Virtual resources

Group, Jan/Feb 1999 by Dieterich, Kathleen

Feeling lost in space when you search the Internet for youth ministry ideas? We've tracked down some cool sites to help you find your way-keep in mind, though, that jumping off from links within these sites may cause you to land in a galaxy far, far away. You might want to leave a trail of bread crumbs, just in case.

affirmation and renewal

Know a volunteer who needs a break? a teenager who'd like to be somewhere else? Virtual Vacation at http://www .virtual-vacation.com lets you "send" a friend to a Hawaiian beach, a mountain top, a desert spot, a forest walk, or.. . you could even treat yourself to a getaway.

Send animated cyber greetings, affirmations, virtual bouquets, sports "birthday cakes," or special occasion remembrances via Blue Mountain Arts at http://www.bluemountainarts.com

Bible studies and teaching

Access classic and contemporary commentaries on every book of the Bible by going to the Council Bible Church ir Christian Academy Web page at http://www.cyberhighway.net,-cochac and clicking on the CBC Biblical Studies Library. You'll also find studies on dozens of biblical characters.

For a Quick and easy word search to locate Scriptural references and related quotes, go to Easton's Bible Dictionary at http://: www.goshen.net/ebd

. To help kids understand and apply C.S. Lewis' classic on basic Christianity, download The Mere Christianity Study Guide at http:/i www.anet-stl.com/-mcsg

movies

Get media-viewing advice and full-length reviews from Preview Family Movie & TV Review subscription-based service at http//:www.gospel

Mini-reviews of recently released movies are available at no charge.

. Internet Movie Database, the Web's most comprehensive movie site, at http//:www.movie.com contains more than 140,000 listings.

. The 1964 masterpiece The Gospel According to St Matthew is available for free online viewing from The Sync at and click on "Feature Films." Be forewarned, other offerings at this site may be rated R. music

NewSong Online maintains a mega Christian-music Web site with comparison pages for every music genre. Go to http://www.surf.to/new song

Shop and surf crosswalk.com at http://www .musiccrosswalk.com for Christian music and video resources. Peruse industry news and visit over 50 artists' sites.

Is your guitar gathering dust? Tune in to Christian Sing-Along Guitar at http ://www.joyjoyjoy.com and learn how to tune and play your guitar.

Or check out Guitar

.net at http://www.guitar

.net for an archive of guitar chords that includes diagrams and audio clips.

outreach

Give your nursing home ministry a helping hand by logging on to Faithful Friends at http:// www.faithfulfriends.org You'll find visiting guidelines, relevant Scripture and song selections, and instructions on making witness bracelets as gifts for residents. You'll also find links to Christian music sites, elder care, and grief and loss resources.

youth culture

Alt.culture describes itself as "a culture guide and online compass." This site at http://cgi.pathfinder

.com/cgi-bin/altculture/home.cgi includes an A-Z encyclopedia of '90s youth culture with tons of topical links.

Teenagers create all the content for the e-zine Bolt. Explore trends, surveys, reviews, and bulletin boards at http://www.bolt.com

Walt Mueller's Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, striving to bridge the cultural-generational gap, provides CPYU newsletter archives and facts about youth culture, kids, and families at http://www.cpyu.org

React magazine's Web site at http://www.react.com offers teen-focused news, views, and weekly polls.

statistics and research

Access practical research on youth development from Search Institute at

For frequently updated surveys on ministry, youth, and cultural trends, go to Barna Research Online at

The Gallup Organization at provides weekly public opinion polls on social issues.

youth ministry

group Magazine's new Web site at http://www.groupmag.com provides subscribers with access to both the current issue and a library of back issues to 1990. Additional online articles, youth culture trends, the 1998-99 Contemporary Christian Music Chart, chat rooms, and forums are also available.

Go to Willow Creek Community Church at http://www.willowcreek.org click on Service Builder and, for a fee, download drama, music, or message scripts on a wide variety of youth ministry topics.

Youth Ministry Now, a new online magazine at http://www.youthministry now.com includes monthly columns by Paul Borthwick, Rick Bundschuh, and Les Christie, among others. There's a subscription fee, but you can view a selection of sample articles.

Youth Specialties' site at http://www.youthspecialties.com includes selected articles from Youthworker journal, message boards, youth worker network listings, and Youth Ministry Central with links to over 1,000 other sites.

Kathleen Dieterich is assistant editor for group.