Newsletter 47: February 2010
(Australian/International Edition)*
*
if you are from New Zealand click
here for our NZ e-newsletter.
Training in 2010
Best wishes to all you youth leaders as you get the new year
underway. One of the responsibilities of a youth leader is
to be fully equipped to do effective youth ministry. Not only
do we owe it to our young people, we owe it to God. Equally
it is the responsibility of the key youth leader or youth
pastor to ensure their team receives the best training possible.
One of the reasons I survived in youth ministry in those early
years was that I received good training. The better trained
we are the easier and more fulfilling leadership is.
With this in mind here are some training options for you
to consider as we begin the new year.
TARGET7
TARGET7
has been by far our most popular one day training seminar
for youth leaders. Normally I run these in New Zealand but
I have done a few in Australia. If you'd like me to come and
run it in your church or for the churches in your community
then contact me asap and look to see if we can settle on a
date - already they are filling fast. More details here.
Certificate in Youth Ministry
The Certificate
in Youth Ministry is the ideal resource for volunteer
youth leaders who want to learn more about youth ministry
without enrolling in a tertiary level Bible College course.
We have leaders enrolled not just here in New Zealand but
throughout the world. Youth pastors are finding it's perfect
for using with a few key leaders in order to develop their
skills and understanding. Cost is just NZ$60 per unit. More
details here.
Diploma in Youth Ministry
The Diploma
in Youth Ministry involves doing four NZQA Youth Ministry
papers by distance through Carey Baptist College. It's ideal
for youth pastors and youth interns. Cost is NZ$562 for New
Zealand residents or NZ$1500 for overseas students. More details
here.
Our Most Popular Resource
A question I am often asked is, "Do you know of any
good resources?" Compared to when I started in youth
ministry in 1980 - there are plenty! The problem now is not
so much "Where are they?" but "Which shall
I use?" Nearly 15 years ago I pulled together all the
Bible studies I had written and made them available for sale.
A few years later I put them onto a CD-ROM and starting selling
them for just NZ$100. Now all these years later they are still
NZ$100 and they are still selling! I would be the first to
admit that they may look a little "dated" now with
simple layouts and clip art. But from the feedback I get,
leaders want them because they contain questions that really
DO get young people talking and discussing!
I often teach about a four step process for developing a
Bible study. When I do I see the lights go on for youth leaders
and they realise where they have been going wrong in writing
Bible studies and why young people are not responding. These
studies follow the four step approach and the feedback I later
get is most encouraging.
But don't take my word for it. Check out some free
samples online. You are welcome to copy and paste the
questions and include them into your own studies. If they
seem to work" with your young people you can order the
CD-ROM from our store - and it comes with a lifetime replacement
warranty that includes you leaving it in the sun or sitting
on it!
Another Good Seller
A year ago I released my first book called "Life:
The Missing Dimension in Discipleship". It is not
specifically a youth ministry book but one that gets us thinking
not just about how we disciple others, but how we ourselves
grow in our own faith. Sales have been encouraging - I've
almost covered my costs! But the feedback has been even more
satisfying. It is being used as curriculum material for youth
adults, training material for youth leaders, as well as a
daily devotional (each chapter is only two pages long!). Someone
even said it a good "toilet book" - I think that
was a compliment!
If you are yet to get a copy and perhaps if you want something
to read at the beginning or end of each day that gets you
thinking about discipleship then you can purchase
one online from our store.
Mike King Visit
At the end of last year I had the opportunity to attend two
large youth ministry conferences in the USA. The speaker who
impacted me the most was Mike King is a president of YouthFRONT
Ministries in Kansas City.
In talking with Mike he indicated he had been working on plans
to visit a friend in NZ and after some email correspondence
I can confirm that YouthTRAIN is sponsoring a couple of one
day seminars with Mike in Auckland and Christchurch. Between
these two seminars he will also be speaking at the Baptist
Youth Ministries North Island Conference in Rotorua from 4-7
June, and Southern Leaders Training in Christchurch from 11-13
June. Those of you from Australia just may want to consider
a visit to hear him.
Both Mike and YouthFront have an approach to youth ministry
that affirms that transformation in youth people comes as
they encounter Christ and grow in relationship with him. It
is not a programme centred approach or even a purpose centred
one. It is a "presence centred" way of doing youth
ministry. It works to bring youth into a growing relationship
with Jesus Christ by creating environments where spiritual
transformation occurs. It is not a "new" approach
to discipleship but rather a return to many historical practices
and a chance to jump off the programme centred roundabout.
Mike has many practical things today but he is also very
inspirational - even prophetic, in what he says. I know you
will be deeply challenged and inspired by what he has to say.
Book these dates in your diary NOW - more details will follow
later:
Either..
- Auckland: 3 June - Carey Baptist College - 9.30am-4pm
- Rotorua: 4-7 June - Baptist Youth Ministries North Island
Conference
or...
- Christchurch: 11-13 June - South Leaders Training
- Christchurch: 14 June - Canterbury Youth Services - 9.30am-4pm
To read up more on Mike check out the YouthFront
Website, his blog,
and listen to him being interviewed
(forward mp3 to 10 mins in). Also check out my review of his
book "Presence Centred Youth Ministry" here.
The Pick of this Month's Articles
The following articles and links appear on our Facebook
Page. Become a fan and be advised or articles like these
as they are published.
Youthworker Journal Online
At first this seems to good too be true... a journal of youth
ministry articles from experienced youth workers online for
FREE? But it's true. Check out the January
2010 edition and the editions to follow in the coming
months.
Latest
Job Opportunities
Latest
adverts posted during the past few months (more on our website):
Does anyone ever read this bit??
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- Murray
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