Beyond The Lyrics & Lens

The Journey Begins...

This week, I sat down and had a meeting with our youth pastor to discuss the potential of kicking off a formal girls ministry at our church. Some of you may chuckle because I literally scheduled a meeting with my husband, but I wanted to treat this ministry meeting just like any other. He did a great job listening and seeing my vision and calling for our girls ministry at DPC. He has a vision for the future of our youth ministry and we looked together how this can help and support his vision as well. Before doing so, I read through and skimmed two books...

Girls Ministry Idea Book


Girls Ministry Handbook














Both of these books were a great start. I wish they would update some of this and re-release is as it talks about myspace and email which I know is a little outdated. I did like the fact that most of the book was timeless and reminds us that even though the culture changes, the needs of the girls in our youth group deep down always stay the same. I will be sharing more about things that really struck me in the coming weeks...

After my husband (aka our youth pastor) gave me some guidance, support, and assistance, then the next step I felt was to meet with all of the ladies involved in our youth ministry and get their input and insight. We will then be meeting with our girls for help, ideas, and support. I will keep you updated on all of the new things that will be coming....

Seamless Bible Study...

Another resource I found this week that is going to be coming out on April 1st is the "Seamless" bible study. I was actually chosen to be on the launch team for this study so I will have lots of insight to bring you in the coming weeks. One of the quotes that really stuck out to me this week is...



#‎SeamlessBibleStudy‬ covers the people, places, and promises of the Bible, tying them together into the greater story of Scripture. To learn more and check out a sample chapter, visit lifeway.com/seamless !

So I was trying to be such a good blogger and always blog on Thursday.... but then life happens and here I sit on a Tuesday and am giving you the latest addition. Balance is a life skill I am still refining.


My husband is currently the youth pastor as our church in the lovely Dardenne Prairie, MO and he is a great resource since starting his job in June for giving us more resources as volunteer small group leaders. I am posting today two that have really helped in leading a small group of students or just working with teaching teenagers about the Bible.

Lead Small App

http://leadsmall.org/app/

This app is SO easy to use. It gives you some great training (including short videos for those of you who are not avid readers like me) along with so many other features if you just click around.


The BEST feature hands down is where you can store all of the information of your small groups. This not only holds that basic contact info but also things like there favorite candy and birthday so you can build those relationships with them by sending those special things on their birthday or maybe even when its just a rough week. It also has a place for their photo so when I blank on a face with a name (happens all the time), I can just pull it up.

I LOVE IT and I don't have to keep track of getting the info from the youth pastor (even though we live in the same house-lol) or keep track of all of the paperwork. It is always at my hands.

The 7 Best Practices for Teaching Teenagers the Bible

http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/resources-adult-leaders-development-the-7-best-practices-for-teaching-teenagers-the-bible.html


Let's be honest... I am not a reader. I read to go to sleep when I am not tired. This is a easy and practical read (my favorite kind). I have been taking about 1-2 chapters while my daughter is in dance class and I am over half way through. And the best part.... I am actually using what I am reading right away. I teach Tide U (Sunday School) for the HS students on Sunday mornings. I changed my whole approach on how I was teaching them this past Sunday morning. I am ever learning and changing but this book really helped me see a new perspective.




I am actually scheduling a meeting with my own husband next week to see his vision about how the newly added and amped up girls ministry can fit into his vision for our youth ministry.

Stay tuned for more of the journey.....