NE MN SynodYouth Ministry Report

May 2013

NONES: No religious affiliation

I’m a NUN…

Not a NONE!

“The loss of Jesus will be a dangerous

memory for the next generation.”

Who are the Nones?• 20% of Americans: 1 in 5• Are not looking for organized religion• For those under 30: 1 in 3• Grow by 20% each year• Span the generations• Lutherans:

– 41% will leave church,– 13% become nones…30% in just 5 years

“I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and

height and depth, and to

know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,

so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

- Ephesians 3:18-20

Belief in God =Doing Good + Being Happy God is not part of daily life

…a watered down version of Christianity

Where do they learn this?Youth reflect the beliefs and practices of their parents and adults in their lives…including those in your congregation.

How do we shape ministry to help ALL ages learn the

practice of being Christian?

Are we up to the task?• Concrete practices:

–WHAT we doWorship – Study – Pray – Give

Serve – Invite - Encourage

• Conceptual Framework: –HOW we do what we do

Mission Plan – Vision - Programs

Focus on practices so people will:

…with others and on their own

Discipleship Challenge:Concrete Practices – WHAT We Do

• Give• Worship• Pray• Serve• Invite• Encourage• Study

Practice Discipleship:Conceptual Framework:

HOW We Do What We Do

• Same Gospel, new techniques

What Does This Mean?• You are Not Alone• Changing Worship Style or Sunday School

Curriculum is not enough.• We need to talk about this.

Whatchu talkin’ about Luther?

What’s your mission plan?

You get what you are. Equip your adults in faith so the

young people will understand and practice faith too!

www.nemnsynod.org/Discipleship

www.practicediscipleship.org

…and it’s all FREE!

NE MN Synod Practice Discipleship Team

Pastor Chris ManistoTrinity Lutheran, Princeton

Joel Abenth: VLMPr Andy Berry: LittleforkPr Stephen Blenkush: MilacaChad Christianson: DuluthDave Holtz: Luther Crest Bible Camp

Anders Meier, Camp OnomiaChristina Kadelbach: CloquetJay Kiel: Little FallsPr Dean Oelfke: MoraKatie Rich: DuluthPr Sarah Thomson: Brainerd

Our young people need adults paddling in the same direction…

…to shape ministry that helps our young people follow Jesus.

“In everyone’s heart beats the heart of Jesus Christ…When you hear your

heartbeat, remember that Jesus beats in that heart and that you are living for

Jesus. So go and love like Jesus.”

Jesus a distant memory?

Not in our synod.

Not in our congregations.

Not in our adults.

Not in our young people.