Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
From the Desk…
Events
News & Resources
Connecting Leaders – Zoom Meetings
Contact Deacon Deborah Poole for the Zoom link via email at deborah@scsynod.com.
OUR CORE VALUES
How We Believe God Would Have Us Accomplish the Mission And Vision
Leadership Development
- Form youth to be leaders.
- Plan and implement leadership training for youth.
Faith Formation
- Plan and implement events and programs intended to lead children, youth and their families closer to Christ and toward a life of discipleship.
Equip Adult Leaders
- Encourage and support youth leaders through events where leaders can share experiences, successes and resources.
Support
- Develop and maintain communication to inform youth and youth leaders about upcoming events, using email, social media, monthly newsletter.
- Provide publicity for events in a timely manner.
mission statement
What We Believe God Has Called Us To Do
We believe God has called us, in partnership with parents and adult leaders, to cultivate faith formation, leadership development, fellowship and service by, with, and for ELCA children and youth and communities.
Vision Statement
What We Hope God Will Do Through Us
Our vision is for all youth and children in SC to experience God’s love and grace.
From the Desk of Deborah Poole
What is Youth Ministry?
WHAT IS YOUTH MINISTRY?
This is the proverbial question. For many of us involved in day-to-day ministry, we might answer with comments like, Sunday (or Wednesday) night programming, relationships,” or discipleship, but these answers tend to skip important elements for a healthy and effective youth ministry.
Sometimes the urgency of the job can cause us to take our focus off our goal. Or the pressure to have fun can drive us to fill our time with games rather than time for relationship building and Bible study.
So, here’s a brief look at my opinion on what a healthy ministry looks like.
Meaningful Relationships
Youth ministry exists to establish meaningful relationships between adults and youth for the purpose of helping them grow in their relationship with God.
The recent research shows that young people continue to walk away from the church and their faith after high school. But studies also suggest that youth who have multiple adults intentionally investing in their lives are more likely to stay connected to the church and flourish in their faith, even after graduation.
Youth want to learn from people who care about them. When youth ministry creates opportunities for students to step into meaningful relationships with adults, this lays a foundation for discipleship.
Intentional Programming
Youth ministry is about so much more than entertainment. It exists to create opportunities for youth to grow closer to Jesus. There are several ways youth ministry can be designed – to help students grow in faith, to equip students to use their gifts in the church and in the world, to care and love our neighbors, etc.
Intentionality is the key. It is what transforms “hangout time” into “ministry time.” Youth ministries that are truly intentional can tie any event or activity back to the overall mission of the ministry.
Discipleship
I think many of you would agree that the purpose of youth ministry is discipleship. Through relationships we make disciples who, in turn, build relationships and make more disciples.
I’ve heard many leaders say that they have very few youth or none at all. Remember: transformation is way more important than attendance numbers. And having more adult volunteers who are focused on building relationships with youth for the purpose of discipleship is way more important than having adult volunteers who are helping with logistics.
Partnering with Parents
Youth ministry isn’t just about youth; it’s also about partnering with parents. Parents are the primary faith influencers as described in Deuteronomy 6.
Ministering to parents is just as important as ministering to young people. It allows us to equip them in their role as teachers and models of a Christ-centered life.
Leadership
Youth ministry must be by, for, and with youth. When youth see themselves as participants, they will pick and choose what they like at church. But when they see themselves as leaders, they will invest in the ministry of the church.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to hand off the controls of leadership to those on the path behind us. Considering this, youth leadership development is not only a good idea, but also necessary for building God’s Kingdom.
Research shows that 40% of youth should be serving in the church and 20% in a leadership role.
While each of our contexts and churches are different, we do share many aspects of our ministry that are the same. It’s important that we regularly examine what we do. My goal with this article is not to convince you that what you’re doing is wrong, but to offer encouragement and support. So many pressures push us off course, and sometimes, we just need a little reminder of why we do what we do.
Youth Resources
Faith Lens – Faith Lens » Blog Archive – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Ministry to Youth – Youth Group Lessons – Free | Youth Bible Lessons – Free
Youth ESource – Home – youthESource
YM360 – YM360 | Youth Ministry 360
If you have other resources that you love, please share!
And shine wherever you are!
Deacon Deborah
Organizational structure
newsletters
Resources& Links
ELCA Faith Formation
Growing Young Assessment
Living Our Baptism
Implementing the ELCA Faith Practices in your Ministry Setting
Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When employees and volunteers are trained to identify potential abusers, recognize the signs of abuse, and know how to handle reporting, they are better equipped to prevent abuse.
EVENTS
4th Thursdays
@ 7:00 p.m.
Connecting Leaders – Zoom Meetings
Contact Deacon Deborah Poole for the Zoom link via email at deborah@scsynod.com.
Oct. 12, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Youth Leaders Training
All Leaders invited; Mandatory for adults working at Synod Events
Nov. 16, 2024
Lutheran Youth Day at Newberry College
Love in Action Weekend
If you can’t join us for service and football, do something for others in your congregation and community.
Dec. 7, 2024
SC Lutheran Kids
Children in Elementary School will come together for learning and fun!
Jan. 2025
Love in Action Weekend (By Conference)
Join your conference for a special accompaniment project
Jan. 24-26, 2025
Middle School Retreat at Camp Kinard
Something special for those in Grades 6-8
Feb. 7-9, 2025
Elementary School Retreat at Camp Kinard
Just for those in Grades 1-5
Apr. 6, 2025
Love in Action Weekend (By Area)
Join your area for a special accompaniment project
May 9-11, 2025
High School Retreat at Coastal Retreat Center
Time away for those in Grades 9-12
SC Lutheran Youth Summit
Worship! Workshops! Connections!
Jun. 28 – Jul. 4, 2025
Camp Hugg
Jul. 7-11, 2025
GraceWorks
Get In Touch
This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Contact Information
ELCA South Carolina Synod
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone 803-765-0590
Fax 803-252-5558
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James R. Crumley, Jr., Archives (ELCA Archives)
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
NovusWay (Lutheridge+Lutherock+Luther Springs+Lutheranch)
South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth
South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission