Archives For Matt Lawson

Questions About Next Generations

Matt Lawson —  May 9, 2013 — Leave a comment

Recently I was asked the following five questions about the next generation and the church. The questions are very relevant and so I thought I would share my brief answers from my perspective.

1) Do you believe the average church in America is successful at engaging younger generations? (Why or why not)

I do not.

I believe it is a leadership issue in most churches. Churches must fight to get younger and lead from a younger perspective. I don’t think this happens effectively in very many places. As leadership ages, so does the approach and ministry model. (fwiw…I do not think this is the case at First Baptist Woodstock)

2) What are the greatest barriers of the church in reaching and discipling postmodern younger generations?

Difficult question. Not entirely sure if there is a clear answer to this. Certainly the view of the church by younger generations is an obstacle. The loss of truth is another. The relevancy of the church is an issue. The disintegration of the home and the passing of faith from previous generations has been disastrous.

3) What do you find personally is the greatest challenge in making disciples of younger generations?

In student ministry, it’s a lack of parental discipleship and partnership.

4) What do you feel is their greatest potential to offer the church?

Everything. The world is flat and this is a change/cause generation that could fulfill Matthew 24 if they could be equipped, motivated, and released.

5) What do you wish younger generations understood about Christianity / the Church? 

Jesus is better than…(Hebrews)

 

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In student ministry
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Dangers of Ministry [Stats About Ministry Leaders]

Matt Lawson —  April 29, 2013 — 1 Comment

Stats below are from Johnny Derouen’s session at Metro Conference last week.
SESSION TITLE: Influencing Our Families

MINISTRY MARRIAGES

70% of Pastors constantly fight depression

Almost 40% polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since the beginning of their ministry

80% of adult children of pastors surveyed have had to seek professional help for depression

MINISTERS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor

95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses

80% of pastors surveyed spend less than fifteen minutes a day in prayer

70% said the only time they spend time studying the word is when they are preparing their sermons

FOR PASTORS

1500 pastors leave the ministry due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches

For every new church that opens, two close their doors

50% of pastors marriages will end in divorce directly in line with the national average

80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as a leader

50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living

80% of seminary and bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.

85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of dealing with the problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors

70% of pastors feel grossly underpaid

90% said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be before they entered the ministry

70% felt God called them to pastoral ministry before their ministry began, but after three years of ministry, only 50% still felt called

FOR PASTORS WIVES

80% of pastors spouses feel their spouse is overworked

80% of pastors wives feel left out and under appreciated by the church members

80% of pastors spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession

80% of pastors wives feel pressured to do things and something in the church that they are really not

The majority, over 50%, of pastors wives surveyed said the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered ministry

 

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In Conferences/Training
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How to Attend the Best Conferences for Free

Matt Lawson —  April 26, 2013 — Leave a comment

No this isn’t a promotion or giveaway for the latest conference. You probably wouldn’t win anyway. Who ever does?!?

Are you in a budget crunch and don’t have money for conferences? Or maybe you just don’t have time to get away from the office or the family for a week?

Well, you’re not alone and the facts of the matter are that you don’t have to be jealous over the youth pastor down the street who does get to go. In fact, you may be able to attend a better conference than him even without budget and conference time.

You can host your own conference, glean from some great wisdom givers, and not spend a dime or travel to do it.

How? Follow the 5 steps below to host and attend the best conference offered all year.

5 Steps to Your Best Conference Now

1. Set aside three days in the near future to work “at home.”

It’s important to get out of the office and away from what’s familiar. That’s one of the reasons conferences are so valuable. You can think outside of the normal pressures of day to day ministry.

2. Write down 10-15 of the sharpest guys you know

Seriously, write down your top 10-15 regardless of whether you think they will give you the time of day or not. You’ll be surprised as to how many will say yes that you thought will say no. Even if they can’t say yes to your preferred dates, if they are worth their leadership notoriety, they will at least have an avenue of leadership offering whether that’s book, webinar, blog, training cd/dvd, etc.

3. Write down 5-7 topics that are most pressing to you currently along with questions

Make a list of topics you would want at a conference. Write down 3-5 questions with each topic you’d want to ask if you had Q&A time with a conference presenter on that topic.

4. Call your list and ask for 30-45 minutes of their time on your specified days

Be flexible with times but ask if they are available on the days you have set aside. I would work at least 1 month out. As times begin to get filled in, offer time slots you have available during those 2-3 days you have set aside. The more specific you can get with busy leaders, the better chance you will have to get them on your “at-home conference” schedule. If you know a specific leader is more qualified in a specific area, tell their assistant you want to talk with them about ______ (ie. “I’d like to discuss campus ministry strategies and how to get on campus”).

