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#OC15 hacks for you and your team

April 28, 2015 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

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Who do you want to meet and why? Two years ago I read the book: Leading Change without losing it by Carey Nieuwhof. It guided me greatly as I lead tons of change in our student ministry including building small group culture from the ground up. Carey was a hero of knowledge in his book, I simply wanted to thank him for writing the book and share some victories I had because of his leadership imparted to me. Not only did I get to meet him but we had breakfast! Last year it was talking with Doug Fields for about 10 minutes about our current student ministry goals and getting his feedback. Don’t be shy, get out there and meet someone new, introduce yourself. Oh… and may I add, some of my most beneficial conversations didn’t come from the well known ministry leaders – it was buying a coffee for some Orange specialists. I really enjoy my time with Jeremy Zach & Matt Ivy when I get the opportunity.

Your team should rarely be together. You spend almost every waking moment with your team trying to solve the world’s problems within your own church. The next few days, here’s your strategy – divide and conquer. Don’t attend the same breakouts, if you all have the same schedule do yourself a favor and mix it up now – switch your breakouts and exchange notes when you get home.

Down time is prime time. If there isn’t a main session or breakout happening you need to understand this very plainly – 6,500 other like minded people are sitting, eating or browsing the bookstore! Now is the time to meet new people, develop ministry relationships outside of your own bubble and talk shop. Use social media (Twitter) to connect with others quickly. Example:  Hey #stumin people at #OC15 I’d like to meet some other youth pastors and learn from you, you have 5 min? I’m in main lobby by water fountain. For real, if you’d like to hangout for a bit during the conference hit me up on Twitter @ChrisParker0

What are your top 3 questions in ministry right now? Have those questions ready for any peer or leader in ministry you might encounter.

Here are mine:

  • How do you create a program that is equally inviting to unchurched students while also discipling the current students you have?
  • Ministry is really heavy, how do you avoid taking it all home with you?
  • Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently over the past few years in ministry? I always ask this question, I want to learn from other’s mistakes… hoping I won’t make them myself!

Back to the drawing board. Here’s what I’m stoked about. The next few days will fly by but it doesn’t end there. Schedule a time NOW with your team, supervisor, volunteers to discuss what you learned and talk strategically about how you want to implement these ideas into what you are doing already. Get the flip chart out or sticky notes and go to town. There should be too much to talk about and that’s ok. I’d recommend at least two full days with your team to digest and develop a game plan moving forward. The biggest mistake is to go home and just continue in the same routine without unpacking anything.

Are you reading from afar? No worries you can watch LIVE sessions from the couch or office, by yourself or with your team. Set aside some time in the next few days to look at the schedule and make a point to join us!

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Filed Under: Leadership, Student Ministry Tagged With: leadership, leadsmall, OC15, Orange Conference, stumin, thinkorange, youthmin

3 reasons why I’m going to Orange Conference this year

February 19, 2015 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

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Orange Conference 2015 is right around the corner, and I cannot wait. This will be my 4th time to attend???…. I’m starting to lose count. I attend every Orange conference and tour that my time and money will allow, and here are the 3 reasons why.

YOUTH PASTORS EVERYWHERE. Hundreds of hip, goofy, fashionistas that love Jesus and the next generation. You cannot get out of that place without making new friends.

CHOICE OF LEARNING. Breakouts are set up and designed to offer you strategic learning in the areas you need it most. Need more volunteers? There’s a breakout just for that.

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS. The Orange staff does a fantastic job of lining up stellar and diverse speakers from across our nation. I walk away feeling challenged and supported every time.

Register by midnight tonight (2/19) and get $50 Orange Credit!

Filed Under: Student Ministry Tagged With: leadsmall, OC15, Orange Conference, register

#OC14 so far…

May 2, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

oc14-sc-8-630x210                     Here are a few quick things I have learned and been processing thus far at #OC14:

  • God has a specific calling on my life and my ministry. Living out this calling should look different than everyone else. I should stop gauging success based my personal and ministry accomplishments compared to others. Success should be based on whether or not I have answered and stayed true to what God has asked me to do.
  • There are far more (in numbers and tenure) dedicated kids ministry volunteers and staff opposed to student ministry staff. C’mon student leaders! Step up your game, stay loyal to your church, raise up an army of great volunteers for students.
  • You need to know how to define a win for everything you do in your ministry. What does a win look like for the guest that attends camp? What does a win look like for my small group leader after a small group? What does a win look like after a staff meeting? Defining your wins will help you strive for excellence and celebrate what is most important.
  • Don’t let your budget determine your vision. Let your vision determine your budget.
  • Prayer. Not praying for your ministry/church on a regular basis is like trying to launch and navigate a rocket to the moon without NASA. Let’s stay closely in touch with our all-knowing Father.

