January 7-10, 2008
Extended seminars are three-day courses, 75 minutes each day.
Participants should select one extended seminar.
A. Going Viral for Jesus: How Young People Are Reclaiming the Church's Missional Mindset
Kenda Creasy Dean
Research has called youth ministry a “church-changing agent”—and nowhere can we see this more clearly than in the current “missional church” conversation. This seminar will explore how young people’s ministries are helping churches practice a theology of relationship, a theology of the laity, and a theology of mission—and how these practices are changing what the church looks like around the globe. We will consider the importance of “the emerging church” movement, wiki-thinking, and missional communities—as well as what “changing church” means for our own ministries.
B. The Spirit and Culture of Youth Ministry: Implications of the Exemplary Youth Ministry Study for Congregations
Roland Martinson
This seminar will explore the theologies, relationships, strategies, and practices that inform faithful and effective youth and family ministry. Emphasis will be given to developing new levels of effectiveness in that ministry based on strengths already present in the participants’ congregations. Participants will learn practical skills as well as visions and strategies for revitalizing and redeveloping ministry with young people and their families in their congregations.
C. Revival and Survival in Youth Ministry
Tina McCormick
If you are starting out in youth ministry or looking to breathe new life into your work, this extended seminar is for you. Youth ministry professionals and volunteers are invited to revisit the basic practices and core theology of how to reach young people and keep them engaged in being the church. Discover new ways of discipling youth that will renew your faith and your love for young people. This course will give you theologically grounded practical tools to recharge and sustain your ministry.
D. Qoheleth and (Pop) Culture
Brent A. Strawn
The Book of Ecclesiastes does not often make it onto people's “Favorite Biblical Books” list. However, a closer look reveals the book is quite timely because many of its themes about life and death find remarkable resonance in contemporary culture, including the pop variety. This seminar will take a look at Qoheleth (the Hebrew name of the book) to see how, in the final analysis, Qoheleth might be a “tract for the times.”
Electives are one-session courses that meet for 90 minutes.
Participants should select five electives, one for each time slot A-E.
1. Soul-Tending—Arts-Based
Lynne Farrow
Feeling a little off-balance? Drained by the competing demands of church, home, and life? This track is designed to help you recenter and refill the well of your own spiritual life. A practicum focusing on arts-integrated reflective exercises rather than a typical class, Soul-Tending takes the place of two electives and includes a personal exercise for Wednesday afternoon. Select the Soul-Tending Track for both Elective A1 and Elective D1 if you wish to participate.
2. The New Name Project: Helping Incarcerated and Impoverished Youth Find an Empowering New Name
Charles Atkins
This elective will demonstrate the techniques of the New Name Project—a creative ministry that helps imprisoned and marginalized children practically apply Scripture to their life experiences. We will engage the challenges and interests of adolescents who struggle for identity and self-worth. We will explore how the program engages young people who seek the necessary tools (a) to identify and integrate their own values, Christian values, and popular culture, and (b) to discern their unique gifts and mission for the world.
3. Beyond the Oxymoron: Longevity and Youth Ministry
Mark DeVries
Most youth ministries find themselves mired in chronic patterns of fits and starts, of episodic effectiveness, typically tied to the personal charisma of a particular leader. This seminar will examine the assumptions that keep churches returning to this model again and again and will propose strategies for maximizing the longevity, joy, and effectiveness of the staff and volunteers serving in youth ministry.
4. Experiencing Spirituality in the Midst of Family Life
Bonnie Miller-McLemore
Often when people think about spiritual practice, they think of prayer, Bible study, silence, and contemplation. This elective will explore alternative understandings of spirituality in families, and will sample a few other ways that faith comes alive, such as doing justice, playing, reading, and blessing and letting go.