5. Budget “process time” in your schedule

At most conferences, you will get 4-8 sessions of training. This is a reasonable amount of training time to shoot for. If possible, try to budget 30 or so minutes after each call to process and re-write the main takeaways from your conversation. Try to take away at least one actionable thought from each conversation. Finally, budget time after all phone conversations have been completed to debrief with yourself, your team, or your staff.

Now that you haven’t spent a dime or travel day on conferences and your boss or Pastor is happy, head on over to Starbucks and pick me up a gift card for this advice :) !!

 

Matt Lawson

In Conferences/Training ,
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We’re Hiring! Four Student Ministry 1-2 Year Internships Open

Matt Lawson —  March 28, 2013 — 1 Comment

First Baptist Woodstock student ministry has four openings for a 1-2 year student ministry internship starting in late May – early summer 2013. This internship offers the opportunity to LEARN in a dynamic, healthy student ministry environment of 1000 students and then be LAUNCHED to a healthy student ministry position when you are done.

This internship has a track record of placing interns in significant student ministry positions after their time is complete. If you desire to learn and lead in a healthy setting before being launched into a full-time position, we want to talk to you.

The student ministry at First Baptist Woodstock desires to help raise the next generation of student ministry leaders and place them in significant ministry positions. We’re looking for those called to youth ministry who desire to spend 1-2 years in a dynamic, fast-pace, & growing student ministry environment of over 1000 students learning the fundamentals of student ministry and having significant opportunities to impact a generation of students hungry for Jesus!

We have launched the last three interns to healthy churches running 1000+. We have a track record of placing interns in very healthy environments when they are finished with our internship.

Qualifications
1.Demonstrated call to full-time student ministry
2.Commitment to future local church ministry
3.Agree to a 1-2 year commitment
4.College degree preferred

We currently have two female openings and two male openings for a late May – early summer start date. Applications due April 17.

“The Minister in Residence program helped shape, challenge and prepare me for a role in full-time student ministry. It opened my eyes to things I had never thought of before, and I’m extremely grateful for the time I spent in the program.” – Aaron Crawford, Student Pastor, Cross Church, Fayetteville, AR

“My internship at Woodstock allowed me the privilege to gain priceless hands-on ministry experience. I was given opportunities to dream, pray big prayers, and to plan ministry according to whatever God laid on my heart. My internship experience continues to greatly influence the way I do ministry everyday.” – Ashley Williamson, High School Minister, Pinelake Church, Brandon, MS

TRAINING
Education
1.Monthly reading and discussion of books on personal growth, leadership, student ministry
2.Attend FBCW training conferences (Timothy-Barnabus, Go Forward Conference)
3.Attend Atlanta area ministry training conferences (Youth Specialties, Catalyst, etc)
4.Enroll in optional seminary classes
Mentoring
1.Monthly/bi-monthly one on one mentoring with student ministry staff
2.Monthly meetings with a different department each month
Experience
1.Responsibility for specific areas of ministry including but not limited to:
a. Campus ministry
b. Team chaplain
c. Campus ministry teams
d. Event planning and leadership
2. Lead Bible studies and Sunday School classes
Future Ministry Planning
1.Create a plan to train volunteer workers
2.Develop a philosophy of ministry
3.Understand missional vs attractional evangelism

If you have questions, please email Matt at matt.lawson@fbcw.net. Internship pays $500 per month plus a host home.

Download the Intern Information and Application Packet

In Uncategorized
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Over $1200 in Giveaways! Stumin Sidekick Launch Week!

Matt Lawson —  February 25, 2013 — Leave a comment

Stumin Sidekick Launch-Week

The blog here at Revolution Speaks has been silent for the last month or so as we’ve been preparing to launch StuminSidekick.com.

We’re beyond excited to announce that this week, Feb 25-28, 2013, is LAUNCH WEEK!! Resources are already flying out the door but we anticipate this week will be even crazier because of WE’RE GIVING AWAY OVER $1200 in FREE RESOURCES!!!

LAUNCH WEEK GIVEAWAYS!!

LAUNCH WEEK GETS EVEN BETTER…

For this ONE-WEEK only, a one-year subscription can be purchased for up to 40% off the regular price. Your subscription will give you full access for one year to all resources on the site, except the premium section. Oh yea…there’s only 20 available at the initial level. After that, price goes up for the next 200 subscribers this week.

To see how you can get a chance to win any of these resources or purchase a one-year subscription,  check out our Launch Week page now.

Would you do us a favor and give StuminSidekick.com a shout on social media or through email to your youth pastor friends?

 

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BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE AT STUMINSIDEKICK.COM FOR A FREE MESSAGE SERIES!!

 

 

In Giveaways, Resources ,
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Poll: How Far in Advance Do You Have Sermon Series Planned?

Matt Lawson —  January 1, 2013 — Leave a comment

Wondering how far in advance you have your message series planned out. If you’re wondering, ours are planned out through May 22, 2013.

