[LIVE BLOG] NTNL Youth and Family Ministry Resources Panel

3:15
NTNL Youth and Family Ministry Resources
Thane McCann
Degas Room

Thane is the director of Youth at Advent Lutheran Church in Arlington, TX. We grow the youth because if we are going to have disciples tomorrow, we need to teach them how to do it today.

Youth leaders are not at on their own. Have a team (e.g. pastor, council, other youth leaders, interested congregation members), be connected to the congregation, have clear goals/expectations (e.g. the youth leader's goal along with the team's goals), and find a mentor (especially someone from a different congregation).

If you don't have a team and something happens to the youth leader, it becomes a disservice to the church. It is important to have people on your team who also understand the direction for the youth activities. It is also important to connect to the congregation at a larger level.

It is important to read in order to continually build professional knowledge. Teach your own "stuff", one-off lessons, and/or pre-made curriculum to continue learning and solidify knowledge.

Larger church resources include NTNL (which is considering creating a position akin to a "Youth Coordinator") and the ELCA (which includes documents online, National Youth Gathering, and "ELCAYMNet - Extravaganza" centered around youth workers).

Outside organizations include YouthNet in Dallas/Fort Worth. Outside organizations don't always have to be Lutheran. There are also national groups like Youth Specialties, Vibrant Faith, D6, and others, some of which have resources online or signups for additional content.

Informal solutions including finding a mentor, mentoring someone else, working together with others (who don't have to be Lutherans), pool resources with other organizations (like books or games), and meeting with other local youth ministers.

National Youth Gathering is coming up this year. Thane is working with other youth leaders to pool resources. A ballroom will be available the entire week. There will also be a fake campfire and a portable S'mores maker. Registration closed once the National Youth Gathering hit their goal of around 38,000 youth, but it may still be possible to register through the end of May. Must have completed the 8th grade year.

Through the NTNL website, one can sign up for an email list that has some announcements on upcoming events.