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STRETCH INTO THE LIGHTYouth ministry in a “more with less” world.

A presentation from

4 RESOURCE CATEGORIES

GATHERResources to make the most

out of regular & special events

DEVOZINE

• devozine® is a devotional magazine (devozine for short!) designed just for youth and written by young people and by adults who love them.

• devozinemag.org

CHUCK KNOWS CHURCH

• Online video series that help interpret complex subjects and issues in a fun, yet informative, way.  Each series features “Chuck” who helps us learn more about our church while inviting us to have deeper conversation with our pastor.

• chuckknowschurch.com

YOUNG ADULT DEVOS

• Devotionals written by a different United Methodist young adult each month explore faith, scripture, mission and more.

• umcyoungpeople.org

YPM FAITH AND SEX

• More of a cookbook than a structured curriculum resource. It is designed to open the door to serious conversation, decisions, and commitments on the part of younger youth as they wrestle with what it means to be Christian and sexual beings.

• ypmfaithandsex.org

HOW COULD YOU ORGANIZE YOUR YOUTH MINISTRY

AROUND THESE RESOURCES?

OTHER RESOURCES FOR REGULAR & SPECIAL

GATHERINGS ?

FUNDRelationships that generate

sustainable youth discipleship

CROWD FUNDING

• Engage each young person’s social network in support for mission trips, discipleship projects, spiritual discernment experiences and more.

• crowdrise.com revgo.org gofundme.com

FAN CLUB

• Develop a set of “rewards” that fan club members will receive over the course of your ministry year, mission trip or other ministry timeframe. Updates, hand-made trinkets, house concerts, etc.

• PURDUE WESLEY 100

COLLABORATIVE BUDGET

• Collaborate with leaders to discern how your youth ministry fullfils the whole scope of mission and discipleship of the church, and set a budget accordingly. Don’t just budget for “youth activities.” Budget for youth as agents of the Gospel.

TO WHICH OF THESE METHODS MIGHT YOUR CHURCH BEST RESPOND?

(CROWDFUNDING, FAN CLUB, COLLABORATIVE BUDGETING)

OTHER IDEAS FOR GENERATING RELATIONSHIPS THAT PROVIDE RESOURCES ?

GO TEAM!The weird people who make all your schemes come true

PREPARE THEM

• With whom do you like working closely? Which of them will work well with youth?

• Background Checks / Safe Sanctuaries

• Observe for 6 months, apprenticing (lead games, get to know the youth)

• Trainings, Skill Building

DIVERSITY OF TEAM

• Cultural/Ethnic

• Age

• Men/Women

• Leadership Styles

• Cool/Nerds

LEAD TEAM = SMALL GROUP

• Spiritual practices like a Discipleship group

• Know their life stories

• Stay in contact, be a family, have meals together

• Thank yous, check ins, prayer times

WHICH OF THESE THREE (PREPARING, DIVERSITY, SMALL GROUP PRACTICES) DO YOU ALREADY EXCEL AT? WHY?

OTHER TEAM BUILDING METHODS THAT WORK IN YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY?

TECH & TOOLS

Gizmos, gadgets and thingamajigs connecting your youth with Christ’s mission

ONLINE PLATFORMS

• Websites: squarespace.com

• Broadcasting:

• Facebook Live & YouTube Live

• soundcloud.com

• Group Texting: cel.ly

APPS

• Study: commonprayer.net

• Prayer: nimbusprayer.com

• Action: moyoliving.org

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

• Video: blender.org

• Audio: audacityteam.org

• Docs: drive.google.com

WHICH TECH/TOOL HAVE YOU HEARD MOST ABOUT AND WOULD LIKE TO TRY?

OTHER TOOLS YOU USE TO COMMUNICATE AND CREATE

COMMUNITY ?

3 MINISTRY GOALS

ADULTSMENTORS, INVESTORS, GUIDES

YOUTHAGENTS OF DEEP DISCIPLESHIP

CHURCHINCUBATOR OF MISSIONAL LIFE

A SENDING PRAYERFor your youth and the good they’ll cause for Jesus Christ.

“LET THERE BE LIGHT!”

A division of Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church

UMCYOUNGPEOPLE.ORG