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Brought to you by the number 9

September 9, 2009 in Communication, Lead, Tech 0

9/9/09 interesting to say the least. Heard all kinds of things about today. Some said supposed to be the luckiest day of the year, some said it’s supposed to be the most unlucky day of the year because if you turn the nines upside down…well you get the picture.

One of the coolest things about today is something that I’m sure most of you have heard about. A conference of sorts called “The Nines”. It has been the number one trending topic on twitter and is most certainly something to be aware of if you are involved in Church.

I am so intrigued at the opportunity to hear people talk about #thenines all over the world. An incredible gift for someone just getting started in ministry to see leaders from different parts of the world coming together to speak into the lives of leaders. I am humbled, excited, and interested to see if more things like this can happen in the future.

Here’s why?

1. Free-I shouldn’t really have to explain this but conferences like Catalyst, Orange, c3, etc. all have admission fees. #thenines doesn’t. Removes barriers increases accessibility and reach. Excellent idea.

2. Time-It happens all day but the nine minute format is really cool because it makes everything seem more digestable to those that just aren’t in love with sitting at their computers all day.

3. Replay value- From what I’ve heard the leaders’ talks will be available for free download tomorrow morning and that is super sweet to see.

It’s an unbelievable thing to see the church coming together as a whole.

Thanks to everyone who is a part of this and especially to Catalyst and leadnet.org!

Way to Go!

$4,000 Gaming Console

August 31, 2009 in Communication, Tech 2



JVL gaming system, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

Just check out this thing!

I couldn’t believe it when I read it and I can’t believe it now. I know I won’t pay this much for a gaming system anytime soon and honestly I think they are trying to create faux luxury with this thing, but do you think gaming could become a luxury item anytime soon? As a gamer I sure hope not.

8 Traits of Digital Kids: 2) Speed

August 14, 2009 in Communication, Family Ministry, Lead, Tech 2



8 Traits of Digital Kids, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

Speed. Easy to comprehend, tough to understand how we can apply this in a classroom or small group setting.

Speed is as simple as it appears. Digital KiDs don’t deal with slow. Heck they don’t even remember dial-up internet. I do, it was so awesome at the time and now “hi-speed internet” has become regular internet.

Digital KiDs won’t settle on long waits. If they email a company with a concern they expect quick feedback. They don’t desire it or really wish it would happen they EXPECT it to happen. Every instant message should draw an instant response. They multitask at an incredible level.

“They can consume 8.5 hrs or e-media in 6 hours time!”

So What can we do about it?

Again tough to implement. Let’s start with an easy one. Instant feedback. If they have a question let them hear your feedback instantly. Let them see that you care about their questions. Guess what that might mean that you go off on a tangent to answer their questions in large group… eek!

Allow them to multitask. This one will be much harder for you than it is for them. Let them play a game while you are reviewing the lesson, or bring their toys to class while they participate in a Q & A session. It’s a culture thing. Give them the groundrules that it’s cool to multitask as long as you hold up your responsibility of participating in class. That DS that you would normally outlaw from the classroom could be the tool that allows them to let their guard down in the classroom and become more involved because of a new sense of trust.

What ways do you think you can implement this trait of Speed that Digital KiDs desire?

8 Traits of Digital Kids: 1. Innovation

August 6, 2009 in Communication, Family Ministry, Tech 1

8 Traits of Digital Kids, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

Innovation: something new or different introduced.

I want you to compare the last ten years in invention to the first ten years in your life. Do you remember the amount of things that were invented as something that dramatically changed your life? No, I didn’t think so.

Kids now are growing up in this digital world. They are being raised in a culture of invention. Things are changed and updated all the time. Blackberry, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS just to name a few. HD, Blu-ray, High-Speed Internet, Facebook, Text Messaging, all in the last 20 years. In a few weeks there will probably be some new groundbreaking technology that is really awesome only to be trumped by another groundbreaking technology.

This is all happening in the formative years of kids and now students. Kids have grown up seeing their culture innovate bringing something new and different to the table rapidly. They describe these companies as “leading edge, dynamic, creative, & efficient” . Alot of their self-image stems from the ownership of the latest and greatest technological advances that their friends have yet to own.

