Old Testament vs. New Testament

The sought-after God is now seeking us and even becomes us. Man’s quest for God is exceedingly satisfied by Jesus Christ and is a compelling answer to the search for the real eternal God, making it difficult for the believer to ignore.

Creating a Mission-Minded Church

Why do people leave their church?

-Strong secular mentality and pressure

-Prosperity and comfort leads to spiritually lazy and indifferent Christians

-Business and constant activity – no time for God

-Society offers a supermarket of churches

-Mobility of people creates a sense of uprooted ness and lack of commitment

Common church issues

-Many parishioners do not find their parish helpful or meaningful

-Irrelevancy of church in practical terms – museum mentality

-Disatisfaction with the preaching, education and programs for the youth

-Some families feel unwelcome

-Language barriers

-Pettiness of church politics

What we need:

-Creative effort for our time without changing our core Tradition and faith

-A clearly defined mission statement

-Must be about spreading the Gospel and helping all(bottle the reality of the Liturgy)

-Openness to God’s Spirit – Death sign – “We have always done it like this”

-Develop a sense of vision – sensitive to past but focus on the future

-Cultivate spiritual disciple in parish life

-Equip and use the entire Body of Christ – don’t leave out anyone

-Create atmosphere where people expect God to do great things – hope

-Become global Christians without any expectation (the universe is my parish)

-Nurture a living faith in our parishioners (A teaching liturgy)

Healthy church characteristics

-Center is worship

-Fellowship

-Spiritual guidance and pastoral care

-Spiritual education leading to transformed lives

-Missions and philanthropy

How to become more involved in worship

-It’s not about me

-Teach the liturgy so everyone can really participate

-Teach them prayers

How to encourage spiritual growth

-Develop on how we live, not what we say

-Ask people to participate-give them a sense of ownership

-Don’t underestimate an invitation-50% are likely to go.

-Work together with other Christians for the good of society

Youth Ministry – Some useful Links and Sources

See handout

Other useful links:

http://dce.oca.org/

http://games.goarch.org/

http://myocn.net/index.php/Mission-Possible-Orthodox-Parenting-Today/

YOUTH MINISTRY BOOKS

• 80 Talks for Orthodox Young People

by Anthony Coniaris

• On the Upbringing of Children

by Bishop Irenaius

• Children in the Church Today & Conversations with Children

by Sister Magdalen

• Raising them Right

by Saint Theophan the Recluse

• Challenge Questions on Orthodoxy for Students

by Gayle Woloschak

• Moral and Ethical Issues: Confronting Orthodox Youth

Joseph F. Purpura

• When Koumbaya is not Enough

by Dean Borgmann

• The Youth Builder

by Jim Burns and Mike DeVries

• The Ministry of Nurture

by Duffy Robbins

CAMP CLASSICS

• Accreditation Standards for Camp Programs and Services

by American Camping Association

• Basic Camp Management

by Armand and Beverly Ball

• What Do I Do Now: Challenges and Choices

by Jerome Bakker, Connie Magunson, David E. Beker, Doug Magnuson

• Super Staff Supervision

by Michael Brandwein

• Training Terrific Staff

by Michael Brandwein

• How to Be a Great Camp Counselor

by David Burrow

• For their Sake: Recognizing, Responding to and Reporting Child Abuse

by Becca Cowan-Johnson and For Kids Sake

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Oriented Leadership

by Benjamin D. Williams and Michael T. McKibben

• The Ministry of the Church: Image of Pastoral Care

by Joseph Allen

• Management for Christian Leaders

By Olan Hendrix

• Leadership and Self Deception

by The Arbinger Institute

• Leaders on Leadership

by George Barna