First Rave at Ministry Venue
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Author Topic: First Rave at Ministry Venue  (Read 1201 times)
x_jose_x
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« on: February 16, 2007, 12:25:45 AM »
Hello,

Our local Youth for Christ ministry had its first Rave. We are up in Northern Minnesota. Duluth to be exact.

It was a good event. We had probably the largest turn out of any concert we have had. However, we do have some concerns.

1. How can we integrate ministry into this type of event?
2. How do we address the drug issue? (Prevention, if it happens, and ministering deliverance)
3. How do we prevent property damage?

Any comments on these issues, and others you can come up with will be greatly appreciated.

Any input on how we can move forward in reaching out to this segment of youth with the message of Christ will be awesome.

Thanks,
Jose
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zero
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« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2007, 06:14:37 AM »


Hello Jose

Regarding your concerns and comments about your event; below are a few inputs from extensive prior experience of events of this nature (highlighted in red below the items you have raised)  

Our local Youth for Christ ministry had its first Rave. We are up in Northern Minnesota. Duluth to be exact.

It was a good event. We had probably the largest turn out of any concert we have had.

The greatest challenge after an event like this is maintaining the enthusiasm of the people who atended, your team's and the level of event delivery (of course you'd want to improve it where resources allow you too)

However, we do have some concerns.

1. How can we integrate ministry into this type of event?

This question is a valid and neccessary one; however, often its responses have more to with theological backgrounds/traditions than the core of the issue. By this i mean simply that "ministry" has different meanings to different people and by default different theological strands in the broader/global Church.

Bearing this in mind then, simply reaching agreement on what "ministry" means would probably take forever.. For me personally, each individual has a unique "ministry" since we are each personally accountable for the lives we lead; whether we like the idea or not, this is the case.

That "ministry" involves reflecting (modelling) the person of Jesus Christ (the ultimate basis for our Christianity). This reflecting/modelling ideally would increasingly allow us to show more (and more) of Him in everything we do; i say everything, because He is interested and concerned about everything in our lives.

This aspect is where the notion of a "Christian Lifestyle" is especially true. That would imply that you're not just a Christian on (eg) Sundays, or when people are watching you, but in the times when it's only you and Him; and of course other people ( and you're NOT wearing a Christian T-shirt/chain/armband etc).

I take it that because you actually had the event, you and your team have managed to get past whatever the other issues would be around actually having a "rave".so i'm not going to address any of that, and also because you have'nt specifically mentioned any of them either. What i do want to link to the above comments i made to "lifestyle", is that fact that we remain Christians at ALL times.. whatever we're doing.. hence the lifestyle comment.

How this relates to the question is that your entire conduct at the Rave event, more as people (how you treat those attending, attitudes,acceptance,love - not excluding being firm and fair where boundaries are crossed); in other words its the conduct / what you do that the audience see's than what we say...

For a long time lots of people have said lots of things; but done very little of them.. the broader world out there has seen and heard it all before.. they need to see you live it..and that includes when you have a fun time dancing, hanging out, chilling, interacting with other people who aren't like you..hope you get the core of what i'm saying here..

The alternative to the above, is to quite literally turn the event into a glorified "youth church service- which is appropriate when at church"; which your audience will simply interpret your media and advertising as some kind of con you ran on them to get them to hear someone preach..

Having said that, it doesnt mean you cannot; it just means you have to be very clear on whats going to happen if you do ( ie. who will come the next time and who won't,and why); DONT lose the integrity of what you do.. it's hard or nearly impossible to get it back once you lose it with younger people. Loving the audience , and reflecting that as best you can, is the most important issue

2. How do we address the drug issue? (Prevention, if it happens, and ministering deliverance)

Very strict, partially visible, enough and knowledgable security will deal with the issue of event attendees getting drugs into the venue. No-one can stop people from taking drugs before the event.. so unless you know for sure what the symptoms are..tread cautiously.

If it happens at the venue in spite of the above; the most practical thing is to make sure you have a good relationship with the Local PD.. and have them attend the event as observers.. when its illegal, let the law deal with that issue. You guys arent the law, so rather stay away from domains like that where possible.

As for ther deliverance issue.. there are many ways you can inform people of opportunities to rid themseves of the addictions they have (incl drugs); although i'd say the most powerful irremovable statement one can make on the above is by simply having the event and lots of people having an awesome, fun and happy time , WITHOUT drugs ! Thats the Best; and its a memory anyone who's been there cannot erase.

3. How do we prevent property damage?

Strict,Knowledgable and Enough Security Staff rotating throughout the venue; especially the rest rooms and "darker areas" (incl outside).

Any comments on these issues, and others you can come up with will be greatly appreciated.

Any input on how we can move forward in reaching out to this segment of youth with the message of Christ will be awesome.

The YFC Regional Team Co-ordinator in Cape Town - South Africa, was actually brave enough to host a "Rave" in 1994 .. thats just an interesting piece of History to encourage you guys.. You're Not Alone !!!

What you guys are doing is great, and dont under-estimate the impact you're having. Stay humble, seek His counsel, remain passionate about what you're doing and who you are doing it for, and Love the people!