All this to say this. Kids know innovation. Kids expect innovation. Kids create innovation.

So how can we tap into their innovative side?

I’ll give you a couple of ways:

1)Allow them to create-whether it’s a card, painting, puzzle, story, etc. Allow them to create things that will help them learn or understand the point you are trying to teach. Doesn’t have to revolve around a verse or a point but should help them to think, analyze, and apply what they are being taught.

2)Ask for suggestions and ideas-guess what? They are probably better than you at technology…Why? Because it’s what they know. Ask for ideas on things that they feel would be new and cutting edge and that would help them to learn a little bit better. They already feel that they are experts(more on this later), why not tap into it?

3)Allow them to formulate life application principles-seems simple but they know where they are at in life better than you do. Allow them opportunity to process where they can apply Biblical truth in their life. I bet they will surprise you.

I will tell you this however. This is more about a culture change than anything else. They will innovate and be open to innovation if they feel it is a real value or idea that you want to continually develop. They need to feel comfortable enough in your midst to be vulnerable. You need to let them know that their is safety in putting their ideas out there on the table for others to consume.

Trait 1 Innovation.

How can you allow kids to be innovative and be in an environment that is innovative?

8 Traits of Digital Kids

July 30, 2009 in Communication, Family Ministry, Tech 1



8 Traits of Digital Kids, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

Over the next few days I’m going to talk about a portion of the breakout that I’ve prepared on Digital Kids. While all 8 traits come from a book called “Grown up Digital” by Don Tapscott. It’s a great read for anyone involved in either Children’s Ministry or Student Ministry and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in how media and technology are affecting our youngest generations.

Sit tight and we’ll get rolling pretty soon!

Getting Parents “In”

July 27, 2009 in Communication, Family Ministry, Lead 5



Bad Parenting 092307, originally uploaded by masterthon2004.

It’s a super tough thing for people in Children’s Ministry. Trying to get parents to jump the hurdle and just invest in their kids spiritual walk. Transitioning from a drop off mindset to one that is creatively leading their child’s spiritual journey is way more than a baby step walk. But how do we get them to step out where they may feel uncomfortable.

I think this blog from Seth Godin gives some great insight. He talks about the marketing of a unicycle. Basically you go from failure to success in what seems like an instantaneous change. It’s an incredibly great read and like most everything Seth does takes 2 minutes.

But from our side. How in the world do we “Create non-unicycle moments” for Parents? How can we get them to celebrate what may seem like a meaningless failure? How can we get them to push forward even though the only thing that continues to be in their face is failure?

What opportunities can you take to Get Parents to recognize the influence they have on their kids, while they stare in the face of failure?

Sold Out !!

July 24, 2009 in Communication, Family Ministry, Lead 1



Michael Jackson – Sold Out !!, originally uploaded by Lu-Gu.

Now I know what you’re thinking. Some other guy posting about Michael Jackson. Well not exactly what this post is about. In fact, it’s not what the post is about at all.

But really this post is about being Sold Out. And not the cliche “Sold Out for Jesus” even though you should be.

But what about events? Do you ever sell out events in ministry? I mean it’s one thing to desire to sell out but do you sell out.

Like do you let people in at the door without tickets or something? Let me tell you a story.

We had an event at a local water park that we capped out at a number of people for comfort and experience. We sold tickets and our advance publication let people know that tickets will be sold out and they will not be able to get in without a ticket. We sold out this Sunday before the event on Thursday. We had a ton of people call day of and wanted tickets even though we had already sold out. We let them know we were sorry but that we didn’t have any tickets left.

Now up to this point I’m sure everyone in ministry has been here. You’ve sold out an event and we’re ready to go.

But what about those people that show up unannounced “clueless” that they needed a ticket. Where do you draw the line between communication and ministry?

This time it came down to the fact that we felt if we sold tickets at the door we would be saying one thing (no tickets available to those that called) and doing another (selling tickets at the door) over holding a hard line and possibly hurting some families in the process that didn’t receive, understand, or were even unaware of the message about needing tickets.

