i spent the last 30 some hours with some fellow youth ministers that have been on a journey as a group this academic year. this was our youth ministry institute 2 for the tennessee conference umc.
a number of years ago i was part of the pilot youth ministry institute, since then they have popped up around the country. our conference has had a group participate just about every year since the first one. this was our first year for up-ing the commitment level in a second year. i totally loved the group experience, these folks span lay volunteer in small church rural areas of tennessee to middle sized sub-urban and me who is probably at the largest church of the bunch. these folks have become my best friends in ministry.
if you get a chance to participate in an intensive such as this i would totally suggest you go for it.
this years tasks were collaborative youth culture readings and research. i'll probably expand more on what i have processed, but this is a little list we created of some trends & ideas.
- single gender opportunities
- drivers license worships
- parent support group
- decision making lessons
- sexual-relationship talk
- self-image issues
- help parents understand their importance as parent
- "replacement" activities for harmful behavior
- root of the solution is God
- listen to God
- think for themselves
- build in times to listen
- be present with kids
- help them be ready for the world
- see them as individuals
