Whether you’re aware of it or not, time is moving. You can’t stop it. You can’t slow it down. You can’t change it. The number of weeks you have to influence a child or teenager is limited.

So, what would happen if your ministry team spent one day reprioritizing what you do each week in the life of a kid or teenager?

Orange Tour 2013, taking place this fall in 12 cities across the U.S., will begin a conversation with church leaders about a few core things to focus on every week that will have a significant impact on the lives of kids.

“Playing For Keeps,” this year’s theme, will help you discover how to make the most of the time you have with the children and teenagers in your ministry. We believe what you do each week matters because there is a short window of opportunity to make a permanent imprint on the heart of a child, and to help start them on a journey of life-long faith. This year’s tour will help you discover how to make the most of the time you have.

Orange Tour is regional so it’s easier to get everyone there. It’s easy to afford. And it’s easy to see the impact on your whole team and your whole church. Main sessions and workshops will not only give you fresh ideas, but attending together as a team is also a great opportunity to get every leader on the same page. Besides Orange staff speakers Reggie Joiner and Sue Miller, 2013 guest speakers at select cities will include Mark Batterson, Jeff Henderson and Carey Nieuwhof. And tour workshops will engage your team in their specific ministry area, and delve deeper into the topics that interest everyone most.

New this year, a volunteer training event will be held the night before the all-day event. It will be free to everyone with an Orange Tour ticket, and be centered on being an effective Small Group Leader. Those without Orange Tour tickets may still attend for $19.

Tour stops for fall 2013 include Tampa, Fla., Seattle, Wash., Southern California, Lancaster, Penn., Washington, D.C., Detroit, Mich., Indianapolis, Ind., Kansas City, Kan., Austin, Tex., Dallas, Tex., Nashville, Tenn., and Charlotte, N.C.

Registration opens TODAY, May 30, at $49, including lunch and the volunteer event. This price is good for one day only. The price will increase as the events get closer. For more information, visit www.OrangeTour.org.

What is Orange Tour?
Designed to be an interactive gathering of church leaders from specific geographic regions, The Orange Tour’s relaxed environment provides each leader with the chance to network with other leaders in their area. It’s perfect for every member of a ministry team—preschool, children’s, student ministry and senior pastors. Volunteers and other key leaders are also encouraged to attend because of the low price point, close proximity to home and ability to share in team experiences with their leadership.

Information shared through the tour stems from the Orange Strategy, a pioneering concept that believes parents, as partners with church leadership, create the most impacting center of influence for children and teenagers. “Thinking Orange” blends two vital, yet often unconnected worlds to reshape the current ministry model.

AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT SPECIAL YOULEAD PRICING, ENDING TOMORROW, MAY 31!

Didn’t get a chance to take advantage of our special offer at Orange Conference 2013?

Sign up NOW—with code YouLead149—for the special price of $149 (regularly $199). Offer ends May 31, 2013.

YouLead will help you integrate the Orange Strategy with your team in a natural way by tackling the specific issues you and your team face in the reality of everyday ministry.

And now you can get a subscription to the new and improved YouLead for only $149! With a subscription to YouLead, you will have access to our ENTIRE library to utilize at your own pace iand in your own way. It’s up to you to determine how and when you want to lead.

At $149, that’s about $12 a month for leadership development for your entire church!

YouLead’s library gives you one primary thing—choice. You know how you want to lead, so we’ve given you the option to select the training resources you or your team most need when you need them, based on a variety of themes.

The Orange Tour is coming your way, Texas! With two stops in late January—the Houston area January 22, and the Dallas area January 24. Join us to learn more about the Orange Strategy and to network with other churches in your area.

Houston, TX | Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Woodsedge Community Church
25333 Gosling Road
The Woodlands, TX 77389

Dallas, TX | Thursday, January 24, 2013
Calvary Church
4401 N. Hwy 161
Irving, TX 75038

Speakers: Reggie Joiner, Sue Miller, Jeff Henderson, Carey Nieuwhof, Mike Clear, Amy Fenton Lee, Matt McKee, Kevin Ragsdale and more!

