Tag Archives: Social Media

01.28.13
by

The Top Dont’s of Social Media

TOP DONTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA BLOG POST

Here are some quick dont’s about social media:

  1. Don’t Post when you are angry- This is obvious, but so many people do this. When a teenager is upset with another, you can tell on facebook or twitter. It is the same way with adults. When a parent is upset at one of their kids’ teachers, you can tell via facebook. Come on, when you are angry, you will more than likely post things that you will later regret
  2. Don’t post before reading through it again- Have you ever posted something, and then realized you forgot to proofread your post? Proofread it for grammatical issues if nothing else.
  3. Don’t post without thinking of the consequences Ask yourself, will this upset someone? Can I get in trouble for what I am about to post? How will people take this post? These are questions that must be answered in your mind before you send the post. These questions may save you much discipline and hassle from others.
  4. Don’t post if you know it is not glorifying to God- We are commanded in I Corinthians 10:31 to do everything for God’s glory. Make sure that post glories God. By the way, this goes for RT’s as well on twitter. Everything that we post should bring glory to God, and not the other way around.
  5. Don’t post every moment of your day- This is a personal pet peeve, but seriously be careful about posting every single thing that you do at every single point of your day. I post a lot (a whole lot), but try to be careful that you do not post too much for your followers to just get annoyed.
01.08.13
by

The Top 15 #Stumin Iphone Apps

THE TOP 15 STUMIN IPHONE APPS BLOG POST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the top apps that I use right now for our student ministry:

  1. Facebook (Friend me) & Twitter (Follow me)- I put these two together since they are social media apps. Facebook is still the top app that I use! I will say that the app is sometimes slow, but this is one of the best ways to connect with students quickly. You can quickly log in, and see what your students are up too at the moment. I have increased my time on twitter over the last year due to blogging more frequently, but student pastors should be on twitter. Connect with your students on twitter. Connect with other student ministry organizations or student pastors on twitter! If you want to know exactly where your students are at spiritually, follow them on twitter. Students are more apt to be open and honest right now on twitter than on Facebook.
  2. Google Maps- This is a fairly new app, but I love it. It has integrated turn by turn navigation system. One thing that I love about it is that I can search for about anything in this app, and it will immediately navigate me there. I do not have to copy and paste an address or anything.
  3. Group Text- I have used this for years, and it still works, and I find that this is one of the cheapest texting systems out there. Download this app, and you can text unlimited to groups that you create in your contacts. The only catch and negative is that you have to turn off group messaging and photo messaging for it to work.
  4. Instagram- This is becoming one of the most used social sites out there, not to mention photo sharing sites. My students are on this as much as they are on facebook or twitter. Instagram photos regularly of your student ministry, and follow your students on here to find out what they are doing.
  5. Road Ninja- This is an app that is great for traveling with groups. Have you ever been traveling looking for a specific restaurant or a gas station? This app helps make your life easier so you do not have to wait for every sign, but find it immediately with the exit number. You can pull up the next exits in front of you to tell you food, gas and shopping that is located on the next exit. You can look for the next exit, or one that is 30 miles in front of you.
  6. Geocaching- This is a fun game to do when you are out and about with your students. If I am with students, and have some free time, we pull this app up, and you will be amazed at the number of geocache’s that there are out there. Your students will love it. If you want more information on what it is, check this out here.
  7. Mileage- For youth pastors who drive a lot and all over the world it seems, this is a great paid app for you. You can use this to keep track of your mileage to get reimbursed.
  8. Reminders- This app comes on the IPHONE, and is great for reminding you about specific things at a certain time or at a specific location.
  9. YouVersion- This is the must have Bible app for me. I have a couple, but this one is the best and seems to be the most popular from what I have seen.
  10. Evernote- This is the best notes app. It is awesome that I can check out the notes on my phone that I put on my Ipad. It is just like the cloud. You will love it.
  11. Sportacular- This is the best sports app that I use. I use scorecenter some as well, but sportacular seems to work better for me, and I like its system as well.
  12. Kids in mind- This is great to instantly check out what is in a movie. This app will tell you how much cussing, sexual scenes, violence, etc that are in today’s movies. I sometimes think that this app is a bit extreme and over the top, but still it gives you an idea about the movies that our students are seeing.
  13. The Weather Channel App- This is the best weather app that I use. It is easy to use, and it saves your different cities which is nice. It is great to use when traveling.
  14. Dropbox- All youth pastors need dropbox! This app is a great way to share your documents from different devices. I have my dropbox linked to my desktop at work, cell phone, Ipad, and both laptops at home. I share all student ministry stuff for our weekly service in here so it is easy for the worship leader and media guys to pull it off at youth group.
  15. Podcasts- This app is great, and I use it a lot because I listen to many podcasts on student ministry, leadership, or sermon archives.

