2. Part Two

8. Purpose: Our desire is for shared dialogue between ministers and parents as we explore together matters related to the larger Christian CULTURE, our particular CONTEXT within this framework, and our intentional, specific COMMITMENTS toward a healthy and fruitful Student Ministry here at West Houston.

9. October 5 - Gathering One: CULTURE. “Getting a Feel for the (Spiritual) Neighborhood.” November 2 - Gathering Two: CONTEXT. “Comparing Model Homes.” December 7 - Gathering Three: COMMITMENTS. “Creating a Blueprint of Our Own.”

10. 1.The Drop-out Statistic “Where are our students?” 2.Systemic Abandonment “How are our students?” 3.Moralistic Therapeutic Deism “What are our students?” Notes from Gathering One Culture: Contemporary Issues Re-visited

12. ExploreExperimentEvaluateEmbraceEvolve 1. Explore ideas and possibilities 2. Experiment with methods and models 3. Evaluate alternatives 4. Embrace the best option 5. Evolve into something better

13. Discussion 2

14. 1.What is youth ministry? 2.What should be the over-arching goals of a healthy youth ministry program?

15. Ministry Models: Student Focused

16. 1.What do you consider to be the STRENGHTS of each model below? 2.What do you see as the WEAKNESS of each approach?

17. Ministry Models: Family Focused

18. 1.What do you consider to be the STRENGHTS of each model below? 2.What do you see as the WEAKNESS of each approach?

19. Ministry Models: Home & Church Focused

20. 1.What do you consider to be the STRENGHTS of the model below? 2.What do you see as the WEAKNESS of this approach? Faith at Home Emerging effort to nurture faith at home, with the support and assistance of the church in a complimentary role. Churches provide training and resources to equip families who teach and lead at home; churches provide assistance and develop programming to strengthen the “lessons” taught by way of the nuclear family.

21. So, what is the answer? Is there a perfect model for our ministry? Is there a preferred model for our ministry? Are you really tired and starting to get cranky?

22. December 7 - Gathering Three: COMMITMENTS. “Creating a Blueprint of Our Own.” Self-assessment of our particular context at West Houston. Assess data, define purpose and direction for our Student Ministry, articulate initial steps forward. ( “What is the BEST option for us at WHCC; what might that look like?” )