Zero
South Africa
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x_jose_x
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« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2007, 09:15:36 AM »
Hello Zero,

Thank you very much for the reply.

I agree with you that how we model Christ is key. Just in doing this one Rave event, we got to meet so many different kids than what come to our rock and alternative shows. We got to get to know the DJs a lot better. We have a ministry paradigm called Code RED. It stands for Relationship, Evangelize, Disciple. We really are not into turning it in to a youth service. We put on the shows and hang out with the kids and do out best to show individually who Christ is.

The fact that we got this whole new segment of youth is why I sought some input so that we can continue to reach out to them with Rave events.

Security is a big factor. I am glad you mentioned that. We were way understaffed. Our mens bathroom took a big hit with vandalism.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and that bit of history. I'll be sure to mention it.

God Bless,
Jose
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zero
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« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2007, 04:26:10 AM »
Hello Jose

Glad the inputs were useful. The key comment about events in this format, is that you meet loads of young people who u would otherwise never have interacted with or reached.

I'd love to see any pics or footage you guys have of your events, and also stay in touch.

God Bless

Zero
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x_jose_x
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« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2007, 12:30:39 AM »
Hey Zero,

Here are the links to photos / videos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/encounteryfc


http://www.youtube.com/encounteryfc

God Bless  Smiley

-Jose
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zero
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« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2007, 05:05:04 AM »
Hey Jose

Your team certainly had an active crowd judging by the pics,and they certainly came dressed to party! i noticed from the two websites you posted that you guys have a pretty neat venue that allows you to be versatile and offer a range of things; thats always a great advantage.

Its always great to see guys like yourselves reaching out as opposed to the norm in the Church of reaching in; but still calling it "outreaches/evangelising".

I would be useful to maintaint he contact and maybe we can "link" your events and the one's this side of the ocean in some way.. would like to know what you and your teams  thoughts are on that..

Send a Big Shout Out to all your guys and those who attend your events.. to keep the faith and stay firmly focussed on Jesus Christ..

God Bless

Zero
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Segue
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« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2007, 11:04:00 AM »
Hey man...

That is great news you have something going in Duluth...
If I may ask, Who has the DJ?
What was he/she spinning?
(a smaple of the tracks)

And, how did you promote it to get so many there?

It doesn't always seem to wark that way where I'm from.
Especially if it is at a "Chr" venue...

Thanks-
Segue
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Davo
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« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2007, 11:35:44 AM »
Quote from: x_jose_x on February 16, 2007, 12:25:45 AM

1. How can we integrate ministry into this type of event?

it looks like a straight up party for everyone,so i wouldn't push it too much. you could say something like "we're here every wednesday for church if you want to come hang out with us", or have flyers for the youth group on a table or something. 

Quote from: x_jose_x on February 16, 2007, 12:25:45 AM
2. How do we address the drug issue? (Prevention, if it happens, and ministering deliverance)
advertise no backpacks,etc and that it's a clean party. you need security who knows what to look for
     EXAMPLE: the girl in the picture wearing the painters mask...that's a common sign someone is rolling. they put vicks in the mask & breathe it in because it's so intense. (that doesn't mean this girl was rolling...)
   also, you don't want to kick anyone out who's on drugs,because who knows where they'd end up...you want to kick the person out who's dealing.

Quote from: x_jose_x on February 16, 2007, 12:25:45 AM
3. How do we prevent property damage?

definitely security.

Quote from: x_jose_x on February 16, 2007, 12:25:45 AM

Any comments on these issues, and others you can come up with will be greatly appreciated.

Any input on how we can move forward in reaching out to this segment of youth with the message of Christ will be awesome.

Thanks,
Jose

awesome looking party,man  Cool  keep up the good work
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x_jose_x
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« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2007, 07:47:08 AM »
Hey thanks for the replies!

To Zero: Yeah the venue is great. The rave took place in the lower level. It holds about 200. Very versatile. Right next to that room is a huge indoor skate park. The upstairs is an open gym with basketball, weight room, and game room.

We have some concert going on in the lower level every Friday. At least once a month we have a national artist perform in the open gym. That room holds about 1000.

We should definitely keep in touch. What did you have in mind about linking events?

To Segue: The DJs where 3 local kids. They go by Arne Daze, Cotton Candy, and Feralyn. They did a great job. I just requested a track list, I'll post it when I get it.

As far as promotion... We just rely on word of mouth. We had the largest turn out ever for that rave event compared to our regular concerts. The three DJs were out telling everyone. Word of this event just spread like fire. We also post our event calendar on MySpace.

I'd suggest targeting your promotion very narrowly. At our event, some of the attendees were kids we see every week. At least 90% were kids I'd never seen in our venue before, mostly the people dressed up and clearly part of the rave scene.  This web site here, TastyFresh has lots of great articles about building a scene, and other topics.

To Davo: Hey thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Yeah, I had someone else mention the surgical mask thing. Hosting that event was so educational. We will be much more prepared for next event.

Based on the turn out we had, we can't ignore that ministry field. We hope for greater opportunity to reach the kids of this area with the hope of Christ.

God bless you all!
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zero
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« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2007, 04:56:29 AM »
Hi Jose

My idea was something along the lines of whenever either of us hosts an event we try to link it in some way ?
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