EFFECTIVE BIG EVENT PLANNING!

Hey Guys!
I will own the fact that this is getting posted far too late in the game. But let's use that as an object lesson ;) When it comes to effective big event planning, the planning process needs to begin early on. Pulling things together days before the event, or even during, creates for a stressful situation. So how should you plan? I think the biggest thing I learned from MSO was that I should plan with people who have done the event in the past, seasoned team members. James and Jen had some good and useful insights into how our team could better utilize the space. Asking the right people the right questions during the proper planning process allows the team to bypass avoidable problems. So, what are some questions you wish you would have asked before MSO, and what are some questions you are going to ask before your next big event so that your planning is effective?

AH-HA Moment of The Semester

This semester was a challenge, especially with  the projects and the amount of time that we needed to set aside for this class. Some if not most of us did not realize that. Some showed frustration, and other emotions that were expected but sometimes they were more elevated that probably should. Myself included. But the big thing that I was able to walk away with from this class and semester might be deep but is very meaningful to the ministry and student we/I will be touching once my time is done here at MVNU. That is that not matter how much stress, frustration, headbutting, and what ever else I may encounter in ministry or life it is absolutely worth going on that to not only put a smile on a kids face, but create the opportunity to reach a student on their level and where they are in life. It's the difference I can make in a students life that makes any amount of stress or frustration worth that time it takes. That smile on that kids face, that conversation I have with them might be just what they need to change their outlook on life for the better.

What moments or events stood out to you? How do you think the events we put on will help you in ministry once you are done at MVNU?

Camps/Retreat Ministry

What have you learned about yourself by working with your team this year? What are the strengths that you bring to a team and what are some possible weaknesses? What are your positive or possibly negative tendencies in team work?

Midterm Pizza Party Post

Hi, friends!  Here's where we want you to reflect on your Midterm Pizza Party.

Questions to reflect on:
1.  What is your overall review and thoughts of the evening?
2.  Evaluate pre-party and during party--what went well?  What things would you change?  What worked? What didn't?
3. What did you learn from this event?
4.  What stood out to you as a take away from this event?

*Next class time, we will have you evaluate your involvement and your team members involvement of planning and pulling off the event. (This evaluation will be individual and only seen by me and James.)

Godly Play 2.0

I really enjoyed the opportunity we had last week to apply what we were learning in a real world ministry environment.  In what ways did your group incorporate Godly Play into the lesson, and how did the kids respond? I noticed with the preschool group that they were much more engaged in the Bible story when they got to build a snack that demonstrated the wall of Jericho and act out the story. I believe Godly play should be used in more church settings for all ages. What do you think?

Camp retreat!

How can we help tune out the "noise seeping through the walls" at our retreats to better listen to God? In our world with the noise we have become accustomed to how can we get the more "techie" kids to join in and have fun? What does the environment have to do with the activities we can plan? What was your favorite part of a church camp or retreat?

GODLY PLAY

Part of the Godly Play sounded familiar, so is there something from your childhood or current time in life that is similar to Godly Play? In what ways can we take Godly Play and apply it to older people, whether youth, young adults, or elders? Lastly, what would you say is most valuable about Godly Play, as in, what have you learned from most or seen others learn from?