Is God calling you

If you are a young adult who is a junior in high school through age 24, consider participating in a weekend that might change your life!

Young adults are invited to listen for God's voice and consider ministry in the United Methodist Church. "Exploration 2002," a national event, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, will be held Nov. 15-17 at the O'Hare Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. This weekend of worship, study, prayer, workshops, and small group discussions is designed to assist those who sense God's call to ordained ministry. People involved in a variety of ministries will be present. Ministry settings for deacons and elders include the local church, campus ministry, chaplaincy, mission at home and abroad, teaching in college and seminary and many others.

This event is so important to the United Methodist Church that room, food, and program costs are covered for participants.

The only cost to participants is travel expense and a $65 registration fee. Two chartered buses have been secured for North Indiana Conference to send young people to Chicago to Exploration 2002. Local churches are asked to pay the registration fee and $25 to help defray the cost of the chartered buses. Detailed bus schedules with pick-up points will be sent to North Indiana Conference registrants. The Board of Ordained Ministry is hopeful that we can send a large delegation of young adults to this event from both Indiana conferences.

Recruiting young people to serve Christ through ordained ministry continues to be a challenge across the United Methodist Church for several reasons:

Seminaries continue to report that incoming students are making a change to a second career, rather than young people seeking a career in ministry.
The ordination process appears long and difficult to potential prospects.
Low salaries for clergy create a barrier in a culture that values acquisition of wealth.
Local churches have neglected to cultivate a "culture of call" which invites young people to consider ministry

What Can we do to Respond?

Offer young people opportunities to use their gifts in ministry, such as serving as liturgists, speakers, or part-time staff.
Rekindle the model of the early Church which called people to ministry from the community.
Speak up. Pastors and laity are invited to encourage gifted young people to explore ministry.
Invite young people to these events this fall:

Bishop's Convocation on Ministry
Sept. 28
Epworth Forest

Exploration 2002
Nov. 15-17
Chicago

For further information contact The Rev. Cathy Johns, Warsaw First UMC

Is God calling you?

National event invites young people to explore ministry

What Can we do to Respond?