1. ANGLICAN Youth ministry strategy
Jonathan Kemp, YCF / MEC / ADB

2. Step in, Step Out
Are we awake?

3. What if….

4. What if you could only become a Christian before the age of twenty?

7. "The risks facing contemporary teenagers bear solemn testimony to the church's ineffectiveness at addressing adolescence. Youth look to the church to show them something -- someone -- capable of turning their lives inside out and the world upside down. Most of the time we have offered them...pizza.” 
Kenda Creasy Dean
Professor of Youth, Church and Culture
Princeton Theological Seminary

8. What do you want young people who “graduate” from your church to
be able to do?
to know?
to be ?

10. Current thinking about Youth Ministry
1. Let’s not have ‘youth ministry’ at all!
Perception that YM has ‘failed’
So we should focus on Inter-generational activities
Avoid youth groups becoming separated (or even ‘tumours’ on the Body).
OT has no distinction between old and young, so why should we, etc.
How does this sound?

11. Current thinking about #uthmin
2. Youth ministry continues to need a separate and intentional focus.
Gospel is for everyone, including the young.
We need to offer something better than the worldly message of materialism etc.
The Church needs a future.
The Church needs a present: youth can be assets, including as leaders.
‘Youth congregations’ anecdotally lead to growth
Responses?

12. Is there a middle road? PINS model: Participation: involved? Visible?
Integration: intergenerational? Not always separate?
Normative activities: is this Anglican? Is this Christian? Are youth learning what they need to learn? Range/balance/variety?
Sensitivity: age-appropriate? Allowing space and time for youth to do their own thing?

13. Two major themes in YM:
1. Evangelism: reaching out and attracting unchurched or lapsed members; making new Christians...
2. Discipleship: training / educating / building up those who are already believers.

14. Discipleship
Focus upon the young people you already have, not those you don’t have.
Adopt a building block model, not a funnel.

15. Outcomes for today Starting from scratch The importance of vision
The three circles (or levels) approach
How to set achievable goals
Resources to make it all happen.

16. Ministry vision A vision is a picture of your ministry in the future.
It answers the question, “Where do we want to go?”
It should articulate your dreams and hopes for the ministry, and remind you what you are trying to build.
“Be faithful, not flashy.”

17. Examples
That YCF Ministry will become a strategic priority in every Parish in every Region and at Diocesan level;
That every Parish will have the knowledge, skills and resources it needs to shape the YCF Ministry it seeks, including Religious Education and Chaplaincy in local schools;
That our YCF Ministry will lead to growth in the faith, service, generosity and number of Anglicans in Southern Queensland and beyond.
Parish YG:
“To see God transform our community by empowering youth to be active disciples in the body of Christ.”

18. Ministry vision What’s important? Simple language Concrete outcomes
Room for creativity
Inspires involvement

19. Potential pitfalls
1. Babysitting focus: ‘it doesn’t matter what we offer, as long as we’re ticking the YM box.’
2. Program focus: ‘we need to be bigger and better than those Baptists’.
3. Method focus: ‘this method worked for me, so it will work for youth today too.’

20. Vision
Spend a few minutes thinking about what you want your youth ministry to look like in three years’ time.
What will your leadership team be like?
What influence do you want your ministry to have – on young people, on your Church, on your wider community?
What will success look like?

21. We aim to produce young people who are:

22. Passionately Christian Biblically literate
Theologically and morally reflective
Equipped for ministry
Mission and Evangelism focussed
Practising the disciplines of the Christian life

23. Passionately Christian

24. Biblically literate .

25. Theologically and morally reflective

26. Equipped for ministry

27. Mission and Evangelism focussed

28. Practising the disciplines of the Christian life

29. A Process for Implementing Vision in YCF Ministry
What is our vision?
What do the elements of it
look like at each age?
What program or setting might be used?

32. Starting off... Listen to God
Listen to your community (needs/wants of youth)
Think about the Team needed.

33. Volunteers 1. Request from youth for help
2. Approach people one-on-one (open-ended but tangible and manageable)
3. If interested, address the specifics (including Blue cards/SMCs etc)
4. Invest time in them (socially / training etc)

34. Developing young leaders
“Every young person has the potential to lead and should be given the opportunity to do so.”
Create opportunities.
Always aiming for the next level when they’re ready.

35. Three level strategy (Ross Farley)
Level 1: contact
Level 2: evangelise
Level 3: teach

36. Level 1: Contact
Purpose: to introduce new people to the youth group in a non-threatening environment. It’s an opportunity for non-Christians to discover that Christians have fun and care about other people.
It’s not just about lots of people coming, but about making new friendships and consolidating old ones (i.e. Relationships).

37. Level 2: Evangelise Purpose: to share the Gospel
Could be a fun program with a significant (say 15 min) evangelistic input included. This element is consistent with the theme of the event, not just tacked on.
No pressure, just consistent Gospel presentation.
Level 2 events are promoted to people who came to Level 1.

