Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Ideas

1. Get informed – read newspapers, books, magazines, watch the news, find out what’s going on in your world
2. Invite people from organisations like trade aid, world vision, tear fund, community organisations, city missions etc to come to your youth group or speak at a service
3. Explore mission in your youth group programme through bible studies, simulation games and activities – check out resources in the youth min library if you’re low on ideas
4. Watch movies with a mission theme and pull them apart afterwards – check out ‘The Mission’, ‘Molokai’, ‘Paying it Forward’, ‘The City of Joy’, ‘Ghandi’

5. Subscribe to CWS’s mailout list and get 3 posters a year which highlight issues and give you practical ways of exploring them with your youth group.

Check out these books (available from the Presbyterian Youth Ministry library)

• Living Simply, by Murray Sheard (STU84)
  10 challenging studies which ask important questions about lifestyle - our own and the one Jesus calls us to.
• Building a Better World, by Dave Andrews (GEN477)
  A discussion of the importance of community, and how we can make our world a better place by caring for each other intentionally
• Christi-Anarchy, by Dave Andrews (GEN478)
  Jesus preached a gospel of love and peace with justice. This book talks about how we can work with disenfranchised people for real transformation in our world.
• Beyond the Good Samaritan, by Ann Morisy (GEN326)
  A practical look at how community ministry unites both social responsibility and active Christian mission to serve the basic needs of those around us.
• Service Projects, compiled by Margaret Yates (PRO72)
  A collection of ideas from NZ and Australia for young people making a difference in their community. It’s an old book, but is still useful for getting your brain ticking.
• 101 Ways Your Church Can Change the World, by Gordon Aeschliman & Tony Campolo
  A guide to help Christians express the love of Christ to a needy world. Practical, simple and effective suggestions for outreach projects, and a 13 week lesson plan.
• 50 Ways You Can Help Save the Planet, by Tony Campolo & Gordon Aeschliman
  Down-to-Earth, practical ideas for doing something about teh environment in which we all live.
• Ideas for Social Action, by Anthony Campolo, Wayne Rice & Bill McNab
  A handbook on mission and service for Christian young people.