Category: Practical Advice

As Christian communities we do not need to be fearful of our young people learning about other world religions. Given the multicultural landscape our young people are growing up in, it is in fact helpful for our young people’s Christian faith to learn about their neighbours.

“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15

Here are a few different options for you.

Curriculum

Christian Studies World Religions

Written by Dr Jennifer Macleod of McGlashan College, Dunedin. This curriculum is NCEA Achievement Standard: Religious studies 2.4. It explores what religion is and differing perspectives on it. It also covers the major world religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

World Religions

Loving Our Muslim Neighbours

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota have put together a great little resource to help learn the basic tenets of Islam

Youth Curriculum

Self Learning Resources

BBC World Religions

This is a good website for finding out about each religion ­ it is not overly detailed, so it is a good place to start!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/

And it includes a really interesting Open Letter and Call from Muslim Religious Leaders

Religion Facts

This is another good introductory website.

http://www.religionfacts.com/

CrashCourse Youtube Channel

John Green has a series of great educational videos, including some religious understanding in the World History Section.

• Christianity
• Islam
• Buddhism

Communicating regularly with parents is vital. Parents can be great advocates for your ministry in the church and in the wider community when they are on board. Here are some recommendations from our Engaging with Parents Policy:

1. Create a brochure/Facebook page or website that clearly communicates:
   • The aims and values of your youth ministry
   • How parents can get in touch with you
   • Information on specific dates and times venues and activities that are on offer (see example)
2. Contact parents whenever you are doing something new outside of the normal interaction that you have with them.
3. If you drop off or pick up a student from their home take 2 or 3 minutes to check in with the parents.
4. When young people are being picked up or dropped off at your venue ensure you have some key leaders in the car park who will introduce themselves to parents and give any helpful information necessary.
5. Try and keep in contact with parents with a phone call at least once a term.

DEFINITION:

An intergenerational youth ministry is one in which a variety of generations are engaged in the process of modelling and communicating faith to the young people.

ITS VALUE:

1. Exposure to mature and tested faith leads towards mature and tested faith.

2. A sense of community and belonging within the wider church develops.

3. Generational support exists for teens and their families.

4. Opportunities to serve outside of the youth ministry.

INTERGENERATIONAL IDEAS

1. Events

 Hold combined social events involving youth and older generations.

 Create activities, programmes and worship services where generations can discuss and experience life and faith together.

2. Involvement

 Look for ways to involve young people in the wider ministries of the church alongside adults.

 Look for ways to involve older generations in the youth ministry.

• Mentors to individual young people and/or small groups.
• Praying “grandparents” for small groups or individuals.
• Assistance with tasks: suppers, transport, security.

STEPS TOWARD INTERGENERATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY

1. Talk up its value by promoting it to young people, older people and church leaders.

2. Request that your minister promote intergenerational youth ministry to the wider church.

3. Research ideas and suggestions for intergenerational activities and involvement.

3. Start small – hold a combined activity or involve just one older person in leading.

4. Tell stories – pass on positive comments and talk up your “successes”.

5. Make “intergenerational” a philosophy and a value, not just a programme.

USEFUL LINKS

 To read: http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/articles/intergenerational-ministry-beyond-the-rhetoric?/2011/04/intergenerational-ministry-beyond-the-rhetoric/

 To watch: http://youthspecialties.com/blog/ys-idea-lab-intergenerational-youth-ministry/

 To get ideas: https://oneneighbourhood.org/2015/03/19/25-bridge-intergenerational-gaps/

CONTACT

Article by Murray Brown. To discuss or to arrange a seminar contact murray@pym.org.nz or 0278415321

or contact your regional youth enabler.

When musicians ‘jam’ they play a song over and over ‘til it’s in the groove, thus the title of this approach to getting into a Bible passage.

Start in whichever way seems normal (first round is the most familiar to many) and use at least 4 of the suggestions below.

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What PowToon says about themselves

Make Youth Ministry fun by bringing “Awesomeness” into the church. Create animated videos and presentations as easy as PowerPoint to help you inspire, engage and present with a WOW.

PowToon is BETTER THAN VIDEO!

Engage, explain and and sell with impact using just a short, simple PowToon. They’re proven to be more effective than any other form of video or text communications to grab attention in the workplace.

Professional looking results in just 20 minutes

Use our done for you, ready-made templates to create a high quality PowToon, fast. Our “drag and drop” templates are designed, scripted and ready for you to use within minutes.

Get all the help you need

Absolutely, PowToon is as familiar to you as making a quick PowerPoint. But with millions of Tribe members all over the world, we know you might want some extra support (just in case). That’s why we’re here for you, every step of the way. Sign up for an upcoming live webinar or check out our training center. Plus, we’ll send you personalized invites, so make sure to check your emails from PowToon.

My Verdict

Yes Powtoon is very good, very easy to use. Below is my first attempt, it took me a little over an hour to do. I got some top tips from their website. The best tip was to write and record the script before starting on the design work. I think this is a pretty good effort for my first attempt.

There is a free version of Powtoon, which is essential, because the paid features are insanely expensive.

I give Powtoon a two thumbs up.

Powtoon Guide

The Christian writer G. K. Chesterton had the right idea when he said we need to get in the habit of “taking things with gratitude and not taking things for granted.” Gratitude puts everything in a fresh perspective; it enables us to see the many blessings all around us. And the more ways we find to give thanks, the more things we find to be grateful for.

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Positive Youth Development (PYD) has been described as an “approach that guides communities in the way they organise programmes, people and supports so that young people can develop to their full potential “(Pittman). This Positive Youth Development in Aotearoa (PYDA) framework seeks to explore the confluence between the various approaches to PYD documented in local and international literature, with the grass roots experiences of young people and organisations in Aotearoa / New Zealand. We hope to promote fresh thinking by those working with young people and the funding providers supporting them. This includes both private and public funders of adolescent focused programmes across a range of professions (social work, youth work, education, counselling, social services, corrections, justice etc), as well as managers, programme leaders and programme designers, the adults working with young people as well as parents, communities and young people themselves.

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