Opportunity or Despair?Youth Ministry at

the Crossroads

ELCA GatheringPractice Discipleship Team

From the air

National Study of Youth and Religion

5learnings

Teen are not rebellious about faith, rather they are open to religionYouth are not flocking to "alternative" religions and

spiritualities.Yet, faith is not a viable or central element of their life.The vast majority of the teenagers identified themselves

as Christian – either Protestant or Catholic - or as Jewish or Mormon.

Only about 8 percent said faith was not important at all.

de facto creed Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

A God exists who created and orders the world and watches over human life on earth.

God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions.

The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when God is needed to resolve a problem.

Good people go to heaven when they die.

Teens could not speak the second language of faith

A vast majority of teens are "incredibly inarticulate about their faith, their religious beliefs and practices.”

Faith is a second language … and young people are not catching the faith religions profess. In other words, faith communities were not passing on the faith in word and deed.

Learning the language of faith will require, among other things, being immersed in a culture where the faith is spoken in the present tense and where it is practiced being spoken.

Parents are important

Three out of four religious teens consider their own beliefs somewhat or very similar to those of their parents.

Parents, whether they know it or not and like it or not, they are in fact always socializing youth about religion.

It is not whether or not parents are passing on faith, but what faith/beliefs parents are passing on!

“a significant minority”

Yet, for a small percentage (8% of teen where religion was important)

of young people faith was not wallpaper,

but an active, integrated

part of their lives.

from the ground

Groups• make a list of 10 things that describe young people today

Exemplary Youth Ministry Study

It’s about nurturing

faith

Seeks Spiritual GrowthPossesses a Vital Faith

Practices FaithMakes the Christian Faith a Way of Life

Lives a Life of ServiceExercises Moral Responsibility

Possesses a Positive Spirit

aspects of mature Christian faith7

particular aspects in congregations

Particular Theology Sense of the Presence and Activity of a Living God Emphasis on Spiritual Growth, Discipleship and Vocation Promote Outreach and Mission

Particular Qualities of Ministry Reflect Congregational Priority and Support for Youth Ministry Foster Significant Relationships and a Sense of Community Develop Committed Competent Leadership

Particular Ministry Practices Focus on Household or Families Common Effective Youth Ministry Practices Custom Designed, Integrated Approaches to Youth Ministry

3

Congregational Assets

Leadership Assets

Age-Specific Ministry Assets

Family Assets

assets within areas4

It’s about a living God

It’s about discipleship

It’s about relationships

It’s about leadership

Four Learnings

Share• What did you hear?• What was troubling?

• What is hopeful?

Christian way of life is no longer the norm

Faith communities are not passing on the faith

World isn’t going to pass on the faith

“church” language is not familiar to most

Bad News

Youth are open to faith and religion

Youth are open to parents and significant adults

Actions are important

It’s time to be creative and discover new ways

Good News

What is this all about?

Every three years youth gather from across the country and around the world at an event whose mission is to make and

nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, to create a safe place for youth to experience community and to be encouraged to

respond to God’s call to service in the world.

Where and when are we gathering?

July 18-22, 2012 in New Orleans is the ELCA Youth Gathering

July 16-18, 2012 is the Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE)

July 16-18, 2012 is the Multicultural Leadership Event (MYLE)

What in the world came through here?

What in the world are you thinking bringing our children to THAT place?

What in the world passed through here?

Who will be going to New Orleans?

Crazy, committed Christians of all agesaware of their own brokenness, deeply & passionately in love with Jesus with eyes to see their own faces in the faces of the oppressed, and to see their own hands in the hands of the oppressors.

Adult leaders and volunteers800 young adult leaders ages 20-2536,000 High School students in grades 8-12

Have we ever done this before?

1988 – 22,500 in San Antonio

1991 – 27,000 in Dallas

1994 – 34,000 in Atlanta

1997 – 36,000 in New Orleans

2000 – 40,000 in St. Louis

2003 – 38,000 in Atlanta

2006 – 37,000 in San Antonio

2009 - 37,000 in New Orleans

What the theme?

