Tag Archives: ReThink
ReThink ReInvents Family Times
Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Kenny.
I must say that I’m very excited about Cue Box, a new resource coming soon from reThink that ties directly into 252Basics. For years reThink has offered virtue packs through Family Times that tied into the monthly virtue. Don’t get me wrong, these are great resources. However, we couldn’t ever really get a lot of momentum behind them. The parents who used them like them, but few committed to using them regularly.
Cue Box is a reinvention of the Family Times virtue packs. The big change is that it’s DVD and Kid driven. Rather than going the route of offering a resource to parents that they “should” use, Cue Box offers a resource that basically does the same thing but because it is Kid-driven, the kids are pushing their parents toward getting it and using it.
Who knows how successful it will be? It probably depends on how you promote it among your parents and how readily available you make it. From what I’ve seen, the production value seems high (personally I think it’s on a significantly higher level than any of their other video content) and I can’t imagine that the content is anything less than excellent.
Click here to visit Studio252.tv and learn more about Cue Box. This resource begins with September’s virtue, so you don’t want to miss your opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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Product Review: Live it Out
Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by Kenny.
So a few weeks ago, we took 70 kids and leaders to summer camp. There were 400 kids there overall and I had been hired by the camp to be the Camp Pastor at one of the three weeks of camp. They had chosen reThink’s Live it Out curriculum in a box to use as a camp theme and curriculum. We use both 252 Basics and My First Look every Sunday, so I was pretty familiar with the material. However, I wanted to give a review of my experience using the material supplied. Please note though that I didn’t go out and select this product and I wasn’t in charge of determining what we used and what we didn’t. As the Camp Pastor, I was given the DVD of video elements as well as the small group materials that had been selected for small group breakouts. So, my experience is more from a “adapt and use” approach instead of “choose and use” approach.
In the 8-10 years that I’ve taught at kids camp, this is the first time I’ve ever used a curriculum. I’ve always developed the theme, written the messages and put together the small group/develotional materials. So, this was a very new experience for me as well. After using a curriculum, would I do it again? Yeah, I think I would.
Live it Out was the first curriculum I’ve used for camp and it was a good/great experience… but I think that your feelings about it are going to depend on what your expectations are. As far as the theme goes, it was fantastic. Take it In and Live it Out is based on the scripture in Matthew, “However hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man…” The first day of camp was this main point as well as the parable of the wise and foolish men who built houses on the rock and sand. The next four days we chose lessons that were parables of Jesus and they all tied in so well to the theme overall. It was a GREAT message and theme for camp. I know that hundreds of kids were powerfully impacted. Many to begin relationships with God, others to truly “Live it Out.” In addition, the theme song was a lot of fun and very well done. The kids loved it… especially learning the rap. We only used 5 messages/lessons, but there were more to choose from. There was also tons of small group activities to take part in… tons. So, there was no shortage of material. Overall, “Live it Out” is pretty much consistent with what you would expect from 252 Basics.
What did I not like? Most of this may just be personal preference and experience. In all the years I’ve led camps, I never really led small group activities as breakout times like we do on Sunday mornings. For camp, I always had devotional times where kids spent time in their Bibles and working through a guided devotional that tied to what they were learning… teaching them how to have a quite time. In the evenings, I developed discussion guides for kids to reflect on what they were learning. In so many ways, camp is go, go, go, go and it was nice to have kids all gather around on one bunk and have a discussion time, not an activity. Also, I wasn’t a huge fan of the videos. They’re good, just not nearly as funny as I feel they need to be. The way to a child’s heart is through humor and I just don’t think they’re funny enough. Most of them are of one guy telling the story which has some humor, but I think kids really love the slap-stick approach of a straight-man/funny-man approach. However, these are just my impressions and my opinions.
The uses for Live it Out are endless. We used it for camp. I essentially wrote messages to go with the theme of each day. There is some video teaching with every lesson, but it just wasn’t long enough for our taste… not personal enough to lead the room of 400 kids to the heart of the lesson. Maybe it could have been with a guided approach with an emcee, object lesson and then wrap it up with the video teaching. However, others may love the video teaching and it would do the job. This curriculum in a box would also work great for a summer series. There is enough material in here to last you most of the summer with enough stuff to carry an entire church service. You could use it for a modified VBS or any other multi-day event.
