OK…so I have decided to have a contest.  I have NO IDEA what to expect, I have NO IDEA what is going to happen, I have NO IDEA if anyone will even care…but…I am still going to do it.

Since video websites are EXTREMELY POPULAR I am going to have a Catholic Dance Video Contest.  I want you to take your video camera, record yourself, your family, your priest, your youth group, your mom, your school, your anyone doing the Catholic Dance.  Post it on YouTube and email me the link.  I will post all of the videos on my site and we will have a contest.

I am thinking about giving away an iPod nano as a prize.  (peaked your interest yet?)

So…I guess there should be rules….here they are.

1. One entry per person/youth group/church/event.

2. The winner of the iPod will be the person who POSTED the video.

3. The contest will go until Dec. 31, 2007.  My guess is that most of the videos will come in after I announce the contest to thousands at NCYC on November 8-10, 2007 in Columbus, OH.

4. In January we will vote on the videos submitted and have a winner.

5. Have fun.  Share the Catholic Dance with everyone and take pride in your faith, your religion and your God!

So…sound like fun.  If you don’t know what the dance is…I am going to make my video in the next couple weeks and you will know.  If you want a sneak peek…look at “The Catholic Dance?” page for the Sweet Moves! 

More info as it comes out but I think 2007 is going to be the year of “The Catholic Dance”!

So I posted last week about this but I have to post one more time…in case you were not aware…

DJ BILL LAGE IS “INSIDE THE
YOUTH MINISTERS STUDIO”

DJ BILL LAGE IS “INSIDE THE YOUTH MINISTERS STUDIO”

http://www.dscottmiller.com/studio/index.htm

GO TO THIS SITE AND LISTEN TO MY FIRST EVER PODCAST!

Here is some cool things about it…

QUOTE TO NOTE: At any type of event when we gather youth together, the goal is to have them bring something with them (home) from it. To have that pride of what they are and who they are. And to really spread the word.
OBSCURE FACTOID: The Catholic Dance was a part of the celebration at the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry in Las Vegas in December. This YouTube link should never be shown to our young people- – – Yes, we do dance and party in our seats at the adult conferences. Bill is leading the way, even Jesse Manibusen danced, and video was contribute by our tech-friendly Canadian friend Clay Imoo.

Go now…hear my thoughts on the Ministry of the Catholic Dance!!

So what is YOUR initial reaction to that statement? I am guessing it would be something like “Yes! I agree 100%!” or something more like “No way! All you need is God!” or maybe more like “What is an inflatable obstacle course?”

Whatever your reaction is this was a statement made by a member of a Diocesan Youth Council member from the Diocese of Rochester, NY who was accustomed to always having one at their junior high youth rally during the entertainment and activity time.

Now, I enjoy the inflatable stuff as much as the other guy but this rally decided to instead of place money into this type of entertainment, they would invest in something new, different and exciting! Yep. They invested in DJ Bill.

Change can be tough. Change can be difficult. However, trying something new can have AMAZING RESULTS!!

The nice thing about investing in my show was that I was able to be a part of the whole day not just the entertainment and activity time. I was able to start up the youth rally with spontaneous fun and games while people were entering the room. I even had made a rule that for the first 30 minutes no one could sit down. As people came in, they saw that everyone was standing and no one was sitting down so they stood too!  Right before the MC’s took the stage I taught everyone the Catholic Dance and challenged them to share their faith by teaching it to their friends at the schools and churches. This was happening before the day was scheduled to begin.

Later that day before the official entertainment time I had everyone play a large group game that luckily no one broke any bones and everyone had a great time!

When the official time came for entertainment, no one even missed the obstacle course and enjoyed the music and fun that was provided.

After gathering again for dinner and Mass, once again I was called on to engage the group while releasing them for dinner. Slowly releasing groups for dinner while having the rest work up a healthy appetite!

At the end of the day we all celebrated Mass and left on a high note praising God for his goodness and his call to “Walk His Way!”

I don’t think anyone missed the inflatable obstacle course but I promise you they all had fun!