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March 31, 2006
Mad Friday
Had a totally mad day trying to get everything ready for the residential AND it's not all done yet. Looking through the paperwork yesterday I found out that, despite what I had been told, it wasn't completed. After a brief headless chicken type moment I managed to track down the missing forms and start filling them in ......... it took me until 10pm last night to sort it all out AND have just been given the green light.
Today I have done the shopping, picked up the bus (tested the roof rack was strong enough) and am now sorting out the equipment, packing and all that jazz. Craaaazzzzy. Would appreciate your prayers for this weekend.
We must be Crazy to put ourselves through this! But it's worth it :-)
Will blog again next week once I can string a coherent sentence together.
Posted by ian at 3:47 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 30, 2006
Changing Context of youth ministry
All the discussion around the challenges of discipleship and youth ministry, new paradigms and what mission 'looks like' in our culture got me thinking about ...................... Star Trek and how the old Star Trek and the New can represent approaches to youth ministry.
Stay with me on this one!
If you remember the old Star Trek? The one with Captain James T.Kirk, you'll remember that it was quite straight forward (at least in my memory). The plot basically being that every week the Enterprise encountered some alien race, as part of this encounter Captain Kirk would either end up hitting or kissing the alien depending on its attractiveness or nastiness quotient. (There was, I admit one confusing episode in which he kissed a good looking alien that later turned out to be nasty and be able to change it's form, so he hit it). In my analogy this, single plot, simplicity of approach is akin to the model of youth ministry I grew up with, a predictable always the same model approach i.e You ran a group in which faith was lived and discussed, the young people invited friends to join the group and this kind of worked.
Springing forward to the era of Jean Luc Picard as captain of the Enterprise and things got a LOT more complicated. You had a reflective approach to situations, attempts at understanding the culture of the races encountered and a spiriritual life on board the ship. Analogy being obvious in that we are in a lot more complex arena for Youth Ministry and the response requires more thought, understanding and experiment as well as the need for spiritual life to be at the heart of who we are and what we do!
It seems to me that the Church often still thinks in a Kirk-esque fashion while Youth ministry has/needs a more Picard like approach, but that can be hampered by the throw back to the Kirk regime. My analogy is also based around thinking that different contexts require different answers not the one size, snog it or hit it, linear approach.
May we continue to Boldly go!
Posted by ian at 11:33 AM | Comments (8)
March 29, 2006
Youth ministry and discipleship
Good debate going on over at Backyard Missionary on Youth ministry and Discipleship, well worth a read.
I had a REAL rant about this way back in terms of the Church and discipleship, I hope what Hamo has started will fuel a meaningful AND USEFUl debate, Quite a few folk have picked this up, check out Marko.
ht to the Lev via TSK from the link :-)
Posted by ian at 12:02 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Zen and the art of youth work
I'm still having a fun time out there in youthworksville. I was thinking this yesterday when I was at the gym with a lad I'm working with through the Oxford Youth Mentoring Scheme. The particular moment that prompted this reflection was when we were both on cross trainers having finsihed an insane race to see who could do 3000 paces first and were now competing at Countdown which was on one of the TV screens! (For the record, I lost the race but got the most points on Countdown).
Other stuff: I am TRYING to get a bunch of young people together for a consultation about what the new Bish of Oxford should be like. This is proving really difficult as I want it to be a representative group but difficulties of transport, Easter holidays and the like are making this trickier than a tricky project that's very tricky.
Frustrating Stuff: A particular bunch of lads that I have been trying to work with turning up ALL wearing yellow jogging trousers!! The frustration stems not from the fashion faux pas, who am I am to judge :-) but because it meant they had been in trouble with the Police AND were proud of the fact. (An incident a while back in which they're clothes had been taken for forensic evidence and they'd been lent the yellow tracksuits). Engaging this bunch of lads is really hard :-(
Residential this weekend though, Hurrah! Which means loads of preperation and work, Boo! But a fabulous opportunity for these young people, Hurrah! But not much sleep, Boo! A lot of fun though, Hurrah!
Posted by ian at 8:43 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 28, 2006
Information supersplurge
Hope you'll excuse the random nature of this post but here's some stuff ........
Oxford Youth Workers Forum, Wednesday 29th March at the Brickworks Pub, Cowley rd at 7pm. If you want to know more then e-mail Oli.
Buckinghamshire: May 20th 'It's a Knockout' event you can enter a team of six into. Run by Longridge Boating Centre. E-mail Nicolette for details.
Hambleden Valley (near High Wycombe): 10th April, an international youth service called PASSION 2006. Download file
Frontier centre, Northants. FREE Event evening on Weds 12th April 5:30-8:30. For more info phone 01933 651718
Nationally: Christian Aid week 14th-20th May 2006. Loadsa resources and ideas here!
