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.

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)

Invisibility in Worship Leading

He must increase, but I must decrease. - John 3:30 (NASB)

Part of your job is to be invisible. Our role as worship leaders and band members is to make God more visible and ourselves less. We are simply making a way for others to join together in praising God, and modeling how they are to do it. How is it that we can be an invisible worship leader?

Here are the top 8 ways to be a VISIBLE worship leader:

1.    Use many solos or distracting music. We do a good job of focusing on the worship rather than the music. But as we get better, we need to be careful if it calls too much attention to the band, it calls attention away from God.

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