Digital Worship

So I can't get my mind off of this idea to have a DJ lead our group, pre-worship, mid, or post-worship, in responsive readings/prayers while playing background loops. Also, I want projectors covering every wall in the room with images enhancing the student's visual worship. For more on the worship projection see http://www.flickr.com/photos/turnonthevibe/ for some great ideas.

The point is that I believe that worship music, as we know it, is on the way out. The "Passion", "Hillsong" etc type stuff has been revolutionizing to say the least, but our students are so over entertained that using only this type of music has gotten a bit stale. Students today have more of a diverse taste in music now than ever. The lines that once separated genres of music have all but disappeared.

I want our students to worship the Amazing Triune God. I want to use every means possible to actively engage them with Jesus. I'm not sold that students, maybe only ours, are that interested in the "arena" worship that was so popular through the last decade.

What do you think...

Digital Youth Ministry

Well, recently I've been reading Don Tapscott's book "Grown Up Digital". I would think that if you're in youth ministry, you should absolutely read this book. The book gives a great picture of the digital youth culture of today. How will this culture be ministered to now and in the future? How can we use technology, and I'm not talking about power point or podcasts, to reach this, and future, generations for Christ? Pizza parties and Christian bands will not cut it over the nex 10 years. Do you have any answers, or suggestions, thoughts or comments? Let's hear them...

Introduction

Hello and thanks for reading. I have no idea what brings people to this blog, but if you're here, then let's chat. I've been in youth ministry now for around 12 years and I'm finding that more and more of the "traditional" youth ministry tactics are falling way short of impacting the youth in our community, and quite possibly, the youth around the country. My hope and prayer is that this blog serves as a sounding board for all things youth ministry. No matter your background or theological bent, maybe this will be a place where we can honestly discuss what's working and not working. This is not a place for advertising or pushing the latest and greatest in youth ministry. We all have access to that stuff. I hope we can accomplish a much deeper evaluation of youth ministry, share our struggles, and encourage each other to stand firm in our calling to love students. Let the fun begin!