Category: light force

Several months ago I wrote how sometimes my kids get hurt as a result of being around “big kids” in youth group. Last time, there was a student who was playing with Paul and decided it would be fun to help him do a flip. Well, when his head hit the tile and the tears rolled off she went and we were left to deal with the massive bruise on his face.

This time, more messing around led to him falling off an ottoman and smashing his head against the outside of a fireplace. The result was one very upset Paul, one very sad youth worker, a concerned mom and dad, and one large cut on the top of my boys head.

He’s going to be OK. It was just an accident and when 4 year olds play with big kids 4 year olds are eventually going to get hurt.

The bigger question I need to deal with is two-fold… because taking the kids to small groups isn’t going to work.
a. Either Kristen stops being a youth worker. (Something I don’t want to do on so many levels)
b. Or we find someone to watch our kids during small groups.

I think the bigger thing I saw last night is that we just shouldn’t have our kids at Light Force stuff very often. This has nothing to do with the accident last night, I just don’t think it helps to create the best environment for our students. Light Force is for 6-12 graders and not a first grader and a preschooler.

What do you think?

You know, I should feel like tonight didn’t go well because only 4 students came to our worship night. But I can’t feel bad because it was a great run through and I got a glimpse of better things to come.

We had a fun game, solid worship, something experiential, a good talk, and a great snack. I think the room (we scaled the sanctuary down to about 25 seats) went really well and overall I think it was a good night.

It’s something to build on. I know that there were a number of schedule conflicts tonight with it… that’s going to happen no matter what night we offer it on. So, schedule junkies, the next LF worship night is Monday, December 10th @ 7 PM.

This is the message that just went out to the Light Force list about tonight’s "Kidnap a Gnome" night. I’ve gotten so many questions about this event on Facebook and AIM that I’ll be bundling it all together and releasing it this week on Monday Exchange.

I’ve gotten a number of detail requests about this event, so here
are some clarification points: (And to remind you how much fun this
event will be!)

• This is a Light Force event. We’re inviting any student in middle and/or high school.
   
• No, Light Force is not providing the gnome. You will need
  to borrow a gnome and/or lawn ornament for your team. So spend some
  time today scouting out a gnome in that one weird lady’s yard on your
  block. (Every block has one, right?) It doesn’t have to be a gnome…
  it could also be that scary deer thing or a pink flamingo or any other
  lawn ornament that is looking to get out on the town. (Yes, you should
  ask her if its OK to borrow it. Invite her to church while you are at
  it. People who like lawn ornaments need Jesus as much as you/me.) You should not bring the gnome with you, going to get a gnome is part of the game.
   
• The judging will be a points based system, so start being creative now.
  (So, taking the gnome home and getting a picture with your mom will be
  worth 100 points. But taking the gnome to the mall and having his
  picture taken with the mall security guard will be worth 500 points.)
• A general reminder for the pyros and those who like to blow things up… the event is called "Kidnap a Gnome" and not blow up gnomes, burn gnomes, crush gnomes, or drop gnomes from tall places.
• Your team will have two hours to get as many pictures/videos with your gnome and/or lawn ornament as you can.
  You’ll have to decide how far you want to go. But I’m pretty sure your
  gnome has never been to CVS, Meijer, Sheena’s, Blockbuster, Caribou,
  Wal*Mart, Dollar General, Bruce Township Fire Department, Romeo Coney
  Island, a hot tub, AMC 30, Subway, Wendy’s, the play area at
  McDonald’s, or ordered food at the drive through at Arby’s. But he has
  been to K-Mart because all gnomes and lawn ornaments seem to come from
  K-Mart.
• Yes, your team can make a rap video called "Chillin’ with My Gnomies, Talkin’ about My Homies" Just make sure your gnome doesn’t have potty mouth. Videos are worth more points.
• Yes, your parents can come because we need drivers. No, I won’t make your mom be in your car.
• Yes, I know there were two typos in the handout I gave you. The event is November 10th and not 11th. And I meant "of course" and not "of coruse." Mrs. Miller from 3rd grade at Madison Elementary would be very disappointed.

I’m really looking forward to this as it’ll be a great time! We hope to
have a bunch of small teams who are ready to be creative and HAVE A
BLAST giving a gnome the night of his life.

From 5ish-7ish you’ll be out and about. From 7ish-8ish you’ll come back to the church to share your pictures and videos, eat pizza, and find out who the winners are.

Kidnap a Gnome promo, originally uploaded by mclanea.

This is in a couple of nights and I’m geeked about it. I’ve been doing this about 10 years and I’ve learned that sometimes the simplest events are the most fun. I hope that’s the case here.

Today is "See You at the Pole" all around the country and as I write this thousands of parents, students, and school employees all around the country are lifting up their schools to the Lord.

I was over at Romeo Middle School… for about 10 minutes. Unlike other SYATP’s I’ve been to, this one was short and sweet for the 30 or so students who were there. Just kind of just stood around, adults prayed… no kids prayed… then it was over the second a bell rang. You’ve got to love middle schoolers!

A couple of people over at YMX have said that they didn’t plan to do a thing for SYATP. (Certainly, that was my position last year… I even overslept and missed it.) I think Tim Schmoyer added the best quote to that conversation. He posted "one day of prayer for your schools is better than no days of prayer for your schools. Well said.

Last night I co-hosted a See You Before the Pole Party over at Simpson Park.  It wasn’t  very well-attended… but we got a very late start in telling people about it as well.  The most important thing that happened was that more than 1 church was part of putting it on. In this town that is a miracle. We hope it’s just the beginning of events that get local students together to worship and fellowship together.  We’re getting together today to come up with an event… probably in early January.

I will readily admit that it does feel a little weird. Tonight, there is no Light Force. Not by accident… but on purpose.

Starting next week there will be 3 in-home small groups for teaching and reaching students here in Romeo. That means that the Light Force room… in use for 30+ years… will lie vacant tonight. I won’t be preparing a talk. I won’t be scurrying to find a game. I won’t be asking Jason "what are your songs for tonight?" at 6:00 PM.

Why the change?
We want to be more effective and more strategic.

But…
I’m not saying "youth group" is bad. In fact, it’s really all I know. All we’re saying is that we need to try something else to become more effective.

5%
That’s the percentage of Romeo Community School students currently involved in a youth ministry in Romeo. And by being really honest, that 5% (at least speaking for my own church) isn’t doing a fantastic job of evangelism/discipleship… and my hypothesis is that it’s more method-based than anything.

Please pray for our 3 seed groups.
They’ll kick off next week.

Below is an article I wrote for this month’s Romeo Peach. Normally I wouldn’t pre-release an article like this but since we had printing issues and it related to the start of school… here’s a taste test. (This is article #2, I’ll up article #1 after the release of the Peach.

September means one thing to most students. Summer is officially over! The lazy days
of summer come to a crashing halt on September 4^th. As you get ready
for those first few days of class, it’s good to think about some strategies
that will get you started off on the right track.

(more…)

1. MainStreet has some funny stuff coming!
2. We’re hopeful to see some new faces Wednesday night.

If you are in the area… the next MainStreet is going to be well worth your time. 7:00 PM on Wednesday.