Question: What Iphone apps do you use the most in your student ministry?

12.03.12
by

What to do when your kid wants facebook

what to do when your kid wants facebook blog postAs I log onto facebook, I see more and more younger teenagers getting facebook. I still remember the day when facebook was limited too college students only with an active college email address. Then, when facebook was opened to high school students, it was near impossible for any student to switch over to facebook instead of their current myspace. Now, facebook is the thing. Phrases such as “facebook me” or “hit me up on facebook” are common for students these days. Today, I want to give you a few thoughts on what to do when your child wants a social media page. Now, these questions normally come for middle schoolers just getting into social media, because most high schoolers are already there, but how do you handle this situation. Here are a few thoughts:

  • Set boundaries for their account. If your 13-year-old comes up to you, and says that they want a facebook, do not be afraid to set boundaries. You say, what kind of boundaries? That is totally up to you as the parent, but I would always suggest having the password and user email of your student’s social account. I would also suggest that the parent can monitor and check on what friends are added or what friends the student is messaging. Set boundaries up front for your student. 
  • Set consequences for broken boundaries. Students need to hear consequences first, and it saves you the trouble of hearing, “You didn’t tell me this up front.” If you set boundaries, and clear consequences up front, there is no excuse. By the way, follow through with your consequences.
  • Limit the use of social media- I personally may be old school on this, but I still do not think it is healthy for a teenager to sit in front of the computer at all different hours of the night on facebook! Facebook is very addicting, and if we are not careful, our students will become educated in communicating using only social media whereas we want our students to learn to communicate face to face as well.
  • Teach them to think before they post- I deal with teenagers all of the time that do not think before they post or tweet, and then they get upset about the consequences for a bad tweet or post. Parents, we are giving reigns to young kids, and it is your responsibility to teach and train them on how to use this if you are going to allow them to have an account.
11.14.12
by

Book Suggestion: #Going Social

Recently, I had the opportunity to purchase the book, “Going Social” by Terrace Crawford. Terrace is a good friend of mine in student ministry, and you should totally connect with him. He knows what he is talking about when it comes to social media. He is a regular on facebook, twitter, and google+. He also is a great blogger, and shares some of the best stuff out there. Here is a little about the book from Terrace:

“If ever there was a time to leverage media to reach people with the gospel of Christ it is now! The message of this book is about doing just that – using the platforms that we’ve been given – to connect with people who are already talking. I believe today’s church leaders need to hear this important message and I believe this resource will help them!” – Terrace Crawford

Here are some popular reviews and what others are saying about the book: 

“Digest this book and engage your digital world!” - Ed Stetzer, President, Lifeway Research

“Simply Genius!” – Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor @ Granger Community Church

“Terrace Crawford’s book, Going Social, is a great resource to help you develop a social media

strategy for yourself or your church!” - Josh Griffin, High School Pastor, Saddleback Church

This is a great book for church leaders in a digital and social environment.

Click here to purchase Terrace’s new book!

10.25.12
by

Parent Tips for handling their student’s social media accounts

Social media has become the top way students interact and communicate with each other and to the world! It is the easiest place to share exactly the way that they are feeling within seconds. I bet if you were to poll the average youth group, over 60% (probably higher) would say that they use facebook regularly. Twitter is the big thing in our student ministry so many have that. Skype, google+, and even instagram are all avenues that students are connecting with others. It is very difficult for parents to keep up, but regardless of how fast and advanced our students may be with social media, the parent’s responsibility does not change. Here a few tips for parents in dealing with their students’ social media accounts:

