What would happen if we turned over leadership of our ministries entirely to our youth?  Really, the whole shebang – weekly planning, retreat planning, mission and service and outreach projects.  Sure, there would probably be more games of dodgeball, more trips to amusement parks and laser tag, more ice cream sundaes.  But if you’ve involved student leadership at any level of ministry, you also know that there would be tremendous potential for creativity and initiative, room for the Holy Spirit to do amazing things in the lives of young people, and through them our communities.

I came across this article from a Youth Worker Journal last year that talks about the imagination and creativity of youth, which made me think of all the amazing things that happened in our ministry when students took the lead.  For just one example, a young woman in our congregation saw a homeless man at a grocery store looking at a blanket on display, and with the support of a pastor in our church created an outreach project that raised 1000′s of blankets and financial support for homeless ministries in downtown Indianapolis.  A fifth or sixth grader at the time, all she needed to create a fruitful and impacting ministry was the support and encouragement of a mentor.

I love the idea in the article of Launch, a ministry that provides mentoring and funding for youth with innovative and creative ideas for mission in the world.  The articles states, “What difference could it make in the lives or our youth if we re-invented youth ministries to invite them to imagine and launch new ways to have a kingdom impact in their communities, congregations and God’s troubled world?”

As you plan ministries for this coming Fall, how are students involved?  How could you empower them to respond to God’s call in their lives through the passion and gifts they are given? What would happen if you unleashed their imagination and creativity?

“You all have something to share.”  ”You all have something to learn.”  A college professor once shared these two sentences to open his class, and what followed was a rich cooperative learning experience where all of us in the class experienced tremendous growth.

In youth ministry it is easy to feel isolated.  Many of us in ministry with youth are commissioned by our congregation to do youth ministry on our own and then receive little support, or at least little hands-on involvement, from the congregation.  Others of us are kept so busy in the essential and vital ministries we lead that to invest in the time it takes to network, or just to find a network of other youth leaders, seems to not be worth it.  Others of us have been involved in networks that have focused on planning events or discussing issues that don’t seem relevant to our context.  We’re left asking, is networking worth the investment?

I firmly believe the answer is yes.  Mark Dodrill in the book Starting Right says, “Networking is worth the effort (or the pain, as we say in Spanish) not only because it often works well, but also because it is very close to the essence of the gospel in which giving is more blessed than receiving.”  As we share God’s love with young people, we learn, and what we learn has value to the ministry of others, our to share. When we face obstacles and challenges, there are others who have experienced the same and can mentor us through the experience, ours to learn.

I’m excited to invite you to an opportunity to network with others in ministry with youth in your area/district this Fall.  This is not about planning events or adding something for you to do, but about building community and connection and taking a day for you and your ministry.  Below you’ll find the details, and know you are welcome to attend at the location closest to you, regardless of district lines.  The first four district dates are set, and others will be coming soon.

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The INUMC Ministry with Youth Roundtables

Connect * Share * Learn * Refresh

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Roundtables are happening on various schedules around the state.  Bookmark this post or watch the Connect newsletter for the latest locations and conversations.

Upcoming Roundtables:

To register for an upcoming roundtable, click on the church name below to RSVP via Facebook, or email Carla at the conference office with your name and which event you will be attending:

Dayton UMC (Northwest District), Thursday, September 29, 11am-1pm EDT

Brazil First UMC (West District), Thursday, October 6, 4:30-6:30pm EDT

Plainfield UMC (Central District), Tuesday, October 11, 11am-1pm EDT

Laporte First UMC (North District), Wednesday, October 19, 11am-1pm CDT

Hillside UMC, Princeton (Southwest District), Saturday, October 22, 11am-1pm CDT

Columbia City UMC (Northeast District), Tuesday, October 25, 11am-1pm EDT

Selma UMC (East District), Wednesday, November 2, 11:30am-1pm EDT

Castleton UMC (Central District), Thursday, November 10, 12-1:30pm EST

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Past Roundtables:

2011:

Jan. 18 - Central District, Old Bethel UMC

March 16 – North Central District,  Fishers UMC

March 22 – Southeast District,  Columbus First UMC

March 25 – North Central District, Kokomo Grace UMC

March 30 – North District, Valparaiso First UMC

April 13 – North Central District, Anderson First UMC

April 21 – Northeast District, First Wayne Street UMC, Fort Wayne

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2010:

Thurs. Aug. 26 – West District, Mount Pleasant UMC, Terre Haute

Sept. 9 – South District, Edwardsville UMC

Sept. 16 – Northeast District, Fort Wayne Aldersgate UMC

Sept. 21 – Northwest District, Monticello UMC

Oct 18 – North District, Lakeside UMC

Oct. 25 – Southwest District, Oakland City UMC

Nov. 16 – Southeast District, Greensburg UMC

Nov. 23 – East District, Asbury UMC: Portland, IN

How do you help teenagers engage the world with the Gospel and their faith?

My 5 year old, Noah, after a prayer last Sunday at church for those who continue to be effected by the oil spill in the gulf, asked why God would let an oil spill happen.  I was hoping to engage such questions when he was like 9 or 10, but it looks like I need to be ready now.  Somehow his question reminded me of a chapter in the book Starting Right in Youth Ministry, where Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean writes, “Theology is rampant among teenagers.”  Whether we engage the conversation from a Christian perspective or not, young people are aware today of what is happening in the world and talking about it at school and among friends.  So are you ready to join the conversation and engage the Gospel in speaking to events in the world today?

There are lots of resources out there, and perhaps you have some you can add to the conversation, but below are two that provide weekly resources:

Faithlink: This weekly resource from the UMC is designed for adults but can be easily adapted for conversations with youth.

LinC: This weekly youth curriculum cost $8 per week and provides a lesson that examines the latest music, movies, news, and current events through a biblical lens.

Faith Lens: This free blog from the ELCA provides a weekly Bible study that engages youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.

Feel free to pass along other resources you use!

Peace and blessings,

Brian

PS  If you have a good answer for Noah about God and the oil spill, let me know.