questions about the future of youth ministry

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Questions about the FutureOf Youth Ministry

Welcome

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Meet the Presenter

Tom Schwolert

Partner for First Third of Life Ministry & Coach

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“Do you love me?” John 21:10-19

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Years of questions…

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What is youth ministry?

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Is the current way we(you) are doing youth ministry effective?

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What is effective youth ministry andhow do you know if it’s effective?

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Are you hoping for a ripple effect?

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Have we abandoned the ministry of Christ to satisfy our own needs?

+Have we stepped away from deep, faith-nurturing relationships and relied on the ministry of “bells and whistles?”

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Have we walked away from generations of faith development learned from the core Biblical story?

+Has youth ministry become nothing more than a “product” to convince young people they need(consume)?

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Have we neglected daily relational faith practices for a style of ministry that pushes so hard on getting people to participate in programs that we are burning out?

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What are your questions?

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Is there a better way?

+ What we know…

• Age group ministry matters but is not enough

• Intergenerational works

• Home works

• Online is a real place

+ What we know…

• Concept of “church” is always changing

• Context matters

• Deep, abiding, longterm, faith nurturing relationships are a key thread for faith formation

+ What we know…

• What would be some other things that you have learned?

+ A way forward…

• Do less program and more relationship• Meet with families• Interview youth• See people as faith vessels• Provide young people with

multiple relationships (of all ages)

+ A way forward…

• Get to know your context• Understand the reality of

people’s lives• What’s happening in the

community? Where do people spend their time, etc.?

+ A way forward…

• Ask hard questions about what you are currently doing.• How effective are the

activities I’m currently doing?

• What am I willing to let go of?

• How does our faith community view young people?

+ A way forward…

• Regularly look at the questions that Jesus asked for inspiration?• “What are you looking

for?”• “Do you love me?”• “Do you want to be

healed?”• “Who do you say that I

am?”

+Asking questions is dangerous.Questions lead us to transformational ministry.

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Questions about the FutureOf Youth Ministry

Thank you!