. Recruit them. Develop them. Get them connected to students. Focus your leadership on the leaders, in turn you will multiply your leadership beyond what you could have ever offered students on your own.

If it weren’t for the 35-40 leaders that were investing into our students, the students would not be truly connected to the church body… they would be connected to just a building, just a program, just another student function.

My goal is to get a Christ-following adult into the life of every student that walks through that door, and I have to be okay with it not being me… but only because I recruited, developed and am in touch with those that are leading the students.

Naming your ministry…

March 26, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

Starting a ministry? Did you change the name of your ministry? Do you want to?

Ministry names are important. A ministry name will even identify you as a ministry leader alongside your ministry, both your successes and your failures. There is so much that can be communicated in a mere word. This word isn’t the only thing that will define your program or ministry but it will be used a whole heck of a lot.

My current situation is unique in that I inherited a ministry with a particular name, but it’s not sticking. Sure, that’s partially my own fault and I will take the brunt of that. I don’t call the ministry what it used to be called but also don’t make a big deal out of calling it something new. I simply didn’t want my current ministry to be tied to something of the past. We operate and function in a different way now and I don’t want the current ministry to be confused with the way things used to be.

I think the idea of naming my ministry something new is furthest from importance right now, we are still trying to learn process, programs and procedures. Sometimes it is easier to name or re-name a ministry once it really starts establishing itself rather than putting a name to something that doesn’t really exist yet.

Let your passion, desires and goals drive you to a name…don’t let just a cool or catchy name drive you to your passion or the kind of ministry you desire for yourself and others.

Think outside the desk.

March 25, 2014 by Chris Parker 4 Comments

My task list is a million miles long and often find myself stuck. With a flooded inbox, too many people to meet with and tasks to complete, what does a work week look like? I don’t have to arrive at the church offices at 8AM. I have many meetings at my local coffee shop. Sometimes if I really need to get something done, I’ll turn my phone on airplane mode and work from my home office. Though these realities are true, the majority of my office time is spent in the church office at my desk. My desk is about 15 feet long.

This is the Next Gen desk. On a typical work day I can be found at this desk not alone but with everyone else that contributes to birth-high school. This is a shared work space with the team I belong to, and it works. Recently, I gave a church tour to two other youth pastors. I showed them my office space and our desk. There reactions were somewhat the same as mine when it was first mentioned to me, I was skeptical. I never thought I would get my task list accomplished or goals met. The truth is, sitting at a team desk has made things easier for me.

In my previous church I had a large office all to myself… many other staff had this set up. You would see others at lunch, or through a scheduled meeting. Sure, it’s nice to have a door to shut… I really do miss that sometimes being in an open area but the productivity of our team is much more than I think it would be. What could take hours to unfold in an email thread is decided upon and figured out in mere moments because everyone is at the desk. Even my boss sits at the desk.

Our team is accomplishing more than it ever has. I give some of that credit to the desk. Think outside your desk, what kind of working habits do you need to break or approach differently.

I’ve got Craigslist fever!

March 24, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

More recently I have been selling things on Craigslist. There are things my wife and I don’t need or use anymore. Here are some tips and things to keep in mind while you are craigslist shopping.

1. Look for a deal, look for a seller who needs to sell.
2. If you are the motivated buyer, you will probably get the worst end of the deal.
3. Always start out by listing your item for more than you want.
4. Decide on your breaking point, stick to that number.
5. Bartering goods can work too, what do you need? What do you want to get rid of?
6. If you can help it, don’t meet someone at your house or theirs. Pick a public location.
7. List other descriptive words separated by commas in your posting, it will bring more traffic.

Just a month ago I bartered a backpack for an authentic pair of Ray Bans!

I have also sold stuff our church was getting rid of or dumping, took the cash and put it back into our ministry for things we could use.

What do you need to sell?

The BIG 100!

March 23, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

Welcome to the new feel and look of lifeofayouthpastor.com! This marks the 100th posting I’ve done. Today is all about getting the new site up and letting you explore a little bit. Nothing too fancy, but hopefully a bit more appeasing to the eye. Thanks to my friends Blair and Kenny this was made possible, love you guys. So, catch up on stories I’ve posted the past few days or enjoy the big 100 below.

