Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA March 9-10, 2007
There is renewed interest in evangelical and reformed youthministry in our times. The label "youth and family ministry" has caughton. Note a few of the book titles in youth work, Passing on the Faith: A Radical New Model of Youth and Family Ministry and The Youth Worker's Handbook to Family Ministry and No More Us and Them and Family-Based Youth Ministry. Books and labels have an important place, but it's time to put the word "ministry" back into "youth and family ministry."
Ministry to youths and their families belongs to the church. The church must grow in her task of ministering to covenant members -those of our youth, young adults and their families. To do that she must submit to her Head, Jesus Christ and the authority of His Word. Reformation is central to ministry. It means thinking about reformation in ministry and putting into practice reforms that reflect His counsel. One place to begin is by asking questions and searching for answers to practical ministry issues like:
What does church-based family-friendly youth ministry look like?How does a youth worker measure impact in the church and home?What can the church do to enhance parent-centered responsibility? What role do youth workers play with parents, youth and others?How do we keep an eye on the covenant in organizing our ministry?Is there room for covenantal nurture and evangelism in ministry?We want a strong Word and sacrament church, but youth ministry?Because you care about God's Word and God's people, a 2-day conference will take up practical topics for your encouragement and edification. Over the weekend of March 9-10, 2007 on the campus of Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia, PA, church officers, parents, youth pastors, youth sponsors, Bible college and seminary students will join together for learning and growth. The conference will run Friday, 7:30 - 9:30 PM; and then again, Saturday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The cost is $37 per person. Your registration must be postmarked by March 1, 2007. Check out the details below. Also go to www.doorpostsandgates.com for information.
Speakers
Pastor Rip Pratt, of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) Pratt is one of the most sought out speakers for youth ministry training and youth ministry events in the circles of reformed youth ministry and services in North America. He serves as pastor of youth and families at New Life PCA in Escondido, California. He has been in congregational youth ministry for 28 years.
Pastor Mark Sumpter, of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) Sumpter has served in congregation-based teacher-training and youth ministry since 1984. He has taught seminars for the ministries of Christian Education and Publications for the PCA, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and Great Commission Publications on behalf of the OPC. He serves as pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Schedule
Friday, January 28th Doors open: 7:00 PM
7:30 to 8:20 -Pratt: A Big-Picture Look at Youth & Family Ministry
8:40 to 9:30 -Sumpter: Lessons for Ministry from Paul and Timothy
Saturday 9:00 AM to 9:45 -Pratt: Ingredients of Biblical Youth Ministry
10:10-11:00 -Sumpter: How to Apply the Bible to Covenant Youth
10:10-11:00 -Pratt: What Does Church-Based, Family-Friendly Youth Ministry Look Like -and A Glance at Singles Ministry in the Church
11:15-12 Noon -Sumpter: A Theology of Weakness for Youth Ministry
12 Noon-1:30 PM -Lunch (on your own)
1:30-2:20 -Pratt: The Youth Pastor, His Family and Life with God
1:30-2:20 -Sumpter: Evangelism and Covenant Nurture: Do I Have to Pick Between the Two?
2:30-3:00 -Question and Answer/Dismissal
Registration
Please print and fill out the form here and send in, with a $37 check payable to "Faith OPC", post-marked by March 1, 2007.
Registration form