Creation Stations

We recently had a worship night focused on God the Father.  The talk was short.  It made the point that the first impression we get of the character of God is in the creation passages in Genesis.  God is a brilliant creator!  The talk then made the point that one way we experience God is by trying to become more like Him.  It follows that if one of God's main roles is as Creator, then when we create, especially when our focus or intent is growing in Him, we experience God.  We closed by observing the fact that our youth meetings are often not about creation but study.  

Then we dismissed the teens to spend the rest of the evening creating at these stations (checklist and description if needed):

1. Snow Sculpting:  Using the snowy blend of "Yuck" from Buckets-O-Fun, we made it in three colors and allowed students to create on pieces of tin foil.

2. Finger Painting:  By far the most popular (go figure).  Fingerpaints, paper, done.

3. Cookie Decorating:  Cheap walmart cookies, cheap tub or two of icing, leftover sprinkles from giant sundae.

4. Flower Arranging:  Donated flowers from florist or cheap grab bag of flowers, scissors and vases or bottles.

5. Writing/Drawing:  Inspirational photographs, Bibles, paper, pens, pencils.

6. Garage Band Loops: Get people who have Apple computers to bring them.  They come with a program called Garage Band that students can use to create music from existing loops.

7. Event Soundtrack.  Had one computer plugged into the sound system with the web browser open to "In Bb."  Students simultaneously play youtube videos in the same key creating a live soundtrack for the event.

Bulk Text Messaging

If you're like me, then you are always looking for a new way to get your announcements out, or to remind your students of an upcoming event. For years we have used phone trees, postcards, and videos, and those are ok, but let me tell you what I have learned.  If you text your info in a short text message to a student, it's like magic or something. They just remember it better. There are TONS of web sites out there that can do a good enough job at making this happen for you, but one that you might want to check out is www.tatango.com. Tatango offers a 30 day Free trial also. 

I have, through a good bit of trial and error, found an app for my phone (G1 thru T-Mobile) called SMS Wishes. This amazing little app was free and allows you to schedule SMS text messages to go out to large numbers of people at one time. I'm sure that there are comparable apps out there for the I-phone and other smart phones on the market. 

So stop spending time and money on postcards that get tossed, and try using bulk text messaging to contact your students. (works great for most adult volunteers too) Happy texting!!

Another Gross Game

Ok so how many of you have used Starbucks gift cards as a 'reward' for winning a gross game? Well what if Starbucks  IS the gross game?!? I was at our youth Satellite office the other day (Starbucks) and was presented with Starbuck's newest innovation, Starbucks instant coffee. It comes in variety of different brews from really light to really dark. Well as it turns out, when properly prepared it is not a bad cup of coffee. 

So anyway on to the gross game part of it. Purchase 3 pouches of Starbucks instant coffee, I would recommend the dark roast. Set your game up like this. Announce that you have just been introduced to this great new product that Starbucks offers, rave about what a great cup of coffee it makes in just seconds, blah blah blah.

Have 3 completely dry coffee cups on a table (with spoons just for effect) pour a pouch in each cup and stir for effect. Then invite 3 willing participant to come up and jug this 'dry' coffee. 

I havent done this one yet, but plan on it, next Sunday night. Should be great!

Three Gross Games

Three simple games we have used in the past.  Have seen versions of these played everywhere; therefore, they were probably all stolen from Jesus or Peter originally.

Bloody Marshmallows 

After shooting ping pong balls into buckets to see which topping they get to use (Bucket marked 1 is Ketchup, 2 is mustard, 3 mayo, 4 Catalina Dressing, 5 Mixture), contestants have 30 seconds to cram as many marshmallows dipped in (condiment) into their mouths as possible.  Afterwards, they spit them out and count.  I have had a person concerned with this one about it being a choking hazard.  You can modify it to make it safer by having them eat each one and count as they go.

Cheerio Shaving

After getting a facefull of whipped cream, students dip their face in a bowl of cheerios.  Their partner sqirts of the cheerios with a tiny squirt gun.

Diaper Licking

Students race to see who can lick all the hersheys syrup and candy bars out of their diaper. 

Clips from Films in the Theatres

I recently ran across a pretty incredible site: Wing Clips. The site focuses on providing clips for download from top movies that you can use as an illustration in your talks/sermons.  What’s amazing, is that they have clips available from first-run movies that are still in the theatres!  Right now they even have clips for a couple of films that have not even been released.

The clips are categorized by title, theme, and some even have full sermon outlines available for download (premium only).  What is interesting, and convenient, is that they have worked out a deal with the studios to allow you to not need a CVLI license to display them.   They provide 320×240 versions for free, and offer a subscription for unlimited 640×480 resolution for $15.95 a month or $139.00 a year (which works out to $11.59 a month).

(originally posted on youthministrygeek.com)