The New Church Youth Worker
For Real This Time
by Pete Erickson
Back in an old Faith Inkubators newsletter (sometime around 1997), I wrote that the days of the traditional “Do Everything, Be Everything, ‘Pied Piper’” youth worker/minister are over. This should be nothing new. However, it seems that a few churches still haven’t received this memo.
There are a landfill of resource books and seminar tapes on which icebreakers to do and which Bible studies to lead, but all the great resources in the world can’t stop many great missionaries from flaming out. How does this continue to happen?
We could point our fingers in a lot of directions: pop culture, poor parenting, Facebook, whatever; but as my mother used to say, “When you point your finger at someone, you have three others pointing back at you.”
Yes, we as a church still need to take the blame for the futility of some of our youth programs. We continue to give permission to parents to drop off children so we can train up their child. We still can’t handle the volume or the problems that accompany this. What can we do?
[CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE]
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95 Melheimian Theses of Church Technology
From the Center For Congregations:
The January 2008 edition of Clergy Journal includes a great article by (Faith Inkubators founder) Rich Melheim. Melheim starts the article, "Chew on this: The average mainline preacher today was taught to preach by a professor who was taught to preach before television was widely available." Hopefully, that will encourage you to read the rest of the article!
Melheim completes this treatise with his "95 Melheimian Theses of Church Technology." Read them all! Those of you who have worked with the Center on technology issues will hear our voices echoed in Melheim's.
Click here to read the posting on the Center For Congregations website.
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Best Practice
Faith Inkubators and Lifelong Learning
by Debbie Streicher
Faith Inkubators is honored to be named among the best practices for intergenerational, family, and children’s faith formation. Faith Stepping Stones, a family ministry system lifting up parents as primary faith role models for their children was named. Advent, Lent and Stewardship as lectionary-based intergenerational resources to be used inviting all ages to be involved from learning to worship to a connection in the home were also named.
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Faith: It's A Family Affair!: Faith Inkubators' "Dream Seminars" 2008
Head to the Heart, Bible Song, and Faith Stepping Stones
Experience Faith Inkubators' integrated children, youth, and family resources for complete Christian education.
- LEARN how these resources teach better, connect parents, and invite all ages to participate.
- EXPLORE how to equip households with faith practices.
- PLACE scripture in the hands of all the ages.
- BRING families together by bringing them closer to God.
- DISCUSS the challenges and realities when using Faith Inkubators' and other resources as "family ministry."
- DREAM about ways these resources, when used together, may be more effective in your congregation.
DATES & LOCATIONS:
Saturday, March 29, Central Iowa Area
(Plymouth UCC - Des Moines, IA)
Saturday, April 19, Washington DC Area
(Abiding Presence Lutheran - Burke, VA)
Saturday, April 26, Milwaukee Area
(St. Paul Lutheran - Oconomowoc, WI)
TIMES
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
(lunch provided)
COST
$69 first person
$49 others from same church
REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
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