NYWC: retrospective - seminar series #1

The continuing retrospective of adventures involving Tanner (a.k.a. Scott), Scrammy (a.k.a. Brian), God (a.k.a. I AM), and me (a.k.a. I AM not) during our NYWC weekend.

Seminar Series #1:

Okay... I'll admit it - I like to seminar hop. Especially when I have so many to choose from and CD's of each seminar are $8 a piece (and I'm still an unemployed smoothie drinker).

That said, I found myself captivated by some thoughts by Duffy Robbins' seminar called "BUILT TO LAST: NURTURING A STUDENTS' FAITH THAT LIVES, THRIVES, AND SURVIVES":

• Intro: As a kid, Duffy and his peers had to learn ballroom dancing in school. Even though this was tremendously awkward, he imagined that whomever invented it wasn't as concerned about us focusing on the steps but on the body-to-body proximity. In the same way, we often focus so much on "steps" of spiritual growth that we miss out on just being close with Jesus. However, the steps still need to be tackled so that we can nurture that very focus and devotion to Christ.
• Marks of a ministry that nurtures students:
• Direction, not just instruction: Don't forget why you're doing this - it's to personally guide others to Jesus Christ. That said, there are some truths that just can't be learned from a distance or a speaker's message. Communicating a passion for God is never just witness but it also entails a "with-ness." Many adults wonder "How do I get students to talk to me when 'nothing' is the only answer I get from them?" The response "nothing" from a teenager is perhaps one of the safest answers they feel they can give - they've learned that when an adult wants to speak to them (i.e. "COME TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE") it's usually not a good thing. Yet if we live in their world more we may find it easier to break through the walls.
  • 90 Minute challenge for adult volunteers (Jim Burns): Beyond the regular program, spend 60 minutes a week in a one-on-one/two conversation with students, 15 minutes a week writing three postcards, and 15 minutes a week making two phone calls.
• Tools, not just talk. Students need to encounter God through the Word and prayer, but for many it's like trying to eat soup with a knife. A lot of kids are trying to dissect the Bible (i.e. "What's the point of Song of Solomon, anyway?") and still find themselves leaving hungry.
• Standard teaching method: HOOK: Get their attention BOOK: Focus on the text LOOK: Examine the meaning TOOK: Facilitate application
• Lectio Divina: God wants to speak to us through His Word but we have to listen. This method has an emphasis on contemplation versus oodles of studying.
• Prayer ideas: One word roundtable; hot seat; responsive; popcorn; centering.
• Memories, not just meetings: What makes something memorable? Surprise; Outrageous; Making friends; Experiential; Tradition; Humor; Intense emotions; New; Gets people involved.
• Survival, not just arrival: Too often our programming and altar calls resemble a "one night stand" versus a lifelong relationship. Instead of teaching kids how to date the church we need to show them how to commit to Jesus Christ. The best way to teach such passion is to live it, recognizing that God does the most amazing work in unlikely places. "Take your shoes off" as you recognize the "holy ground" all around you... like Moses and Joshua you just might find yourself being called to ministry while in a place of desperation.