So, if you’re looking at if for something like this, I encourage you to pick it up here. It really is a great resource!
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Drinking from a fire hydrant
Posted on 30. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
So, Orange 2010 is officially over now. Unfortunately, I’m not even done blogging my experiences from the first day. More than any other year, Orange has been like drinking from a fire hydrant. Creative ideas and challenges from breakouts. Powerful message content from the main stage. Incredible people to meet and talk to in the hallways. Early mornings and late nights hanging out with staff and friends. On top of all of this, my brain is running at 100 MPH thinking about all the things I’ve learned and want to process.
That’s why I’m about two days behind.
Don’t worry, I’ll catch up. I’m not going home until Monday morning, so I should wrap up all my Orange posts before Monday morning. However, I’m sure you’ll be reading Orange inspired thoughts from me in the near and distant future.
My hat is off to the reThink group for another amazing conference (and I don’t even wear hats). It was that good!
If you didn’t come in 2010, make plans to come next year. Hey look, you can even register here.
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#Orange10 Conference contest #3
Posted on 30. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
Today’s Orange Leaders Challenge:
List the top FIVE reasons you will be back for Orange ’11. Post your reasons to return on the Orange Leaders blog at www.orangeleaders.com.
One winner, chosen at random, will receive FIVE tickets to Orange ’11!
Go to www.orangeleaders.com for details!
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#Orange10 Conference contest #2
Posted on 29. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
Today’s Orange Leaders Challenge:
The success of every leader is dependent upon knowing where to get your questions answered and knowing how to network with other leaders.
Today we will challenge you to do both. We have come up with a phrase, and the first two people to write the complete phrase on the Orange Leaders Facebook page, will win!
In order to figure out the phrase, you will need to get a little help. Who can give you the most help on your Orange journey? Your Orange Specialist of course. Find the Orange Specialist for your state, and they will give you one word of the phrase. Then, connect with other leaders from around the country to find out the rest of the words. (Hint: Each Orange Specialist will have a different word. Orange Specialists are assigned by region of the country and curriculum.) You can use the blog, Twitter, and Facebook as well as networking, to connect with other Orange Leaders!
Today’s winners will receive either the Orange Team Bundle or the Orange Resource Leadership Bundle.
Go to www.orangeleaders.com for details!
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#Orange10 Conference contest #1
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
Today’s Orange Leaders Challenge:
Creativity is key when working with families. So let’s see just how creative YOU are.
Your challenge is to take the most creative picture you can think of featuring one of the BOOKS Reggie has written. Upload your picture on Twitpic.com for us all to see. Be sure to mark it #orangeleaders to be entered in the contest.
Today’s winner will receive 10 Parenting Beyond Your Capacity books.
Go to www.orangeleaders.com for details!
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Contests this week at the #Orange10 Conference
Posted on 27. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
This week during the Orange Conference, you can win prizes. Yes, prizes. These prizes are worth winning. How do you win them? I’m glad you asked. ReThink is holding a few contests this week. Every day there will be a new contest with new prizes to win. Stay tuned as I’ll post contest details every morning this wee!
Woo hoo!
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Check out #Orange10 Backstage!
Posted on 26. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
Over 4000 people will attend Orange this week. That’s not too shabby. However, I know that many are stuck at home for one reason or another. That’s okay, you still get to experience a little bit of Orange. Actually, you can experience a little bit of Orange that even those at Orange won’t experience. Lucky You!
Last week it was announce on Making of Orange that there will be a live stream of the conference coming from backstage during most of the event. What’s going to be streaming? Well, the opening session for starters. In addition to that, there will be hours and hours of interviews of ministry leaders and messages that will rock your world. These aren’t video clips and sound bites from other stuff, this is live and current, specifically for ministry leaders who think Orange but couldn’t make it to Atlanta this year.
Jared Herd and Stuart Hall will be hosting this live event. On Wednesday, April 28th, go to Making of Orange at 7:15 PM (EST) to catch the opening session. Then jump back on again on Thursday at 11:00 AM (EST) for almost 5 hours of interviews. messages and promotions. Friday will pick up at 11:00 AM (EST) with another 3 hours of greatness.
