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.

West Houston Vision: *Disciple – Follower, student, apprentice, committed learner In the future, the family at West Houston will be known as disciples who make disciples in West Houston and around the world.

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

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.”

1.The Drop-out Statistic “Where are our students?” 2.Systemic Abandonment “How are our students?” 3.Moralistic Therapeutic Deism “What are our students?” Notes from Gathering One Culture: Contemporary Issues Re-visited

Model 1: Student Focused “We need a separate ministry designed specifically for our teenagers.” Model 2: Family Based “We need a ministry for our teenagers that involves parents too.” Model 3: Home and Church Partnership “We need a ministry for students of all ages that equips parents to nurture faith at home, complimented by a strategically-designed, church-based ministry.” Notes from Gathering Two Context: Comparing Model Homes

1.We will create a “Purpose-Driven” Culture 2.We will embrace an “Orange” philosophy 3.We will uphold discipleship as our primary goal 4.We will practice “Relational Discipleship” Notes from Gathering Three Commitments: Creating a Blueprint of Our Own

Our Goal: To make disciples by means of a purpose-driven ministry for students and their families that equips and empowers parents to nurture faith at home in partnership with an intergenerational church community committed to a relational-discipleship process of spiritual formation.

Church: The Relational Matrix of Tommy The Teenager Tommy Adults Church Friends Kids School Friends OutreachDiscipleshipEncouragement

Relational Discipleship: Two Groups for Tommy 1.Peer-based, student small groups. Adult leader with students of similar age, gender, interest or school. 2.Intergenerational Missional Communities. Current MC groups, emphasizing integration of people in all life stages together in shared gatherings.

Missional Communities: Four Strategies 1.Include your student in your current MC. Assemble together intentionally for a portion of your gathering. 2.Involve your student with one of their friends in a different MC. Welcome and accept similar students into your own MC. 3.Transition with your student into a different MC. Find a group that better enables you to participate with your student. 4.Partner with others to begin a new MC that involves your student(s). Strategically assemble with others to create an intergenerational MC.

West Houston Vision (Again): *Disciple – Follower, student, apprentice, committed learner In the future, the family at West Houston will be known as disciples who make disciples in West Houston and around the world.

Imagine our Future…

The Student West Houston of

Regional Equipping Local Projects Congregational Initiatives Parent Support Student Development

Regional Equipping Local Projects Congregational Initiatives Parent Support Student Development Sunday and Wednesday Bible Study and Worship Small Group and MC Participation Service and Mission Trips Outreach and Evangelism Initiatives

Parent Support Regional Equipping Local Projects Congregational Initiatives Parent Support Student Development Print and Online Resources Reading Groups Workshop and Training Opportunities Forums for Communication, Idea-Sharing and General Support

Congregational Initiatives Regional Equipping Local Projects Congregational Initiatives Parent Support Student Development Vacation Bible School Fall Festival Celebrate Jesus Christmas Town, First Wednesdays at WHCC

Local Projects Regional Equipping Local Projects Congregational Initiatives Parent Support Student Development Habitat for Humanity Independence Hall Impact Church C.A.M.S.

Regional Equipping Local Projects Congregational Initiatives Parent Support Student Development Development of Reproducible Programs and Materials Workshop and Training Events Students Parents Volunteers Ministers Expanded Intern Program

West Houston Vision (One Last Time): *Disciple – Follower, student, apprentice, committed learner In the future, the family at West Houston will be known as disciples who make disciples in West Houston and around the world.

[ Thank you for being here. Thank you for loving our students and investing in their lives. ]