Youth work week is 1-7th Nov this year and entitled, "Hold Your Head Up" relating to mental health and emotional well-being. More details from the NYA.
.... and a great Resource. Nigel put together a page for some young people on 'Reading the Bible' that contains a fantastic collection of useful web-links. Grab it here
Posted by ian at 11:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
What's up blog?
Captain's Log: Stardate - End of March-ish
I think all the changes to the blog have bedded down now and stuff is working. Thanks to everyone who has changed their link to www.youthblog.org (If you haven't, please do so!). One of the limitations of the new set-up is if anyone is looking for something it throws you straight to the current day so you'll need to use the 'search' box to track down the 'post' that you wanted.
This means that Youthblog becomes less attractive to harvest pictures from but there's still loadsa people trying, I'm getting 2-3 thousand hits a day but the vast majority of these are looking for pictures not 'youth ministry' Hey Ho
Someone has put together a site in China called Youthblog (link here) which I think is to do with young people but I could be wrong? ..... this is definitely not an attempt at franchising!!!!!
Posted by ian at 9:17 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 27, 2006
Youth worker Office 6
The last few offices have been disturbingly tidy but Ray is re-addressing the balance. Clearly an advocate of the organic 3 dimensional filing system which is beautifully demonstrated here ..... to the point where there is NO actually working space, CLASS! Therefore a 9.5 on the Hamilton Scale*
* Dropped half a mark for only having 1 unwashed mugs AND because the commentries are in order :-)
Posted by ian at 8:39 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Youth Worker Office 5a
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
Posted by ian at 7:53 AM
March 25, 2006
Youthblog's state on the ministry address
I was at a board meeting this morning and had the oportunity to offer my reflections on youth ministry in the Diocese to imporatnt people in suits. My 'briefing paper' stood out like a sore thumb among the meetings agenda, papers and reports as it was the only one in colour AND with pictures :-)
The gist of it was along the lines of:
There are good things happening with youth work/ministry across the Diocese
Committed work by volunteers
Projects such as Youth Alpha
Around 36 employed Youth Ministers
Churches providing placements for Youth Work Students
Growing numbers of youth-led services
Credible detached work with marginalized young people
Diocesan events such as YELLOW BRACES and VERTIGO
Greater recognition of the contribution the Church makes
HOWEVER there are some critical issues that need examination
The number of Churches where young people leave aged between 8 and 10 and hence have no work with adolescents at all.
Resourcing and recognition of volunteer leaders.
Poor employment and management practice for youth workers/ministers
Lack of discipleship of young people and lack of exposure to faith in action
Lack of real engagement with young people ….. A “holding onto” mentality
Much larger number of churches engaged with primary schools than secondary schools.
There were some good questions and some useful discussion, expesially around my asertion that:
The problem is not so much that many of our churches
are completely disconnected from adolescents,
the problem is the number that do not see this as a problem!
Posted by ian at 1:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 24, 2006
Phoenix Like
The residential has risen from the ashes and is going ahead! It was a really encouraging evening at 'drop-in!' Normally if we have to cancel something then the young people kick-off big time. However tonight, rather than react angrily, 2 of the girls just said, 'No, Ian IT IS GOING to happen!' and promptly set off around the estate to find anyone from club who had not returned forms and persuade them AND their parents that this was an un-missable event. They managed to get commitment and forms from three people, the final two arriving at close of play at 6 oclock! I have permission for the event to go ahead :-)
I'm really pleased that the residential is happening
Most of all though I'm THRILLED that this has been a massive step forward with young people demonstrating enthusiasm, initiative and commitment. Fab!
Posted by ian at 7:08 PM | Comments (2)
The Cry of the deep doo doo bird
The residential I have been trying to pull off with the Youth and Community Centre has gone a bit pear shaped. Despite inviting, praying, cajoling, marketting, chatting, reassuring etc etc etc I have only 3 young people booked in. In the words of Fender (Robin Williams),
'I hear the cry of the deep doo doo bird!I'
Basically the funders who have stumped up £700 are going to be LESS than happy at that sum being spent on three young people! Therefore I need to cancel BUT the outdoor pursuits company will not retun the £300 and it looks like all in it's going to cost about £400 to cancel it. Aaaaarrrrrghghghghghg
It's a week to go and I'm in deep custard whatever I do!
The deep doo doo bird is in fine voice!
