This month's Connection meets from 12-3 p.m. next Thursday, Nov. 21. Bring your lunch and meet us at Bethlehem Covenant (3141 43rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406-2292) www.bethlehemcov.org. Marti Burger, director of Covenant youth ministry, and a surprise guest will be with us as we combine forces (for part of the time) with the Children & Family Ministry Connection.

What we'll be discussing...

Is it possible that our greatest successes in youth ministry are our greatest challenges?

Youth Ministry started small groups, service projects, mission trips, adventure experiences, leadership opportunities, etc. The churches loved what they were seeing in the growth and lives of students: students excited about their faith, excited for a radical way to live, passionate people who want to change their community and the world. But when youth leaders came to the church and said we need to have a discussion about corporate worship, many churches weren't willing to change and said, "Go ahead. You do it. Create a separate student-led worship." The end result was we created a church within the church. We in youth ministry were celebrated and encouraged because ministry grew. The best ones were given their own building, told and encouraged do your own thing-kids are happy, parents are happy-go for it.

The unforeseen consequences were a single generation ministry concept. Youth ministry didn't need the church for anything except maybe some space and funding, and so our success became our biggest downfall. We were expected to plan, lead and execute ministry on our own. So when a student leaves, graduates and starts the next phase of their life, they have no ties to the CHURCH. They go to youth group but not the church. Students can come back a few times, or volunteer in the ministry, but there are no connections with people outside this small demographic.

There are no easy answers, there are no easy fixes, but if we learn to be student integration pastors-people that are advocates for youth in the whole of the church-the better chance we have of impacting a person's life, no matter the age, for Christ. 

Are our churches places that love their people through all transitions of life? Are we people who partner with parents, equipping them and challenging them to lead their families on the faith journey? 

It is an incredible privilege and challenge to share the faith journey with one another. How are we doing? What can we do to start making changes? Join us for some great conversations on the Nov. 21.

Future Youth Pastor's Connections

Recharge 2014: Super Early Bird Pricing ends Friday, 11/15!   

www.ministryrecharge.com

Evangelical Covenant Youth Worker Connection

Jan. 25-27, 2014, at Hyatt O'Hare, Chicago, IL

http://www.covchurch.org/midwinter/connection/

MOVE 2014

MOVE (Mission Outreach Venture and Experience) is April 4-5 at First Covenant, Minneapolis. It's two days of learning, serving and experiencing an urban environment for high school students. More details to come.

Adventures in Leadership 2014

MUUUCE 2014

Inclusion on this list doesn't imply endorsement. Do your homework to make sure these events fit you or your group.

This premier youth ministry training organization is offering a discount on their fall seminars for NWC youth workers.

• Sharpening Your Care Giving Skills is Nov. 18-19. Use code "NWC" for a $25 discount.
• Better Safe Than Sued is 9 a.m. - Noon, Dec. 12. Use code "NWC" for a $10 discount.

Dec. 6-7

Designed as a deeper discipleship experience, PW is a weekend filled with biblical teaching, worship, laughter and fun for your youth group. It's being held at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. planetwisdom.com/twin-cities-mn/

Impact High School Student
Discipleship Conference

Jan. 10-11, Bethel University

Impact is a 24-hour retreat for students in grades 9-12 to spend time studying the Word of God. It features last year's MUUUCE speaker, Greg Speck. Cost is $60 for students/$20 for youth pastors. For more info: bethel.edu/church-ministries

High School Leadership Conference

Feb. 14-15, University of Northwestern

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