AT-AT AFTERNOON

There are some really talented people out there. h/t netorama

STAR WARS CANTINA ADIDAS STYLE

ADIDAS PRESENTS... STAR WARS CANTINA





"Adidas Originals invites you to join David Beckham, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg, Franz Beckenbauer, Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown, Ciara, Jay Baruchel, DJ Neil Armstrong and some of your dear, old friends for an intergalactic 2010 FIFA World Cup™ viewing party that you'll never forget."

STAR WARS ADIDAS AD

Feed Readers.... follow link to view video. You will be happy you did.

Star Wars the Force Unleashed for iphone

This would be the only reason I would buy an iphone right now. Watch this demonstration video of the Force Unleashed for the iphone above.

Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended

may the force be with you

You will love this one if you like Star Wars.





Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended

ministry leadership from the force #3

You just never know when your hyper drive motivator has been damaged. Stinks to be you when you're out in the middle of the galaxy in an asteroid field with no way out from certain doom. How are you going to get out of this one?

Developing a back up plan.

If you're in ministry for any length of time you're going to have a night, an event, or a season where you are without certain elements you had planned on having. Sometimes your speakers are out, an amp is blown, the power goes off, too many or too little students show and change the whole dynamic. What you do in the five to ten minutes between the moment of realization to the moment of action can either salvage your situation or completely destroy your best intentions.

1. Do not overly apologize or acknowledge things most people don't even see. The first thing you will want to start doing is talking about the problem or saying your sorry to the kids. For some things this can't be avoided like a bus company not showing up on time for camp or a guest speaker not showing up . But in most situations we tend to over state and over apologize things the youth group doesn't even know about. Before you know it you have taken a room that cared little into a room that thinks you're stupid or worse you've pointed fingers at leaders or crappy equipment you've been given. Take a deep breath, realize God is not surprised, then exercise the next steps and implement them without cowardice or explanation.

2. Pre-plan. Even if it's in your head you have to have a series of things you can do to stall for ten to fifteen minutes of time to at least investigate the problem. I suggest you have a series of games you can do that don't need supplies. Take a look at my group games for a few that you can do off the cuff that are fun. This will also help you if you had to go indoors or were stuck outdoors. This is just an example but today or this week try to imagine a world without all of the things you are use to in your program. How would you change on a dime to give the students a great experience.

3. You need a strong worship leader who can go acoustic at any moment. Have him/her keep on file on property an emergency folder of photocopied lyrics to those regular safe songs they have mastered and your group is familiar with. If everything implodes he /she can pass out lyrics and pull it off.

4. Have fun. If it is a bus the kids are waiting for or a vendor who did not open their doors in time for a scheduled event at a lock in, have kids take turns getting out 30 seconds of complaints. It does become funny. You can set the tone by being the first. "I just want to say that the smell is overwhelming, the humidity is unbearable, my skin is itchy, David is loud and obnoxious, and someone just passed gas." Use this method when all hope is lost.

5. Decide now what you are willing to sacrifice. If you had a worship service planned and only two kids show up you have to decide am I going to carry on and do a service for them as if it were 2,000 kids or am I going to have them call their parents and just go to Sonic. This is a tough situation but I know there are many of you out there who have similar things happen but maybe not with my examples.

6. Analyze afterwards. Look for answers to these questions so you can avoid the pain later. Why did things break before it started? Why did they not show? Did I drop the ball? How could I have pre-tested, confirmed, or controlled it before it began? Did I under estimate or over estimate my goals? Get with your leaders don't seek to blame but just ask how can we avoid this in the future.

Once you've made the adjustments you're sure to avoid the evil clutches of the empire and speed yourself and your crew on their way to defend the galaxy. May the force be with you.

ministry leadership from the Force #2

Are you aspiring to strengthen your volunteer team? Perhaps you didn't bring enough rebels to fight the good fight. Remember that no one member is more important than the other in this thing we call the student ministry alliance.

Ways to recruit volunteers.

1. Pray. Although C3PO had no real supernatural powers when he talked the Ewoks into aiding the rebels you do have an even greater ally in God. Use His force to generate courage and opportunity. You have not because you ask not or you ask amiss. That wasn't Yoda talking.

2. Position the ask always. Too often we take our rag tag band into the woods and pass up the little guys everywhere. Look around in your church's lobby. Do you see people standing around after a service or hanging out? Introduce yourself. Ask their name, how long they have been coming to your church, what they do, etc. Then ask this question, "Where are you serving?" I'm telling you that if you do this enough times you're going to get some recruits. 

3. Clearly define in advance all of the entry points into your ministry or field of battle. Ask your recruits how they see themselves serving students. If they are interested they will have long been considering this before you arrived. They may convey some opportunities or open doors you didn't even know existed. Remember the secret door of the shield generator on the far moon of Endor? Who knew that door was even there? The little guys did. 

4. Lastly, never pigeon-hole new recruits. You may have in your mind the type of people needed to take out the Palpatine's storm troopers but it may surprise you what God can do with teddy bears, rocks, sticks, and vines. Who knew? I guess it worked for Joshua with his unorthodox tactics.

Check back periodically for more ministry tips from the Force.

ministry leadership from the Force #1

Are you aspiring to create an empire and bring order to the church's galaxy? If you only knew the power of the dark side. Let me complete your training. 

Ways to rule in darkness.

1. Develop a hyper-sensitive state of paranoia. It worked for the Sith and it can work for you. With your emotions you will find yourself able to see things that aren't there or that people aren't even thinking. For Vader it was Obi-Wan, then Mace, Yoda, the whole friggin council is in on it, and to make matters worse Padme seems to be on their side. Paranoia in ministry leads to ruin. Get a hold of yourself before you give in to hate. Take a sabbatical to Tatooine Get alone with yourself and your spiritual struggle. Check your meta chlorine level. Are you getting enough sleep? Eating properly? Who is your running mate? Oh yeah, Sith don't have any. Who is fueling your appetite for destruction? What is their motive? Don't get dragged down into the he said she said. The Emperor has a way of making the minority sound like the majority so don't believe the hater. Find a droid to talk to. You probably need someone who is not emotionally involved in the drama you deal with. They should be able to come to a logical conclusion for you.

Check back periodically for more ministry tips from the Force.