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
SUPPLEMENTAL: Currently at 'Drop-In' and 2 of the girls are SO determined that the residential will happen is that they are currently running round the estate knocking on the doors of teenagers from the group and trying to persuade them to come AND get parental forms filled in. The manager has told me that 18:00 is the absolute deadline! It's great to see the energy and enthusiasm we've been trying to cultivate KICKING IN big time, I hope for their sake they can recruit the extra people needed :-)
Posted by ian at 10:34 AM | Comments (2)
Youth Worker Offices 5
Having featured a youth ministry office yeterday which had a particularly MESSiological approach to it's theology, todays are much more systematic. Portsmouth and Rochester are the destinations for our voyeristic glances into the administry of all things youth workeresque ...
This first one belongs to Mizz who is one of the crew at Reluctant Souls. I reckon this is a classic born again bedroom approach to the office and is funky in a post bedroom sort of way. (Mizz, I'm sure will correct me if I'm wrong). Great posters, WAY TOO TIDY but my fav' feature is the mysterious piece of piping that travels outside the wall along the room above the desk, this may be evidence of a major youth work office initiative whereby hot coffee is piped directly to the desk? which would be nice!
This next one is the creative base of Holy Phil. This is actually a 17th Century gatehouse with nothing beneath the floor but space for horses and carriages to pass through. This makes this office very cool .......... I mean incredibly cold! Most striking feature is how mahoosive the office is and I'm sure Phil would be open to suggestions with what to do with the Serengetti expanse in the middle of the room.
High Funkiness factor (assuming the furry dice are there in the ironic sense) and a class office. Worrying feature: The obsesively tidy papers put perfectly into line on the coffee table?
Posted by ian at 8:07 AM | Comments (3)
March 23, 2006
Making me smile
That is not my blog who has the fabulous strapline,
Just trying not to get run over at the intersection of faith and culture!
Couple of pictures from the site that made me laugh and hence shared here.
and, the youth ministry/emerging church truism ......
Ht and thanks to Call me Ishmael
Posted by ian at 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Youth Worker Office 4.
I still neeed pictures of youth worker offices and would love some none UK ones too! Todays offering is the buro of The funky Dr S Hamilton, who the 'Hamilton scale of untidyness' is named after. Just so you know I am not exagerating, here's what it looks like .......
This chaos is the source of some great youth work and creative worship but is totally mad. Note the narrow strip of exposed carpet that allows safe passage (just) from the door to the desk. On the plus side you also can't see any wiring on the floor in this office BUT then you can't see much floor either AND you can see plenty of wiring stacked up on the tubs.
Overall: Plenty of funkiness, in fact plenty of everything. You may want to print out this photo as a 'trump card' next time your boss says your office is untidy and you can point out that relatively speaking, it's NOT!
(Thanks Sarah for voluntarily supplying the photo!)
Posted by ian at 9:01 AM | Comments (10)
Hope 2008
Here's some advanced notice of potentially really exciting stuff ahead for the UK. In 2008 it is hoped that HUGE numbers of churches will get involved in 'word and action' type mission in their communities up and down the country!
Here's the background. Mike 'Soul Survivor' Pilavachi, Roy 'YFC' Crowne and Andy 'Manchester' Hawthorn got together and chatted about all the stuff that's been happening with Soul in the City and the like as well as how much great stuff is going on with THE NOISE, Youth Alpha and the like. They were asking question about what they could be doing in-line with all the stuff that God seems to be shaping at the moment. Their 'what if?' questions prompted them to work out if there could be an umbrella name and motivation that would get LOADS of churches engaged with mission, thus the idea for HOPE 2008. The Three then went and discussed the idea with national type bods from across the organisations, denominations etc and the feeling, reaction is 'Let's do it!'
SO: It's up to you what you do with it, but a) do something b) Put young people at the heart of it. The only unifying feature is that the stuff you do is communicated to a co-ordinator so that stuff is not duplicated AND churches can be working together. Fab huh! You'll hear more about it over the next few months but put it into your minds, diaries and prayers NOW!
Posted by ian at 8:50 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 22, 2006
Youth Worker Office 3
Another insight into the organisational life of the Youth Worker. This time from North Wales-ish and the tidiest office so far (less than 1 on the Hamilton scale) but I'm assured that it gets untidier as the week goes on! Ruthe (nosuchthingastomuchcoffee) is the pilot of this office and I'm very impressed with the high levels of funkiness! Good CD collection being sucked into i-tunes, left over Christmas decoration and a uber funky MAC as a computer.
Special commendation for the most amount of culture I've observed in a youth worker office so far (I'm referring to the remains of the yoghurt) and I also like the randomness of the spare ping-pong balls.
