Ymec Meeting Notes-dc 5

Youth Ministry Executive Council Potomac, Maryland May 2-3, 2006 “Youth Ministry and the Church of the Future” Present: David Blair, Ron Boehme, Dan Britton, Mike Calhoun, Terry Carty, Chad Childress, Doug Clark, Rachael Cooley, Allen Copus, Dave Curtiss, Greg Davis, Tami Dooms, Lance Finley, Paul Fleischmann, Bob Flores, Randy Hall, Beth Helton, Mike Higgs, Monty Hipp, Mike King, Chuck Klein, Jerry Mann, Jay Mooney, Rick Morgan, Chuck Neder, Fern Nichols, Danny Oertli, Mark Oestreicher, Jeff Piehl, Dave Rahn, Rocky Rausch, Rolly Richert, Richard Ross, Johnny Scott, Barry St. Clair, Andy Stephenson, Greg Stier, BJ Strote, Doug Tegner, Becky Tirabassi, Allen Weed, Haley Wherry, Nancy Wilson, Don Wolgemuth.

TUESDAY, MAY 2 Bob Flores, director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (U.S. Dept. of Justice) shared about the need for mentors for youth. He encouraged each organization to find mentors within their membership, as well as to seek donors who could support the NNYM effort, MentorYouth.com. Rolly Richert and Paul Fleischmann introduced the evening’s theme of “Personal Preparation” as leaders for youth ministry of the Future. After sharing one-on-one, Danny Oertli led worship.

Progress in the Battle (Individuals sharing) Greg Stier: great experience with mixed group of kids on “retreat” in mountains Doug Tegner: Urban Summit was great leap forward in January Jay Mooney: Sensing growing support for youth ministry from the body of Christ Richard Ross: Turning Hearts conferences helped change families – dramatic stories Mark Oestreicher: YS has been bought by Zondervan. It’s a good thing! Dave Curtiss: Youth ministry in Church of Nazarene has been turning the corner! New staff and increased funding from the denom. Chuck Klein: New website resources for evangelism have been receiving great response Ron Boehme: Advances in the “extreme experience” in sharing the gospel on mission frontiers like the Muslim world and in China.

Message Mike Higgs shared about “desperation.” He recapped the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” There are parallels with the state of youth ministry and youth evangelism! In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat prayed a relevant prayer for us (20:12) – “…we are

powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee.” We need to admit that with all our good stuff, we don’t know what to do, either. Revelation 3:17 – “you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Isaiah 30: 15 – “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Small groups: Agree or disagree: ‘We are in a place of desperation in youth ministry.” What are areas in your life where you sense desperation? In 2 Chronicles 20, God directed Jehoshaphat to put the worshippers at the front. Large Group: “Desperate” prayer…

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 Worship and Scripture with Danny Ortlei

“Youth Ministry and the Church of the Future” Mark Oestreicher: The World in 10 Years •

Book: A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age (Daniel Pink) o Asia – shifts as U.S. church becomes more like Europe; Asian church will set pace o Automation – we’ll need to become more big picture/creative. Dominant social networking site is MySpace, IM, not email o Abundance – we have lots of “stuff” but looking for meaning in our lives…”the most striking feature of contemporary culture is the unslaked thirst for meaning.”

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Identity is anchored in “local/global,” not “individual/national” which has implications for youth ministry

Richard Ross: The Church in 10 Years How do we do church when all human verbal knowledge can be accessed w/ a PDA by the persons sitting in a pew? Three types of churches will emerge: •

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Traditional, Non Adapting Churches that are doing “business as usual” will close by tens of thousands. Many will be sold and become mosques…or something else. Churches doing the wrong thing with excellence will be big and successful, but on the wrong track. Building for segregation – by age…for comfort of membership…palaces of religious people. Biblical Churches Close to the Heart of God. Others will “get it” – characterized by brokenness, humility, pervasive prayer. People who humble themselves…2 Chron. 7:14 lived out…led by pastors who are broken, with

intergenerational relationships…adults and children involved as mentors and mentees. Dave Curtiss: Youth Ministry in 10 Years • • • • • • •

