Archive for 'Orange'
Dallas Orange Tour!
Posted on 18. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
I’m pumped! Tomorrow I leave for Dallas for the Dallas Orange Tour. This year I’m taking about 24 volunteers and staff. This year I’m actually bringing more student ministry volunteers than those in kidmin. For the last 6 months I’ve been far more involved in student ministry than I have in the past and I wanted to make a big investment in these leaders… plus I want them to start thinking Orange. These student ministry leaders were so excited to be invited, which is why I have about 18 going.
I can’t over-communicate how important these kinds of events are for ministry teams. I’ve been to the Orange Conference for the past 4 years and I’ll probably continue to attend for some time.… Read the rest
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Searching for a Student Pastor
Posted on 03. Oct, 2011 by Kenny.
So, I’m four months into a search for a Student Pastor. I’m well connected within Kidmin circles, but not so much among the student pastors out there. I’ve had some resumes from some great candidates, some that I’m still talking with. However, I do feel that we’re looking for a pretty unique individual and it is possible that the search could continue for a few months. So, below is my blurb on Church Staffing. If you know someone who might be the right fit or perhaps you’re the right fit, please send your resume to hr@gatewaychurch.com. However before the blurb, let me share the minimum requirements we’re looking at.
- Minimum of 5 years experience leading students; record of leading student ministries with 250+ weekly attendance.
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Orange 2011: Networking with Brian VanderArk
Posted on 05. May, 2011 by Kenny.
I had the privilege of sharing a meal (it was more like cheese fries) with Brain VanderArk from Ada Bible Church. Sorry, this is the best picture I could find of Brian. Before last week, I had not met Brian, but I’ve sat in several Orange Conference Breakouts over the year and I’m good friends with his favorite employee… Dan Scott (I just made that up about Dan being his favorite… but if I were Brian I’d give Dan a HUGE raise). Actually, a whole bunch of people from Orange kinda showed up at a restaurant and I just invited myself to sit at the “Ada” table with Brain and Dan and some other staff (plust that guy from Scranton… Daren Kaiser).… Read the rest
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Orange 2011: Lunch with Rob Bradbury
Posted on 05. May, 2011 by Kenny.
I had several “defining moments” at Orange 2011. One of them happened the day day before the conference began when I met up with Rob Bradbury for lunch. It was epic (I say that because that’s what it seems Aussies like to say). 
Rob and I met 3 years ago at Orange 2008. The only reason I knew him was because his face was plastered on the cover of K magazine. Other than that, I had no idea who he was. I bumped into him a few times at the conference and he almost always made me laugh. He was so filled with joy.
Over the years I’ve read his blog and have seen and heard of things he’s done and things he’s been doing at Planetshakers church in Melbourne, Australia.… Read the rest
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Orange 2011: Doug Fields – Student Ministry and Discipleship
Posted on 03. May, 2011 by Kenny.
One of the few breakouts I got to sit in on was Doug Field’s breakout on Student Ministry. Being a Kid’s Pastor for 13 years or so, I’m not as connected with all the inner-workings of Student Ministry. I was glad to sit in and take notes. You know what IÂ leaned? Student Ministry and Kid’s Ministry isn’t all that much different. Seriously. Below the surface, there are so many more things that are similar as opposed to things that are different. So, here are some of my notes/thoughts.
- Too often we get kids committed to programs and people, but when they move on to college, the programs and people are gone… just like their faith. We need to be intentional in helping them develop an independent faith that isn’t program or personality dependent.
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The shortest Orange Breakout take-away
Posted on 02. May, 2011 by Kenny.
I had the privilege of introducing a few breakout speakers. One of these speakers was Stewart Hall. Stewart Hall is on staff with XP3 and has co-authored books with Andy Stanley and Louie Gigleo. He’s a legend in my book.
Although I did not get to stay and hang out for the entire session, he asked one question that I’ve not been able to shake. It’s a question that I’ll probably not be able to shake. Here’s what he asked:
What does your ministry environment SCREAM that you value?
Wow. I’ve sat down with my team and we’ve listed our ministry values. Many of them speak very loudly. Are they screaming? That’s a good question. I think it’s probably a question we should ask ourselves on a regular basis.… Read the rest
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Why #Orange11 was so different
Posted on 02. May, 2011 by Kenny.
I’m finally catching my breath from Orange last week. Looking back, one word easily describes my take on the 2011 Orange Conference. DIFFERENT.
It was my fourth to attend, but it certainly stood apart from the rest. I’m not going to say that it wasn’t what I expected. I think that it exceeded my expectations. I’ve actually been telling people that it is by far the BEST Orange Conference I’ve attended. Was it better speakers? Beter topics? Maybe, I’m not sure if it was or wasn’t. That’s not what made it better… at least for me.
Bottom line, I only sat in 1-2 sessions in the arena and 1-2 breakouts in addition to the ones I taught/co-taught. What was I doing with all my extra time?… Read the rest
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It’s not my birthday
Posted on 29. Apr, 2011 by Kenny.
So, yesterday I got punked by my own prank. It was so funny. At lunch yesterday, I told everyone about a great new facebook prank to play. I recently learned it and hadn’t tried it yet. If you can hop on someone’s computer when they’re not on it, get on their Facebook account and change their birthday to today. Later in the day, they’ll find out what you’ve done after they have dozens of “happy birthday” comments.
Well, yesterday during the main afternoon session, I spent the entire time meeting and talking with people. While away from my computer, some other blogger (Jonathan Cliff) changed my birthday. So, since last night, people have been wishing me a happy birthday. I think someone even brought me a cake.… Read the rest
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Orange: Multi-Site Breakout
Posted on 29. Apr, 2011 by Kenny.
This year I’m helping host some breakouts, so Multi-Site Kidmin is the only breakout that I chose to attend. Nina Schmidgall, the Children’s Pastor led the breakout and did a great job. Here are some details about the church:
- National Community Church is a multi-site church in Washington D.C.
- They have 7 locations: One coffee house, one performing arts location and five movie theaters.
- 78% of the church are in their 20′s or 30′s.
- 63% are single (49% are in 20′s and 29% are in 30′s)
- 27% are unchurched
- Campuses launch with full time pastor and volunteer kidmin
Don’t use “only” or “just” as it devalues what we’re asking them to do. Say it like it is, don’t say, it’s “only” once a year or “just” a one time meeting.… Read the rest
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Orange: MinisterSearch
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by Kenny.
As you know, I’m blogging for Orange this week, my third year straight. One of the things that is making it much easier to blog this year is some space that David Lyons of MinisterSearch has provided… the blogging suites. Woo hoo! If you’re here at Orange, MinisterSearch wants to connect with you. Come by anytime today and stop by the blogging suite and meet David as well as all the bloggers. Here’s some incentive for you. Drop by and sign up to be entered into a drawing for a new iPad. Yeah, that’s right… a new iPad.
So, who is MinisterSearch? What is MinisterSearch?
MinisterSearch is a search firm for those who serve in the church. Whether you’re a church looking to hire someone or you’re seeking a position in a church, MinisterSearch is a great resource for you.… Read the rest
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