Summary: disturbingly tidy but very cool. Weirdest bit: Where are all the wires??????? Check under the desk ..... it's completely devoid of the normal 'spaghetti' by which everything connects together! How is this possible?
Posted by ian at 8:42 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Random
Youth group last night and it was quite a good session on the whole! There were a few issues like the lads discovering the security code and running amok, oh and one girl who will only say 'Shut-up' to me which was a bit wearing. NEARLY won the table footy game though (8-7) and I have 4 booked in for the residential BUT hoping/praying that the figure will double! Interesting chat with a 14 year old who couldn't comprehend that I had never done drugs and decided that I was REALLY weird!
Driving to work this morning I was thinking about all sorts of stuff, randomly:
Thunk 1. Youth work isn't just providing entertainment, it's about empowerment, opportunity etc BUT it's difficult to define the point at which entertainment crosses over into 'youth work'
Thunk 2. The 'Multiple Occupancy lanes' proposed for various motorways where you can only use them if there is more than 1 person in the car left me thinking: If I ever need to hitch-hike again it will be much easier to get a lift BUT annoyingly chauffeur driven rich bods will be able to use those lanes WHENEVER they want, huh!
Thunk 3. Still working on a spoof job advert for Youthwork magazine. Haven't got much further than,
"Wanted: Youth worker to head up a Christian Yoga project! 37.5 hours per work but succesful candidate must be flexible"
Thunk 4. Martin has revealed that June's Youthwork magazine will have a free gift on the cover, wondering what that will be?
Thought for the day:
Eagles may soar
but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Posted by ian at 8:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 21, 2006
Youth Worker Offices 2
I was at Farringdon today so had chance to further my research into Youthworkers' offices. I had chance to photograph the workstation of Simo(n) aka Onmebus (and in fact, see the bus!). Seriously cool place to work, in that his office has sofa space enough to seat 12 people and an A2 Colour printer AND a colour laser printer. Initially it only scored 5 Hamiltons for untidyness until I discovered a magentic noticeboard flat on it's side where, it appears, every fly in Farringon goes to die. The score then descended to a more youthworkery '7' given the fly-graveyard.
Funkiness aplenty though. The phone is inside a scale model red phone box AND the Cartoon Church calender for the year is on prominent view!
Bonus points for having wi-fi. Weird points for the wi-fi transmitter being 2cm from the Laptop.
Posted by ian at 4:01 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Youth Worker Offices 1.
I was a few minutes early for a meeting in Guildford yesterday so borrowed an office to do a bit of work in. As I was checking the blog for comments I had an idea for a whole new series on the blog. *Drum Roll* Welcome to 'Youth Worker Offices' a psychological examination of the working practices of youth workers and an in-depth look into their personalities! Ok, more like ...... a bit of fun and an insight into the working enviroment of folk who tune in to Youthblog.
Here's the idea. Send me a picture of your office or wherever you work. It must be in it's NORMAL state and I'll post it on the blog. To kick the ball rolling here is the picture I snapped in Tim Sudworths Office yesterday:
|
Fun Factor |
Good. eg Peter Kay Calender and bizarre water feature |
|
Untidiness |
8* |
|
Number of discarded cups/mugs |
3 |
|
Youth Workery resources |
Excellent: BIG shelf out of pic |
|
Funkiness |
high |
*Untidiness is measured on the Hamilton scale where 10 is the full Hamilton and desk/flooring are undiscernable!
(refers to DEEP THOUGHT who's office is legendary in terms of non orderlyness)
Posted by ian at 8:05 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 20, 2006
Where did the weekend go?
Woooosh
'What was that?'
That was the weekend mate!
'What ....... any chance of another one?'
Monday morning and I'm sitting in one of my offices (The Starbucks one) and logging on via wi-fi and caffiene to see how the week looks! The weekend flew by with 'drop-in' at the youth centre, I spoke at a Vocations weekend at Begbrook priory (My daughter came with me and kept calling it the nunnery!) and on Sunday the funky meta-church organisation, 'Oxford Youth Works' put on a shindig I went to.
Found this picture on the web. It's quite depressing really but I really like the amused incredulity of the bystander who is pointing at the sign. Also, the 'makes me sick' guy appears to be giving someone directions, I can't think of anyone I'd be less likely to ask directions from?
Saddened by this sort of stuff, I wonder how this guy views Jesus' interactions with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers from the gospels and whether he's understood how Jewish society viewed them?
(BTW, What's an ankle biter? and is there any theological justification for attacking us 'computer freaks?')
Posted by ian at 9:43 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 17, 2006
Team Work will triumph every time
May use this in youth work training as a good example of what working together can achieve against the odds.
