Ch.6 Special Events

Who doesn't love something special? We have just celebrated Easter, and for me, this is always a high point of the year. In my mind Easter Sunday should be the greatest, most joyful, and most exciting worship service you ever attend. It is special.

The youth of Australian churches feel the same way about special events - particularly camps.

In every case young people spoke of these events warmly and as giving them opportunities to think about their lives and focus on faith. (p39)

PYV Summer Camp 2015-16

 The Experience

We naturally like to do the things that make us feel good. Special events, like camps or concert events, are places that can offer experiences that are beyond the abilities of the normal weekly youth group gathering. So we should seek to do what we can to make these camps and events memorable and exciting.

There will, no doubt, be some who might read this who will be terrified that we are hoping to make the experience the great aim of our camps or youth ministry. To think this would be to miss the point entirely. Surely we want people to associate the teaching of the gospel with good memories. It is in creating positive experiences at Christian camps that we can create those memories. This may not mean everyone who has 'fun' at camp will be converted, though that is our prayer. But I hope it will mean no one goes home from a camp convinced that Christianity is for boring people only.

The authors also, rightly, make comment that these camps and events are excellent training grounds for new leaders. 

The Social

Relationships are vitally important to youth. That won't surprise anyone because it is true regardless of age. Relationships are important to anyone. Camps are a place where the social element of faith can be experienced at a greater depth.

Connecting with other teenagers means that the youth of the church are able to talk about their experiences together. Some of us can remember how wonderful it is a few months after a camp to meet up with someone and talk about the camp together. Social connections matter. There are some good things to say about Social Media in this context too. 

The authors make the comment that these relationships are made more important by the fact that most young people are no longer born into communities. As such, communities that youth can be a part of are really important. I would add that one of the key points of PYV Camps is the connection made with people from across the state. This means that when a young adult moves to a different region of the state to attend a university, they already know someone in that area.

Finally . . .

The authors also write briefly about the value of mission trips. These are times where there is a memorable experience, and where the lives of those who attend can be deeply changed.

Helping and supporting youth is a wonderful thing to do.

Christian Research Association have released the findings from research done on youth ministry in Australia. The book is titled "A Vision for Effective Youth Ministry".

 

There is much in this research which all pastors, both youth and senior, should take seriously. In this series of posts, I hope to give a brief summary of each chapter. Of course, you will be much better off if you purchase the book yourself.