It Starts with Relationships
Robin Menck, Faith Presbyterian Church, La Vista, NE
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In July 1998, one shy, nervous 8th grader got in a 15-passenger van full of "church people" she didn't really know and hit the road to Estes Park for the LOGOS Conference. And thanks to the many people pouring into her and encouraging her to come out of her shell and to follow God's leading, that quiet 8th grader is now working at a church and writing this article. The transition from "youth" to "young adult" to "adult" is never easy but it is also never done alone.
Sometimes when we talk about youth ministry and LOGOS, we are focused in on the impact we are having in this moment, right now. But God is interested in the long game - He sees past what we are doing right now and on to what is going to happen in five, 10, 15 years down the road in this student's life. Our job as LOGOS and ministry workers is to come alongside teens and point them towards God by building a relationship with them. In my own life, there are many adults that I can name that helped to shape who I became simply by investing their time, love, and prayers into me. Relationships leave young people ripe for growth. The seeds that we are planting & watering today in young lives become a strong faith down the road. This year as I begin to collect forms and deposits to get our church's youth signed up for what is now called GenOn Youth Summit, I wonder where these students will be down the road - what will God call them to and how can we prepare them to be young men and women who passionately follow Jesus? Because it's not just a trip to Estes Park for me anymore - it's now a jumping-off point for God to draw youth to Him.
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LOGOS Toolkit: LOGOS with Youth
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Liz Perraud, Executive Director, GenOn Ministries
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After about 15 years of LOGOS in my church we were looking to reinvigorate how to do Bible study, a shared meal, recreation and worship arts with older teens. The ministry was going well with the younger youth and the children but we needed some new energy for the oldest group. Our church hosted LOGOS training during this time and we received two critical pieces of advice that turned the ship around. We've flourished ever since.
1. Get to the GenOn Youth Summit(called the LOGOS Conference at that time). Bring whoever you can and make them "scouts" to soak up everything and then go back and tell others.
And we did! We scrambled to find the funding just two months out, submitted the forms and then in July, our Associate Pastor took three boys to experience a week of LOGOS with other high schoolers and their adult leaders. It was a week of faith deepening and relationship building. We haven't missed a summer since which has contributed to deeper relationships, mountain-top faith experiences and greater commitment in weekly LOGOS. Summit registration is open now for July.
2. Make LOGOS with youth different than with the children.
And we did! A core leadership team stays with the highschoolers for the entire LOGOS evening. Rites of passages are built in that include special food, off-site events, and an annual worship service in addition to regular worship leadership. We lift high expectations of commitment and involvement with lots of flexibility for their busy schedules. It's a more relaxed Family Time meal while still involving plenty of adults for conversation. Their four-parts are more fluid depending on the time of year and upcoming worship leadership or mission project preparation. They have their own name (FISH) while still coming under the LOGOS umbrella.
- Essentials for understanding ministry with youth
- How to start LOGOS with youth
GenOn representatives are available for coaching to help you assess where you are and plan for where you'd like to go with a strong youth component for LOGOS.
In Christ,
Liz Perraud
Executive Director
GenOn Ministries
Cell: 443-255-8492
Toll-free: 877-937-2572
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Parents Corner:
Growing Relationships with Youth
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Shirley Carlson,
La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, California
Relationships help define character, especially during the teen years. Your job is to help your child foster good relationships between Christ, you, and his friends. What defines a good relationship? Trust is extremely important as well as a relationship that mutually seeks the best for both parties. Get to know your teen's friends and ask your child what he seeks from this relationship.
To help your child develop a growing relationship with Christ, try this site.
These sites are helpful for forming mentoring relationships.
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June 25-27, 2017
Lipscomb University
Nashville, Tennesee
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Available now!
Kindergarten-5th Grade
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| Welcome to GenOn |
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