What is the Orange Tour?

The Orange Tour is an interactive gathering of church leaders from specific geographic regions. It is purposefully designed to be a smaller more relaxed environment that will provide each leader with the chance to interact and network with other leaders in their area. We hope that the relationships formed at this gathering become an invaluable tool that helps you build a stronger ministry.

By coming to your area, the shorter travel distance and affordable registration fees will allow you to bring many of the staff and volunteers on your team. The speakers they’ll hear from, the training they’ll receive, and the community that develops provides an excellent environment for growth.

This gathering is also a great opportunity to get your ministry-specific questions answered from our Orange Leaders, Orange Coaches, and your fellow ministry leaders who have experienced the same things you have.

In just one short month, the Orange Tour team will hit the road for Tampa. We’ll be stopping in 12 cities over the next five months, and hope to see you and your team soon. Join Reggie Joiner and church leaders in your area to talk about Leading Change and Leading Small, two key elements of family ministry. You’ll also be introduced to perspectives and ideas in ministry-specific breakouts designed to create dialogue and further discussion on these two important topics.

Sue Miller and Carey Nieuwhof will also be speaking at several of the stops. Bring your entire family ministry team and join hundreds of other senior, student, children’s and preschool leaders. This gathering is a great opportunity to get ministry-specific questions answered from our Orange Leaders, Orange Coaches, and fellow ministry leaders who have the same or similar experiences.

But wait, there’s more! Start your training right now. If you weren’t able to join us on last year’s Tour, you can download two sessions from last year for free at OrangeTour.org. This opportunity can be used to catch a glimpse of the material presented at each stop and to introduce Orange to team members or senior staff.

Here’s our 2012-2013 Orange Tour lineup:

Tampa, FL | Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Crossing Church
10130 Tuscany Ridge Drive
Tampa, FL 33619

Raleigh, NC | Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Hope Community Church
821 Buck Jones Road
Raleigh, NC 27606

Chattanooga, TN | Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Rock Point Community Church
7997 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Indianapolis, IN | Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Connection Point Christian Church
1800 North Green Street
Brownsburg, IN 46112

Detroit, MI | Friday, October 19, 2012
Woodside Bible Church
6600 Rochester Road
Troy, MI 48085

Washington, D.C. | Thursday, October 25, 2012
National Community Church
Barracks Row Theater Campus
535 8th Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

New York, NY | Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Calvary Baptist Church
123 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

Seattle, WA | Thursday, November 8, 2012
Northshore Christian Church
5700 23rd Drive W.
Everett, WA 98203

San Jose, CA | Tuesday, November 13, 2012
WestGate Church
1735 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA 95129

Los Angeles, CA | Thursday, November 15, 2012
Glenkirk Church
1700 Palopinto Avenue
Glendora, CA 91741

Houston, TX | Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Woodsedge Community Church
25333 Gosling Road
The Woodlands, TX 77389

Dallas, TX | Thursday, January 24, 2013
Irving Bible Church
2435 Kinwest Parkway
Irving, TX 75063

Registration is $64, including lunch, if registered two weeks prior to the event, after which the price increases to $74.

For more information and to register, please visit www.OrangeTour.org.

The Orange Tour is an interactive gathering of church leaders from specific geographic regions. It is purposefully designed to be a smaller more relaxed environment that will provide each leader with the chance to interact and network with other leaders in their area. We hope that the relationships formed at this gathering become an invaluable tool that helps you build a stronger ministry.

By coming to your area, the shorter travel distance and affordable registration fees will allow you to bring many of the staff and volunteers on your team. The speakers they’ll hear from, the training they’ll receive, and the community that develops provides an excellent environment for growth.

This gathering is also a great opportunity to get your ministry-specific questions answered from our Orange Leaders, Orange Coaches, and your fellow ministry leaders who have experienced the same things you have.

Click here to see pictures from last year’s Orange Tour on Facebook.