Citizens with the saintsEphesians 2:14-20 In his life and

death on the cross, Jesus broke down the dividing walls so that we are no longer strangers and outsiders, but we are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. The foundation of God’s house was built of apostles and prophets, and Jesus, the cornerstone holds it all together

What will be doing down there?

Day 1 Arrive, Register, Dome Experience, Hotel LifeDay 2-3-4

Blessing / Sending for the DayBreakfast Daily Assignment (Think rotation model) and Lunch

Early Afternoon-Free time/Interaction Center/DinnerEvening Dome Experience- Large Gathering TimeLate night Hotel Life

Day 5 Breakfast- Closing Celebration/Dome experience

DAILY THEMES

Practice Peacemaking Practice Discipleship

Practice Justice

Practice Peacemaking

Act in a way that reflect God’s value for everybody, particularly those who are marginalized by society.

Learning Day (Convention Center)Claiming and valuing their baptismal

identityThe ability to talk about the grace that

Jesus offers

Practice Discipleship

Demonstrate the capacity to articulate their unique witness.

Help them to talk about the grace that Jesus offers

Allow them to wrestle with questions of faith

Most likely in hotel ballroom With our synod

Practice Justice

Live boldly in the face of injustice, crisis and suffering

Realize that daily choices make a difference that benefit all of God’s creation.

Being to differentiate between accompaniment and charity

Experience New Orleans dayLeave from in Buses from the Dome

And how are we going to figure this all out while we’re in New Orleans?

Volunteers

3 Type of Volunteers

Community Life Gathering Volunteer CorpsServant Companions

Community Life

Applicants must be 19 years of age, out of high school successfully graduated) for one year and in good health

You will staff hotels which includes morning programming, Hotel life, quiet spaces, small service experiences.

Gathering Volunteer Corp

Ushering in the Superdome, checking wristbands at Community Life activities, directing foot traffic in the Interaction Center, helping with registration, answering telephone, staffing an information boot or moving equipment in the Convention Center

Out of high school successfully and 19

Volunteer Responsibly

Apply after May 15Transportation to New Orleans –will get

back a $200 travel assistanceArrive by 1pm on Monday July 16 Depart

after 3pm on Sunday July 22, 2012Sign covenantUndergo background check Cost $75

Gathering will provide

HousingMeals on your days of serviceLots of fun

Servant Companions

Will welcome, lead, facilitate and care for congregational groups through the Gathering

Ages 19-30

What else will happen? Mass GatheringMass Gathering: You can look forward to the privilege of : You can look forward to the privilege of

participating with the “whole” gathering community each participating with the “whole” gathering community each evening in the Super Dome. evening in the Super Dome.

Community LifeCommunity Life: Hotels will be expecting you. The : Hotels will be expecting you. The Gathering provides teams of trained leaders to host and Gathering provides teams of trained leaders to host and support you for a quality stay in New Orleans.support you for a quality stay in New Orleans.

Other Gathering TeamsOther Gathering Teams: Literally thousands of : Literally thousands of volunteers make up the leadership for 2012 Youth volunteers make up the leadership for 2012 Youth Gathering. This includes everyone from Bishops to Gathering. This includes everyone from Bishops to Operations to the Tech Team. Don’t forget the Info Line Operations to the Tech Team. Don’t forget the Info Line and Safety & Security Team, the Transportation Team, and Safety & Security Team, the Transportation Team, the Gathering Volunteer Corps, musicians, performers, the Gathering Volunteer Corps, musicians, performers, and behind-the-scenes office staff! The ocean of people and behind-the-scenes office staff! The ocean of people who are preparing for you to come is amazing!who are preparing for you to come is amazing!

OK, I want to go – what next?

RegistrationTransportationFundraising and budgetingChoosing Adult leadersScholarship opportunitiesCommunity-building

REGISTRATION

Open October 9, 2011 at 2 pm EDT only online if you don’t have a computer talk to me

Students in grades 8-12 at time of registration (7-11 now)

Cost $315 per person$150 nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of

registration Balance due on or before May 26, 2012 No payments at registration.

