Sessions
NYMC 2013 has an incredible range of Electives and Professional Development seminars for you to choose from. To be specific there are 12 different PDS and 41 different electives, so whether you are just starting out in youth ministry or consider yourself a veteran there is plenty for you to choose from!
Professional Development Seminars
PDS are longer training events, lasting 3.5 hours in total. They happen on Friday and Saturday morning, 9:00am to 12:30pm.
These highly interactive seminars are designed to have one group of people explore an issue in greater depth.
Friday 25th October : 9:00am – 12:30pm
PDS351
ROWAN LEWIS & JOEL MCKERROW
An Integrated Life: Nurturing Faith in Teens and Emerging Adults
If we are to fulfill our calling to “present everyone fully mature in Christ” (Col 1:28), then discipling young people doesn’t begin an end with educating a young person’s mind with good theology and correcting their behaviour. Spiritual formation is the ancient mystical art that seeks integration of all the elements of our lives under Christ. But how do you grow a ministry that seeks to journey alongside young people as they transition through the stages of spiritual, social, emotional, physical and sexual development? This seminar will explore this process – discipleship as holistic spiritual formation – and outline many practical steps you can take with young people.
PDS352
TIM HAWKINS
Youth Ministry Strategy
Developing a youth ministry requires strategic thinking, strategic planning and strategic leadership. Every ministry wants to produce ‘fruit that will last’, the big question is, how do we do it?
PDS353
JON OWEN & CHRIS MACCARTNEY
Real World Discipleship: Bridging the gap between church culture and a world in poverty
Nearly everybody is interested in doing something about poverty, very few are called to and even fewer are any good at it. What are some practices that can help bridge the ever-widening gap between where the church in Australia is at and where the need is.
PDS354
JONATHON VANDENBERG
Young people and the kingdom of God: Nurturing obedient rebels
This session is a wild ride exploring the enormity of the Kingdom of God, the radical adventure that it is to partake in its unfolding and the crazy life of nurturing young people as ‘Kingdom Agents’. We will explore practically and theologically, themes of Kingdom, Vocation, Following Jesus and equipping young people to embody a life and truth that exists for a purpose way beyond themselves.
PDS355
ANDY HAWTHORNE
From Dreams to Reality
It’s easy to have big visions but what are the stepping stones we need to build something significant for Christ? How to build a great team, how to multiply disciples, and generally looking at the life of Jesus – how to make a lasting mark in this generation?
PDS356
BO BOSHERS
The Be With Factor: How to build a youth ministry through mentoring
Spiritual transformation is most effective during intentional ‘Be With’ times, while mentoring students. In this training session, you will learn:
* Practical and proven skills to effectively mentor grade 8-12 students to become committed life-time Christ followers
* How to live and model a lifestyle of mentoring
* How to overcome obstacles that prevent volunteers and youth from mentoring
* How to choose students that are ready to be mentored
* How to ensure real spiritual transformation
Saturday 26th October : 9:00am – 12:30pm
PDS551
RODNEY TRINIDAD & CHAD MILLER
Tweens: engaging, equipping, and resourcing young people through pre-adolescence
Transitioning between childhood and teen-years is becoming increasingly difficult for both tweens, and for those of us that are trying to aid their transition! Often, this age group is overlooked and not thought of as a powerful force to reach their peers as they too navigate the changes and challenges of becoming a teenager. In this seminar we will explore some innovative approaches to engage tweens with the biblical principal of equipping, how to resource them to be effective in sharing Jesus ‘naturally’, and how this plays an important part in building a strong youth ministry.
PDS552
DANIELLE STRICKLAND
Mobilising Young people towards Justice
We talk about justice a lot. It’s a pretty sexy subject actually. But what does it actually take to move from talking to walking out the justice mandate? This workshop will look at a basic theological framework – cover ideas and brainstorm potential community engagement. Together we can take a page from the past, celebrate present engagement strategies and dream about the future.
PDS553
KIRRILEE SMOUT
Helping Kids and Teens through Tough Times
Understanding the common issues faced by young people, helping them talk about things that are worrying them, do’s and don’ts for working with young people in crisis, warning signs to watch for and supporting parents to support their teens.
PDS554
LINDA WHITE
Schools Ministry: Being there, bringing light, imparting life
Chaplains and Christian schools workers in Australia have been subject to severe scrutiny and significant criticism in recent times. It begs the question, ‘How should Christians be present in local schools?’ and ‘how can we develop an effective schools ministry program without being labeled a brainwashing-proselytizer?’ In this seminar we will explore what it means to develop an effective and positive Christian presence in schools, and how to ensure that schools ministry remains a central part of your local church youth ministry.