Here are 100 things you may or may not know about me…

1. I am married to Calla.
2. I have toured ancient castles.
3. My first official job was at Chick-fila.
4. I have two ducks in my office.
5. I built a chicken coop.
6. Yes, I eat fresh eggs regularly.
7. I have four chickens in my backyard.
8. I love the outdoors.
9. My wife bought me a motorcycle for my wedding gift.
10. My dream someday is to own a ranch/land of some sort.
11. I work at Gateway Church in Austin.
12. I lived in Chicago for 6 years.
13. I graduated from Moody Bible Institute, B.A. in Biblical Studies and Evangelism/Discipleship.
14. My coffee of choice is Madelyn’s Backyard Pecan. You can only buy this in Texas at HEB.
15. I would go skeet shooting every day if I could afford it.
16. I got a bicycle for my birthday this year.
17. My wife and I enjoy home projects, we are always renovating something.
18. I’m a wheeler-dealer on craigslist, or at least I’d like to think so.
19. If I had to spend all my free time in one spot, it would be the backyard.
20. I love yard work, it has taught me patience.
21. I was on a sailing team in high school, we went to nationals.
22. I have a scuba diving license.
23. I hate the game of golf, it brings out the worst in me.
24. I recently saved $2,000 by trimming my own oak trees with some friends. I paid them in BBQ.
25. Popular Mechanics is a favorite magazine of mine.
26. Ducks Unlimited is a second favorite magazine.
27. I helped pay my way through college by starting a wedding photography business.
28. I dropped Calculus in high school and took welding, I am forever grateful for this decision.
29. I dislike popcorn ceilings.
30. People can’t text and drive, but cops can type on their laptop and drive? I find this annoying.
31. Put on the makeup at home. Driving, looking in the mirror and mascara is not a safe combo.
32. I haven’t gone sky diving, but want to.
33. Fall is my favorite time of year, spring is a close second.
34. Orange is my favorite color.
35. If I had to live anywhere else in the world right now, I’d choose Kenya. Rift Valley.
36. I have taken the train from Durango to Silverton.
37. I want to be dropped off by a bush plane and spend 2 months in the Alaskan wilderness.
38. I own a Gransfors Bruks hand hatchet.
39. I was a mean machine on Nintendo 64 James Bond, I can’t keep up with these Xbox kids.
40. I love the wood floors in our home.
41. I have a slight fascination with the Highwaymen.
42. No water Chai from starbucks.
43. I love traveling.
44. I enjoy camping, I’ll cook.
45. I believe loneliness is the next major illness. People have to be connected all the time.
46. I was told by my youth pastor that I can’t sing, it’s true.
47. I can play two songs on the guitar.
48. I am totally relaxed when rock climbing.
49. I cried when I got my first dog, she was a boxer.
50. My favorite food is steak.
51. I recently started CSS code writing.
52. I do enjoy a good Geo-cache.
53. I almost never use recipes when I cook.
54. I have no tattoos.
55. Pretty much blind with out my glasses or contacts.
56. Born premature…thus my bad vision.
57. I HATE doing laundry.
58. I LOVE cooking.
59. If I can cook it on the Weber Grill, I prefer to.
60. Duck hunting, and I don’t mean the nintendo game.
61. One of my favorite places is Big Bend, TX.
62. My favorite part of the gym is the hot tub, I’d rather work out doing an activity outdoors.
63. First one in my immediate and extended family to graduate college.
64. My full name is engraved on a wall inside the Alamo, alongside many others that fought the battle.
65. I know how to play the trumpet and tuba.
66. My high school marching band won the state marching contest in 2001. Go Timberwolves!
67. I’m an ISTJ Meyer’s Briggs.
68. Driving my dream truck, the Toyota Tacoma 4×4.
69. My wife and I share the truck, we are a one car family.
70. I’ll beat you in Settlers of Catan.
71. I was a chimney sweep in high school.
72. I was 18 when I first saw real snow.
73. I felt called into ministry when I was a freshman in high school at Panama City Beach.
74. Most of my family is from Alabama.
75. I like my PBJ’s in the skillet.
76. I believe if you are too busy to stop and have a conversation with your neighbor, you’re too busy.
77. I did a 400 mile loop in the Texas Hill Country on a Harley Road Glide Ultra.
78. Port Aransas is a favorite quick getaway to do some fishing and get time at the beach.
79. I have been to Canada, eh.
80. I am still not familiar with the subway system in NYC, despite 4 visits there.
81. I enjoy seeing the horizon in front of me, not a fan of blocked view.
82. I have been bitten in the face by a dog, had to go to the ER.
83. I had a piece of wood puncture my leg, had to go to the ER.
84. I broke my pinky playing basketball.
85. I broke my thumb playing football.
86. My wisdom teeth have been removed.
87. After the second cracked iphone screen I got an otterbox case.
88. I sleep with a fan on or white noise.
89. I have been to 9 different countries, all for mission work.
90. One of my dream cars is a Westfalia Vanagon. I want to get one and renovate it, then go camping.
91. I’m a learner, love learning new things.
92. I don’t like sweets for breakfast, just bacon and eggs.
93. I like the movie “The Guardian”.
94. The coldest temperature I have experienced was -16.
95. I like wearing a baseball cap.
96. Swam in a meet one time. I rocked the board shorts, while others wore speedos. Won my race.
97. My favorite thing to grill is baby back ribs.
98. I got a jalepeno pepper seed in my eye one time.
99. This is the first post on my new blog layout.
100. I am tired, going to bed now.