But where do you draw that line? Where do you cross the line for giving to people and yet making sure that people understand the communication is there for a reason and that they need to make preparations for it?

Tough one to do but where do you draw that line?

Digital Kids

July 8, 2009 in Communication, Random thoughts, Tech 0

Young Photographer at Work, originally uploaded by inkswamp.

In a couple of weeks we will be having our annual Children’s Ministry Summit for our Volunteers. This year our staff will be teaching breakouts for our Volunteers to choose from. I am doing a breakout on “Communicating with Digital Kids”. I’m pretty pumped about it.

Here is something I ran across as I was doing some research thought you might find it interesting…

Summarizing the real digital divide…
1. Native learners prefer receiving info quickly from multiple multimedia sources while many teachers prefer slow and controlled release of info from limited sources.
2. Native learners prefer parallel processing and multi-tasking while many
teachers prefer singular processing and single/limited-tasking.
3. Native learners prefer processing pictures, sounds and video before text while many teachers prefer to provide text before pictures, sounds and video.
4. Native learners prefer random access to hyperlinked multimedia information while many teachers prefer to provide information linearly, logically and sequentially
5. Native learners prefer to interact/network simultaneously with many others
6. Many teachers prefer students to work independently rather than network and interact.
7. Native learners prefer to learn “just-in-time” while many teachers prefer to teach “just-in-case” (it’s on the exam).
8. Native learners prefer instant gratification and instant rewards while many
teachers prefer deferred gratification and deferred rewards.
9. Native learners prefer learning that is relevant, instantly useful and fun while many teachers prefer to teach to the curriculum guide and standardized
tests.
This isn’t a matter of who’s right or wrong It’s not a matter of either/or. This isn’t a matter of them or us. It’s not a matter
of which way is better. The bottom line is that kids ARE different. They communicate differently than we do. They’re motivated by different things than we are. They process information differently than we do. And most importantly, they learn differently than we do.

You can go here for the entire paper.

So what do you think? Anything you want to know about digital kids?

Hot Chocolate a Hit at Summer Camp?

June 27, 2009 in Communication, Family Ministry 0

It’s one of the weirdest things that I have seen this year and last year at Centri-Kid Camp in Ridgecrest, NC. It’s hot chocolate and the kids in a complete frenzy for it. But it fits right in with something that I’ve been thinking about a ton.

What is out there that no one else does in Children’s Ministry?

I’m talking with environments, graphics, video, sets, curriculum, relationship building techniques, teaching methods, etc.

Hot Chocolate as the pic suggests is considered something for a holiday so why in the world do the kids go absolutely nuts for it at Summer Camp (which by the way, earlier this week was about 92 degrees)? Part of me says duh, it’s liquid chocolate but the other part of me screams because their parents would never go for it at home. But I wonder home many times that big kid marketing giants Disney and Nickolodeon asked the question what can we give kids that they can’t get at home.

We’ve been going over a ton of ideas like this at BrookwoodKiDs lately and it’s really awesome that we are thinking this question:

What can we offer kids that they can’t get anywhere else?

I don’t know the answer to alot of those questions. But we are thinking them and that is a big, big thing to start doing. Never know, BrookwoodKiDs might come up with the next Hot Chocolate at Summer Camp idea for #kidmin who knows.

One thing I do know is that we need to continue to ask the question.

Chasing Cool

June 23, 2009 in Communication, Tech 0

Cool shoes, originally uploaded by mholmes818.

So I picked up a few books to get me through camp and vacation. One that I’m so pumped about is “Chasing Cool“. (fyi that site is pretty cool) It’s a super sweet marketing read for those who want to know “How Can I be Cool?”

Businesses and organizations all want to tap into the cool factor. We want it for our friends, we want our churches to be it, and ultimately we want our names beside it.

So how do we get it. Or for those that have no idea what cool is, how do we meet a need that people don’t even know that they have yet?

Well I’m not sure. That’s kinda why I’m readin the book ;) But I know one thing. People that are cool don’t chase it, they define it.

What do you think? Do you want to be the iPod of your industry? Do you want to be cool?

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