The Bridge in Plain Text
Issue To Be Used Any Time After
Sept. 1, 2006
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The Bridge
A monthly publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Connecting the congregational, synodical, and churchwide expressions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Youth Ministry: Moving Beyond
Fundraising
Bake sales, car washes, rummage sales -- are
you looking to move your congregation’s youth ministry beyond fundraising?
Young adults in their 20s have the lowest
attendance rate at worship in ELCA congregations and high school students
rate just below them (“Comparing the Age of ELCA Attendees and the U.S.
Population,” ELCA, 2002). With this trend of young people leaving the church
in high school and not coming back for a decade or more, there is a need for
good youth ministry programs and it takes an entire church to accomplish
this.
Culture is Key
Fundraising is important to go places and do things, but research
shows that the key to great youth ministry is not where the youth go or what
activity they engage in. An ecumenical study investigating qualities of
exemplary youth ministry programs discovered that the congregations with the
strongest youth ministries have a pervasive culture that values youth. A
congregation that places importance on youth ministry, creates a sense of
community for the youth, and supports strong leadership is more likely to
have a good youth ministry program (Exemplar Youth Ministry study). Though
more difficult to change than adding a new program, culture can dramatically
impact your youth.
Help is Available
Congregations are not on their own when it comes to youth ministry.
There are plenty of resources and support available through the ELCA.
The ELCA provides many ministry ideas on
their Youth Ministries website. Resources include Reel World, discussion
ideas about popular movies; Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study combining a
current events story and scripture; Help Sheets, mini newsletters answering
frequently asked questions about youth ministry; and more. The ELCA Youth
Ministry Network is also an useful network of youth workers. Beyond your
computer, the ELCA offers special events like the Youth Worker Summit and
the Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza to help train and support youth
workers.
If you’re looking for something a little
closer to home, the synod-wide BLOC Heads (Building Lives on Christ) group
meets regularly to offer support and resources to fellow youth workers.
Youth ministry can be a very exciting
ministry, but it can also seem a little daunting at times. No matter your
role in the congregation, you can help by contributing to a supportive
culture and using or telling leaders about the helpful resources available.
Featured Resources
Monthly Bible Verse
We are a synod joined in Bible study. This Bible verse was selected by
Harold Usgaard, bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, for everyone in
the synod to study.
“Let no one despise your
youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in
faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy
4:12
About Our Synod
The Southeastern Minnesota Synod is a faith community of 130,000 baptized
people in 184 congregations as well as related institutions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Its geographic area includes
15 counties in the southeastern corner of Minnesota.
The Bridge is a monthly
publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA. For more information,
contact the synod office:
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
1001 14th St. NW, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55901-2551
(507) 280-9457
www.semnsynod.org
This issue is designed to be
used any time after September 1, 2006.
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