YSPalooza was held a few weekends ago, just outside of Philadelphia in Harleysville, PA at Branchcreek Community Church. This post is just my review of the event... I'm working on how to concisely share the material shared.
I like to use an old feedback model called Plus Delta.
Plus: What was good? Delta: What could use some work/change/revision? I also like to end on a high note - so I'm sharing my deltas first....
DELTAS:
1) A Friday 1pm start time was rough. For our paid Youth Ministry People and retired Youth Ministry Volunteers it was no problem. HOWEVER, most youth leaders in our Diocese are volunteers with full time jobs elsewhere.
2) Despite my urging to come after work Friday - some found it easier to drive up early Saturday. It meant some folks were joining in the discussion late - having missed half of the content (from Mark Matlock, Tic Long, Duffy Robbins, and Harvey Carey) :(
3) Our Diocese doesn't understand what it's missing. We've never had access to such high quality of training... so, it just seems strange and sacrificial but not specifically beneficial.
I don't know how to help change this perception.
4) I can meet with teams and share/train on the information but I feel a little silly that my "job" can be reduced to giving "book reports."
5) The sponsor commercials were a little overwhelming - but just like on tv at home - you don't HAVE to pay attention. AND they literally make the program possible... so, yeah, go ahead. Where's the bathroom again?
PLUSES:
1) Branchcreek was an excellent facility. Your right, it's not exactly IN Philly - and people coming from afar might be disappointed. This wasn't for people from afar - it was for folks in close proximity.... Good parking. Concise Signage. Clean bathrooms. Amenities weren't too far away.
2) I am a self proclaimed YS girl and I will admit YS has been on a rocky road the past few years... and I couldn't be more pleased to say this event was the best of who they are. Some of the sessions were intentional review of trainings past - and some was brand spanking new research. It was a nice blend.
3) This two day offering is an affordable, around the corner, team oriented alternative to sending one leader all the way to Atlanta for the National Youth Workers Convention.
4) One option for all - there was no map reading and meandering down halls. There were no strange report backs from sessions I didn't get to sit in... One room, one session, immediate time to talk about it, AND free snacks and drinks in the lobby over every break. Simple and Brilliant.
5) The singing. I still love Starfield. And I loved my first formal introduction to Audrey Assad. I like it when folks are more about worshiping together than making sure you heard their latest music... and these groups are totally about that. Their musical styles might not be for everyone - but their hearts were CLEARLY for Christ.
6) The merging of expertise and humility from the front of the room. These are some of elders of Youth Ministry. And there were no fancy introductions - if you didn't know who these folks were - you were left to check your program guide. I questioned it for a half second when one of my leaders asked who someone was - and then I just thought it was kind of classy.
7) The diversity of the room. There were lots of denominations represented and though there weren't a LOT, there were people of color. Working with youth is so much more about what we all commonly love - Jesus and young people. This was most excellent.
7) It was very much a blue print of how I can help train people here... but refer to #4 above.
I like to use an old feedback model called Plus Delta.
Plus: What was good? Delta: What could use some work/change/revision? I also like to end on a high note - so I'm sharing my deltas first....
DELTAS:
1) A Friday 1pm start time was rough. For our paid Youth Ministry People and retired Youth Ministry Volunteers it was no problem. HOWEVER, most youth leaders in our Diocese are volunteers with full time jobs elsewhere.
2) Despite my urging to come after work Friday - some found it easier to drive up early Saturday. It meant some folks were joining in the discussion late - having missed half of the content (from Mark Matlock, Tic Long, Duffy Robbins, and Harvey Carey) :(
3) Our Diocese doesn't understand what it's missing. We've never had access to such high quality of training... so, it just seems strange and sacrificial but not specifically beneficial.
I don't know how to help change this perception.
4) I can meet with teams and share/train on the information but I feel a little silly that my "job" can be reduced to giving "book reports."
5) The sponsor commercials were a little overwhelming - but just like on tv at home - you don't HAVE to pay attention. AND they literally make the program possible... so, yeah, go ahead. Where's the bathroom again?
PLUSES:
1) Branchcreek was an excellent facility. Your right, it's not exactly IN Philly - and people coming from afar might be disappointed. This wasn't for people from afar - it was for folks in close proximity.... Good parking. Concise Signage. Clean bathrooms. Amenities weren't too far away.
2) I am a self proclaimed YS girl and I will admit YS has been on a rocky road the past few years... and I couldn't be more pleased to say this event was the best of who they are. Some of the sessions were intentional review of trainings past - and some was brand spanking new research. It was a nice blend.
3) This two day offering is an affordable, around the corner, team oriented alternative to sending one leader all the way to Atlanta for the National Youth Workers Convention.
4) One option for all - there was no map reading and meandering down halls. There were no strange report backs from sessions I didn't get to sit in... One room, one session, immediate time to talk about it, AND free snacks and drinks in the lobby over every break. Simple and Brilliant.
5) The singing. I still love Starfield. And I loved my first formal introduction to Audrey Assad. I like it when folks are more about worshiping together than making sure you heard their latest music... and these groups are totally about that. Their musical styles might not be for everyone - but their hearts were CLEARLY for Christ.
6) The merging of expertise and humility from the front of the room. These are some of elders of Youth Ministry. And there were no fancy introductions - if you didn't know who these folks were - you were left to check your program guide. I questioned it for a half second when one of my leaders asked who someone was - and then I just thought it was kind of classy.
7) The diversity of the room. There were lots of denominations represented and though there weren't a LOT, there were people of color. Working with youth is so much more about what we all commonly love - Jesus and young people. This was most excellent.
7) It was very much a blue print of how I can help train people here... but refer to #4 above.
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