Tag: youth ministry

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Theology of Youth Ministry Conference 08

Youthworks are running their biennial ‘Theology of Youth Ministry’ conference again this year. I went to the conference in 2006 and found it very helpful. The theme this year: Connecting the Unconnected – Thinking Strategically about Missional Engagement with Youth.

I’ll see how the work load is going at college – but I’m hoping to make it along. If you are a Youth Pastor – go and be part of this conference! More info youthworks.net or download rego form (pdf). Here are the speakers and Papers they will be presenting:

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Music and Youth Sub-Cultures

I recently gave Dan an essay question. He did a fine job in answering it. Originally the plan was to use some of his thinking in an intro for a talk, but the talk changed its tack… but it’s still helpful – and will most definitely help in an upcoming talk.

Music + Youth Sub-Cultures

Here’s the question: In 100-1000 words (100 is fine – just saying 1000 in case you want to go crazy* with it!) discuss the impact of music on youth sub-cultures. Your answer should include the relationship of music to youth sub-culture and the changing cultural trends during the last 20 years.

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National Youth Week 2008

National Youth Week is April 5-13, 2008. Do you know of any Christian youth ministries that run events in conjunction with Youth Week? It wouldn’t be that difficult. Christian youth ministry runs each week – so it wouldn’t require an enormous amount of work. I think it would simply require a youth ministry to be more intentional in linking their weekly events into the local youth week program.

Youth Week 2008

I don’t think that it’s wise for Protestant Youth Ministries to run events as part of World (Catholic) Youth Day, but can see no reason why it would be a problem to link into something that the general community is running. Know of any groups currently doing it? How could it be done effectively?

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Youth Ministry 3.0

Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialities, is currently writing a new book called Youth Ministry 3.0. Marko has been blogging snapshots from his book and been requesting comments that will be considered for inclusion in the book. Marko argues that much of youth ministry is failing and that “this is why we need an epochal shift in our assumptions, approaches, models and methods.” It seems like he raises some good questions, but I haven’t finished reading all the posts yet so can’t really comment on his conclusions.

youth ministry 3.0

It looks like there are some good bits on youth culture and the history of youth ministry. Have a read and let me (and him) know what you think. Is youth ministry failing? Or is it just a particular type of American youth ministry is failing? How do you measure success and failure in youth ministry?

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Band review: DAYBREAK

Daybreak played at Church on Sunday night. The young band consists of drums, guitar, bass + vox. They were good. They seemed a bit uncomfortable playing at church, but I think that had more to do with congregational song selection than it did talent. Their lead singer looked a little bit uncomfortable up front, but again that may have simply been the context in which they were playing.

Daybreak band

They list the following musical influences: U2, dcTalk, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Delirious?, Radiohead, Switchfoot, Powderfinger, Jeff Buckley, Midnight Oil, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree and Crowded House. Listen to some of their originals on their MySpace page, including tracks from their new ep: Reaching for the Surface – good stuff. I don’t know of many evangelical bands playing good tunes in and around Sydney. Could Daybreak be the next Revive??

If you’re looking for a band for a youth event, Daybreak might be your answer! Got any other recommendations?

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Youth Ministry Vision Talk

Casting vision is an important aspect of leading a youth ministry. The following are 6 tips I sent to a friend who asked for some advice in writing a vision talk for his youth group kick-off talk. (I’m guessing they are applicable in any ministry).

youth ministry vision

  1. Keep it big. Help people see the size of the vision.
  2. Keep it small. Help people see how they can be part of it in their own way.
  3. Don’t tackle too much. You might refer to each purpose, but you wouldn’t want to explain each in length.
  4. Remember your audience. Have something younger have something older. eg “if you’re in yr 7 it might look like this”, “if you’re in yr 12…”
  5. Remind people of the gospel. The cross of Jesus ought to drive all of our preaching and ministry.
  6. Get people pumped!

1 warm fuzzy to the first person to name the location of the Thai Restaurant in the above picture…

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Who am I?

… is the question that has been asked each week during the four part series that Scott Petty has just finished at Senior High (new site). We’ve really enjoyed our time so far at Senior High. We’ve been warmly welcomed, and I’m particularly enjoying Scott’s speaking each week. He’s very good at engaging with the Bible and applying it appropriately to his Senior High audience.

Who am I?

Here’s the outline of the series:

  • #1 Made in the image of God
  • #2 Sinners saved by grace
  • #3 Part of a bigger family
  • #4 I’m a citizen of heaven

Two of the talks are online (I’m assuming the other two are coming). Good stuff.

What series have you started the year with in your youth ministry?