British  Columbia

Teens these days are hyper-busy and over-scheduled.

 In school, they are competing for scholarships, participating in athletics, performing in fine arts and participating in clubs.  

Outside of school, they are working, volunteering and playing on sports teams.  And that’s the active stuff!

 Throw in the inactive things like Xbox, Wii, PS3, Facebook, TV and iPods – and we are certainly competing for their time and attention.

But there are still opportunities for relational ministry. Despite all the aforementioned distractions, sometimes young people find themselves just hanging around, looking for something to do.

Times like that can be a perfect chance to hang out with them on their turf. Grab another youth leader and take a few teens out for ice cream. Play some volleyball. Pray in a park. Do what you need to do to build healthy relationships with the young people. Chances are, they’ll be the first ones at your church door when your youth events happen.

Youth ministry is about people, not programs. We need to be interested in their souls, and not just their attendance. Spending time with our young people will show just how much we love them and care about them.

Clayton Imoo is director of the Youth Ministry Office for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver.  claytonimoo.com

Alberta

Social justice goes far beyond the boundaries of ‘random acts of kindness’ – and I see the church opening its doors once again to social concerns.

In the past, it may have been enough to ‘do something nice’ for someone, and feel like it made a difference.

However I see a strong shift happening – from  ‘random acting’ to cultivating a lifestyle of intentional acts.

The postmodern generation is looking for something to meet their emotional needs. They are more concerned with ‘does it really work’ than ‘why is it true.’

I see the church reaching into the community – meeting needs, loving people. Even if it feels new and uncomfortable, even at the risk of breaking tradition, it means really connecting with the people.

The youth culture today is desperate to become part of a cause, part of the bigger picture. I’ve seen groups of Jesus’ followers take the concept of generosity to outer Africa – and then back into their local schools, to motivate and create change. This has recently been documented in a Social Studies 30

This past spring, YC Alberta was held in Edmonton – and 18,000 youth and young adults attended, under the theme ‘Passion.’ This is the kind of passion which extends your faith in Jesus into your life. This passion will touch people around you – people who don’t go to church; people who are hurting.

This passion is inspiring and fresh. It’s a lifestyle which makes you want to really live.

Katie Smith is youth director at The Dream Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Manitoba

It’s that time of year again, when youth ministries prepare their fall programs.

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Here in Manitoba, two new and exciting opportunities for training being offered.  

The Urban Youth Institute is a training weekend offered in Winnipeg October 24 – 26.

Mike Yankoski will speak to the critical issue of how we live our love for our neighbour. text book for the public school system.

Our workshop leaders will present their topics with the intent of asking – and answering – important questions, related to how the local church can address specific concerns.

Everyday, as followers of Christ, we hear about issues which call us to rise to new challenges. We invite you, your youth, your leadership, volunteers and everyone in your congregation to attend the Urban Youth Institute.

The other exciting opportunity is the Manitoba Youth Ministry Conference. Canadian Youth Worker is offering their new regional conference, focused on helping youth workers equip their volunteers for ministry.

You will experience a significant challenge from Dave Overholt, the keynote speaker. Dave will stretch your thinking regarding reaching and retaining youth once they reach young adulthood; this is a key issue of concern which was identified in previous forums. Dave is an incredible communicator, who knows the Canadian ministry scene well.

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy dynamic worship led by Joe Kendrick. There will also be a number of practical workshops to help you refine the tools you need for ministry in your context.

These are resources which are much-needed in our area, and there is much enthusiasm from local youth workers to see them succeed.

Rob Haslam is a youth pastor in southern Manitoba.

Ontario

It is impossible to give a blanket statement about what is stirring in the youth of our province; our demographic is wide, we are vastly multicultural, and we have a huge geographical / population imbalance.

But there are always incredibly exciting things happening in the emerging generation – because God is an exciting God!  

I personally see something really exciting in every high school we visit, every church we partner with and every student whom we have the honour of encountering: it is the deep and driving need to make their lives count. It is ultimately the quest for purpose and eternal significance.

Every September, many unsung heroes enter their mission field as they head back to their campuses. Later this year, there will be national events in our province for youth and youth workers: Change Conference (October 16 – 17); and CYWC (December 4 – 7).

These activities indicate that the breath of God rests on this generation – and that it is poised to leave a mark on history.

It is a mark which says: “I matter – my choices, my voice, my passion, my focus, my life. I am the change.”

A great paradox happens in this province from day to day: Our streets sometimes ring with violence and hatred; yet in the unseen places of the hearts and minds of our youth, change and hope continue to grow.

Christal Earle is co-founder of Absolute Leadership Development, based in Hamilton, Ontario. absolute.org

Options Fall 2008