PDS556
DAVE MIERS
Redeeming Social Media
A ‘Digital Native’ is someone who has grown up in a digital and web-connected world. How do we effectively minister to ‘Digital Natives’? The Internet brings with it great dangers as well as incredible opportunities. How can we teach our young people to avoid the harmful while leveraging it for good? This seminar will not just raise the questions; it will give you an achievable strategy for developing an effective web presence for your youth ministry. This includes creating a website, using social media and protecting children online.
Electives
Elective Seminars are 75 minutes long and are spread across the 3 days.
They are designed to provide practical training for participants across a variety of topics.
Thursday 24th October : 9:00am – 10:15am
E101
TIM HAWKINS
The missing ingredient in leadership – Part 1
The starting point of being a great leader is to be a great follower. Joyful submission to spiritual leadership is something that we need to model. In this elective we tackle an issue which is often a struggle for youth leaders.
E102
DAVE MIERS
Using your story to share Jesus story
Stories are powerful tools in communication. One of the most compelling ways to share the good news of Jesus is through personal testimony. In this elective Dave will show you how to help the youth in your community to share Jesus’ story by showing the points of intersection with their own personal story. This elective will equip you with specific training material transferable to your youth ministry.
E103
ROWAN LEWIS & JOEL MCKERROW
Identity Matters
Have you ever heard some say, “That kid is just all over the place”? Often the statement is used to describe a young person living a chaotic and inconsistent life – one moment a mature young person and potential youth leader, the next a total horror. We yearn for young people to find their identity ‘in Christ’ and frequently make this a topic of bible studies and sermons, but identity is not something that can be taught – it is not an intellectual problem. This workshop will highlight the essential social, psychological and spiritual building blocks of human identity so that you can genuinely help a young person find their authentic self – ‘in Christ’.
E104
PENNY GALBRAITH
Surviving youth ministry long term
Sustainable leadership and ongoing personal formation are inseparable… or at least they should be. This elective explores the relationship between the two and how they affect our long-term survival in youth ministry.
E105
TRAVIS JOHNSON & MATT FRICKER
Experiential learning for youth
In this elective you will get a taste of what experiential learning is like; be equipped with a simple experiential learning process; and hear some of the theory behind discovery-based learning.
E106
MIKE STEVENS
Working with parents to disciple young people
Parents are and always will be the ‘primary discipler’ in a young persons life. This truth has incredible implications for youth ministers and leaders. In this elective Mike will unpack current research that supports the need for youth ministries to empower parents and create a healthy family integrated youth ministry.
Thursday 24th October : 11:00am – 12:15pm
E201
DAN FOSTER
Reaching Boys
70-90% of boys who grow up in the church abandon their faith before their 21st birthday. Most never return. However you look at it, teenage boys are switching off to the gospel. Is there a way back? How can we re-engage boys with the gospel, Jesus and his church?
E202
GARY GRUT
Navigating and Avoiding the Burnout Trap: Self Evaluation and Self Care in Youth Ministry
Youth and Young adult Ministry is incredibly demanding, and as a result burnout is all too common for many leaders. This elective focusses on helping participants to identify and name some common ‘red flags’ related to burnout and explores how to align one’s life and ministry to set up for success.
E203
BILLY WILLIAMS
Ministering with indigenous youth
Ngiyaani is a Gamilaraay word that means “We All.” Exploring the impact of culture on how we present and minister Christ is essential in all ministries, and especially so amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This session will look at cultural principles and practical implications for us all.
E204
DAN LIAN
The Gospel in current culture - Missional communication
Gospel contexualisation. Our methods are always changing, but our message should never. How do we communicate the powerful truth of a wooden cross and an empty tomb to a world that speaks a foreign cultural language?
E206
LINDA WHITE
Ministering to at-risk youth
This session covers the definition of ‘at risk youth’, the barriers there are to ministering to at risk youth and how to nurture them in a church setting that may be unfamiliar to them. This session will be very practical in exploring the important balance between verbalizing and demonstrating Gods love to at risk young people.
Thursday 24th October : 3:45pm – 5:00pm
E301
DAN LIAN
Preaching & effective communication
Clear communication requires not only reflection on transmission, but also reception. This session would unpack not only how to deliver clear points, but also how to ensure they are received clearly and left in the heads and hearts of the listener permanently.
E302
ADRIAN BLENKINSOP
An impossible dream? Practical ways of engaging your young people with the Bible
This elective will explore how and why recently developed innovative approaches to Bible engagement is working, and provide opportunities for the sharing of ideas and approaches to Bible engagement. It will unpack how understanding your young people and their local context will shape how you engage them with the Bible.
