Youth Ministry Events as Faith Formation

Part One

Exemplary Youth Ministry Study44 assets - Divided into 4 categories:

1. Congregation as a whole2. Direct ministry with young people3. Family/household in which young people live4. Leadership

Event Ministry falls into the category of Direct Ministry with Young People.

What is Event Ministry?Event Ministry happens when:

we gather young people together in community for the purpose of growing their faith and building up the body of Christ.

Event Ministry takes many varied forms.

When Event Ministry is done well..There is a:1. Sense of the presence and activity of a living God2.Emphasis on spiritual growth, discipleship, and vocation.And the events:3.Promote outreach and mission4.Reflect congregational priority and support for youth

ministry5.Foster significant relationships and sense of community6.Develop committed competent leadership

Partner Sharing Share a story about a young person you have

worked with in ministry and how an event had a significant impact on their faith life. You may also tell a personal story.

What was the event?How did you see transformation in the young

person or yourself? What was different about the person or their faith as a result of the event?

Bridge Analogy

River of Youth Culture What did you

hear during the landscaping section of this training about the current state of the river of youth culture?

Build a Bridge Use the supplies provided to build a bridge

over your “river of youth culture” (blue construction paper)

Kenda Creasy Dean Quote:“When you’ve got more than five people, you have to

structure things. Programs never replace relationships, but they can create space and offer nutrients for relationship that wouldn’t take root otherwise. Ideally, a youth program allows teenagers to befriend people who are united in Christ but not much else. It allows teens to create paths where youth and Christian adults can practice together being faithful to God and each other.”

Confirmationpeer ministry retreat Bowling

Mission Trip

Bible study Youth worship

service eventsmall group discussion

ELCA Youth Gathering

Begin in Discernment and Prayer

What are the needs of your youth?

What is God up to and how is the Spirit leading?

Program Pyramid

Ask:What are you hoping to accomplish

through the event?

Who are you hoping will attend?

What are your goals?

Discuss: Think of events you have had in your

congregations. Write them on the Program Pyramid. What types of events were they? Did they accomplish the intended purpose?

Steps to PlanningCommunicate purpose and intended

audience to the team planning the event.Create a timelineAssign tasks and set deadlinesCreate permission slips and paperworkRecruit adult leaders and youth

Planning GridParts of the Event Jobs that need to be done Person responsible Deadline

Gathering game Pick up supplies: Shivon 3/4marshmallowstoothpicks

Dinner in mentor Order Pizza Tanner 3/5, 5pmgroups Copy discussion handouts Maggie 3/4

Find volunteers to serve Jessica 2/26

Deciding Who to Invite: YouthNot all youth should attend all youth ministry events.Events should be designed with specific purpose and

audience in mindThere should be discernment and prayer on the part of

youth and adults

Spiritual Interest Levels of YouthDisinterestedAttending ResistersStatus QuoSeekerCommitted

Activity:Reflect on the youth in your congregation. Write the names of youth that fall into each

category.

Consider: To what type of event might you invite an

attending resister? A seeker? A committed?

Getting Youth to Attend an EventMake youth and adults aware earlyFlood youth with information: posters,

announcements, postcards, email, Facebook, text, website

Have past participants shareDirect invitationHold a meeting for youth and their parent/mentorSet registration deadline early.For larger events, get a financial commitment

Share: What successful

ideas have you used to promote events within your congregation.

Deciding who to Invite: Adult Leaders

Different Levels of Investment in Youth Ministry:Coordinator/Point PersonLeadership and Planning AdultsRelational Ministry AdultsConsistently Involved AdultsTask Oriented AdultsAware and Supportive AdultsUnaware or Disinterested Adults

Activity: Take a moment to

think of and list people from your congregation that fall into each investment in youth ministry category.

Jesus’ ModelCrowdsSending of the Seventy two12 Disciples3 Disciple Inner CircleTask specific: Zacheaus provided dinner, women

annointed his feet, someone provided the donkey

Be Intentional• Do NOT fill spaces:

Ex. We are looking for anyone able to help with Wednesday nights. Sign up in the narthex.

Discern and ChooseBe specific about the rolesWatch adults interact with youth. Look for abilities,

experience, and potentialAsk youth who they see as caring adultsPray for God’s guidance

Activity:As a group, pick a type of event from the Program

Pyramid. Describe your event. Design the ideal leader. Choose a volunteer from

your group to be your “adult leader”. In your group think of qualities you will be looking for in your adult leaders for this event. Write the qualities on post it notes and stick them to your volunteer.

Qualities to ConsiderA committed faith centered in ChristCares deeply for youth and able to relate wellMatureFocused on youth and their needsCan be firm with boundaries and limitsFlexible and patientPosses good common senseSense of humorCommitted and reliableMakes good decisions under pressure

Activity:Find others with pieces from your puzzle.

Assemble the puzzle together.

Debrief:Was it hard to find your group?What happened if someone brought pieces to the wrong

puzzle?What happened if you were missing a person?Did it take more people and time to complete some of the

larger puzzles?Did some people bring more pieces to the puzzle than others?How is this activity an illustration for team ministry?

Build a TeamMale/Female RatioExtrovert and

IntrovertBig picture and

Details orientedSpecific skills

How to Ask Adults to be LeadersSet up a time to meet with themExplain why your congregation is investing in this eventExplain why you are asking them. Be specific.

What qualities do they bring? Did youth request them? What special skills make them an asset?

Explain expectationsAsk for questionsGive them time to prayerfully considerFollow up by a deadline.Do background checks* - More at Fall training

Adult leaders benefit from opportunities that provide:RenewalEducationBuilding of connections

Desire leaders competent in areas of:TheologyYouth Ministry Theory (Why we do what we do)Youth Ministry Skills (How we effectively do what we do)

ELCA Youth Ministry Network

Train Adult LeadersWhat areas of theology do your adults need

to be trained in for this event?

What areas of youth ministry theory would help prepare your adults?

What skills will they need for this event?

Face to Face Trainings

Spring 2011Fall 2011

Spring 2012

Online WebinarsLutheran theology: How God works in the WorldLutheran Theology: How Lutherans read the BibleLeading a Small GroupYour Role as a LeaderPlanning for the UnexpectedStrategic and Intentional PlanningFaith Conversations with Teenagers

Ministry with AdultsAdult Leaders set the tone and example for

the entire event. Make it good.Receive their questions and input.Opportunity for relational ministry with

adults.How does your work with adult leaders and volunteers point Jesus?

Discuss:Pick an event you have coming up in your congregation.

What type of training could you offer that would improve the experience and effectiveness of the program for youth and adults?

Congregational CommunityRemind congregation of Baptismal

promise:“People of God, do you promise to

support this child and pray for them in their new life in Christ?” (ELW)

We do.

Congregational CommunityHelp youth ministry be visible to the congregation.Create church wise intergenerational contact points.Develop ways for young people to be involved in

worship.Create ways for adults to pray for specific young

peopleInform the congregation about the program and its

impact.

Congregational Covenants“And you, people of God, will you support these youth,

sent by God to serve God’s people with the Gospel of hope and salvation? Will you pray for them, help and honor them for their work’s sake, and in all things strive to live in peace and unity in Christ?” (LBW Occasional Services)

We will.

Brainstorm:Group 1: Ways to be visible in congregationGroup 2: Ways to create intergenerational

contact pointsGroup 3: Ways to involve youth in worshipGroup 4: Ways to help congregation pray for

youthGroup 5: Ways to inform congregation about

the impact

Prayer