For a full list of speakers and guests, click here.
I’d really encourage you to check the days and times of the various speakers and schedule it on your calendar. Close your office door and turn your phone off. Just because you’re not in Atlanta doesn’t mean you can’t experience a little bit of Orange!
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Register for Orange TODAY!
Posted on 18. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
If you haven’t registered for Orange yet and you’re heavily considering going, go ahead and register TODAY. Today is the last day for any price break. Register TODAY!
There are so many reasons why you should go to Orange, but I’m not going to list them in this blog post. Just search Orange in the search bar to the right and you’ll get your fill. If you fill stuck in a rut in your ministry or if you feel like you’re not making the difference you should be, Orange is for you. Sure, Orange has a ministry philosophy that’s helped thousands of churches, but just getting in the same room with big thinkers in ministry can help you see your situation from a different perspective. You’ll hear great teaching, innovative ideas in breakouts, but some of the best parts of Orange are the conversations in the hallways, in hotel lobbies and restaurants surrounding the venue.
This year there’s a central meeting place called the Orange Leaders Lounge. It’s a place to come and talk life and ministry. It’s filled with a bunch of big thinkers in ministry who want to shoot the breeze as well as talk ministry victories and woes. It’s a great place for every leader to grow, connect, be encouraged and walk away with new ideas and perspectives.
So, Orange is a great place to bring you team. You can grow together. Click here to register your team. Orange is also a great place to go on your own. Consider it a time to personally recharge. Click here to register just you. Just don’t miss the opportunity. You can register tomorrow, it’s just going to cost a little more.
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Impromptu meeting with Pat Rowland at Cross Point
Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
On the last day of our Kidmin Road Trip, Sam and I got a chance to visit Cross Point Church in Nashville. Cross Point is where Pete Wilson is Pastor. Sam follows a few of their staff on twitter, so sent several of them direct messages to arrange a meeting for Sunday morning. Originally we were planning to visit our friend Gina McClain on Saturday and visit Jim Wideman’s church on Sunday. Unfortunately, Gina had sick kids, so we spent Sunday with Jim and started making last minute plans for Sunday morning.
So Sam and I drove up to West Nashville to visit Cross Point. We attended the first service and got the grand tour by Pat Rowland during the second. What a great church! I’ve followed Pete Wilson’s blog for some time now, so I was excited to see the church. The campus pastor of a new campus they were launching actually preached on Sunday. It was a fantastic service and they were packed to the gills. Everything was great!
What was really interesting though was the location. This campus was their main site, but even it was a leased facility. Several years ago they found an old Baptist Church that had experienced significant loss in attendance compared to the size of their facility. It was a small congregation of mostly elderly people barely keeping their church afloat. The building was in disrepair and barely being used to it’s potential. Cross Point came in and changed everything. Cross Point was a rapidly growing facility that needed more space, so the existing congregation moved into their chapel, which was big enough to handle their crowd and Cross Point essentially took over the rest of the building. Even for what they’re doing, the building is a tight fit and for a first time visitor, it could be a little confusing of where to go. However, that doesn’t seem to have slowed their growth. There is a definite sense of excitement all around that facility.
Pat Rowland is the Next Gen Pastor, overseeing everything from kids to students. They’re using the full suite of reThink curriculum from First Look to XP3 for Students. Pat really has a great vision for connecting with parents. They’re using the curriculum, but also creating extra content for families to do at home with special missions and tasks that the kids and families seem to be excited about. Pat has several kids, so he’s really used his experience as a parent to influence how they’re reaching families. When something they’ve produced for families to use isn’t seeming to work in his own family, he makes adjustments. It’s really cool to see his passion to reach families as a reflection to make a difference in his own family.
They also have a great Family Experience theater in their gym. They do the family production once a month and their stage transforms every week from the family experience set to a different set for their student ministry. they’ve made great use of their space.
I’m so glad we go to visit Cross Point. Connecting with Pat was invaluable and seeing what they’re doing in their community was beyond helpful. I look forward to connecting with Pat at the Orange Conference and continuing the conversation. If you’re ever in Nashville, be sure to stop by and visit, you’ll be glad you did.
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