Welcome toThe Gathering

Did you know, since June 1…

1. How many PARENTS have invested time and service in our student ministry?

2. How many WAYS parents have invested their energies?

And, were you aware?

1. We have implemented a new Student Leadership Team initiative to better train and empower our high school students!

2. We have embraced a new “round table” format to better engage students with adult leaders in our Sunday morning classes.

3. We are updating records, exploring methods of new and improved communication, and collecting data for a better-connected, more strategically focused Student Ministry.

We are EXCITED![ And want YOU to be excited too! ]

The GatheringPart One

Purpose:

Our desire is for shared dialogue between ministers and parents as we explore together matters related to the larger Christian CULTURE, our particular CONTEXT within this framework, and our intentional, specific

COMMITMENTS toward a healthy and fruitfulStudent Ministry here at West Houston.

Why Gather?

Three Discussions:

October 5 - Gathering One: CULTURE.“Getting a Feel for the (Spiritual) Neighborhood.”

November 2 - Gathering Two: CONTEXT.“Comparing Model Homes.”

December 7 - Gathering Three: COMMITMENTS.“Creating a Blueprint of Our Own.”

Looking Ahead: Our Five-Fold Process

Explore

Experiment

EvaluateEmbrace

Evolve

Explore

Experiment

EvaluateEmbrace

Evolve

1. Explore ideas and possibilities

2. Experiment with methods and models

3. Evaluate alternatives

4. Embrace the best option

5. Evolve into something better

Unpacking The Five-Fold Process:

What do these things have to do with the future of

Student Ministry here at West Houston?

Getting a Feel for the Neighborhood[ Exploring the Christian Landscape ]

Discussion 1

Discuss with a neighbor:

1. What is youth ministry?

2. What should be the over-arching goals of a healthy youth ministry program?

Themes of contemporary youth ministry: [ Exhibit A ]

Themes of contemporary youth ministry: [ Exhibit B ]

Discuss with a neighbor:

1. What evidence might we have to indicate traditional attempts at youth ministry are either not working, or not achieving their ends as well as they could?

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry

1.The “Drop-out Statistic”• Researchers believe

anywhere from 40 to 90% of our millennial students “drop out” of church after high school. Recent data suggests this number may be around 70%.

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry

2. Systemic Abandonment• One researcher has coined

this term to describe the segregation, exploitation and alienation of adolescents in our contemporary culture. Have the “best interests” of our adult society been masked as the “best interests” for our students?

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry

3. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism• National Study of Youth and

Religion (NSYR). Conclusion: churches are not necessarily making Christian disciples, but rather “Moral Therapeutic Deists.” Students will be happy and nice above all, with God on call as their “divine butler,” and no exclusive claim to Christ as their singular means of salvation.

Discuss with a neighbor:

1. Which of the following concerns you most for YOUR student(s)? Which seems of greatest concern to a healthy and fruitful student ministry?

• The “Drop-out” statistic

• Systemic Abandonment

• Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

Where do we go from here?

November 2 - Gathering Two: CONTEXT. “Comparing Model Homes.”

• Survey of ministry models and approaches to student ministry currently on the market. Discussion of various theological and philosophical approaches to student ministry. ( “What are our options?” )

December 7 - Gathering Three: COMMITMENTS. “Creating a Blueprint of Our Own.”

• Self-assessment of our particular context at West Houston. Assess data, define purpose and direction for our Student Ministry, articulate initial steps forward. ( “What is the BEST option for us at WHCC; what might that look like?” )

Thank you for joining us tonight.

This ministry would not be possible without your love, support, prayer

and personal involvementin the lives of our students!