'A pack of dogs attack a crocodile. Sometimes nature is cruel but there is also a beauty in that cruelty. The crocodile as one of the ultimate predators can even fall victim to the kind of implemented 'team work' strategy which is possible due to the pack mentality and social structure of canines. The mauling was still taking place as the attached close-up picture was being taken'
I've put the photo from 'Nature Magazine' in the extended entry. Click on continue reading if you are interested - but not if you're squeamish!
Posted by ian at 2:02 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
March 16, 2006
Issues for the Church
Am just writing a report and would love your contribution!
What are the issues in/for/with church currently in terms of working (or wanting to work) with young people? Your thoughts please ...
Posted by ian at 5:15 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
IT Support is Key
I’m really fortunate in my job to be supported by a fantastic I.T team, not only are they completely on-the-ball but have a cool sense of humour. As you can see my Laptop has suffered a bit of a crisis, in that the ‘Z’ key has fallen off limiting how much ‘_ing’ my writing can have!
In a fairly tongue in cheek move I e-mailed I.T support asking for advice on my one-key-short of a keyboard crisis. The e-mail I got back was class. They said,
‘not sure what we can do about it but in the meantime use the following and ‘cut and paste’zzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ’
It’s been interesting recently as I spend a bit of time working within local authority settings. I.T within one of these settings is really naff and I could not do my job effectively or creatively if I had to work with their limited and outdated set up.
Being a youth worker in a Church can be EVEN more of a challenge. With one job I did I was promised an office, which in fact turned out to be a room NOT any equipment. Worst story I heard recently though was a new youth minister appointment where the applicant was promised a new lap top. HOWEVER on starting the job the Church Minister stepped in and claimed the lap-top then dumped his ancient computer on the youth minister!
I.T nightmares anyone ……………………………
Posted by ian at 11:15 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
March 15, 2006
Being a Diocesan Youth Adviser
I continue to have a weird but fun job ... which I've just realised is a good thing as it's quite a close match with my personality! But what do I blog? Selected highlights or the whole mish-mash of stuff that happens?
Last night was a TOUGH youth club, really difficult behaviour, complete lack of respect and all that Jazz (no disrespect to Jazz intended!) in fact the feeling that we were getting nowhere, I came home absolutely drained and woke up still feeling exhausted. Trucked off to an appointment in Slough only to find that the canal network would be a fast paced alternative to the M4! Made it eventually and was really encouraged to see the way that Scripture Union hosts a series of dynamic fun presentations that allow Year 6 pupils to engage with what Easter means. Ate some sausage and chips on the way back (mistake) and am tackling e-mails, planning and report writing. Examples of stuff awaiting my attention:
Invitation to Preach at Wycombe Abbey School! Very cool but can't make the date :-)
Invitation to a conference entitled, 'Developing the Dialogue:
Public Sector Procurement from the Voluntary & Community Sector and Social
Enterprise' Initially decided to say 'no!' but after some thought have decided on 'NO, thankyou!'
Trying to organise 'Yellow Braces' the Diocesan Camp. The young leader training programme is REALLY popular but I need more experienced leaders too. Busy doing some research on smaller youth groups at the moment and the diary is looking a bit crazy as I try and squeeze in visits to various groups, all of which I'm looking forward to. The rest of the job at the moment is a mish-mash of all-sorts, in fact if the Astrophysicist bods are still wondering about where all the missing matter of the universe is that's postulated to exist ....... It appears to be in my In-Tray (and you are welcome to have it if it will help your research grants)
Most disturbing thing this week so far, clicked on this link (NO, Don't do it) from YSMarko FIRST thing in the morning ..... not good. (May have to take the 'Knight Rider' ringtone off my mobile as a result)
Filing this entry under 'Quite boring' oh an the David Hasselhof video under' Things that would be really funny if they were a spoof!'
Posted by ian at 3:18 PM | Comments (7)
March 13, 2006
I wannabe a Yoof Wurka
The latest edition of YOUTHWORK arrived on my desk this morning and I enjoyed the great rant by Martin de la Editor (ex-blogger?) about the device that repels teenagers (nice one Martin) and I'll leave you to decide wether the closing line is rhetoric or a call to vandalism :-) ... can't link to it yet as its still the old mag' on the website.
I then, as ever, jumped to the jobs pages. I like to see if there are Churches in my Diocese advertising that I didn't know about. I also like to see what's hot, what's not and what's Grot!
Most bizarre ad' this month is a combined Charismatic au-pair and Youthworker job? Benefits include an en-suite shower and use of the swimming pool. Mobile number to reply to.