2012-2013 Tour Dates and Locations

Registration opens this month! Stay tuned to this blog and Twitter for updates!

September 13, 2012 – Tampa, FL
The Crossing Church
10130 Tuscany Ridge Drive
Tampa, FL 33619

September 18, 2012 – Raleigh, NC
Hope Community Church
821 Buck Jones Road
Raleigh, NC 27606

September 25, 2012 – Chattanooga, TN
Rock Point Community Church
7997 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421

October 16, 2012 – Indianapolis, IN
Connection Pointe Christian Church
1800 North Green Street
Brownsburg, IN 46112

October 30, 2012 – New York, NY
Calvary Baptist Church
123 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

November 15, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA
Glenkirk Church
1700 Palopinto
Glendora, CA 91741

January 22, 2013 – Houston, TX
WoodsEdge Community Church
25333 Gosling Road
The Woodlands, TX 77389

January 24, 2013 – Dallas, TX
Irving Bible Church
2435 Kinwest
Irving, TX 75063
MORE DATES AND LOCATIONS COMING SOON!

Did you miss the Orange Tour near you or want a refresher? Then check out the Orange Tour Online with Reggie Joiner, which was hosted live by Matt McKee, Sue Miller and Jared Herd on March 6, 2012.

Learn the strategy you need for effective family ministry in your church!

The Orange Tour is for every member of your team—preschool, children’s, student ministry and senior pastors.

Session 1: The 5 Essentials by Reggie Joiner
Your church is either characterized by random activities or an intentional strategy. Review the core ideas that “Orange Leaders” use to keep their ministries focused and on mission.

Session 2: The Big Idea by Reggie Joiner
There were critical moments in Scripture when Jesus made it clear what was most important. Learn how the “Great Commandment” should be a critical filter to evaluate how we are leading and teaching the next generation.

Session 3: The Core Insights by Reggie Joiner
All truths are not created equal. There are certain core insights that should be cycled through the lives of kids and teenagers as they grow up. Learn how some of these insights can keep your ministry centered on a relationship with Christ.

For more information on the Orange Tour, please visit www.OrangeTour.org.

On-demand video will be available through the end of March. Note: This broadcast currently only works on Safari or Internet Explorer. Currently Fire Fox is incompatible with this broadcast.

For those unable to join the Orange Tour Online, March 6, the sessions will be posted online, March 12-31, for on-demand viewing at www.WhatIsOrange.org/orangeleaders/touronline.

Session 1: The 5 Essentials by Reggie Joiner
Your church is either characterized by random activities or an intentional strategy. Review the core ideas that Orange Leaders use to keep their ministries focused and on mission.

Session 2: The Big Idea by Reggie Joiner
There were critical moments in Scripture when Jesus made it clear what was most important. Learn how the “Great Commandment” should be a critical filter to evaluate how we are leading and teaching the next generation.

Session 3: The Core Insights by Reggie Joiner
All truths are not created equal. There are certain core insights that should be cycled through the lives of kids and teenagers as they grow up. Learn how some of these insights can keep your ministry centered on a relationship with Christ.

UPDATE: For those unable to join the Orange Tour Online, March 6, the sessions will be posted online, March 12-31, for on-demand viewing at www.WhatIsOrange.org/orangeleaders/touronline.

We had the opportunity to hang out with over 4,000 of you during the last few months out on the Orange Tour. It was really encouraging to hear your Game Changers, and how we at Orange can serve you better in your church and ministry. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough time to visit all the places we’d like. But we don’t want the rest of you to feel left out, so we’re bringing you the Orange Tour Online next Tuesday, March 6.

You can watch the streaming sessions with your team, and also get the chance to win some pretty cool prizes from our hosts Matt McKee, Sue Miller and Jared Herd. The Orange Tour is for every member of your team—preschool, children’s, student ministry and senior pastors. You’ll be able to learn the strategy you need for effective family ministry in your church, and discover the nine core insights to shaping the next generation’s worldview. Don’t miss this free yet valuable opportunity to learn alongside your team.

