@MB - Zero...

We would rather our small group leaders organize and execute any activities on a regular basis--- They know their specific students likes/dislikes... so they are the ones setting up the ultimate frisbee... video game competitions... bowling nights... paintball... progressive dinners... shopping trips... rafting trips... concerts... etc...

Students get more excited about their small group leader planning and promoting... and it's way more feasible than mobilizing 600ish students/vols

The only formal trip we take on an annual basis is our student trip to the beach--- the "Gauntlet"... that's a blast---

What kinds of activities do you do as a youth ministry on a monthly or bi-monthly basis? How soon do you have your calendar planned in advance?

that makes a lot of sense. thankks.

so you like duke?? i like them in basketball but thats it.

the 1st is easy... Duke Blue!!

and let me preface the 2nd w/ this 1st... This is my best guess--- things like that question stretch the abilities of man to comprehend things that only God can Truly know--- kind of like you trying to explain the details.... magnitude... and intricacies of the Internet to an ant....

Having said that- my understanding of 'Hell' 'is that it is not as much a place as it is a state of being.... so Hell isn't like a city you go to... instead it is the fact that God has completely removed all of His Goodness... All of God's traits are completely gone and like in the story of Lazarus and the rich man... there is a huge chasm between the Righteousness of God and Hell--- So perhaps that is the state of being for Satan @ this very moment (while he still is prowling like a lion)... and THEN in the 2nd coming Christ locks that state of being down for all eternity... and removes all who do not belong in that state---- but for now, we have those two worlds intermingling... giving room for the spiritual warfare that Ephesians 6 describes so vividly...

*just a thought...

brad,

what is your favorite color? and how is satan not in hell? i dont understand...

@Travis -Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."


Then i cannot emphasize enough about the importance of proper Sabbath-- that day of rest to reFocus on your purpose--- and to ReEngage w/ God so you hear Him in those stressful times... just my thought... anyone else wanna feedback?

Hey Brad,

So... I gotta ask 'cause its been challenging me a ton lately getting lights ready for Fuse*...

Is there a few specific verses or inspirations you turn to when it seems that everything is working against you. I find the harder I try to work towards the lighting portion of the ministry, the more things (and sometimes people) seem to work against me.

In those kind of times, where specifically do you turn to re-energize and re-motivate to get things done when its toughest?

Thanks,
Travis

@Clay---- Movie... Dang - from childhood it would be The Goonies or Hook..."Rufio... Rufio... Ru... Fi... OHHHHHHhhhhh"===

But i love... love... love movies.... and my movie craving would be Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk--- it's soooo hard to find... but if you do... BUY IT... life altering for sure!

@Scott --- working out is a constant... and it gives me so much energy... My days off i sleep in.... 730am this morning.... tomorrow prolly 830am (up in time for GameDay)--- my g/f , staff, and my mom (she called yesterday) always keep me accountable to getting rest... they are awesome @ that...

Work Days--- so far there hasnt been a day that has been "i dont wanna go to work"... there have definitely been... "That conversation is going to suck..." or "this planning is killing me i wish we could just get to the execution..." But being @ work i know there is a team that is going to help me through all of those obstacles--- that's a lot of strength!
Mentors--- I have a lot of guys i keep in touch with... 2 of my roomies from college are Student Pastors too--- we stay in touch lots!--- i have a lot of guys that have poured into me over the years and they are constantly keeping up... lots of FCA connections from my past... my old chaplain Lance--- other pastors in my area who are Kingdom minded--- these guys are all great!

Enough heavy stuff---what's your all-time favorite movie & the favorite candy to grub while watching it??

Does the sleep deficit wear on you? (This from the fingers of an insomniac night owl)
And what do you do to stay energized when you are tired?

When you are doing what you know God has called you to do, do you ever have the "I don't want to go to 'work' today" days?
If so, how do you manage around those?

Who do you look to as mentors?

Thanks Brad!!

@CoreyG --- hope you got to see my avg day earlier....

Support--- I've got an incredible family back home in Hendersonville, NC... and up until a month ago my younger brother was one of my roomies... I now have two great friends who are Seniors @ Clemson (both Pre-Med) they are a constant support....

My Staff--- They are incredible---
Asst: Whitney- She keeps my life in order--- guards my time--- forces me to go home--- and keeps the lines of communication open...

Production/Program: Tyler- He is a no BS kinda guy that isnt scared to tell you the Truth... His opinion probably holds as much weight as anyone in my life... and for good reason.

Small Groups: Andrew- He models servanthood as good as anyone i've ever been around and is responsible for SG leader training and writing of materials... taking us from rows to circles!

Vols: Meredith- Another extravert like me... she keeps our teams attitude up... and the volunteer core as well... always recruiting... HUGE heart for students... and again, i'm blessed to have her!

Music: Daniel-- This guy isn't on my org chart.. but he is basically in-house w/ SM @ all times... so he's family... He loves kids... and He understands the tension that must exist between performing and leading worship... ALWAYS PUSHES EXCELLENCE out of everyone on our team!

@Clay-

I think it is seeing something that obviously needs fixing... in me... in my team... in our ministry approach... whatever--- im like most humans and really good @ critiquing a problem... not so good @ creating solutions---

All that said... i understand that my knee jerk is to push to fix a problem NOW... and sometimes resources... attitudes... culture... etc just won't allow it to happen w/ the rapidity i desire... SOOOO

Setting small goals... achievable steps that can be made in shorter strides... but always pushing for change--- Stagnation is Death... right!?

What is your average day in youth ministry? And what does your support group look like? your family, other youth pastor/pastors!?!

I like this question... a challenge right off the bat-

I will be the 1st to tell you that my life has a lot of variety--- and so do my days... each 'work day' really varies as to what the goal of that day is-- so w/ that as an understood there are a couple of constants:

*I like to get up early--- and drink coffee-- pop on some Hillsong United using pandora.com and get in the Word.

*I like being @NewSpring around 8am (some days earlier if i have a 9am meeting)

*My schedule really focuses on intentional "pour out" time and "pour in" time... I love to work my mornings as one and my afternoons as the other--- keeps me balanced... not a dry well... not the dead sea

*We have a great relationship with our schools in our area--- so lunch times 11am-1pm i really try to hold as sacred for myself and my team to get to as many HS and MS lunches as possible--- kids really respond to this!

*I workout after 'work'... Gold's gym... Clemson, SC

*Spend intentional time with g/f... roomies... friends... most free evenings... coffee shops and waffle house i love (and i still live in a college town, so it's always hopping @ both)...

*Im a night owl... if i get in bed by midnight that's a rarity---

Enough specifics?

B-Coop,

What is the single most frustrating thing about student ministry for you & how do you deal with it?

So how about a day in the life of Mr. Cooper! Sun up to sun down.