I quite liked the advert from the Salvation Army for a 'Divisional' Youth Officer and wondered whether they should be after a 'unifying' one instead! Knebworth are looking for a 'Youthworker who wants to make THE difference' .... rather unsure what the use of the definite article means BUT I love how up-beat it sounds.
And finally: Kettering are advertising for an Assistant Minister specialising in ministry to the over 50's ????? The advertsing bod' at Youthwork mag who managed to sell them the opportunity to advertise in YOUTHWORK magazine must be REALLY GOOD at the sales pitch,
something like this I reckon ..........
"Oh yes, you'd be surprised how many people who read our magazine are actually more interested in a SAGA focussed ministry than with teenagers! It's £1.60 a word, you won't regret it and I know there's a Youth worker out there who is looking for THIS opportunity! Sign here, YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE!"
Posted by ian at 9:05 PM | Comments (7)
Essay deadline looms large
I must stop blogging and get on with my Essay
I must stop blogging and get on with my Essay
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I can't believe you are still looking for something interesting, the fact remains ....
I must stop blogging and get on with my Essay
I must stop blogging and get on with my Essay
Posted by ian at 8:07 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Seeing things in a new way
I love it when you see things in a new way, I like the way group work/informal education can be about this. The, 'I never thought about it like that before' moments.
I also like quotes that illustrate this in a slightly odd way, my favourite is probably a Douglas Adams one,
"Things are not always as they appear! For instance Man had always considered himself so much more intelligent than the dolphins because he'd achieved so much; New York, wars and so on while all the dolphins had ever done was splash around and have a good time. Conversley the dolphins also considered themselves more intelligent for precisely the same reason"
But discovered this which was a comment on the Dilbert blog via Richard. and made me laugh.
'The sentence for 'Attempted Murder' should be the same as the sentence for 'Murder' ..... otherwise we are just rewarding incompetence'
Anyone got any other good changed perspective quotes?
Posted by ian at 1:42 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 11, 2006
Talking about Tweenagers
I was running 'workshops' today on working with Tweenagers (If YOU were there. thanks for making it so much fun) and enjoyed the discussion and debate enormously. The aim of the workshop was to explore how this age-range has changed AND then look at the implications for our work with Tweens.
Some of the changes we explored were:
* Puberty happens earlier
* Young people encounter a greater number of issues at a younger age
* Education has radically changed
* Tweenagers have more ‘power’ than ever before
* Childhood has shrunk
* Greater engagement with the world, media, technology
* Busier, access to more activities
'Almost every aspect of today’s tween-ager is different from what we have seen among past generations. They’ve grown up faster, are more connected, more direct and more informed. They have more personal power, more money, influence and attention than any other generation before them’ Martin Lindstrom
If you are looking for the books I used. They were Reaching and Keeping Tweenagers by Peter Brierley for the Church Stats. The stuff on understanding and working with this age group drew heavily from two marketing books, Kidfluence and Brandchild (The latter of which I really recommend!)
Stuff I've written before you can find here, here and here! Oh and if you want a great piece of homework, watch School of Rock which is some great work with Tweenagers :-)
Posted by ian at 4:11 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 10, 2006
Entry number 747
Just noticed that this is entry: 747 Cool huh? It's only been 17 months since the blog took-off so it's plane that the averaging posting is over one a day, not a runway success but not bad either. I started it as a pilot and although I have been winging it most of the time, the mumbo-jumbo I write has been (on the whole) well received by all nine of the readers. So thanks for popping in, always gives me a lift that people connect with the tails herein and use if as break from the flaps of the day.
Captain Youthblog apologises for some turbulent punning on the approach but wishes you a pleasant onward browse, I hope you'll join us again soon.
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March 9, 2006
A Kingdom moment
I sometimes struggle with Church BUT I also believe passionately in Church. A place that all are welcome, a place of worship, acceptance, love and grace. An all age community of disciples, searchers and strugglers. A place where joy and pain are equally allowed, a Christ centred place of healing, hoping and longing!
I was thinking about this and a Kingdom moment came to mind. My eleven year old boy has cerebral palsy. He is awkward in movement and speech but HUGE in heart and passion for life. One Sunday it was time for the peace (where in our tradition you greet those around with. "The peace of the lord be with you!") and the congregation were greeting and shaking hands with folk in the surrounding pews. My son is GREAT at this and sets off to bless as many people as he can before the vicar reins things back in. I noticed he'd gone across to see a young man in a wheelchair, I would guess him to be a teenager or just slightly older and I had not seen him or his parents before. He was profoundly disabled and his hands were unmoving on his lap and his gaze downwards. When my son greeted him, the young man didn't seem able to show much response. Un-deterred my son held his hand bent down slightly to look deep into his eyes and in his faltering speech said, "The Peace of the Lord be with you!!"
