Connection

Ministry with Special Needs in Mind

Post a Comment » Written on April 10th, 2013     
Filed under: Center for Youth Ministry Studies, Connection, Events
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Bethlehem Covenant (3141 43rd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406)  www.bethlehemcov.org

More and more frequently, youth ministries are reaching adolescents with special needs. With statistics like 15% of kids being identified as having a developmental disability, or 1 in 88 kids identified as having an autism spectrum disorder, how disability-sensitive is your ministry? At our Connection, Kathy Castor will briefly explore disability areas, parent perspectives, and introduce strategies that will help you begin to think more purposefully about students with special needs.

Kathy Castor, MS, CCC-SLP, is the mother of three future adults – a developing cartoonist, an on-the-go adventure seeker, and a warrior princess. She is a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and is currently working in a suburban school district. In this role, she works with students from kindergarten to age 20 in Lifeskills classrooms, designed for students with severe disabilities. Kathy has been involved with youth ministry and/or children’s ministry for over 20 years. Kathy comes to the topic of Ministry with Special Needs in Mind as a parent, a professional, and a Jesus-following youth worker.

Coming Connections:

April 18 – Michael Novelli: founder of Echo the Story, senior curriculum developer for Sparkhouse, and former youth pastor. “For several years Michael has been developing narratives and training to help others discover the art of ‘Storying,’ a dialogical approach to Bible learning. Michael is continually seeking the most effective ways to help people learn.” http://echo.wearesparkhouse.org

May 16 – Dr. Paul Eddy, Biblical and Theological Studies professor at Bethel University, will be talking about theology and youth ministry.

 

 



Autism in your youth ministry

Post a Comment » Written on March 18th, 2013     
Filed under: Center for Youth Ministry Studies, Connection, Events, YM Network
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Autism: Tools to Integrating the Church and the Student – Monday, April 8, 2013

Join Lisa Fernelius and Bekah Miller for an education about autism and learn practical, hands-on ideas to help integrate students with autism in to your youth ministry setting. You will also learn communication techniques (with parents, other leaders and students themselves), making realistic expectations (for yourself, your ministry and your students), and how to create an Individual Ministry Plan for students within your church. If you attended this 1-hour workshop at Recharge – get ready to take things to another level. More info:click here!

Coming Connections:
April 18 – Michael Novelli: founder of Echo the Story, senior curriculum developer for Sparkhouse, and former youth pastor. “For several years Michael has been developing narratives and training to help others discover the art of ‘Storying,’ a dialogical approach to Bible learning. Michael is continually seeking the most effective ways to help people learn.” http://echo.wearesparkhouse.org



2013 Youth Worker Connection Survey

Post a Comment » Written on February 25th, 2013     
Filed under: Connection, Events, Service, YM Network
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At Midwinter, we did Youth Worker Connection a little different this year! That’s why it’s so important for us to know what you’re thinking – whether you are pleased with your experience or think something could be done better in the future.

Please take a moment to answer a few questions about your experience in San Diego. We love to hear what you thought. From our service, awakening options, if you were not able to go….why, to our efficiency – we want to hear all about it! . It’s a great way for us to gauge how we’re doing.

We’d also love to hear from you – and interact with you – on our social media channels. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. We’ll keep you up to date on Youth Worker events and news – and we like to have some fun, too! You can send us thoughts, comments, or whatever you think we need to know. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Click here to take our survey!



Introducing CHIC 2015 Council (2)

2 comments Written on January 23rd, 2013     
Filed under: Announcements, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, CHIC, Connection, Print Resource, Resources, Speaker Team, Uncategorized, Web Resource
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Dominique Gillard: Student Experiences

My name is Dominique DuBois Gilliard. I am a pastor at Convergence Covenant Church in Oakland California. I have a deep passion for discipleship and reconciliation. I also really enjoy working on Christian Community Development initiatives and programs that are focused on empowering young people to reach their full potential in Christ. I am really looking forward to being a part of the 2015 CHIC council because I know the profound impact CHIC has had on thousands of people’s lives. I myself being one of those individuals!

 

Ben Pease: CHIC Chair

Originally from Massachusetts, I served as a youth pastor there for 6
years before serving at Salem Covenant Church in MN for the past 8
years. I love adventures with my wife and three kids, working with
students (especially in leadership development), and getting outside for
hiking, running, backpacking, and canoeing.  I am excited and honored to
serve on the CHIC Council because time and time again, I have seen
students experience God and make decisions at CHIC in ways that have
changed the course of their lives.

 

Angie Wysocki: Evening Worship/Mainstage

I am a girl that loves adventures, exploring new places, a great story, an even better live concert, a good book, great coffee, a really good Eggs Benedict, a great piece of clothing or necklace that is on sale, a moment that makes me laugh, and a good day of skiing, or a vacation at the beach. Things that I am passionate about are loving my family and friends well, living as the woman that God has called me to be, and helping others experience the thrill of living as a Christ Follower and what that means for the Kingdom of God. I currently live in Roseville, CA but grew up in Denver, CO and spent significant years in Chicago, IL.

 

 

 

 



Ministry Job Fair, Adolescent Health Issues and CYMS Lecture Series

Post a Comment » Written on January 21st, 2013     
Filed under: Announcements, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, CHIC, Connection, Events, Resources, Speaker Team, Uncategorized, Web Resource, Webinar
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Adolescent Health Issues  
A Dialogue with Health Professionals and Youth Pastors 
Featuring Dr. Duke Han and Dr. Daniel White Hodge

The journey through adolescence toward adulthood includes both opportunities and challenges for health. The developing adolescent brain is faced with making decision regarding risky actions or healthy behaviors influenced by their social milieu. Youth ministers and health professionals working with adolescents have a unique opportunity to help teenagers weather life’s challenges through addressing physical, mental, and spiritual health.