38. Level 3: Teach
Purpose: to disciple young people through teaching, Bible study and prayer.
This is the core group of our ministry.
This is where we equip young people to minister to their peers and disciple them.
Level 3 events are promoted to people who attended levels 1 and 2.

39. Example time Let’s compile activities you could offer for each Level.
What specific resources could we draw upon?

40. Level 3 - the Core
The success of the whole strategy depends on the quality of the core.
The core needs to be a part of every circle.
Remember: Building blocks, not funnels.
Belong  Behave  Believe.

41. Reflect on your current offerings
What Level are the events you facilitate?
Is there a ‘safe’ path for new people to enter your ministry?
Do you go ‘deep’ enough for the people who need that?
Do we see: the Bible? Empowerment? Informal education (opportunities to learn and grow)? Equality of opportunity?
What might a term program look like, using these three levels?
Which level/s should we see most?

42. New models of YM Church-based youth group
Open neighbourhood youth club (e.g. PCYC)
Youth congregation (pros and cons)
Uniformed group (e.g. GFS / Boys Brigade)
Cell groups
School-based
Detached missions (‘Fresh expressions’)

43. Setting SMART Goals Specific – who, what, where?
Measurable – can it be measured?
Achievable – skills, abilities, $$
Realistic – willing and able to achieve it
Time specific – or there’s no sense of urgency!
Don’t forget regular review and evaluation.

44. Let’s set some goals... Write down 1 SMART goal for two areas:
Your youth ministry leadership team
A specific event

45. What if we’re working with a small youth group?
Remember what you are there for:
Relationships
Relevance
Real life
Renewing hope
(Av. Church size in the US is now 78 people, with about 10% being youth...)

46. Focus on Building strong relationships (time: quality and quantity)
The young people you have, not those you don’t.
“Be Faithful, not Flashy.”

47. Program for: A small group (if that’s what you have).
Depth over breadth. If fewer activities, make them impactful and memorable. Choose resources which will allow you to get to know each other really well.
Starting social. Have a fun planning meeting to make the term engaging.

48. Typical YG program (Level 2)
Intro
Icebreaker game
Worship time
Game or activity
Teaching input
Small group Bible study / discussion
Prayer / reflection
Recap

50. Sound YG Term Program
(on your desktop...)

51. Venue
Do you have a dedicated space?
Does it do what you want it to?

52. Find: Opportunities to connect with larger events
(Don’t be afraid of losing kids to ‘the opposition’.)

53. Engage in: Life-changing activities together.
Be proud of who you are and what you do.
Remember that you are not alone!

54. Prezi on YM (Chris R)
F:\2013 YCF Min Training\copy-of-3-steps-to- great-youth-ministry-xmy3ecf4dwq0\copy-of-3- steps-to-great-youth-ministry-xmy3ecf4dwq0- 300_204412_848876

55. Resources Money? GFS grants are available
Program ideas?  Recommended Resources
(Don’t forget Diocesan policies etc – safety first.)
Help and encouragement?

56. Our Vision
That YCF Ministry will become a strategic priority in every parish in every region and at Diocesan level;
That every parish will have the knowledge, skills and resources it needs to shape the YCF Ministry it seeks, including RE and Chaplaincy in local schools.
That our YCF Ministry will lead to growth in the faith, service, generosity and number of Anglicans in southern Queensland and beyond.

57. Our Role
We aim to assist the parishes and agencies of the Church to evangelise and disciple people, from birth to young adulthood, in order to develop their maturity as Christians within the Anglican tradition.

58. YCF Staff Ministry Education Commission YCF team:
Mr Jonathan Kemp (Director, YCF Ministry) FT
Mr Jonathan Sargeant (RE, Chaplaincy) FT
Ms Fiona Hammond (Special Projects / Education) 0.4
Mr Nathan Haywood (Dio. Camps Coordinator) 0.2

59. YCF Strategy Events Camps Partnerships Communication
Training, Resourcing
& Formation
Aligns with Diocesan and MEC strategies

60. Strategy: Events November 2012: Saturation Day, Wet’N’Wild Water Park
(c. 100 attendees)
To be held again at
Wet’N’Wild on
Saturday 9 Nov 2013.
Open to YGs, kids,
camp reunions,
Anglican schools, etc.

61. Strategy: Events
nights – Wynnum, Bardon, Hendra- Clayfield...

62. Strategy: Camps (New) Primary Ichthus (Jan.2013; Jan 2014)
29 campers, 15 leaders

63. Strategy: Camps Emmaus retreat (March 2013) Young adults
22 campers, 15 leaders
(up 400%)
Overseen by “Emmaus
Executive” (meets
monthly)
Emmaus groups now
meeting regionally

64. Strategy: Camps Junior Ichthus (September 2013) Near Springbrook
52 campers / 15 leaders
in 2012.
Brilliant evaluations!

65. Strategy: Camps Senior Ichthus 30 June – 6 July
28 campers / 15 leaders
Near Peregian Springs
Overseen by “Ichthus Management Group” which meets monthly.

