LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 26

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26

Vision and Purpose

Dreams and visions for the department in the 90s bring young

people and adults together, that they may become a community of

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od’s people where
Jesus is the central focus as we celebrate in Word and Sacrament;

youth and adults develop significant relationships;

young people grow in faith and develop their personal identity;
youth and adults can ask hard questions about faith and life;
confession, absolution, and acceptance are the hallmarks of com-
munity;

young people join their peers in worship, study, service, out-
reach, and fellowship;

young people know that they are accepted.

The purpose of the department is to work in partnership with
istricts to support and assist congregations in proclaiming God’s
sion of hope, celebration, and service to and with young people.

The department is ministry to and with young people and their

families. The department affirms that young people of the church
are in a Constant relationship with Christ and His people, with
themselves and His world. In Holy Baptism, they have been united

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ith Christ and His church. They are members of the church, not

only a youth organization. The church sees young people as indi-
viduals—not just a group. They are to be viewed and ministered to
as persons. Our goal is a holistic youth ministry shaped by the

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ospel—God’s Good News in Jesus Christ. :
The department strives to produce events and resources for

youth ministry that are in touch with today’s teen culture. To do
so, the department is sensitive to and uses the following “filters”
to assure quality and relevance.

Lutheran doctrine and theology
Youth culture issues

Family

Diversity

Inclusivity

Outreach

Change issues

Building relationships
Experiential learning

Practical application

Critical Targets

The department through its staff and in cooperation with Dis-

trict youth ministry executives and leaders will support and service
congregations in their ministry with youth in the church. The de-
partment will develop/provide/support:

I.

The LCMS Youth Ministry Network through which ideas
and resources are freely exchanged between national and
District structures and congregations.

. Leadership Development opportunities through which church

professionals and volunteers (youth and adults) are equipped
for their ministry with young people, e.g., LYF Teen Leader-
ship Initiative (young people), professional and volunteer
leadership conferences, church worker students, etc.

. Ministry with young adolescents (grades 5-8) through which

Opportunities and resources for developing positive and
healthy spiritual growth are available for congregations and
families.

. National youth gatherings where high school youth and their

adult leaders gather at a national event every three years.

. Resources and products are developed or reviewed for

LCMS Districts, congregations and youth ministry leaders.

. Servants Events through which young people are provided

opportunities to grow in a Christlike style of servanthood.

The Past Triennium

1.

LCMS Youth Ministry Network
* A third of District youth ministry leadership groups are vis-
ited each year.

SYNODICAL REPORTS

‘* “Youth Ministry Bulletin” is shared with over 1,000 youth

ministry leaders each quarter.

¢ One day “regional” District youth ministry leader consulta-
tions were initiated.

¢ A Youth Ministry home page was created with a link from
LCMS and Congregational Services.

* “Youth Ministry Special/LYF Lines” is sent to congrega-
tional youth leaders three times a year.

. Leadership Development

* Two national CLYC (Congregating of Lutheran Youth Coun-
selors) have been held (1993 and 1996).

* Youth Ministry workshops/classes for students at both semi-
naries have been held each year.

* Three national leadership conferences for church profession-

als working with young people have been held.

Lutheran Youth Fellowship has five teen leadership training

workshops available.

* “Disasters Refuge” is the theme of the LYF Mission Project
for emergency disaster response.

* Provide an event “Planning District Youth Gatherings” for
District gathering planners.

. Ministry to Young Adolescents

* A national study of confirmation practice in the LCMS was
completed, the first since 1968.

* A new resource for Peer Ministry for junior high teens was
introduced in spring 1998.

. Youth Gatherings

The 1995 gathering was held in San Antonio, with 28,000
participants from every District and 15 countries; 750 at-
tended the Cross-Cultural Gathering, with every major eth-
nic group represented.
* Seven focus groups were conducted in 1995 to identify di-
rections for future national youth gatherings.
“Called to Be” is the theme of the July 25-29, 1998 gathering
to be held in Atlanta, with over 30,000 participants from
every District registered and 18 other countries.

. Major resources include the following

° “RAGS” (Resources, Articles, and Good Stuff), an annual
program planning and leadership resource for congregational
youth ministry.

¢ The “Discovery Bible Study” series based on the church-year

lectionary developed annually.

“Ten of the Best” containing programmatic pieces from past

issues of department resource publications.

* The fourth edition of “Singing Saints Songbook.”

Three print resources and a video were created based on the

adolescent portion of the LCMS National Study of Adults

and Youth.

Recent resources include “What I’ve Learned about Retreats,

Traveling with Teens,” and “FUNDraising with Teens.”

“Let’s Talk,” a single topic resource and “Let’s Lead,” 1-4

page resource dealing with leadership issues available early

1998.

. Servant Events

* Some 55-60 events including sites in Mexico and Slovakia
have been available each year.

* Over four thousand youth and adults have participated in
events the past two years.

¢ An annual leadership conference is held for Servant Event
leaders.

Future Opportunities/Challenges

1.
2.
3.

Continue to be an advocate for youth ministry with renewed
vigor

Develop a package of 3-4 workshops to be available in
Districts

Develop “focused” event, i.e., evangelism with youth, etc.,
that can be replicated

. Work to identify project managers for one-time resource

projects

. Develop new youth ministry partnerships with international!

partner churches

. Host Journey Fest III in 1999

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