 

Saturday, February 16th
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
$30 per person
Hamming Hall
Nursing CEUs available for additional $15

Visit website for more details, information on workshops/speakers and to register.

 

 
Ministry Internship & Job Fair
The only ministry internship and job fair in the Chicagoland region
This event is designed to bring together ministries that are recruiting individuals for jobs and internships, and those who are seeking positions. It is open to the public, and has grown to include students from colleges and seminaries all over Chicagoland, as well as adults who are looking for ministry positions.
Professional development opportunities for job seekers include: mock interviews and panel discussions on “first two years in ministry” and “how to candidate for ministry positions.”

 

Saturday, March 2
10 am – noon
Anderson Chapel
FREE for both job seekers, as well as organizations that have ministry positions available.

Visit website for details, information and to register.
www.northpark.edu/ministryfair

 

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Introducing CHIC 2015 Council (1)

Post a Comment » Written on January 16th, 2013     
Filed under: Announcements, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, CHIC, Connection, Events, Uncategorized, Web Resource, YM Network
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Sally Carlson: Enrichment Services

Hi, I’m Sally Carlson and I serve as co-pastor with my husband, Dan Larson, at Norquay Covenant Church in Norquay, Saskatchewan, Canada. I love traveling, playing volleyball, laughing (seriously!), and most of all – being with people (with coffee!). I love CHIC and am really excited be a part of CHIC 2015! My life was transformed when I attended CHIC as a student and I have seen God at work in the lives of so many people through this amazing event. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us at CHIC 2015!

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Youth Worker’s Connection in MIDWINTER

Post a Comment » Written on December 12th, 2012     
Filed under: Announcements, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, CHIC, Connection, Events, Feast, Resources, Speaker Team, YM Network

One thing I look forward to more than anything else is our encounter. There is nothing like seeing you at Midwinter, and what God intends for us. So many lives are changed by the power of God. What an amazing God we serve!

On that note, check out what we have planned for Youth Workers Connection in Midwinter. 

“Drumroll, Please“

Awakenings - Awakenings are opportunities to connect with God and others. Some are scheduled for the early morning, when we’re literally wiping the sleep from our eyes. Others remind us that any time of day might be perfect for awakening our souls to God’s invitations to us and to alertness for God’s activity around us.

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What then? – Part 2

2 comments Written on December 10th, 2012     
Filed under: Announcements, Camps, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, Connection, Retreat, Uncategorized, Web Resource, YM Network

By Dale Lusk

Studies by important missiologists have shown that although over 50% of students who have participated on a mission trip say their lives have changed as a result of what God taught them on a mission trip (we have all heard students say “that trip changed my life forever!”) the reality is less than 2% of those students actually change their behavior toward missions, missionaries, ethnic groups, community ministry, prayer or serving as a result of mission trips. If this is true, then mission trips often do little to change the lives of our students.

Don’t we want to have a higher percentage of our students truly have a life-changing experience through Christ as the result of mission trips?

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Premise

Post a Comment » Written on December 5th, 2012     
Filed under: Announcements, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, Connection, Events, Resources, Uncategorized, Web Resource, YM Network

ARE you interested in learning how a unique and creative ministry to kids and students can “save” a church in complete turmoil and bring more health and growth to a church wanting to reach more people with the gospel of Christ?

Then join Scott Peterson, Dan Ferguson and Efrem Smith during Midwinter on Thursday, February 7th for a wonderful workshop called “Premise: Understanding Kids and Student Ministries as the Foundation for All Church Ministry”.

Come and learn how a church can develop an amazing kid’s ministry that kids will not want to leave and an amazing student ministry that students can call their own.

For more information, click here!

 



What then? – Part 1

Post a Comment » Written on November 8th, 2012     
Filed under: Camps, Center for Youth Ministry Studies, Connection, Uncategorized, YM Network
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By Dale Lusk

Mission trips are often a major part of the student development plan in many churches. I think that is great! I’m all for it.

Unfortunately, many of us as youth pastors might be missing out on what probably is the most important student development element of a mission trip. All of the preparation meetings are super important. The team building, ministry preparation, language learning, prayer, cultural sensitivity training, and more, are necessary and make the trip worthwhile for the hosts.

Of course the cross-cultural relationships built during the trip, as well as the serving, the learning, allowing God to utilize your student’s skills, putting others before yourself, etc. All are so important to the encouragement of the local ministries and enhancement of what they are doing in their communities.

And yes, the debriefing times during a trip are important, as students are wrestling with all of the input they receive each day during a trip that sometimes blows their minds. Then we often return home from a mission trip and quickly move on to the next thing thereby missing an incredible opportunity.

I remember the spring youth mission trips I ran when I was young. We spent months preparing for the trip, hours debriefing during the trip, but as soon as we got home all of my energy went into the next things I had planned (graduation events, summer planning, camps, etc.). This got me thinking – I totally missed out on a great opportunity.

With that being said:  What do you think?

Do we really think students (or anyone, for that matter) are truly able to grasp what they learned on a mission trip DURING the mission trip. Wouldn’t it make more sense to work through those issues more in depth AFTER the trip?



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