JOIN FOR LIVE STREAMING THIS MORNING! 

 

Filed Under: Student Ministry Tagged With: lifeofayouthpastor, oc14, Orange Conference, student ministry, student pastor, students, thinkorange, youth pastor

Can I watch Orange Conference 2014 online?

April 24, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

yes

Next week thousands, literally thousands, will assemble in Atlanta, Georgia for Orange Conference 2014. Perhaps you didn’t buy a ticket, you were skeptical or waited too late or took a year off, or maybe prefer a different conference?! Regardless of the reason, you are in for a treat, the folks at Orange are very considerate and are making the main sessions available for LIVE online viewing next week!

  • Can I really watch for free? YES.
  • Can I still buy a last minute ticket for the main sessions and attend in Atlanta? YES.
  • Will you be blogging your thoughts and ideas on things learned next week? YES.
  • If my team and I can’t make it to #OC14 should we watch main sessions together? YES.

Orange Conference will provide some great discussion and ideas for you, your staff, and leaders. Grab some popcorn, pen and paper, take some notes and chat it up!

Watch the main sessions LIVE stream for free or check out the Orange conference website.

Set reminders on your calendar/phone, main session times are as follows:

Wednesday, April 30
Session#1 7:30PM-10:30PM

Thursday, May 1
Session #2 9:00AM-10:45AM
Session #3 7:30PM-8:30PM

Friday, May 2
Session #4 9:00AM-10:30AM
Session #5 11:15AM-12:30PM
Session #6 2:00PM-3:15PM
Session #7 4:00PM-6:00PM

Yippeee!!! Can’t wait, see you all in Atlanta next week!

Filed Under: Leadership, Student Ministry Tagged With: 2014, Atlanta, free, live stream, oc14, online, Orange, Orange Conference, rethink group, session times, student ministry, watch, youth pastor

My Breakouts for OC 2014!

April 7, 2014 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

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I’m super excited about Orange Conference this year! I always appreciate the main sessions but LOVE the breakouts. I like hearing about the niche things in ministry, but love seeing the dozens of others in ministry struggling through the same things. It’s places like this that a mere conversation can totally alter the state of your ministry or vision. I’m not completely sure what I will walk away with this year but ready to find out.

Here are the breakouts I have chosen to attend. Hope to see you there!

  • MEASURING WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN FAMILY MINISTRY (Next Gen)
  • UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON KIDS AND STUDENTS
  • LEADING THROUGH CRISIS, TRAGEDY AND TRAUMA (STUDENTS)
  • ORANGE STRATEGY TO BUILD AND ALIGN MULTI-SITE CAMPUSES
  • STARTING A CHURCH FOR UNCHURCHED FAMILIES
  • ORANGE INTERACTIVE: STUDENT MINISTRY

Filed Under: Student Ministry Tagged With: breakouts, oc14, Orange, Orange Conference, student ministry, student pastor, youth pastor, youthmin

Orange Conference 2014

March 12, 2014 by Chris Parker 1 Comment

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April 30 – May 2

I will be in Atlanta for the Orange Conference! I’d love to meet up, talk student ministry and keep building my network of other youth pastors out there. Feel free to comment or just send me an email chris_parker@gatewaychurch.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Atlanta, oc14, Orange Conference, student ministry, stumin, think orange, youth pastor

Orange 2013 Steve Fee – (Dubstep)

April 25, 2013 by Chris Parker 1 Comment

By far one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time!

(Be sure that ads are disabled on your browser from spam reasons, I only posted the steve fee video)

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dubstep, focus, lifeofayouthpastor, oc13, Orange, Orange Conference, rethink, steve fee, we shine

#OC13 The Good Stuff!