  1. Create your own account- My philosophy for parents is that if your kid has facebook, then you should have facebook. The same goes with instagram, twitter, and anything else. Now, you may be a parent who will never use this. That is fine, but it gives you direct access to check up on how your teenager is doing.
  2. Have access to your kid’s log in information- Kids hate this, but honestly if they have nothing to hide, they will be fine. It is the kids who want to hide something that usually buck this system. They just hate their privacy to be tampered with. This gives you direct access to incoming and outgoing private messages.
  3. Friend and follow their friends- Now, you probably think after the first 2 tips that I am saying “stalk your child.” Well sort of. I am not saying that totally, but I am saying get involved in their lives through social networking. One wise thing as parents that you can do is know your kid’s friends and their families. It will give you a good idea of how they will be influenced.
  4. Use discipline when needed- If your student is using profanity, being disrespectful  or connecting with people who you do not approve of as the parents, use discipline! Do not be afraid to insert discipline when your kid’s social media account is in violation of what you think it is appropriate in your home.
  5. Become educated on youth culture and lingo- Parents of teens are naturally going to be disconnected in many ways of youth culture, because of the generational difference. Parents, get educated in this area. My friend Austin McCann wrote a short post about youth culture and places to get educated. You can read it here. I would also suggest connect with “The Youth Culture Report” as well. They have a website and regularly post articles pertaining to trends in teenagers.

Now, your kid will buck at this, but these are preventative measures to try to protect your kids as well as teach them discipline. Also, this is for their good even if they do not see nor understand it right now.

10.17.12
by

Top 10 Student Ministry Organizations you should follow on Twitter

Recently, I did a blog post on the top 10 student pastors that you should be following on twitter, but this time, I wanted to do a post on the top student ministry organizations that you should follow on twitter. The twitter accounts mentioned below are student ministry resource organizations that are not necessarily student pastors, but provide insight and resources relating to student ministry!

  1. Youth Ministry 360- “A youth ministry resource provider that exists to see teenagers transformed through knowing Christ, and to equip and serve youth workers.” This is personally one of my favorite youth ministry sites out there. These guys are always coming out with legit resources for student ministry leaders to use.
  2. YouthMin.org- “Every day Youth Pastors being every day Extraordinary.” This site has launched a store recently that you NEED to subscribe to. It is filled with new and fresh resources all of the time.
  3. Seventy 8 Productions- “Seventy8 Productions was inspired from Psalm 78 to utilize technology in hopes to reach the next generation of youth with the Gospel.” I love these guys, and look to them for website advice, and social media advice. They are always ready to connect with you through social media so go follow them!
  4. Youth Ministry- “YouthMinistry.com | One Place, Infinite Ideas. | Is powered by SimplyYouthMinistry.com” Need I say more? This twitter account and their website has helped numerous student pastors with resources and encouragement. They are constantly sharing helpful blog posts as well resources for student pastors so we can effectively minister to students.
  5. Stuff You Can Use- “Where youth workers and orange thinkers SHARE and DISCOVER FREE ministry resources. 1 downloadable resource + 1 video interview in every post.” All youth pastors love free stuff, and these guys provide some of the best free content for us out there.
  6. Dare to Share- mobilizing teenagers to relationally and relentlessly reach their generation for Christ! All of us want our students to be more intentional about reaching other students with the Gospel. Dare to Share focuses on teaching students to do so.
  7. Leader Treks- “We believe #discipleship, #evangelism, #missions, and more are all a part of #youthministry. We just think they’re better when led by students.” I started following these guys a few months ago, and they have been a huge resource for me. They give away freebies regularly, and have great resources for cheap as well.
  8. SYM Soul Care- “an oasis of hope for youth workers, by youth workers *we provide free & confidential pastoral care for a youth worker’s heart & soul.” All youth pastors must follow this account! They will pray and encourage you regularly. 
  9. Simply Insider- “The official Twitter Account of Simply Youth Ministry. We resource In-The_Trench youth workers like you!” They provide great resources for youth pastors. Also, they share great blog posts, and information about the Simply Youth Ministry conference and website.
  10. Youth Culture Report- “Daily Reporting on Youth Culture, Teen trends and current information relating to Adolescents. Youth Ministry.” I love this site! They provide the latest trends in students and what they are into. They also share great and insightful resources regarding youth and their culture.

