Best Ever Games- Introduction

Dustin Wine: Does Competition have a place in Ministry?

As I read through the introduction of Best Ever games, the part that Stuck out to me the most was the Philosophy of games sections. It talks about how professional sports and competition take the fun out of games, and is something that should not be apart of any gaming ministry. In the way that this was framed in the booked I completely agree: games in your ministry are not just for the talented. I also don't think that people should be looked down on because they arent good at something, Thats why I feel like Les Christie when he talks about how important laughing and having a good time is.

However It appeared to me that Christie was advocating for taking competition out of all games, and I am not sure I agree with that. Competition is apart of life, and I feel like if it is approached the right way then it is beneficial in teaching teens how Christians should win and lose, in order to help them face those situations later. But at the same time if there is too much focus on competition there will be people who begin to feel like they are losers. So it is a touchy subject, and I am curious as to see whether or not you agree with Christie when he wants to take competition out of games. Is there a way to ensure that people who dont win know that its okay, and know that nobody looks down on them? I think one of the most important things is to never focus on just one type of game such as athletic, or artistic, or intellectual. If many different types of games are played, and nobody is looked down on for losing then I think that competition is not only acceptable, it is beneficial and could be used to enhance your recreational ministry.

Dustin "Toma-Hawk" Wine.

Experiential Youth Ministry- Introduction

Jake King - Does the shortcut of using resource books (game books) hinder or help Youth or Children's pastors from connecting with their students?

Experiential Youth Ministry Handbook - Introduction
John Losey, author of Experiential Youth Ministry Handbook, does not like games books because of their addictive quality and how they can discourage growth and depth, he sees that if a youth worker is disconnected from the program then the students can see this. At first after reading this introduction I completely disagreed with Losey, I mean why should we waste our time coming up with games when there are books that have them there for us, should we not be focusing on relationships instead? Do we really have to develop our own games, our own activities when they are already out there, why invent the wheel again?

However, I read the introduction again , and I think that game books , if used improperly can hinder a Youth worker from connecting with their students. I see Losey's point, game (reference) books should not be soley relied upon, they can be however, a framework, a starting point that can be molded to fit your group of students. If you put the effort into using games or activities intentionaly to suit your particular group, then you are engaged, you are digging deep into what the needs of your students are. So, essentially game books or resource books can help or hinder the Youth or Children's pastor from connecting with their students, it just depends on whether you engage in the material and connect and mold it to your group of students. Does this mean I will not use game books, no, rather, when possible I will fit it to my group and be intentional about teaching my students through a game or activity. I still think that there is a time for games to just be games, a time for fellowship and fun.

Assignment Posting Guidelines

In order to keep the site somewhat clean and organized I want to outline a few guidelines.

1) If it is your week to post the question start a new post in this format:
"Your Name - The Question you are posing"
2) In the body of the post start by stating the reading you are responding to:
i.e. "Experiential Youth Ministry - Introduction"
3) After that you can state your response/stance/thoughts.
4) Everyone else should respond to that post with their contribution as A COMMENT... not a new post.
5) At the beginning of your comment the first line should be in this format:
"Your Name"
Next Line: Your Response

I didn't outline that ahead of time, but many of your blogger names are not clearly identifiable as you, so we won't know who you are.

If you can edit your previous posts please go in and do that.

Thanks!
James

Recreation Websites

Jessica Smazenko

http://www.westsidebaptist.org/templates/cuswestsidebc/details.asp?id=32671&PID=384599
This is a Baptist church that is using sports and recreation for Ministry. I'm not sure I agree completely because it seems to be just separate programs that are doing things instead of incorporating recreation into learning. I think that they should not call it recreation ministry, but recreation programs that may lead to ministry. I don't think that what they are doing is bad, but I would do it differently.

http://www.oakwoodbc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=11120
This other Baptist church does not seem to merely have different programs. They have a stated purpose for what they are trying to do. They want to minister to the whole person, and reach out to the community in a casual setting while showing how God can be a part of everything. Also, they use it to encourage seekers and believers to become involved to strengthen their families and relationships with others.

Assignment for the week of 2/8 - Website Responses

This is due before 6pm on Monday.

Post the following:
1 Recreation Ministry Website Link (organization or church) that you agree with/prefer their approach
1 Recreation Ministry Website Link (organization or church) that you disagree with/don't prefer approach.

Include a 3-4 sentence description for each of your answers.

MVNU Church and Family Recreation Class - Spring 2010

Let the blogging journey begin!