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?

If you haven’t already, mark the date for Connect: The Bishop’s Confirmation Rally on Saturday, March 6, from 10am to 3pm.  The event is open to all youth, and while its special focus is on youth in confirmation or youth who have been confirmed in the last few months, it will be a great ministry event for any Jr. High/Middle School youth.  Watch for details in the coming couple of weeks, and online registration should be open by the first of December.

Many of you already have your summer 2010 mission trips planned, but if you are still looking or would just like a couple of great options to file for future missions, here are 4 connections:

1.  Nashville, TN – Youthworks and the UMC Division on Ministries with Young People:  Connect with other UMC youth from around the country in this week long mission experience in Nashville.  There are Jr. and Sr. High options.  http://www.youthworks.com/umc/umc.asp

2.  Hayesville, NC – Hinton Rural Life Center:  In rural western North Carolina, this UMC project assists local residents.  The staff is amazing, the retreat center where you stay is fantastic, and the center works with residents year round in ongoing relationships.  They offer both Sr. High and All-Age-In-Mission options. http://web.me.com/julia.buckner/Volunteer2010/Volunteer_Home.html

3. Detroit, MI – Motown Mission Experience:  This UMC project offers workcamps/mission opportunities throughout the summer, and next July 11-17 they are hosting the North Central Jurisdiction Division on Ministries With Young People Mission Week.  During that week UMC youth from Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota and the Dakotas will gather for mission.  www.motownmission.org

4.  Sumpter County and Tuskegee, AL – Alabama Rural Ministry:  This UMC project provides mission experiences in rural Alabama.  They strive to provide a mission experience that allows teams to develop relationships, to challenge and build upon their relationship with Christ, and to meet the needs in the community of service.  www.al-arm.org

Just saw this posting by the General Board of Church and Society for a great Halloween event – Reverse Trick-or-Treating – to raise awareness of peace and justice issues.  Sounds like the kits and fair-trade chocolate to distribute are free. Check it out:

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5397287&ct=7318917&tr=y&auid=5224358