1. TxtSignal.com: $30/month
With a couple of my youth group kids burning through 18,000 text messages in one month each (yes, seriously!), it almost seems remiss not to use it to communicate with teens. I use TxtSignal.com to send announcements and last-minute reminders, cancel events, send daily devotional thoughts, run contests, share prayer requests, and get quick feedback about a question or idea, and more. It’s definitely our #1 most effective tool for communicating with teens in our ministry. Although the TxtSignal.com plan I use runs $30/month, you can get plans as cheap as $10/month with a 30-day FREE trial.
2. Youth group website: $15/month
In my youth ministry, our website is the #2 most effective tool we have for mass communicating news and announcements. Although there are places to get free websites (like WordPress.com), I opted to purchase a web hosting plan and build it myself so we could more flexibility in how we use it. Check out the tutorial I wrote about how to build an interactive youth group website for more on what the site entails and how you can build one, too. Of course, you could always check out my own website service at MinistryWebsites.biz and help support the ongoing work here at Life In Student Ministry.
3. Covenant Eyes: $8/month
I have Covenant Eyes installed on every computer in my house. It logs every web page I visit and sends a weekly email report to a couple people for accountability. As a guy in ministry, it is absolutely imperative that I protect my integrity. In case an accusation is ever made, I have reports on record. Definitely worth the $8/month! Use promo code “youthministry” to get the first 30 days free!
4. Volunteer appreciation gifts: varies
Without adult youth workers, there would be no youth ministry. They serve in so many ways, giving up so much of their time, energy and resources, and they absolutely must be thanked. Occasional gifts and thank-you cards can never repay all that they give to teens and the ministry, but it’s better than nothing. In my ministry’s youth budget, I seem to always overspend the “Volunteer appreciation” line item, and they are totally worth it.
5. Animoto.com: $30/year
If you saw the Christmas greeting video from me and Dana, you’ve seen a sample of what Animoto.com does. It takes your digital pictures from your latest youth event, lets you add some titles and music, and spits out a video that is entertaining and very professional. It’s a great way to share memories with the congregation and preserve the experience for kids online. An unlimited pass for the site costs $30/year, but 30-second clips are free if that’s sufficient for you. Sign up at Animoto.com.
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From Ministry Questions.com...
January 6th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Really useful stuff that I haven’t checked out yet. Thanks!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Thanks for the CE plug!
January 7th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I would definitely agree with the appreciation account. I seem to always overspend on that one and still feel as though I am not doing enough.
I’m thinking we could take this issue to Congress and see about a $billion bail out for additional appreciation budgets! Are you with me?
January 13th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I’m having trouble seeing how txtsignals is worth it? Does it do anything other than to allow sending txts to groups? I’m just trying to understand!
January 13th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
@Luke: That’s the basic idea, yeah. It let’s kids sign themselves up, remove themselves from your lists, lets you queue up messages for a later date, manage outgoing and incoming messages, and more. I love it!
January 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Tim these are great resources. some of which I was not familiar with and will check out.
We know every YM budget is tight so what do you know about Free versions of some of these.
For Accountability what about XXXchurch software, X3watch and the parental control software, Safe Eyes & Safe Eyes Mobile.
x3watch has a free version and then the pro version is only $19.95 a one time fee as opposed to a monthly fee.
Do you have some comparative comments on these options?
Michael
I have heard of ministries/churches using http://www.mozes.com for ministry and texting groups but I am not sure which ministry but maybe some of your readers know if it is applicable or who has used it. It looks to mainly away for bands to group text fans.