Schedule:

1:00-1:10 p.m. – Live Intro with Host
1:10-1:30 p.m. – Session 1: What is Orange
1:30-1:45 p.m. – Live Hosts taking questions
1:45-2:30 p.m. – Session 2: Move Part 1
2:30-2:45 p.m. – Live Hosts taking questions
2:45-3:25 p.m. – Session 3: Move Part 2
3:25-3:45 p.m. – Live

Session 1: The 5 Essentials by Reggie Joiner

Your church is either characterized by random activities or an intentional strategy. Review the core ideas that Orange Leaders use to keep their ministries focused and on mission.

Session 2: The Big Idea by Reggie Joiner

There were critical moments in Scripture when Jesus made it clear what was most important. Learn how the “Great Commandment” should be a critical filter to evaluate how we are leading and teaching the next generation.

Session 3: The Core Insights by Reggie Joiner

All truths are not created equal. There are certain core insights that should be cycled through the lives of kids and teenagers as they grow up. Learn how some of these insights can keep your ministry centered on a relationship with Christ.

Click here to register for this event. You will receive an email prior to the event with instructions on how to access the live feed. And don’t forget to forward to your friends!

One thing we absolutely love about you guys, our church partners, is your excitement over meeting each other and sharing ideas. And as some of you may remember, we arranged a series of Meet Me at Chick-fil-A stops along the Orange Tour route during the fall. Well, we just added two more for the upcoming Dallas and Houston tour stops, and hope to see you there.

Each gathering was an opportunity to meet with other Orange Leaders in person, find out what was going on in your ministries, exchange Game Changers and talk about how Orange can continue to support you. We felt like these meet-ups were a big hit, and evidently, so did you. P.J., one of our Macon, Ga., partners, even suggested we add a few more leading up to OC12. And we are happy to grant the request! Why wait until April to hang out together, right?

So, throughout January, February and March, a series of meet-ups will take place around the country, and even one in Canada, for you to network with other church leaders in your area. Orange Specialists and Orange staffers will host many of these, while some trusted friends of Orange will host others. Please check the schedule to find the one closest to you, and join in the fun. (And be sure to RSVP so we know you’re coming.)

We can’t imagine you need any more incentive to attend, but just to sweeten the pot we will be giving away an OC12 registration* at each stop! So, mark your calendars and get ready to have a great time with other Orange Leaders near you.

If you don’t happen to see one near your neighborhood, and are interested in hosting, please email OCConcierge@rethinkgroup.org by January 20 to get more info. Please note a few more stops are in the works already and will be added to the list over the next week.

*OC12 free registrations must be used for a new registration.

There are two more stops of the Orange Tour coming up in January 2012. If you’re in the Houston or Dallas areas, plan on joining us for Orange training that will focus and inspire your ministry team. (Meet Me at Chick-fil-A locations will be announced in January 2012. Check here for updates:
http://whatisorange.org/orangetour/meet-me-at-chick-fil-a.)

Houston, TX | Tuesday, January 17, 2012 –  Full Day Event
Woodsedge Community Church
25333 Gosling Road
The Woodlands, TX 77389

Dallas, TX | Friday, January 20, 2012 –  Full Day Event
Bent Tree Bible Fellowship
4141 International Parkway
Carrollton, TX 75007

To register, click HERE.

The Orange Tour is an interactive gathering of church leaders from specific geographic regions. It is purposefully designed to be a smaller more relaxed environment that will provide each leader with the chance to interact and network with other leaders in their area. We hope that the relationships formed at this gathering become an invaluable tool that helps you build a stronger ministry.

By coming to your area, the shorter travel distance and affordable registration fees will allow you to bring many of the staff and volunteers on your team. The speakers they’ll hear from, the training they’ll receive, and the community that develops provides an excellent environment for growth.

This gathering is also a great opportunity to get your ministry-specific questions answered from our Orange Leaders, Orange Coaches, and your fellow ministry leaders who have experienced the same things you have.