ST. LOUIS (ELCA) -- Youth workers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), committed to strengthening the Christian faith lives of young people and their families, gathered here for the fourth annual "Youth Extravaganza 2000" Feb. 4-7.
The extravaganza is an annual training event sponsored by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network -- an organization of 1,500 youth ministry professionals from ELCA congregations and other expressions of the church that provide leadership in youth ministry.
"The training helped participants increase their capacity for effective leadership in youth ministries," said the Rev. Nathan C. Frambach, associate director for youth ministries and leadership, ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries. Frambach is a member of the Youth Ministry Network.
More than 30 workshops were featured at the Extravaganza. Topics ranged from global mission opportunities for young people to developing family faith rituals. About 650 youth workers participated in keynote presentations, worship and workshops.
"The importance of a teacher is the ability to recognize a special element in a child. Pay attention to what is important to them," said Lorraine Monroe, executive director and founder of the School Leadership Academy at the Center for Educational Innovation, New York, a keynote presenter.
"Youth workers do the plan but God does the work. This event provides the opportunity for you to assess who you are. Ask yourself, 'what is my work and why do I do it?" Monroe told youth workers.
"Everything you say can either uplift or bring down a child. After being with you are children wiser, freer and more autonomous? Are youth any different after being with you? Youth workers should be the way, not get in the way. Take away obstacles that do not permit youth to grow. A child can survive almost anything, as long as there is someone waiting for them," Monroe said.
Leonard Sweet, dean of the theological school at Drew University, Madison, N.J., led a keynote presentation. "You and I are living in a time where the change in technology will have a bigger worldwide impact than fire and the wheel combined," he said. Sweet said if youth workers want to reach people [under 30 years of age], "you've got to begin where Jesus began -- with images."
"We need to refer to Jesus' method of communication, which was storytelling and images. Images have more power than words," Sweet said. "The Christian faith is built on an image -- Jesus Christ, the very image of God. In this society we have material fullness, spiritual emptiness. If God so loved the world, why can't the church?"
Other keynote speakers included the Rev. Pamela R. Fickenscher, pastor of The Spirit Garage, Minneapolis, an ELCA congregation of people between the ages of 20 and 35, and the Rev. David R. Ellingson, ELCA congregational ministry coordinator, Seattle. Frambach preached the sermon at closing worship.
"A family faith ritual is a repeated activity that gives meaning and shares values from one generation to another," said Ellingson in a workshop. "Rituals develop over time, but often are not taught. Rituals contain symbols and images," he said.
The Rev. Jane Prestbye, Kent Lutheran Church, Kent, Wash., led Bible study. The Rev. Roland D. Martinson, a professor of pastoral care at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., led "Breakfast Round Table" discussions.
The Extravaganza featured music from Ken Medema, Celia Whitler, Jonathan Rundman, the Peter Eide Band, Buck, The Pool Boys and Removed.
The ELCA Youth Ministry Network is governed by a board of directors, which met after the Extravaganza Feb. 7. At the meeting Todd Buegler, youth director at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, Minn., was elected president of the network. He succeeds the Rev. Tom Hunstad, Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, Minn.
"Youth ministry is a grand profession inspired by God," Hunstad told participants at the Extravaganza. "Ask not what this network can do for you, but what you can do for your network."
Hunstad said the future of the network will rely on "elegant alignment, positive networking, solid leadership and spiritual support." He said the mission of the network is to "strengthen and empower" youth ministry leaders in "service to Christ." Youth ministry leaders, volunteer and paid, are supported, encouraged and trained by the church, he said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