I believe in Church
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Youth Matter: Next Steps
Youth Matters: Next Steps has been published, thought you should know! So for all those policy buffs, go ye read and commeteth!
Posted by ian at 9:16 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 8, 2006
Empowerment anyone
Cartoon Dave has posted a cartoon here (make sure you click on the cartoon to get part two) about possible tensions between youth work ideology and frustration. Made me laugh ..... especially as last night at club I was promoting a residential I'm trying to run, which is all connected in with getting young people more involved in the club and their community (bit of empowerment eh). In the midst of all this though was some real moments of 'bad choices' from some of the young people including what came close to a Pool Ball fight. New 'first' for us though, when we had to call the Police (different incident) and FIVE police officers turned up!
Cool thing was though that it was a pretty good end to the evening with a fast paced and good humoured game of dodge ball in the Sports Hall with some particularly volatile lads. Result!
Posted by ian at 8:40 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 6, 2006
It seemed like a good idea at the time
Top Onmebus type youthworker bloke Simo(n) left a comment on the previous post. His comment contained the immortal (even, quintessential) youth work line,
'It seemed like a good idea at the time ... '
Here's a whole new potential commentathon. Do leave examples of stuff that you've done that would naturally conclude with the youth work truism, 'Well, It seemed like a good idea at the time!'
Confucius
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and Third, by experience, which is the bitterest.
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Three Funerals and a wedding
Just found this picture that I used in a series of talks onthe book of Ruth that I entitled 'Three Funerals and a Wedding!' I can't find the origin of the cartoon but I suspect it was from Winebibber. It's only funny probably if you remember 'When Harry met Sally!'
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A life in the week of the Youth Adviser
At the 'Symposium' on Friday we got to discussing our calling and our ministry. Interesting discussion and I reckoned on my ministry being to live a Christ centred life in which I am a father, a husband, a friend and a youth minister/worker. My calling is my work with young people. At least these are my answers thus far but it is an interesting avenue to explore, especially working for a gargantuan institution such as the Church of England.
Interestingly Little Alice was mulling over similiar stuff (independently) on the same day, I might suggest March 3rd to be 'Annual Ministry and Calling review day!'
I'm going to type up my week (below) just to see how it holds against my idea of ministry and Calling!
Sunday = Day out with my boys. Evening= Cook tea, family time, get ready for week. Time with Jo
Monday= Take Children to school then Gym, before meeting at Youth Centre. Up to Oxford and a day of paperwork like sending out 'Yellow Braces' forms. Evening= seeing a young person I mentor, helping him with some furniture for his new accomodation and then taking him to the Gym.
Tuesday= Office first thing then the TEAM meeting. More time in office. Tuesday evening = youth group at the 'Youth Centre' where I'm pulling together a residential and youth council plan.
Wednesday= Office. Phone calls and planning some visits to groups. Lunchtime I meet with the small group I tutor for CYM. Back to the office (report writing, bleurgh) and head home for about 4:30 to get in some good family time. Then, when kids are in bed may go to Badminton club
Thursday: Office then college. Residential planning meeting in the afternoon. Planning meeting for the next BIG Vertigo event in the evening.
Friday: A bit more low key as I'm working Saturday. Go to the GYM, have coffee with Jo. There's a couple of youth workers I want to catch up with. Afternoon= On the team for a 'drop in' Friday evening go and see my Daughter in a Dance Show
Saturday: All day training event where I'm leading two workshops on working with Tweenagers. Saturday evening = EXALT in Wargrave, going to catch up with some leaders and young people as well as supporting the event.
Sunday= Complete day off. Church and family time :-)
erm: Definitely too much time 'driving a desk' this week! is this part of how my calling is lived out? Not sure BUT I do know I cannot do the job without desk time. Definitely spending time with plenty of young people though, GOOD!
Weird job? Definitely. Right now I would REALLY like a calling to go skiing!
Posted by ian at 12:15 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
How to recognise a volunteer
No this is not a lesson in, How to identify a volunteer from quite a long way away! The Daily Telegraph are looking for young volunteers (10-18) who make a difference to their communities. Details in 'continue reading'
The Sunday Telegraph is proud to have launched the Spirit of the Community Awards, to honour young people aged between 10 and 18 and reward the best of them for their community service.
The awards are being sponsored by the Reuben Brothers Foundation and supported by groups including the Scouts, Girlguiding UK and The Prince's Trust.