Now, these are only 10! Now, I was dwelling over which ones to put in there, and there were several more that I wanted too, but had to choose 10. There are many great ones out there, and feel free to share them below in the comment box. You can follow me, and we can connect via twitter as well (@grovepjosh)!

10.08.12
by

Top 10 Student Pastors You Should Be Following On Twitter

Twitter has been an excellent tool to resource and connect with other student pastors! I have enjoyed the relationships and resources that I have built and found through twitter. Today, I want to share with you the top 10 student pastors that you should be following on twitter. Now, these are pastors, not resource organizations, youth speakers, or evangelists. We will share in a post later in the week about the top 10 youth ministry organizations that you should be following on twitter.

  1. Josh Griffin- High School Pastor- Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
  2. Matt Lawson- High School Pastor- First Baptist in Woodstock, GA
  3. Paul Woods- Youth Pastor- Trinity Baptist in Jacksonville, FL
  4. Jason Gaston- Student Pastor- Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC
  5. Mitch Miller- Student Pastor- Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington
  6. Kevin Crozier- Youth Pastor- Global Vision Bible Church in Nashville, TN
  7. Rick Young- Middle School Pastor- First Baptist in Woodstock, GA
  8. Blake Appleby- Youth Pastor- First Baptist Church in Umatille, FL
  9. Austin McCann- Student Ministries Pastor- Christ Community Chapel in Stow, OH
  10. C.J. Fouraker- Student Pastor of Impact Youth

Go follow these guys! They are changing the world through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Did I not mention you on the list? Are you a student pastor? If so, comment below with your twitter name and where you are a student pastor at, and I will follow you! Remember you can always follow me as well at @grovepjosh.

10.02.12
by

5 Thoughts on Following up with Visitors

Following up with first time guests can be awkward for students. Some students come to youth group, and desire to be “low-key” and go unnoticed, and other students come desiring to be noticed. It is tough for the youth pastor and youth leaders to effectively contact and follow up with the student. I want to share what we do, and give you some thoughts from what I have learned on following up with first time guests:

  1. Letters are becoming outdated- I am not saying do not use them at all, because we still do, but do not stop with a letter! If a letter is all you do, do not expect that student to come back often. Take it to the next level, and go deeper than a letter.
  2. Use facebook- After a student comes to youth group, friend them on facebook, and send them a personalized message on facebook! It is where students are at more than anywhere else.
  3. Text them- We get their contact information after a visit so I always try texting them thanking them for coming, and hoping they will come again sometime.
  4. Follow up in the first 24 hours- Try your best to get in touch with them asap! Do not wait on this thing, because the visitor will begin to feel unwanted or that their presence was NOT a big deal.
  5. Use student volunteers- I have a few volunteers who I ask to reach out to our visitors within the next 2 days after a visit. I ask them to facebook the visitor and text them with the desire that they can build a relationship with their peer so that the student will want to return to youth group.

Bottom line, be persistent with it. Make sure that the first message and text is not the only contact. You should be contacting them weeks and even months later letting them know that you missed them!

[Question] What do you do to follow up with first time guests?

09.19.12
by

Enter for a chance to win #Going Social by Terrace Crawford

Terrace Crawford is a good friend of mine. We have connected through social networking, and have built a relationship that way. Terrace is one of the best bloggers and profiles to follow on twitter. He knows what is going on and what is working with social media, and what is not working. He recently wrote a book entitled, “#Going Social.” The book released yesterday, and I encourage you to order it. I actually am still waiting on my copy to come in the mail, but I am convinced that he will not disappoint with this read. You can enter for a chance to win a free copy by going here! Also, you can visit the #going social website by clicking here.

Enter for a chance to win “#Going Social” by Terrace Crawford!

09.14.12
by

Free Sermon Series on Technology

Technology is larger than it has ever been! Honestly, what is scary is that it is getting bigger. There is no telling where the tech world will be in 10 years. My friends over at youth ministry media are totally as up to date as they come with technology, and what is new in the world of technology and ministry. They have derived a free sermon series on technology that could be used in your student ministry.

Download this Freebie here!

Connect with Youth Ministry Media:
Website
Twitter
Facebook