1. Beyond the Oxymoron: Longevity and Youth Ministry
Mark DeVries
Most youth ministries find themselves mired in chronic patterns of fits and starts, of episodic effectiveness, typically tied to the personal charisma of a particular leader. This seminar will examine the assumptions that keep churches returning to this model again and again and will propose strategies for maximizing the longevity, joy, and effectiveness of the staff and volunteers serving in youth ministry.
2. Seven Strategies for Deeper Youth Engagement
John Hilley
The value of involving youth voice and action in church and community issues has been recognized for years. While the “why” is well established, the “how” is less clear. This workshop connects youth ministry with the best of youth engagement and activism. Leaders will understand and prepare for the shifts that must be made in order to encourage deeper youth engagement within your church and across the community.
3. Experiencing Spirituality in the Midst of Family Life
Bonnie Miller-McLemore
Often when people think about spiritual practice, they think of prayer, Bible study, silence, and contemplation. This elective will explore alternative understandings of spirituality in families, and will sample a few other ways that faith comes alive, such as doing justice, playing, reading, and blessing and letting go.
4. The Formfulness of Call
Brent A. Strawn
People speak of calling and vocation all the time, but what do these look like in the Bible? Biblical call narratives cast significant light on the nature, form, elements, and theology of calling—especially callings of a prophetic sort. Are you wondering if you've been called? Are you sure you have been called but are not picking up the phone? Either way, this elective may be for you.
City Dive: We are pleased to offer a “hands-on” elective in Nashville. On Wednesday afternoon or evening, you will have an opportunity to experience one of Nashville’s urban ministries as part of a City Dive. These Dives provide an in-depth look at a vital urban ministry setting, as well as opportunities for service, discussion, and reflection in a small group setting. Choose one City Dive (Electives C1-C9) and two alternates.
Afternoon City Dives (12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.)
1. Faith and Immigration City Dive. Participants hear from representatives of Conexión Américas, a nonprofit focused on the social, economic, and cultural integration of Hispanic families,and representatives from Strangers No Longer, an interfaith coalition that seeks to promote reconciliation between all peoples and to serve as a moral witness with regard to immigrants and refugees. Participants will hear testimonials from immigrant families and experience initiatives underway in Nashville that may be useful in their ownchurches.
2. Family Affair Ministries (F.A.M.)
Come meet Pastor Glenda Sutton, founder of Family Affair Ministries (F.A.M.), who intentionally went on welfare to understand the system and struggles of poverty. F.A.M. provides services for youth and adults to help them develop short- and long-term solutions to their educational, health, social, physical, spiritual, and economic needs. www.familyaffairministries.com
Renewal House is Nashville’s only long-term recovery community for mothers with addictions and their children. They help families make a fresh start in life and break the cycle of addiction as they foster healing, resiliency, and continuing recovery to enhance family health. www.renewalhouse.org
4. Safe Haven
Come learn about the challenges and blessings of Safe Haven, the only shelter in middle Tennessee that serves homeless families as a whole unit, allowing families to live together. Their mission is to empower homeless families with children to live independently. www.safehaven.org
Founded in 1894, Martha O’Bryan Center is a faith-based family services center that supports and empowers individuals and families in need living in the James A. Cayce Homes and surrounding East Nashville. The center’s core programs focus on employment and education. Participants will help with either food bank sorting, helping youth with homework, or center landscaping. www.marthaobryan.org
The Youth Connections resource center serves as a central place where youth who are currently in foster care or have aged out of care receive assistance. The center offers employment and vocational training, financial literacy programs, GED preparation courses, life skills assessments and training, and knowledge of transitional housing. Dive participants will tour the facility and then provide tutoring assistance to GED students. Some participants may help with a painting project, so please bring suitable clothing. www.tnyouthconnections.net
Thistle Farms is a creative and sustainable workplace for residents and friends of Magdalene, a residential recovery community for women with a history of prostitution and drug addiction. Thistle Farms creates natural and organic bath and body products. www.thistlefarms.org
Late Afternoon City Dive (2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
8. Oasis/Community IMPACT! is a youth-led, neighborhood-based initiative working to increase educational, economic and engagement opportunities for urban young people and neighborhoods. Participants will meet with high school youth mobilizers for an East Nashville “reality tour” and discussion. Intended for participants examining models of deep youth involvement in organizational leadership and engagement/activism. www.oasiscenter.org
Evening City Dive (4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.)
9. Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM)
PTM was founded in 1998 to confront the problems present in the Preston Taylor public housing area—drug use, gang involvement, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy, poor school performance, and crime. PTM sponsors several relationship-based programs for children, including after-school programs, Lunchmates, and a youth ministry at a local church. Participants will experience PTM’s Wednesday evening youth programming. www.ptmweb.ik.org
1. Soul-Tending Track —Arts-Based
Lynne Farrow
Feeling a little off-balance? Drained by the competing demands of church, home, and life? This track is designed to help you recenter and refill the well of your own spiritual life. A practicum focusing on arts-integrated reflective exercises rather than a typical class, Soul-Tending takes the place of two electives and includes a personal exercise for Wednesday afternoon. Select the Soul-Tending Track for both Elective A1 and Elective D1 if you wish to participate.
2. How Is It with Your Soul? The Art of Staying Fully Alive in Ministry
Drew Dyson
Discouraged? Burned out? Restless? Have your hunger and thirst for righteousness and your passion for ministry been quenched by the empty calories of a busy calendar and endless to-do list? Ministry involves the pouring out of self in order to meet the needs of others. How can we minister from a place of fullness? This elective will explore what leads us to barren places and will offer practical resources to quench your thirst so that you minister from the overflow of living water.
3. Seven Strategies for Deeper Youth Engagement
John Hilley
The value of involving youth voice and action in church and community issues has been recognized for years. While the “why” is well established, the “how” is less clear. This workshop connects youth ministry with the best of youth engagement and activism. Leaders will understand and prepare for the shifts that must be made in order to encourage deeper youth engagement within your church and across the community.
4. A Living, Present, Active, Mysterious God: The Difference Theology Makes in Youth Ministry
Roland Martinson
Drawing on current research, a biblical text, and a theological angle of vision, this elective will demonstrate that a Christian youth leader’s understandings of God are the most important elements of youth ministry.
1. The New Name Project: Helping Incarcerated and Impoverished Youth Find an Empowering New Name
Charles Atkins
This elective will demonstrate the techniques of the New Name Project—a creative ministry that helps imprisoned and marginalized children practically apply Scripture to their life experiences. We will engage the challenges and interests of adolescents who struggle for identity and self-worth. We will explore how the program engages young people who seek the necessary tools (a) to identify and integrate their own values, Christian values, and popular culture, and (b) to discern their unique gifts and mission for the world.
2. How Is It With Your Soul? The Art of Staying Fully Alive in Ministry
Drew Dyson
Discouraged? Burned out? Restless? Have your hunger and thirst for righteousness and your passion for ministry been quenched by the empty calories of a busy calendar and endless to-do list? Ministry involves the pouring out of self in order to meet the needs of others. How can we minister from a place of fullness? This elective will explore what leads us to barren places and will offer practical resources to quench your thirst so that you minister from the overflow of living water.
3. Staying Sane in Chaos: Conflict Resolution in the Church
Tina McCormick
Angry parents, difficult staff dynamics, disruptive kids…conflict is inevitable in youth ministry and every youth leader should be prepared to handle it well. This elective will explore a theological strategy for facing conflicts that arise out of ministries in even the healthiest congregations. Participants will be given the opportunity to share their own experiences and formulate new ways of moving through conflict in love.
4. The Formfulness of Call
Brent A. Strawn
People speak of calling and vocation all the time, but what do these look like in the Bible? Biblical call narratives cast significant light on the nature, form, elements, and theology of calling -- especially callings of a prophetic sort. Are you wondering if you've been called? Are you sure you have been called but are not picking up the phone? Either way, this elective may be for you.