“Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” [2 Corinthians 4:15]

Happy Thanksgiving to all! In this season of gratitude, we are thankful for your commitment to the faith formation of our youth.  It is truly a blessing to be in community and conversation with each of you.

It’s not too late to RSVP for the YMI Lunch & Lecture with Andy Root on Wednesday, December 4. Lunch begins at 12pm, Lecture at 12:30pm.  Youth workers know what it is to watch parents and youth participate in multiple other activities. Most families have limited time and space for youth ministry activities or youth group. Often parents (and youth) express a desire to participate, but say they have no time!  A parent might even say, “Sorry we haven’t gotten her to youth group in the last six months, it’s just that gymnastics is kind of her thing; it’s really who she is.”  Sound familiar? This can be frustrating for youth workers, and some respond by upping the commitment required.

Join Andy Root for Youth Ministry in an Era of Over-Parenting: Moving from the Thing to the Story and explore together why this approach won’t work. In an era of limited time and unlimited options, youth ministry can’t – and shouldn’t – compete in ranking of important activities. Youth ministry should not be just another thing (like baseball, violin, debate club, etc). Instead, we should turn towards story to reimagine what youth group can be for.

The lunches and lectures are free and open to all.

If you missed Bill Mathis’ lecture on Project New Generation: Creating Nurturing Community Space for Youth Engagement the lecture is now available on here.