Those wishing to enter need to have undertaken unpaid voluntary work in the United Kingdom or abroad sometime between June 1, 2005 and May 30, 2006 and to be nominated by someone such as a teacher or a Scout leader. The entry form will be in the Sunday Telegraph each week until the closing date of May 31, 2006.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in October. The winner will receive £5,000 and the runner-up £2,500. Ten others will win £500. Half the money will go to the winner and half to a charity of his or her choice.
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March 4, 2006
Theological Inaccuracy
I was listening to Radio 2 (ha, I've admitted it) on Thursday and there was a band doing a live set. Sadly I can't remember who they were but they were great, from Wales (possibly Swansea) and are the support for the Elton John tour that kicks off in May. The DJ said, "Steve, is it also true that you were in 'Jesus Christ Superstar?' I'm not sure whether Steve thought this was an uncool piece of history or was just being low-key about it, but his reply was,
"Yes, for my sins, I was Jesus!"
Posted by ian at 3:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 3, 2006
Here's Friday
I was in a far corner of the Diocese last night discussing youth work opportunities with a great bunch of people. I was really encouraged by how willing they were to engage with some creative approaches to mission and young people. I often encounter a default position of 'engaging with young people = we HAVE to have a youth group!' which limits things ESPECIALLY if there's no way a church can do a youth group.
I didn't get in until late so took myself off to the Gym first thing this morning, highly recommended! The combination of knocking seven bells out of the punchbag then praying in the Sauna was tops and I feel on good form.
I'm just on my way to a symposium on 'The differences and comon ground between Youth Ministry and Youth Work!' Should be fun eh? (Isn't 'symposium' a great word?)
If you are bored then please continue to add to the comments here on Interview nightmares as I'm enjoying them enormously!
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March 2, 2006
I believe in order to know
Steve Tilley is on top form and has posted a mega entry he's called Cogito ergo Sum in which he's looked at where his certainty lies. It's well worth a read. It resonates with me and a line I wrote about "Christianity being my life and my hope, my struggle and my meaning!" My teenage years and early 20's seemed to encounter a lot of Christian answers, black 'n whites and certainties. The questioning and wrestling since then I think has been the most exciting part of my faith journey. I'm glad to know there's some stuff I don't know I'm glad there is the need to embrace mystery. I'm also glad though for what I have discovered and how my experience of God and my desire to follow Christ is central to my life! I think it was Augustine (happy to be corrected) who said, "I believe in order to know!" ............ I think that's true for me, my view of the world is centred in/from my faith, centred there and shaped by my thinking/experience, not in conflict with or in spite of. That 'knowing' is a place of rootedness but not all the answers, a starting point and not the end.
I don't know if that makes any sense, it's been a lent journey in my head and I'm grateful to Steve for kicking it off.
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Oooopppps
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March 1, 2006
Wednesday is the new Monday
Lenten greetings friends. I know I normally do the boring 'notices' type stuff on a Monday under the heading of SPLURGE but this week has seen a certain amount of slippage, Wednesday therefore is the new Monday and the following is what you may (or may not) want to know.
If you are planning to go an hear Kenda Creasy Dean in Oxford they have urgently sent out a new booking form so you know that cheques need to be payable to 'Oxford Youth Works' .... I've uploaded the new form here.
Dan Kimball posted an interesting thought when he postulated that the Da Vinci Code is a more honest point of engagement for us as Christians than the Narnia offering. I think the Da Vinci Code will lead to some fascinating conversations and those groovy people at REJESUS have written some useful stuff. (Incidently I cannot follow the Da Vinci court case at all, If the writers of the original idea were claiming that there work was an historical examination, then what's wrong with a story been woven around that. You can't claim something to be non fiction and copyright the data surely (even if it is barking mad). BTW I don't think Mark Berry liked the book!
Andy Goodliff is heading up a Lent blog that starts today. There's also space to contribute to it too. Details here The Grace Lent blog is also well worth tuning in to. NYMO (Northampton Catholic Youth) have put together some lent videos which you can download to your ipod! Find out about it here
The Hambleden Valley (near High Wycombe) are having a service in Holy week. This 'Passion' event will be on April 10th and have an international flavour as there will be Norwegians and Swedes taking place. It would be great to support this event with youth groups from the locality ..... who would have the opportunity to be involved. Please invest time in this one if you can. Thanks :-) For more details contact me. If you are in Buckinghamshire then May 6th should go in your diary as YOUTH FOCUS have a very useful training day. Details here. Download file
And finally: In light of my limited Skateboard-ability I was surpised to get an e-mail from across the pond asking me to mention Brand X Skateboard ramps. Alain seems like a top bloke and reckons they'd still be a good deal even with shipping, so if you're in the market get in touch.
Posted by ian at 9:28 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack