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April 30, 2008
From training to first post
I've been invited to deliver a seminar for a bunch of graduating youth workers looking at the move from training to first job in a Church or Christian organisation. My brief is to explore the perils and opportunities, the funny and the absurd, the useful and the watch-out-fors .... but above all to help students be effectively and realistically equipped for their first professional ministry role.
So *adopting Yoda voice*, mmm Wisdom I seek friends?
It'd be good to have some thoughts and gleaned wisdom from those who have joined a Church straight from training. What didn't you know? What assumptions had you made?
What would you do differently? What was the difference between 'placement' role and employed role? Muchos gracias
I have turned on the anti-cynicism filter on the comment moderator so please be aware that your keyboard will melt if you cross level 2 on the virtual cynic gauge.
Posted by ian at 8:16 AM | Comments (12)
April 29, 2008
Youth Work After Chrisendom
I am looking forward to this book and I'm going to be going to the launch in Birmingham. Here's the blurb on the book and the launch event .......
"Two years ago we began work on a book that we believe will offer ground-breaking insight to the youth work and ministry of tomorrow.
Youth Work After Christendom is due to be launched in the summer and we would be delighted if you could join us for the Official Launch Event on July 8. We wanted to host something that had real meaning and purpose and so we have put together a programme that we believe will be stimulating, inspiring and informative. The day will include seminars, refreshments, lunch and a free book - all for just £17.50! Full details are in the flier" launch event flier.PDF
Posted by ian at 8:26 AM | Comments (4)
April 27, 2008
The Youthblog-mobile
For Sale: Former blogger chariot.
Specifically, it's a Vauxhall Astra 1.6 (Petrol) 'Club' Estate in Green. Muchly loved car that is looking for a good home in exchange for £995 in used notes. As I need to sell it to buy the LPG powered Astra I have my eye on I Will negotiate on price or time period for payment :-)
The car is a year 2000 and an X reg
Mot and Tax until September
Only 2 owners, me (duh!) and previously it was a Motability vehicle
High Mileage but has a fsh (and has been serviced every 10,000 miles)
RDS Radio, electric front windows, adjustable seats, 3 x 3pt rear seatbelts, air bags, roof rails
Good (rather than great) condition, new tyres on rear, no rust.
e-mail me for a phone number and I'll tell you more.
It is the perfect car for youthworkery type deployment. It'll take 5 people and loadsa luggage/outdoor-ed equipment and the like. I get around 40 mpg from it (but I don't drive that fast) and it's never let me down, ever.
Posted by ian at 9:43 AM | Comments (4)
April 25, 2008
Christian blog
The Asbo man is spot on
Posted by ian at 11:19 AM | Comments (6)
April 24, 2008
Adrenaline for the Soul
Jonny Baker has reviewed Tom Sines new book and on the basis of the review I will be ordering a copy methinks. Jonny flagged up this quote and I love it, a little adrenalin for faith, soul and discipleship anyone ........
"when jesus began teaching he made it clear that his new empire would be unlike any empire the world had ever seen. it came on a donkey's back. it's imperial council was comprised of a handful of unemployed fishermen, a couple of IRS agents, a prostitute and some hangers on. jesus demonstrated how to wield his imperial power by washing feet, telling stories and playing with kids. jesus' empire is based on the absurd values that the last should be first, losers are winners, and the most influential in the empire should clean the toilets. members of the empire are instructed to love their enemies, forgive their friends, always give twice as much as people ask of them and never pursue power or position. jesus insisted that those who are part of his empire shouldn't worry about finances, but simply trust god. the resources to run this empire were basins, towels, and leftover lunches. this empire also developed a reputation for constant partying - almost always with the wrong kind of people"
I really like the idea of "Conspirators" .... Working with young people, I think it's great word for framing and exploring what discipleship might mean.
Captains log Supplemental: You can download some of the talks, conversations and discussions from The New Conspirators conference here, ht to Darren
Posted by ian at 1:41 PM | Comments (1)
Only interesting if you live in Oxfordshire
A couple of important things if you live in Oxfordshire:
July 12th is the VERTIGO social action day. It'll be running from the centre of Oxford along the same lines as last year i.e Meet up, intro to the day and Worship. Bus off to your projects and return at 4 for food, de-brief and celebration. (We are also likely to have a plethora* of Bishops from around the globe with us). You'll be able to sign up via the website soon BUT you can start gathering together teams of 5 and a leader NOW!
Secondly: Funding for training: If there is some training or learning you want to do then OCVYS have a pile of grants to give out BUT you need to act soon. Don't be put off by the wording, "Children's workforce" .... that is you EVEN if you are a volunteer. Details: Bursary Form.pdf and Bursary Flyer.pdf
*Is there a collective noun for Bishops?
Posted by ian at 10:59 AM | Comments (1)
Achta
Well the walking tour went well and I had a lot of fun! I've now idea how to spell the Swedish word for 'warning' or 'look out' but it sounds a bit like ach-ta, I had to employ it several times to stop my guests being impacted by the cycling scene in Oxford.
I was very good and didn't create any stories from my imagination to embellish the tour. The ironic thing was that Oxford is such an eccentric place that the Swedes were convinced I was making some of it up. I can see their point, for example:
A riot that killed 63 people in 1355 that started when two clergymen beat a landlord senseless for serving bad wine.
A bell that is obstinately set 5 minutes late as Oxford is 5 minutes west of Greenwich (oh and rings 101 times, once for each of the student in 1628?)
The rather high bridge over a very shallow river that students jump off on May 1st (the Police now stop this for the students safety)
The college that bought an entire house to get their brass door knocker back.
It was a fabulous evening though and as we strolled across the meadow and round the back of Merton there was both a cricket game and a croquet game happening in the late afternoon sunshine, nice!
Posted by ian at 9:06 AM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2008
Vicious Old Men
Asbo making me laugh.
If you click through to his site check out his two pieces on self harm which are sensitively and usefully rendered.
Posted by ian at 3:19 PM | Comments (4)
Greenbelt and new Talent
Here is an absolutely fabulous opportunity for young people. Greenbelt are looking for new talent and there's an invitation to do your stuff ..... Bands, choirs, singer songwriters, dance groups, theatre groups, DJs, performance poets etc. If young people you are working with (under 18) would enjoy this great opportunity then let them have this link where they'll find more info.
The G Factor?
Greenbelts got talent?
Posted by ian at 9:33 AM | Comments (2)
April 22, 2008
The must have Goatee
All credit to Marko for unearthing 'Stuff Christians Like' site and especially the post on the essential youth ministry goatee. Read it and laugh. Can't stop, I'm off to find a razor, LOL
Posted by ian at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
Youthblog asks .......
I've got a number of projects at the moment that I (or someone else) needs some help with/people for. Please have a read and see if there's anyone comes to mind, thanks
On Monday July 14th there will be a gathering of Bishops and young people from across the world (oh and me, neither young or episcopal). I'm looking for some 17,18,19 year olds from the Diocese who'd like to be part of a trip from the Diocese to meet up with their peers from around the globe. It's looking like an ab-fab event!
The URC all age holiday at Swanwick from Aug 16-22nd have asked me to put a shout out for someone/couple to run the 14-18 year old programme each morning. Looks like it could be fun, no pay sadly but could be a bit of a holiday as the demands aren't great and your place is free.
Yellow Braces the legendary Diocesan Camp running over the weekend 4th-6th July 2008 is a BIT short of male leaders. Give me a shout if you can come and join us for some faith and community fun and the like.
Posted by ian at 11:49 AM | Comments (0)
hälsningar och välkomnande till Oxford
Tomorrow will see yet another event in my life and work happening which can only be filed under 'R' for Random. At 5pm on Wednesday I am leading a cultural walking tour of Oxford for a group of Swedish visitors!
"Why?" you might well ask and you would not be alone as I am asking myself the same question!
I am under STRICT instruction not to make stuff up (this is a shame as I consider creatively and spontaneously inventing history as one of my more useful abilities) so I spent last night swotting up on the weird and wonderful history of the city.
For those who know Oxford: I shall be taking the party to Turl Street which is sometimes likened to the Anglican Church going as it does from High to Broad with a bit of Jesus somewhere in the middle.
I shall also attempt not to crack up every time I say cliche'd stuff like, "and on the left you'll see ...... "
"och på lämnad ska ser du ........... "
LOL
Posted by ian at 8:28 AM | Comments (7)
April 21, 2008
The world of Youth Ministry
Here's all the 'stuff' that has teleported into my in-tray on my return to the (youth) bridge of the USS Diocese of Oxford. Enjoy:
Andy over at Roll the Rock is asking young people to fill in a snap survey on belief.
On the 11th May you and your young people could go to the biggest prayer meeting (adopt Jeremy Clarkson voice now) .... In the world! In fact that whole weekend is a Pentecost Celebration in the capital, details here.
Calling all Youth leaders to the Global day of prayer (the biggest prayer meeting ..... in the Galaxy). GDOP flyer email version.pdf
Christian Aid week is May 7th - 11th. More details and ideas here!
Looking for money for youth work projects in Oxfordshire? YOF Fund
The newest edition of STREETBRAND is out now.
Posted by ian at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
There but not there
I'm back! I've Just had a great week not being at Spring Harvest! What I mean by that is we (the family) were at Minehead Butlins at the same time as people were Spring Harvesting but we lacked the necessary bracelets to gain access to anything Spring Harvesty. Jolly good time though and great to catch up with lots of friends who were Spring Harvesters (or maybe, Spring Harvested!)
Spring Harvest are all geared-up for 2009 already (I had a look in case we don't go again)
Interesting ethical dilema: Would it have been OK to sneak into SH stuff given that all are welcome in the Kingdom? (We didn't, but given that the SH bouncers were very fastidious in their wrist band inspection I don't think we'd have got away with it anyway)
Amusing moment: Walking between two rows of chalets and seeing Steve Chalke on every single TV? (I didn't know, until then, there was SHTV)
(anyone who knows the tribe called Macdonald and seeks further info on our holiday can by clicking continue reading)
Hi Mum/anyone else?
It was a great holiday and the offspring loved the level of independence they had on the Butlins site (this is a codified way of saying we didn't know where they were half the time).
H especially loved the freedom, and although we had to collect him from lost-property once, he was quite free. Most afternoons he took himself, a sandwich and a drink off to the Funfair and drove the dodgems again and again and again.
E loved the funfair and got a kick out of being tall enough, and therefore riding, the vomit inducing white knuckle stuff. I bravely watched :-)
S loved cycling and running round EVERYWHERE and complaining at the injustice of not being 1.4 metres tall yet and thus barred from most of the rides his sister loved. There was however the ultimate indoor climbing and play area thing that E was too tall for, thus harmony (or at least parity of unfairness) was achieved.
My favourite moment was when we built a stone shelter on the beach at Porlock Weir and lit a fire. We sheltered from the wind drinking hot chocolate and toasting our sandwiches and hula hoops?
Posted by ian at 8:14 AM | Comments (3)
April 8, 2008
Maintenance Schedule
Apologies for any inconvinience but Youthblog will be closed for routine maintenance (of the author) until 21st April when a 'normal' service will be resumed. In the meantime alternative reading has been provided via the blog-roll and Youthblog thanks you for your patience.
Any complaints should be directed to:
Terminal 5 Customer Services
Heathrow Airport
Hayes
UB3 5XZ
Posted by ian at 9:32 AM | Comments (1)
April 7, 2008
Training opportunities from 24-7
Stuff from 24-7 about stuff they are putting on including some web based learning.
I wanted to let you know about 4 new training opportunities which we'll be running over the course of this year and are open to all of you. These form part of our current Training Review, which you'll hear more about at our Feast in Southampton in September. But these three I particularly wanted you to know about. Do please FORWARD these on to anyone you feel they may be appropriate for. If you are in a team or community, you may want to consider sending a representative from amongst you.
Read on and do come back to me if you interested.
NEW FOR 2008:
24-7 SPRINGBOARD - LEADERS TRACK
In June (1st -27th) we'll be holding a focused leaders retreat in Bristol, UK - using an Elizabethan Manor House for some of our time together. A full brochure is attached and we have 20 places available. Have a read of the attached and do book in if you're interested. The places are limited and we'll book people on a first come first served basis, so if you can reply quickly I'd suggest you do
We can offer a discount on the price in two ways:
1. If you are able to book in and pay in full by 30 April, the cost would reduce to £650.
2. If you are coming as a married couple we could offer a discounted price of £675 each, £625 if you were able to pay by 30 April in full.
We are also aware that some of you may need some help with the cost, especially if you have a long way to fly. So do get in touch, as we have some bursary available. If you are thinking of coming from the States, the Transit Fuel/Intensives (see later) may be a better option for you.
I'm really excited about the potential of this course, of getting leaders together, providing space to pray and the wonderful location we have. I'd love to see you come along if you can.
Booking email - hospitality@24-7prayer.com
24-7 LEARNING - WEB BASED TRAINING
NEW MODULE ON COMMUNITY !
We are currently half way through our first web-based training course on Prayer - which is going really well. We are planing a second 8 week course based on community, beginning Sunday 11th May and have attached details. If you'd like to take part you need to find a group to do it with (4 or 5) and book in. Full details are attached.
Booking email - andy.freeman@24-7prayer.com
TRANSIT INTENSIVES & TRANSIT FUEL USA
I've just heard about an exciting course which is being run by the Source Community in Minnieapolis. Transit Fuel USA is a 10 week internship in Minneapolis from 21 May to 28 July. It includes 3 intensives (24/7 National Gathering, UMT, Drum&Easel Art Intensive) and 2 tracks: 1) Urban Outreach / Prayer - 2) the Arts. If you'd like to find out more check out www.24-7prayer.us or email peterw.source@juno.com
Full details here
24-7 TRANSIT UK
We are planning a new Transit UK course from September 08, new details can be found on the 24-7 Prayer website at www.24-7prayer.com/training. One major change to the UK course coming up is that you will be able to take both a full-time and part time (where you also take a part-time job) option. Check out the link for more details. Places are already going fast, so do get in touch. Again, there is an early payment discount available and potential bursaries if the fees are a problem.
Booking email - daniel.jones@24-7prayer.com
Posted by ian at 3:30 PM | Comments (0)
Today at my desk
Fell asleep BRIEFLY at the desk today. Would have got away with it too if:
a) I hadn't snored
b) If a colleague hadn't taken a photo
Posted by ian at 3:04 PM | Comments (2)
The meaning of cool
One of the things about an informal educative approach that tries to encourage reflective learning in others is that the learning outcome may not be the one that you intended. One of the other things about it is maybe I should stop being so youthworkery (new word) in conversations with my seven year old, Doh!
We were all at the dinner table* and chatting about the day. My youngest is very into 'cool' as an important commodity to be possessed and lived. As we chatted about this he insisted that his older brother "is not cool because he dribbles!"
I challenged this assumption and said that I reckoned being Cool was being happy to be who you REALLY were and not trying to copy others, or not having to become some media idea of what Cool was. He really wasn't buying this and I particularly wanted him to realize that holding a view that a disability meant you couldn't be cool just wasn't true or right. Aha, I thought ..... a scenario for him to reflect on. "Supposing," I said, "that someone only had one leg! You couldn't just say they weren't Cool?"
"No," he agreed! and I thought, 'great we've got somewhere,' before he then added,
"They could be cool if they had one leg 'cos then they could be a Pirate and Pirates are Cool!"
I make a mental note not to do the informal education thing with my seven year old. He sits and thinks about how cool pirates are. And the learning outcome evaporates redundant into the ether.
*I don't know why we call it the 'dinner table' .... it's not like we have a different table for breakfast and another one again for lunch.
Posted by ian at 8:55 AM | Comments (1)
Caption Competition
I loved all the captions for bizarre sledging picture and I reckon Youthblog readers are fab at this, so much so if there is another script-writers strike in Hollywood I reckon you could cover the role. Anyway my favourite had to be *drum roll* .......
"Oh dear Harry," said Ron, "You've turned Professor McGonagall's broomstick into a sleigh!"
Well done Matt
Posted by ian at 8:50 AM | Comments (1)
April 4, 2008
Computer games and Young People
I've just been reading the Byron report (actually I read the executive summary rather than the whole document) and it's a good piece of work. Byron has been neither alarmist nor laissez fair, has involved young people and been careful to honestly present where there is ambiguity or lack of clear evidence.
In terms of gaming she suggests that there are possible negative effects of violent content in games, but these only become harmful when children present other risk factors, that there is evidence of short term aggression from playing violent video games but no studies of whether this leads to long term effects and that while there is a correlation between playing violent games and aggressive behaviour, there is no evidence that one causes the other.
This is a logical presentation of the actual data available but she does go onto make some useful recommendations (and particularly taking into account where young people are in their developmental process)
Much to reflect on I think.
In addition: Darren in Australia (quite seperate from this report) has been doing some thinking, read what he has said here
Posted by ian at 11:00 AM | Comments (0)
April 3, 2008
Sleigh Flight
I'm not sure whether the picture calls for a caption competition or some sort of creative writing competition to produce an explanation narrative. But with snow forecast for the UK for Sunday or Monday I thought I'd post this picture regardless as it makes me laugh.
Posted by ian at 11:05 AM | Comments (6)
April 2, 2008
Worship Hero
Now you can play like your heroes, virtual Soul Survivor main stage. Rock on
Posted by ian at 3:06 PM | Comments (7)
Independent Safeguarding Authority UPDATE
More details of ISA registration are now available. The scheme launch is being delayed by one year to make sure they get things right (I guess someone's learnt some stuff from the Heathrow debarkle and they don't want to have to send 19,000 youth workers to Milan for re-checking). The go-live date is now October 12th 2009* with the one off cost of registration revealed as £64 (for employed workers, volunteers are free), it will take 5 years to work through everyone that needs registration.
There's a helpful FAQ page here as a Word download: Your Questions Answered - ISA - 2 April 2008.doc. Or as a HTML page that Mark has usefully put it as on his site.
*On the left hand side of the web page is has the start date as Jan 1st 1900 but I always consider launching things before they've even been invented as tricky!
Posted by ian at 2:02 PM | Comments (5)
Apropos of something
Greetings friends. Welcome to the site that puts the 'you' back into youth ministry the 'fun' back into dysfunctional. Hope yesterdays' April fools jape created at least a modicum of amusement when you logged in at your desk, coffee shop or college lecture!
Three things to report from the world of Youthblog. Firstly to say that I was hugely encouraged and affirmed by the digital scales in the bathroom yesterday when the reading said "Low" ..... sadly they were referring to the battery it seems and not to me.
Secondly a confession. I am going to look at a caravan tonight with a view to investing in this mobile traffic jam technology. The caravan in question is £75 (including the awning) so I'm guessing that it may need 'a bit' of work? I guess this is the dawn of middle-age Greenbelting.
Thirdly, the wibmeister has posted his rules/protocol for commenting to his site. Dave will not allow comments that:
1. Attack another individual
2. Are posted with the main aim of advertising the poster's website
3. Contain allegations that can't be backed up
4. Contain language I'd prefer not to see on my site
5. Are comments which the poster wouldn't make to someone else's face
6. Are a load of nonsense
I'm adopting these too (although I know that someone will point out the I may regularly break rule number 6. in the stuff I post)
and finally, making me laugh:
A case of 'over use of chart' to explain a point:
CAPTAIN'S LOG SUPPLEMENTAL: The Caravan guy hasn't had time to collect the caravan from storage so we are now seeing it at the weekend. ALSO to those who are giving me grief about this remember I don't see it so much as a caravan, more of a shed on wheels!
Posted by ian at 8:05 AM | Comments (8)
April 1, 2008
Youth workers to receive training from the army
In an announcement expected to be made before midday today, the Government is due to reveal targetted work force development for the youth work sector. While this is not a surprise, the nature of the training very much is.
The government has been focusing on 'positive activities' for young people and has been keen to see the outdoors used more in youthwork provision. This has led to a training relationship with the army whereby any employed youthworker (statutory or voluntary/faith sector) who works over 21.75 hours per week will be expected to do an 8 week mandatory course in fitness, fieldcraft and expedition leadership, then two weeks refresher every two years. While this programme will be residentially based at a military base the government were keen to stress it's not 'boot' camp (maybe a 'trainers' camp?) Part of the programme will be unique to youthworkers and part will make use of existing army initial training programme.
This initiative apparently is linked to the stepping up of the JNC as a degree qualification and a concern that it is becoming too cerebral a discipline. The briefing also noted that a number of youth workers were less than fit, but majored chiefly on the fact that the outdoor environment was being under-used in work with young people. The training will be a condition of the ISA registration for employed youthworkers.
"We hope to see a workforce of fitter, healthier youth workers who are as comfortable in the middle of Dartmoor as they are on the edge of a Pool table. A skilled body of workers who can lead and deliver 'positive activities' with young people in an outdoor environment" Briefing doc p2
The government and Army training co-ordinator Major Charlie will be announcing the full details this morning. The training won't start until 2009 (The first trainees reporting for training on April 1st) and is expected to use the residential barracks and training centre at RAF Gagfield.
Posted by ian at 7:24 AM | Comments (7)