Our Life Together: Christian Education & Formation - Youth Ministries
Want to have a sense of the philosophy and beliefs (a.k.a. theology) behind our approach to youth ministry here at Second Congregational
United Church of Christ? What follows is a statement of our "theological framework" for our youth ministries. This
statement was adapted by our Associate Pastor, the Rev. Matthew Emery, from a statement adopted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (one of our denomination's full communion partners).
A Theological Framework for Youth Ministry
Youth are called by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament to full partnership in the community of faith, and
challenged to full participation in the life and mission of Christ and his church. This means:
- Youth ministries are centered in baptism, the proclamation and study of the Word, and participation in the Lord's Supper;
- Youth are the church of today, as well as the church of the future;
- Youth ministries are by youth and with youth, not simply for youth;
- Youth share in shaping the church's response to the gospel in both its theology and mission to the world; and
- Youth ministries are integrated with and not separated from the mainstream of the church's life and mission.
Youth ministries attend to the full range of life issues of the youth of the congregation and community. This means youth
ministries:
- are person-oriented;
- are family-conscious;
- look beyond the youth group to all the youth of the congregation, local community, and world;
- emphasize witness and service as well as nurture and community; and
- see all of life included in the reconciling gospel of Jesus Christ.
Definitions for Youth Ministry:
- Youth are people from the early adolescent years through the young adult years.
- Youth ministries are youth and adults working together that youth might grow and participate in their baptismal
relationships with God, themselves, their community, and the world through the congregation's ministries of proclamation,
teaching, worship, community, witness, and service.
Emphases:
Youth ministry happens when youth live their Christian faith by:
|
Youth realize the significance of their baptism into Christ and join with other Christians and peers for fellowship,
fun, mutual support, and growth—including people of all cultural communities, diverse ages, all gender and sexual
identities, diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and all physical and mental abilities. |
|
Youth worship and respond to God through the Word and Sacraments and gather together in thanks and praise. |
|
Youth grow in understanding themselves, their personal relationships, and their Christian faith in the context of
the total Christian community including persons of all ages and abilities. |
|
With the help and by the power of the Holy Spirit, youth embody and witness to the good news of Jesus Christ through
their words and actions, affirming and sharing their faith with others. |
|
Youth minister to the physical, spiritual, and social needs of others by visiting the sick and imprisoned, befriending
those who are alone, and attending to the needs all their neighbors. |
|
Youth study the scriptures and our Christian heritage, developing God-given talents and skills, and becoming
committed to leadership and ministry in the church and community. |
|
Youth live faithfully as caretakers of God's world, respecting the earth, managing self and possessions, and giving
time and personal resources to God's work in the world. |
|
Youth respond to the call of Christ to work for mercy, peace, and justice for all people, especially the poor, oppressed,
and forgotten. |
(back to Youth Ministries) |