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Be prepared for the “deconstruction” of modern youth ministry and a reformation of ecclesiology and methodology. Students’ identity with a church will be increasingly built upon worship experience Bigger is not necessarily better for this generation. They prefer a regular, yet liquid, small community; intimate, protective relationships “Info-lust age” gives them great awareness and many options Traditional mission trip may become thing of past…they may create their own local or global mission experience. More student-led and less adult-driven The “gorilla in the room” will be the increasing impact of ethnicity…by 2025 50% of U.S. will be Hispanic. If the church can’t adjust to the increase in urbanization youth ministry impact will erode. The call: to be “Boaz” – to protect, resource, empower and redeem this generation

Small Groups: The World…The Church… The Lost “The World” groups: Asia: We as a church/culture are getting left in the dust…need to move from right-brain to left-brain dominated. Doctors as an example (from ‘knowledge broker’ to ‘empathetic listener’). We need to learn from what we observe. Automation: how do we use that reality to reach teenagers, and equip teenagers to reach their tribe there? Abundance: need for transcendence…example of a youth group in Kansas City, MO who adopted 250 abandoned kids in a third-world country – getting totally involved w/ people there. Kids tend to identify globally. Ministry cannot be defined by borders, but by communities and participants. Existing structures will change or adapt or be abandoned. The church will probably be pressured to change by global changes. Church in other countries will come back to America to do evangelism here. Contemporary Christians tend to do what works for them. Action: Collaboration… Back to basics…Community… “The Church” groups: Are kids leaving the church, or going out and searching for God? (Big “C” vs. little “c”) We need benchmarks for spiritual growth…if not the church, then who? Change is a long-term process…there is a need for a more relational approach. Change will come from humility among groups.

Of the three types of churches, we can’t abandon the “number ones”…there may be hope…there are “in-betweens” in all three types. We need to go back to relational style of ministry and intentional discipleship. Denominations need to sound a clear call. Although there may be a crisis before there is change (we agree with “world” groups on that), we need to transfer to a family style of ministry in youth ministry. The church of the future must be intentional, not isolationist. We must be able to speak “multi-cultural.” “The Lost” group: The model for the Great Commission is building and multiplying disciples…disciples must be taught natural evangelism for them to grow.

Denominational Leaders’ Statement – A Unified Call from 15 Denominations An alarming number of churched youth fail to enter adulthood as maturing followers of Christ. Jesus modeled relational ministry. The relational influence of parents and godly adults is vital to establishing lifelong followers of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we call our churches to: •

Win, disciple and train parents to be the primary spiritual leaders of their teenagers.

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Highly value the spiritual impact of youth leaders on teenagers, but to view this as secondary to the leadership of parents.

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Place every teenager in a discipling relationship with a godly adult outside their home.

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Highly value student ministry classes, activities and events but to view them as secondary to discipling in relationships.

The denominational leaders invited all to sign this statement, as had all of the denominational leaders, which may be posted as a unified expression of the group’s unity.

Ministry Updates True Love Waits. Richard Ross shared about the philosophy of TLW, and invited those present to consider how they might get involved. C4 Group. Monty Hipp described his ministry focus under a new name and invited folks to get involved (www.c4group.org). Moms In Touch, International. Fern Nichols shared about the mission of MITI, and how MITI is praying for this group of leaders. Ron Boehme (YWAM) shared about his campaign for State Senate representing Port Orchard, Washington. Youth for Christ. Dan Wolgemuth shared about his transition as new YFC president. Student Life. Randy Hall talked about resources from Student Life that are online.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Dan Britton shared about “Fields of Faith” on October 11, 2006.

Message Worship with Danny Ortlei Becky Tirabassi Becky shared about her journey as a teenage alcoholic, a young woman who was immoral and suicidal; how a church custodian led her to Christ; her involvement in YFC; her commitment to pray for an hour a day for the rest of her life. Then in 2004 she established “Burning Hearts,” a movement for revival primarily among college students. Sharing at Azusa Pacific University, God brought renewal in a series of chapel services. Students shared, “We’re the revival generation.” This has led to an amazing response from college students all over. She shared a number of stories of encounters with students changed simply by God working in their hearts through prayer. Elements of the “burning heart contract” www.theburningheartcontract.com/ •

Sold out to prayer

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Set apart for purity

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Sent out with purpose

God is calling this generation back to the Bible…and it is important that we are “clean cups” ready to receive it. Right now, most are not ready for revival…which leads to awakening…evangelism. Prayer time in small groups