ML InitialsHAVE YOU CHECKED OUT STUMIN SIDEKICK…DYNAMIC RESOURCES FOR HEROIC LEADERS! YOU CAN EVEN PICK UP A SERMON SERIES IF YOU’RE WONDERING WHAT YOU’RE PREACHING THIS WEEK!

In Preaching ,
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5 Relational Priorities to Renew in 2013

Matt Lawson —  December 31, 2012 — Leave a comment

Like the math class I was failing as a 9th grader, a new semester reminds me there’s always a fresh start! There are several relationships I want to renew in the coming year.

  1. Having students in my home
  2. Spending time with adult leaders for lunch
  3. Dating my wife
  4. A day every week just for my family
  5. “Think Day” once a month for myself

What’s important to you relationally this coming year?

 

ML Initials

In Leadership , , ,
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Last Chance | Best Blog Post 2012 | THANKS!

Matt Lawson —  December 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

Super big thanks to all who have voted! We’ll be glad when it’s over! We’d love to win but we don’t like blowing up Twitter/Facebook/email feeds asking you to vote! So…

Here’s the last chance! Voting ends at 11:59pm Thursday, December 27th. Would you vote for Matt? And maybe send it to a few friends and ask them to vote for Matt too? :) Appreciate ya!

Best youth pastor final four 590x260

 

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WE LOVE OUR FRIENDS! ALL SUBSCRIBERS GET FREE UPDATES AND 7 FREE YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES. CHECK OUT THE RESOURCES HERE.

 

In Giveaways , , ,
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Excited to Introduce…StuminSidekick.com!

Matt Lawson —  December 19, 2012 — 1 Comment

Stumin Sidekick

STUMIN SIDEKICK is helping change the way youth ministry is resourced. We believe the best stuff comes from those on the ground doing youth ministry every day. And we believe it should be accessible for almost any budget.

Every student ministry leader needs more help, more finances, more resources, more leaders, more budget and they need them NOW. There’s never enough. STUMIN SIDEKICK is just the help you need. It’s the nitty-gritty, highly affordable (and sometimes free for subscribers!) resource depot for everyday youth ministry.

But this is more than just any resource site. These are resources direct from the trenches of highly effective & growing youth ministries across the country. From sermon series to curriculum to retreats to postcards to t-shirt designs to pass out cards to posters to graphics and more, STUMIN SIDEKICK is dynamic resources for heroic leaders.

All resources are rebrandable, reprintable, customizable, and immediately available. Most resources are direct from a youth pastors hard drive to STUMIN SIDEKICK users.

STUMIN SIDEKICK is the partner who will:

  • Make you the hero: Completely customizable to make your own.
  • Save your budget: We will never over price a resource.
  • Give you a break: You give so much. It’s time someone gave back to you. All subscribers will receive free resources every month.
  • Hear your need: Need a resource you can’t find here or anywhere? We’ll call our hero partners and find what you need.
  • Keep you fresh: We feature new content every week and roll out the content that isn’t being taken. This stuff is fresh.

This is one sidekick you can depend on. We’ll deliver what you need fast, cost effectively, and ground tested!

WANT TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR? STUMIN SIDEKICK is not the creation of one or even a few heroic youth pastors. This site is owned by heroes in churches running 20,000 to 20. Size doesn’t matter here. We know that there are youth pastors creating great content everywhere.

If you’d like to contribute to this site, email us and we’ll send you a contributors info pack! We’d love to feature your resources and pay you for them!

LAUNCH DATE: We are scheduled for a soft launch in early January and a full launch on February 4th.

GET ON OUR PRE-LAUNCH LIST NOW! Got a free resource for you coming before Christmas and several opportunities for coupons and discounts before we launch!

In the next two weeks we’ll be posting more info about StuminSidekick.com. Be sure to get on our pre-launch list for updates! Follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Stumin Sidekick Email Header

 

 

 

 

 

In Uncategorized
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Have a Minute to Vote? Youthmin.org Best Blog Post of 2012

Matt Lawson —  December 19, 2012 — Leave a comment

Hey friends, someone nominated one of my posts for Youthmin.org‘s Youth Ministry Blog Post of the Year contest. What started out as 70 nominations has now been paired down to 8. I’m honored to be a part of a great group of youth ministry blog writers in this group and would be completely honored if you clicked this link and voted for me. Hey, maybe consider it a Christmas gift?! :)

Voting for Round 4 ends this Friday, December 21st at 11:59pm. We have to finish in the top 4 to move to the final round, which will start on Saturday, December 22nd. Thanks for your support with a vote, tweet, Facebook message, or email to a friend!!

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STAY UPDATED WITH A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS BLOG AND RECEIVE 7 FREE RESOURCES. SEE THE LIST OF FREE RESOURCES HERE.

In Resources , , , ,
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