E303
DANIELLE STRICKLAND
Mentoring & Equipping women for leadership
How do you mobilise and raise up women leaders? Do they lead differently? Why is it that women are often left out of leadership plans? Is it possible that the church isn’t being strategic with the potential of leaders within its own walls? Why? Key question: What are the strategies of mentoring women in today’s world?
E304
BILLY WILLIAMS
Story telling and the power of the Gospel
Jesus told stories, lots and LOTS of stories. His stories were purposeful, culturally relevant, and intended to communicate something of Gods Kingdom and Character to the listeners. This elective will explore the power of storytelling particularly as it relates to communicating the truths of our faith through different cultures and contexts.
E305
TIM HAWKINS
The missing ingredient in Leadership – Part 2
Who are you when no-one’s watching? We show that leadership is a holistic lifestyle, not a segregated function. We’ll investigate what lack of integrity does to a leader, and what effect it has on God’s people, and how to safe guard ourselves from falling into that trap. The challenge – what have you got that is buried in your tent?
Friday 25th October : 2:00pm – 3:15pm
E401
DAVE MIERS
Running Life Changing Camps
Christian camps are an incredible opportunity to build your youth community. In this elective Dave will share from his experience of 100+ youth camps how to run camps that change lives through solid discipleship while having an unforgettably fun time! This elective will include practical ideas to for preparation, programming and flow on into your regular youth gatherings.
E402
DARRYN KENEALLY
Mentoring, Mission and Reducing Self Harm
Self harming behaviour amongst young people continues to be a significant issue in our nation. Connecting young people with the support and nurture of a ‘significant other’ can at times be the difference between life and death. This elective explores how you and your Church can better engage with young people on the margins through intentional mentoring.
E404
TRAVIS JOHNSON & MATT FRICKER
The Complete Gospel - Helping young people to discover that becoming a follower of Jesus doesn’t end after salvation
For many young people, there seems to be a missing chapter in the story of their spiritual journey. This session aims to help you, as spiritual leaders, rediscover what it is that Jesus actually wants his disciples to be and do. Imagine what your community would look like if every student in your ministry saw themselves as ‘agents of restoration’. Along with some practical tools, this session will get your team talking about how to actually see students become engaged in mission.
E406
MELINDA TANKARD REIST
The Sexual World of the 21st Century Adolescent: How Pornography Harms Young People – Part A
Young people’s lives are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by pornography. They are exposed to hardcore violent pornography often before their first sexual experience – even before their first kiss. The avergage age of exposure is 11. The proliferation and globalisation of sexual imagery is contributing to a distorted view of relationships and sexuality. What is the impact? What can we do to address it?
Friday 25th October : 4:00pm – 5:15pm
E501
JONO GREEN
Creating the search
Some of Jesus’ final words on earth were instructions to share the good news throughout the entire world, even to the ends of the earth. In Australia we may not be the ends of the earth but there is a great need for real revival in our country. This session will look at some of the information that has been gathered on Australian communities, what is currently working in impacting them and will explore some practical ways in which Churches and individuals can engage their communities with the Gospel.
E502
TIM HAWKINS
Growing a Fully Devoted Heart
This elective shows why growing our own heart is the key to growing our ministry. We’ll explore how dangerous our hearts can be – even to leading us away from God, and examine the essential difference between King Solomon and King David. We’ll discover the subtle difference between having a heart that is “almost” devoted, and a heart that is “fully” devoted.
E503
ADRIAN BLENKINSOP
The Discipleship dilemma: Exploring a simple model of building life-long followers of Christ
Discipleship is THE buzz word in ministry. With many different models and approaches to youth Discipleship it’s sometimes confusing trying to sort out what sits at the heart of Discipleship. What’s involved in building disciples, and how do you resist taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach. This elective will work through a simple visual, interactive model of Discipleship (at both a community and individual level) to identify and unpack the stages of discipleship as an upward spiral that is a life-long journey. It will explore what those stages might look like in different youth contexts through shared stories and examples. Participants will be able to give some ‘shape’ to what the discipleship journey looks like for them, and those they lead, and interact with their peers through shared stories and experiences.
E504
BO BOSHERS
Student Led Ministry
To lead effective youth ministry, you need students who lead and model to their peers what a Christ follower is all about. In this elective, we will discuss:
* How to develop a culture of youth leadership in your ministry that other students will want to follow
* How to choose specific students to lead without others feeling left out of neglected
* How to see real spiritual transformation, not just behavior modification in students lives
E505
MELINDA TANKARD REIST
The Sexual World of the 21st Century Adolescent: How Pornography Harms Young People – Part B
Young people’s lives are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by pornography. They are exposed to hardcore violent pornography often before their first sexual experience – even before their first kiss. The avergage age of exposure is 11. The proliferation and globalisation of sexual imagery is contributing to a distorted view of relationships and sexuality. What is the impact? What can we do to address it?