April 24, 2013 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

photo (16)A zombie tap-dancing pirate, the orange-man-group beating on trashcans, and Annie belting out “the sun will come out tomorrow!” …and then DC Talk walks out to a balloon drop resurrecting the old school song “Time is ticking away” this pre-game show has been incredible!

Gwinnett Arena – Atlanta, GA. The seats are filling up with #kidmin and #stumin staff and volunteers for Orange 2013. Though this is the first main session, the day has already been packed with multiple breakouts and pre-conference gatherings. I have learned quickly that if you do not get out of your comfort zone a little bit and network at conferences then you are making a big mistake. It has been a joy to meet others in the same profession, bearing the same burdens, experiencing the same trials and joys of student ministry.

One of my favorite conversations thus far was with Carey Nieuwhof, I have been reading his book “Leading Change Without Losing It“. Being at a new church, leading through lots of change this book has been a #1 confidence builder. I thanked Carey for writing the book and was excited to hear that he is working on part two of three books. One of the things we talked about was how important it is to build trust during a season of change.

I’m sure I don’t have it with every one of my volunteers and students, but I do try hard to earn it. What does this look like? Do life with them. Church and student ministry is important but you don’t have to talk about it all the time. Taking interest in someone’s life, not their role or history in your ministry, can help build bridges of trust. Try going out for a meal and any time discussion about ministry or church comes up try to re-direct it to more of a personal conversation (family, hobbies, their history).

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: carey nieuwhof, gwinnett arena, kidmin, oc13, Orange 2013, Orange Conference, student ministry, student pastor, stumin, thinkorange, youth pastor

Packin’ my bags for OC 2013!

April 19, 2013 by Chris Parker Leave a Comment

orangesuitcaseReady or not Atlanta, here I come for a full 7 days! It’s been 4 years since I last went to the Orange conference, it was actually my first conference as a full-time student pastor. The people over at Orange will constantly say, “it’s not just about a curriculum, it’s a strategy”…

“What if church leaders and parents synchronized their efforts to fuel wonder, discovery and passion in the next generation?” By combining the critical influences of the light of the church (yellow) and the love of the family (red) the Orange Strategy shows a generation who God is more effectively than either could alone.

I am constantly convicted that as student pastors we must aim at equipping, empowering and hold accountable our parent relationships. There is no doubt that the best disciple of the student can be mom or dad, but without encouragement, training and partnering with the local church, how effective can the family be? I know there can be a lot of tension around this conversation, but what I am seriously pumped up about is that Orange is tackling this conversation from multiple angles – small groups, age-appropriate questions, stuff for at home, equipping volunteers and lay-leaders in the church, etc.

After having met the HS pastor for Northpoint (Kevin Ragsdale) at the Orange Tour in Dallas, I am really excited about the kind of ministry he is running in Atlanta. I love large-group environments that funnel into small-groups later in the program. This is a huge win for both students and leaders alike. I’m checking out his ministry this Sunday and hope to learn some new things that could be implemented where I am currently doing ministry.

What else am I looking forward to at Orange 2013?

  • Blogger’s Lounge – apparently Kenny over at childrensministryonline.com is getting me into the box seats. Right Kenny?! 🙂
  • Meeting up with old friends and making new ones. If you are headed to Atlanta too, I’d love to get together for a meal or coffee and talk shop! Contact me and we can set up a time.
  • I’m signed up to attend and learn from the following breakout sessions:
    • Leading You: The Art of Self Leadership
    • NextGen Ministry Leadership: Leading 360 Degrees
    • Understanding the Middle School Mind
    • Orange Interactive: Student Ministry
    • 10 Things I do to Learn, Lead and Network with Others
    • Casting the Vision Daily to Keep Everyone Aligned
    • Crafting Life-Changing Messages for Teenagers
    • Evaluating a Lead Small Experience
  • I think one night I will need to go and see Oblivion, can’t wait, the movie trailers are a tease!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Atlanta, large group, lifeofayouthpastor, OC2013, Orange 2013, Orange Conference, sessions, small group, student ministry, student pastor, stumin, youth pastor

Hey there, my name is Chris. I wake up every morning thinking youth ministry. If you are in the same boat, then I know you will identify with me, because you also live the life of a youth pastor .

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