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Sneak Peek: End of Old School

September 24, 2009 in Family Ministry, Tech 0

We have been in a series called Old School that is an original BrookwoodKiDs series that teaches kids about the Bible. Couple of goals we had were the following:

  • Answer common questions that kids have about God’s Word.
  • Guide them in becoming more comfortable with God’s Word.
  • Teach them not only how to read the Bible but also how to hear from God through the reading of it.

We’ve done a cool thing that my #kidmin peeps might like. We took kids and allowed them to intro the lesson in video format. We are planning to keep this element and also allow the kids to make the announcements that we have in large group.

Tell me what you think of this little blooper reel. And see if you can find me. A little hint, I might be hidden from plain sight.

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.

What about the Sermon?

August 26, 2009 in Lead, Resources, Tech 5

munny speakers, originally uploaded by fungus amungus.

I’ve had this on my mind for awhile now and just wanted to compose my thoughts a little bit before I threw it out there.

So here we go…

Obviously our world is changing. Our culture is changing. Technology is making alot of things easier and yet it’s making others difficult. Kids and students are not as interested in being sponges any more. They watch television on average 7 hours less than their parents during the week. Now when you combine other media they consume like video games, online connection, and music then those totals are crazy unbalanced in the favor of kids but overwhlemingly kids and teens see television as white noise. They don’t feel changed or grow because of what they see on the tube.

Also because of technology, the way kids and students learn is changing. Lecture based learning is still in place today even though those educational models were created in the 1950s! They read on a screen rather than a page and read short blips rather than long novels. Some studies suggest that this has dramatically affected their attention span. But here is my question really based on a few thoughts.

First you can see some things are changing. Tony Morgan posted a survey wanting to know if people read or listen to books. Not only that but John Piper put his umm… err… not so favorable thoughts on using “video and drama stuff” in your sermons.

But if kids and students minds and brains are changing to learn in new ways… where will the 25-35 minute message go? Where will the sermon/message/preaching time go?

Not really a knock on anyone but are we prepared for this next generation to hear the message of God? What’s next?

What are your thoughts? Will the sermon die?

Patternwall.com

August 15, 2009 in Resources, Tech 1

Pattern Wall, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

I haven’t highlighted enough resources lately and here is one that I think is incredible. Patternwall.com is an awesome site where you can download more than 150 wallpaper textures to use in your design work. With my limited range of Photoshop skills, this site is a must for me because it makes it pretty easy to give your work some depth and then allows you to use blend modes to work with color.

It’s fun and I love going here and picking out some textures to use for anything that I need to design.

You should check em out!

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?

Are we teaching kids in an effective way?

August 3, 2009 in Family Ministry, Tech 1

I saw this video today. It’s old (over two years ago) just check out the computers and such, it’s pretty well done, but more importantly it illustrates the point effectively. Watch this 5 min. video and tell me what you think.

[httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o]

Be honest do you think this is not the point at all, should we putting more emphasis on “Old School” books and teaching methods? Or did this hit the nail on the head? You’re UP!!!

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!

Little Big Planet over 1,000,000 levels!

July 22, 2009 in Family Ministry, Lead, Tech 1

I saw this article in USA Today talking about how Little Big Planet a game for PS3 with the tagline “Play, Create, and Share” has received over 1,000,000 levels to play online.

Just goes to show you that media creation is at an all time high. With only 2.4 million (insert overstatement joke here) people playing this game. That is a great ratio of level created to player.

This is where our KiDs and Students are headed. How can we develop this and put some structure behind it without totally killing their desire to do so?

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