66. Strategy: Partnerships and Projects
JK Committees:
QCMN (ecumenical / SU)
MC&F Reference group
Connect 2 Church
E-Lent / Word Up project
Vocations Task-group
ALEC (ASC)
JS Committees:
RENEW (Chair)
QCT RE&Chap Commission
ASRED (ASC)
REAC (Qld govt)
We are working with or have worked with:
Anglicare
UCA / LYQ / RC
ASC
ABM et al...

67. PARTNERSHIPS: GFS GFS Grants:
Up to $500 per parish per year for a group.
Up to $2000 per parish per year for a special, one-off project.
Forms are available on- line at aycf.org.au
Leader needs to join GFS ($25/yr)

68. PARTNERSHIPS: GFS
In return, we support GFS Cathedral day (kids’ activities etc. on Thursday 3 October)
AYCFAB supports GFS/Kidsplus+ groups as the preferred kids’ club model in parishes.
Fiona and I presented at the GFS leaders weekend at Bribie on 25 May.
We will also explore other forms of support.

69. PARTNERSHIPS: ANGLICARE
Developing social service projects and options to suit a range of ages
(See our website:
Roma and Chinchilla trip (April 2013).

70. PARTNERSHIPS: ANGLIGREEN
Parish / Community Garden projects
Bushcare / bushwalking...
Angligreen.org.au

71. PARTNERSHIPS: ABM 2014 Youth Pilgrimages (Vanuatu, PNG)
Youth Ambassadors to Parishes
2014 Schoolies Week options
Other pilgrimage options for older youth.

72. Strategy: Communication
New website:
Events calendar (two-way communication)
Downloadable resources for every kind of YCF group
YCF group directory
Picture Galleries
Camp rego forms
Blogs and blog roll
Contact details
And more...

73. Strategy: Communication
Social Media:
Facebook Page: c.247 Likes

74. Strategy: Communication
Focus
Wednesday Weekly
Regular newsletters to
Parishes and contacts
(providing links to our
Website).

75. Strategy: Training, Resourcing and Formation
Visit parishes, schools and agencies for preaching / consulting / problem-solving...
On topics including:
Youth Ministry
Children’s Ministry
(inc. Messy Church)
Families Ministry
Employing YCF Ministers
Social media/networking
(new Social Media Policy)

76. Strategy: Training, Resourcing & Formation
Bring It! A regular bi-monthly meeting for youth ministers and leaders of youth groups in the Diocese, with guest speakers, free pizza, etc.

77. Strategy: Training, Resourcing and Formation
We encourage parishes to employ a YCF minister (FT/PT) and we advise on all steps of the process, in liaison with Diocesan HR.
JK currently working on new Parish Regulation for YCF Minister Appt Process.
We are seeking to create new formal pathways for the Formation of YCF Ministers.

78. Summing up: MEC’s 2013 YCF Ministry
Events
Camps / Conferences
Partner-ships
Communi-cation
Resources, Training and Formation
RISE day
Primary Ichthus
GFS grants
Aycf.org.au updates
Parish workshops
Bring it! meetings
Junior Ichthus
ASC seminars
Facebook Page
On-call consultancy to all
Saturation day
Senior Ichthus
QCMN
Focus content
Grad clergy training
GFS kids’ events
Emmaus
Other committees
Wed Weekly updates
YCF Minister pastoral care and advice
Messy Church
ASSN
YCF newsletters
Regional visits

79. Growth Strategy: Events
Youth form of ‘Bible 360’ (proposed)
Encourage more parishes to try “Messy Church”
“Reverb” project for Dec/Jan.

80. Growth Strategy: Training, Resourcing and Formation
Within parishes, focus on Transition periods for young people:
Primary School  High school
High school  Uni/work
“Apprentices Guild” for upper primary, to follow Sunday school and retain this age group (cf. QCMN “Here2Stay” project)

81. In the meantime... www.AYCF.org.au (+ blogs)
Communication:
Read Focus (new look, new role)
Subscribe to Wednesday Weekly (
Ensure we have at least one set of “YCF Contact” details from your parish.

82. “Off-line resources”
Join the Roscoe Library here at St Francis’ College, Milton
Free membership for Brisbane Anglicans
Thousands of books, DVDs and materials
Picture books, Messy Church books, “young-people friendly” worship instruction books.
NOOMA DVDs and study resources
Catalogue is open on-line at

83. Use your Human Resources
Invite us to come to you!
(Preaching / speaking / training / consulting / problem-solving /...)
Youth Ministry
Children’s Ministry
Families Ministry
Employing YCF Ministers / workers
Social media/networking (new Social Media Policy)

84. Sticky Faith (Fuller Institute, US)
Stickyfaith.org

85. TheSource4YM.com

86. Where will Growth come from, if not from Youth, Children and Families?

87. Jonathan Kemp www.AYCF.org.au www.facebook.com/brisangyouth
(07) /
(MEC, Anglican Diocese of Brisbane)