Every year in the middle of winter, Presbyterian youth leaders from around New Zealand get together for Connect. Andrew Colgan reports on this year’s event.
Forest Lakes camp near Otaki (Wellington) was again the venue, and the 5th Connect saw 150 people, ranging to the young to the young at heart, examine the theme of incarnational evangelism – the “out” of Presbyterian Youth Ministry’s “in-around-out” focus.
Keynote speaker Lloyd Martin explored the concept of a mission paradigm of youth ministry – going beyond simply looking after the young people already in our churches, or seeking to attract more young people to boost numbers – to a place where we are an active part of our wider communities caring for and serving those beyond our immediate youth groups. Lloyd also gave us a close look at some important relational dynamics, which many of us often struggle with, allowing important reflection on ways of interacting with and ministering to our young people.
As usual, a number of optional seminars allowed us to pick up more tools to take home at the end of the weekend. These included exploration of our calling, the use of art and creative expression, safety of those in our care, the centrality of social justice to youth ministry, worship leading and global mission possibilities.
The worship was led by the amazing Connect band from PIC Newtown (I’m still not sure whether there’s a link with the name) and this was a highlight of the weekend, as was the communion service on Sunday morning.
Prescribed fun was again on the agenda – getting us out in the sun on Saturday afternoon and giving us a taste of the all-important chaos to which we subject our young people on a weekly basis – it is an integral part of group-building which is foundational to youth ministry. Karaoke has become an important part of Connect over the years and 2006 was no exception, as performance after embarrassing performance continued until the early hours of Sunday morning.
But the most important part of Connect is the opportunity it gives us to do just that – connect! Being surrounded by a group of people who are paddling the same canoe in different places all around the country; being able to share the ups and downs of youth ministry with people asking the same questions and facing the same challenges is an incredibly uplifting experience.
As always, I left Connect feeling refreshed, inspired and ready to put a whole lot of new ideas into action. A big thanks to the PYM focus group and especially to Jo Ryan and Kathryn Grant for all their hard work in making this very special weekend happen.