a few of my favorite things

Group, Jan/Feb 2005 by Johnston, Kurt

JR. HIGH MINISTRY

A couple times a year, I get together with other junior high pastors to hang out, toss around ideas, and share a few stories about our failures and successes. The best part of our time together is when we share our "favorites." Here's my current list.

Junior High Game: Jedi Dodge Ball-This version of Dodge Ball has a "Jedi" twist. Have each team appoint one person as its Jedi. Each team's Jedi stands in the center of a Hula Hoop that's been placed in the middle of the team's side of the court. During the game, whenever the ball hits a player, he or she falls down and stays in that spot. The teams' Jedis can bring fallen players back to "life" again by leaving the safety of the ring and touching these players with a sword. (We use swimming pool noodles for the swords.) If the opposing team hits a Jedi outside of the safety ring, or if one team's players are all down at the same time, the game is over.

Teaching Topic: Who Am I?-Helping young teenagers recognize that they're each a unique, handcrafted masterpiece never gets old! At an age when students are struggling with self-identity, this message is a keeper.

Leadership Book: How Full Is Your Bucket?-This book by grandfather-grandson team Donald Clifton and Tom Rath (Gallup Press) offers a super-quick read with tons of ministry ramifications.

Small-Group Benefit: Seeing Loners Become Connected-When my seventh-grade small group kicked off at the beginning of the school year, two new guys told me that they didn't have any friends in our ministry and that they usually sit alone. A month later, I saw them sitting together at a weekend program, having a blast.

Bible for Students: Revolve and Refuel-Revolve for girls and Refuel for guys are New Testaments wrapped in a magazine. In addition to God's Word, each includes great articles and insight for younger teenagers. Several students have mentioned that when they pull out these magazines at school, they instantly get the attention of their friends, who want to know what they're reading.

New Ministry Toy: iPod-More than just an MP3 player, the iPod is an incredibly cool, compact unit able to hold more songs than you'll ever need. We've downloaded our entire junior high music collection and now just plug our iPod into the soundboard. It's easy to create special play lists for each weekend or activity that needs music. If you use music in your ministry, the iPod is money well spent.

Policy: Open Door for Parents-We have an open-door policy that allows parents to sit in on our programs at any time. They don't need to call ahead to get my permission. If they want to see what we're doing, we let them! Over the years, nothing has earned our ministry more trust than allowing parents to observe whenever they feel the need. Although most parents never take us up on the offer, it's great to have a few parents who've actually seen our ministry in action. They go on to serve as unofficial ambassadors of good will.

Youth Ministry Magazine: The One You Just Happen to be Holding Right Now!

KURT JOHNSTON is the junior high minister at Saddleback Church in California, and he's the co-author of the books Controlled Chaos: Making Sense of Junior High Ministry (Standard) and Go Team!: 101 Ideas to Energize Youth Ministry Volunteers (Group Publishing, Inc.).