Housing

We can house up to 39,000 participantsRoom rates range from $119- 145 per

night (before taxes)Assignments will be posted to the

Congregational account in February 2012Will try to keep Synods congregations

close to each other.

TRANSPORTATION

Coach 54 passenger busses? Anyone interested20 hours

Southwest Airlines $280-$3105-6 hours

Drive time20 hours 1 way2,500 miles round trip200 gallons gas = $800 - 900

BUDGETINGBudget Template(Sample numbers are based on 16 youth, 2 female adults, and 2 male adults for 7

nights)

Budget Item Cost Per Person Estimate # Total Cost

Travel to NOLA (air) $300 -400 20 6000-8000Travel to airport (rd) $40 20 $800Shuttle to hotel(roundtrip) $20 20 $400Food and Entertainment $50 per days x 7 days

$350 20 $7,000Registration for Event $315 20 $6,300Hotel $315 p.p. for 7 days 20 $6,300Gift for Home Congregation $10 20 $200

Total Per Person $1310 -14,50 20 26,200-2900

A GREAT OPTION FOR SAVING MONEY

AN ELCA Mission Investment Fund (MIF)is an easy way to save for the Gathering and have immediate access to the funds when they are needed. You can save money and earn interest, pay registration fees, access funds on-site in New Orleans and help support ELCA–related ministries.

Contact Pastor Mark Wimmer at Mark.Wimmer@elca.org for more information.

Who should we look for? · Faith-focused and centered in God · Has a healthy, balanced life of their own as an adult · Has a relationship with youth or open to developing relationships

with youth · Patience and wisdom · Interest in youth and youth culture · Focused on youth and their needs · Committed and insightful · Sees what needs to be done and then does it · Has a positive, appropriate sense of humor and playfulness · Remains calm when unexpected things or emergencies occur · Knows how to share responsibilities and tasks with youth · Is observant of group dynamics and other things going on around

them · Good listening skills and attentive to youth · Has the physical and emotional ability to fully participate as an adult

leader in a very active program

What should you be asking yourself?Do I love teenagers?Am I a team player?Will I be able to focus on the youth and their needs?Do I have good listening skills?How do I deal with conflict?Am I patient?Do I listen first or do I jump to conclusions?Am I able to see what needs to be done and pitch in?Do I encourage youth? Youth who rub me the wrong way?Can I develop appropriate, healthy relationships with

youth ?Where am I in my faith life?Will I be able to share my faith in positive, encouraging

ways?

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Financial assistance is availableApplication Starting May 15, 2011,forms

onlinewww.elca.org/gathering

SAFETY CONCERNSPeople wonder, is New Orleans a safe place for visitors and the ELCA

Youth Gathering? The answer is, yes. The tourist areas of New Orleans are as safe as those in any big city. The ratio of police to citizens is actually higher today than it was prior to Hurricane Katrina.

The New Orleans Police Department is known nationally for its record in making New Orleans a safe place to visit, ranging from large-scale events such as Mardi Gras, to four or five individuals enjoying a weekend getaway. Today the citizen-to-police ratio is, much higher than it was pre-Katrina and we have backup from a new police recruit class, the National Guard, and state police troopers to maintain a visible and serious law-enforcement presence.

ELCA staff and volunteers will be present at Gathering venues and hotels, community service sites, and can also be reached through a 24-hour, toll-free, information phone line. Adult leaders accompanying groups will be required to attend a special counselor orientation after registering your group in New Orleans.

So, now what?????????????

Invite age appropriate youth and parents to an informational meeting

Develop a BudgetBegin FundraisingMeet with your group to build communityApply for financial aid May 15, 2011Registration opens October 9th at 2pm

EDT

SYNOD GATHERING

Sunday, October 23,2011

Trinity Lutheran Church

Lansdale

3:30-6:00 p.m.

Benefit concert at 7:00 p.m.

HELP IS Here

Robin Alderfersepagatheringcoordinator@gmail.com

610-277-8378

Synod Coordinator

Sign up for updates

www.elca.org/gathering