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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
Youth Briefs
Youth ministry leaders need survival skills, speaker says
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (UMNS) - Youth ministry is like a barren land, and developing survival skills is crucial for leaders who want to stay in it for the long term, according to a scholar on youth, church and culture.
The average stay in youth ministry is 18 months, said the Rev. Kenda Creasy Dean, assistant professor of youth, church and culture at Princeton (N.J.) Theological Seminary. Numerous factors contribute to the high turnover rate: family conflicts, low pay, low prestige, lack of acknowledgment or respect, lack of time for development, and the treatment of the ministry as an extracurricular activity.
Dean was a key speaker at Connection 2002, a Jan. 23-27 gathering of nearly 360 adult workers in youth ministry in Panama City Beach. The biannual event, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, had been called Forum, but its name was changed to emphasize the importance of connection with God, neighbors and selves.
Youth 2003
July 23-27, 2003
Knoxville, TennesseeThis global gathering of United Methodist youth will experience spiritual growth and ministry development, transforming their lives to go back their home communities to transform the world for Christ.
Youth can expect to become stronger disciples of Jesus Christ, learn by studying, discussing, singing, and doing, celebrate Christian faith in global villages, worship with head, heart and soul and meet other United Methodist Christians from around the world!
Participants: Youth 2003 is designed for youth ages 12-18 and their adult leaders. Knowing that youth ministry in some areas involves a much wider age range, youth of all ages from Central Conferences are invited to join this global community of United Methodist youth.
Other Connection 2002 speakers included J.F. Lacaria, Charleston, W.Va.; Mariellen Sawada Yoshino, San Jose, Calif.; Mark V. Monk Winstanley, Atlanta; Bishop James King, Louisville, Ky.; and Bishop Larry Goodpaster, Montgomery, Ala.
Adult fellowship for youth ministry dissolved
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (UMNS) - A support group for United Methodist youth workers has voted to discontinue its work at the national level.
The Fellowship of Adults in Youth Ministry (FAYM), which has existed as an affiliate body of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship for more than a decade, voted to dissolve at the national level on Jan. 24. The voluntary organization began when several youth workers expressed the need for a support group that would provide affirmation, fellowship and networking opportunities.
Groups seek creation of agency division for young people
Last updated on 01/14/2004MESA, Ariz. (UMNS) - The United Methodist Church's two top organizations for young people are joining forces to propose creating a division within one of the general agencies to coordinate ministries for youth and young adults.
The Shared Mission Focus team and the steering committee of the United Methodist Youth Organization joined in supporting the idea during Feb. 15-18 meetings in Mesa. About 70 people, primarily youth and young adults from around the United States as well as Europe, Africa and the Philippines, attended.
Leaders of the Shared Mission Focus will present the idea to the denomination's Board of Discipleship in March. Both the Shared Mission Focus and United Methodist Youth Organization are housed with the board in Nashville, Tenn. The division would be created within an existing agency that has not yet been specified.