E506
ANDY HAWTHORNE
Concrete Faith
How to see the toughest places transformed. For the last 16 years The Message Trust, through its Eden partnership, has been working on many of the UKs toughest estates and has started to see churches grow, communities transformed in places that were previously spiritual wastelands. There is now a vision to see this model rolled out across the world. Here’s the full warts and all story and lessons learnt on the way.
Saturday 26th October : 2:00pm – 3:15pm
E601
JONATHAN SARGEANT
Finding God in popular culture
Research suggests that the youth preference for visual styles of learning extends to learning through the narratives of film and TV. Combine this fact with the rise of prominent spiritual themes in Pop culture and the recipe for education is clear. In this workshop, participants will explore facets of the collision between spirituality and cinema. By examining a number of movies and TV shows, looking at resources on pop culture and identifying numerous teaching strategies, attendees will gain skills for use in the religious education classroom and beyond.
E603
KIRRILIE SMOUT
Looking after Yourself: Managing Stress and Distress as a Youth worker
Understanding the impact of stress and distress, identifying our instinctive responses to stress/distress, knowing what we can control, knowing how to look after ourselves as carers and prevent further distress.
E604
MARTY THOMPSON
Trans-local youth ministry leadership and movement building
This elective is specifically aimed at those who have responsibility for leading ministries that influence multiple local youth ministries (i.e. leaders of denominations, mission agencies, and para-church organisations). We’ll look at the pressures, challenges and complexities of trans-local leadership, and also explore some key aspects to building youth ministry movements from the ground up.
E605
ROWAN LEWIS
& JOEL MCKERROW
The Sexual Self - Youth Ministry that teaches more than 'Just don't do it'
Survey after survey continues to highlight that most of the ‘teaching’ young people receive in relation to sexuality comes from their peers. They learn about the health and safety issues from school. They might get an uncomfortable pep talk from mum or dad. And churches usually will chime in from time to time about purity. But actual empathy and understanding of the deep confusion young people feel as they develop sexually gets worked out with their peers. Surely the Christian faith has more to offer young people than a message of ‘just don’t do it’? This workshop will explore how we can do more to help our young people understand their yearnings (not just shut them down); grow in the self-assertiveness (not just self-control); and connect their sexuality with their spirituality (not just their sinfulness).
E606
BO BOSHERS
Student Led Ministry (repeat)
To lead effective youth ministry, you need students who lead and model to their peers what a Christ follower is all about. In this elective, we will discuss:
* How to develop a culture of youth leadership in your ministry that other students will want to follow
* How to choose specific students to lead without others feeling left out of neglected
* How to see real spiritual transformation, not just behavior modification in students lives
Saturday 26th October : 4:00pm – 5:15pm
E701
ANDY HAWTHORNE
Sow and keep on sowing
The parable of the sower was described by Jesus himself as fundamental to understanding all his parables (Mark 4:13) It provides utterly relevant teaching and principles for any believer who seriously wants to get involved in the gut wrenching and sometimes exhilarating business of spreading Gospel seed far and wide . After more than two Decades of trying to do just that in Manchester Andy will help us learn more from this most important and most familiar of parables.
E702
STU LARSON (WITH DAVE MIERS & JONATHAN SARGEANT)
Panel Chat with Q&A
Hosted by the YesHeIs.com team, this interactive forum will explore what it means to have a positive and meaningful online presence, in order to reach young people with the story of Jesus.
E703
PENNY GALBRAITH
Leading Change
Churches are notorious for resisting change, and often our young people mirror this resistance. As leaders, our approach to introducing and implementing change can drastically affect the outcome. In this elective, we’ll look at what it takes for you to navigate a healthy pathway as you introduce change in your ministry. We’ll explore the impact of change on the leader, the church and our young people. Some practical steps to implement change well will be discussed.
E705
JON OWEN
& CHRIS MACCARTNEY
How to avoid losing your faith - because statistically over 20% of you will.
This will be a reflection from us from our 35 years combined of ministry experience as to what sustains ministers and what is deadly. Finishing well is sadly the exception rather than the rule. We will suggest practices that will sustain you.
E706
LINDA WHITE
Ministry to girls
This session will cover how to minister specifically to females across different ages, the different issues that young women face and how to include and raise up women to fulfill their gifting’s and leadership potential.
1300 76 90 99
PO Box 1478, Southport QLD 4215, Australia