1.How many PARENTS have invested time and service in our student ministry? 2.How many WAYS parents have invested their energies?

1.We have implemented a new Student Leadership Team initiative to better train and empower our high school students! 2.We have embraced a new “round table” format to better engage students with adult leaders in our Sunday morning classes. 3.We are updating records, exploring methods of new and improved communication, and collecting data for a better- connected, more strategically focused Student Ministry.

[ And want YOU to be excited too! ]

Part One

Purpose: Our desire is for shared dialogue between ministers and parents as we explore together matters related to the larger Christian CULTURE, our particular CONTEXT within this framework, and our intentional, specific COMMITMENTS toward a healthy and fruitful Student Ministry here at West Houston.

October 5 - Gathering One: CULTURE. “Getting a Feel for the (Spiritual) Neighborhood.” November 2 - Gathering Two: CONTEXT. “Comparing Model Homes.” December 7 - Gathering Three: COMMITMENTS. “Creating a Blueprint of Our Own.”

Explore Experiment EvaluateEmbraceEvolve

ExploreExperimentEvaluateEmbraceEvolve 1. Explore ideas and possibilities 2. Experiment with methods and models 3. Evaluate alternatives 4. Embrace the best option 5. Evolve into something better

Discussion 1

1.What is youth ministry? 2.What should be the over-arching goals of a healthy youth ministry program?

1.What evidence might we have to indicate traditional attempts at youth ministry are either not working, or not achieving their ends as well as they could?

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry 1.The “Drop-out Statistic” Researchers believe anywhere from 40 to 90% of our millennial students “drop out” of church after high school. Recent data suggests this number may be around 70%.

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry 2. Systemic Abandonment One researcher has coined this term to describe the segregation, exploitation and alienation of adolescents in our contemporary culture. Have the “best interests” of our adult society been masked as the “best interests” for our students?

Contemporary Issues in Youth Ministry 3. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR). Conclusion: churches are not necessarily making Christian disciples, but rather “Moral Therapeutic Deists.” Students will be happy and nice above all, with God on call as their “divine butler,” and no exclusive claim to Christ as their singular means of salvation.

1.Which of the following concerns you most for YOUR student(s)? Which seems of greatest concern to a healthy and fruitful student ministry? The “Drop-out” statistic Systemic Abandonment Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

November 2 - Gathering Two: CONTEXT. “Comparing Model Homes.” Survey of ministry models and approaches to student ministry currently on the market. Discussion of various theological and philosophical approaches to student ministry. ( “What are our options?” ) December 7 - Gathering Three: COMMITMENTS. “Creating a Blueprint of Our Own.” Self-assessment of our particular context at West Houston. Assess data, define purpose and direction for our Student Ministry, articulate initial steps forward. ( “What is the BEST option for us at WHCC; what might that look like?” )