Youth Ministry Forum

A) Youth Ministry 101
- presented by Ben Conner and Megan DeWald
Description: Somehow your love of God has led you to teenagers…God bless you! In this workshop, we will spend our time going over some foundational aspects of youth ministry like building relationships with young people, letting our faith shape our ministries, and looking for meaningful ways to invite young people into this life of faith.

B) When God Feels Dead: Youth Ministry in the Midst of Hopelessness
- presented by Kermit Moss
Description: Some of our youth are overcome with pessimism, so how do we help young people define meaning in a world of chaos? Kermit will illuminate the reality in which our youth are living as well as effective responses to their pain.

C) Helping Youth “Fit In”
- presented by Melody Ott
Description: Labels are all the rage right now, but is that a good thing? Together we will explore how teens are using labels to fit in with peers and how we can nurture a positive sense of self during this uncertain phase of life.

D) Small Groups & Youth Ministry
- presented by Karina Aragon-Buchanan
Description: Together we will explore a few best practices on how to lead small groups and to make the most of those experiences together. Small groups can be an amazing way to build community, grow together, and establish an amazing foundation of relationships with the young people we love.

E) Creativity and Faith Formation
- Katie Douglass
Description: The arts are not only enjoyable, but can be powerful ways to form Christian identity. In this workshop, Katie Douglass will share findings from her research on young adult faith and the role that the arts play to open them up to God, express their faith, and connect with one another.

F) The Bible and Imagination
- presented by Eric Barreto
Description: This workshop invites those who teach young people to ponder how we might nurture a biblical imagination. That is, how might we teach the Bible in a way that moves beyond content memorization or moralizing scriptural citation to an appreciation and even love of the creative reading and interpreting the Bible demands? Moreover, the workshop will stress the importance of biblical interpretation as a communal activity, a communal discernment of God’s voice.

G) Labyrinth – Walking the Spiritual Path
- presented by Marc Craddock
Description: We will briefly explore the historical and Christian roots of the labyrinth. Instruction will be provided on walking a labyrinth as a spiritual practice. Participants will practice a labyrinth walk. Group discussion will follow the instruction and practice period.

A) Difficult Conversations: Race, Sexuality, and Disability
- with Kermit Moss, Megan DeWald, Ben Conner, hosted by Justin Forbes
Description: With a panel of youth ministry experts, we will explore these difficult topics of conversation and how we might better love and serve the young people that God has placed in our paths.

B) Extending Your Reach into the Community
- Tameka Richardson
Description: Big changes don't happen when we work alone. In this workshop, we will cover how to extend your network in order to develop and create sustainable change in your community.

C) From Service Hours to Foot Washers
- presented by Mike Buckler
Description: We all know those students whose parents brought them to youth group because they "just need service hours." This workshop will explore strategies to engage, evangelize, and disciple them (and all teens!) so as to speak to their innate desire for justice and call them into a deeper relationship with the Lord through Christian service.

D) Party with a Purpose
- presented by Mike Mather
Description: Parties are where people exchange capital and fall in love with one another. Parties are where Jesus spent a lot of time. We’ll spend time in the workshop talking about how celebration might be one way to think about youth ministry and how we can pay attention, invest in, connect, and celebrate the young people we so dearly love. What if parties were another way to reimagine discipleship?

E) Small Groups & Youth Ministry
- presented by Karina Aragon-Buchanan
Description: Together we will explore a few best practices on how to lead small groups and to make the most of those experiences together. Small groups can be an amazing way to build community, grow together, and establish an amazing foundation of relationships with the young people we love.

F) Caring for Self While Caring for Others
- presented by Melody Ott
Description: Ministry is often emotionally and physically demanding. Jesus knew this and encouraged his disciples to practice self-care throughout scripture. Burnout, especially now, seems to be on the rise. Discover practical ways to find balance and maintain your joy.

G) Meditation as a Spiritual Practice
- presented by Marc Craddock
Description: We will briefly explore the historical and Christian roots of meditative practice. Instruction will be provided on meditation techniques. Participants will be guided in several practices. Group discussion will follow the instruction and practice period.

Registration, Worship and Keynote
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Continental Breakfast, Rolling Check-In
8:00am - 8:30am

Worship and Large Group Session
8:30am - 10:00am

Coffee Break
10:00 - 10:30am

Workshops
10:30am - 11:45am

Lunch
11:45am - 1:15pm

Workshops
1:15pm - 2:30pm

Afternoon Coffee
2:30pm - 2:45pm

Worship and Keynote
2:45pm - 4:00pm