Parents

We're looking for parents.

Would you mind sponsoring a Fellowship Event for the middle or high school youth? Your role would be a one-time commitment to come to the event, possibly help in the organization of it, or bring some snacks. It all depends on the event, but it would be significantly helpful.

Please see the Youth Pastor to serve in this way.

Covenant Community

a community of leaders committed to God's work with the youth

Charter
As a small community of people committed to God and his ministry among youth, we gather for prayer and discernment of the Spirit’s work in the lives of the youth. The Liturgy of Discernment (see Liturgy of Discernment) will serve as a guide for our meetings that we might be faithful to prayer, the Spirit’s leading and the fulfilling of our vision as it works itself in the various environments of this ministry.

Point 1
We listen to each other. We believe that to effectively minister to the youth at VCRC, we need to first be on board with each other. Starting each meeting, we gather to “check in” on each person’s week, the highs and lows. Youth ministry is about relationship (more importantly, Christ is about relationship). We want to live and model it.

Point 2
We actively engage God. God is not a quick starting and ending point to our meeting. We take time to connect with God in some significant way each meeting through lectio divina, silent prayer and so on. We believe that no ministry will thrive unless we actively connect and grow in our relationship with God.

Point 3
We discern the Spirit’s working among the youth. The Spirit is already ministering to youth in many different ways. We seek to join with God in his work. Give our intention of prayer and listening to God, we’ll take time to talk about how we believe God is currently and/or intending to move among the youth.

Point 4
We regularly review and revise the vision as led by the Spirit. Our vision at present:

• that youth are pastored
• that youth experience God
• that youth actively engage the Spirit’s call to action in some way

Point 5
We regularly review, revise and seek to fulfill Places and Spaces. Places and Spaces have been established to allow the vision to unfold. These are the situations and opportunities that - at our present understanding of God’s leading - best serve our vision.

Point 6
We regularly address the “business” of this ministry:

• guide in the planning youth calendar
• review recent and upcoming scheduled events
• find and develop gifted youth and adult leaders
• serve as a sounding board to the Youth Pastor for the needs of the church family
• encourage parents to be involved in scheduled youth activities

A parent, young adult or leader of any age may join this community. Please consider it, will you?

Front Porch

There was a time when the front porch was a space where people gathered informally for conversation and relationship. Friends and neighbours could walk by and stop if they saw you sitting there. You might share some drink and personal connection. News was shared and stories were heard. Community was found on these steps and platforms at the entrance to our homes.

Inside someone’s home was where you could find a greater level of intimacy in relationship. Many of us are quick to invite someone inside our homes. Yet, they generally remain sacred and intimate spaces, and people intuitively know to respect our privacy.

And the front yard? Well, a little too open-spaced and unwelcoming for the passer-by.

It was the front porches that played a role in developing and fostering relationships. They were something, somewhere between the front yard and the inside of our homes. They were places connection came easily.

Now, we don’t have them by and large. They have been designed out of our communities and homes. We are removed from our neighbours and have lost these informal, yet important spaces for connection.

These community hot spots are still needed; we hunger for opportunities to connect in ways that the front porch once offered. Front porches always promoted and fostered relationships to grow since a casual conversation with a passer-by may have lead to a more significant form of connection later on. A few talks about the weather over a few weeks could have led to some discussion about personal struggles and concerns.

Jesus’ style of ministry was a type of front porch ministry. He gathered with folks as they were out and about doing their daily routines. He encountered people where they were through informal, non-planned settings. It worked. People grew to know him – really, God – and very well. With him, they fellowshipped, walked the road, dined, listened to his teaching, struggled, and prayed. Even more, they were set forth to bring his message to a lost world. They became his ministers through casual, day-to-day contact with him.

Jesus is not physically present with us today. We can’t have a complete imitation of his time here on earth. Yet, his Spirit is within each of us, and through this we can emphasize a style of ministry that promotes growth in Christ through some informal and open-ended means.

We have a front porch ministry here in this church. It’s the youth pastor’s office space, Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, a home or a provincial park. The youth pastor and other adults have sought out youth to connect and walk the road with them as did Jesus and his many followers.

It’s about building a relationship with youth that their personal questions of faith and life can surface and find expression.

Questions and comments range from the personal, to the profound, to the theological.

Where else but a front porch ministry would some of these questions/statements arise?

• I want to be a pastor. What do you think?
• If Satan chose to rebel against God and take a bunch of angels with him, does that mean there is free choice in heaven?
• I don’t have much of a relationship with Christ. How do you experience one?
• Things aren’t so good between my dad and me.
• What do you think about the death penalty?
• I’m lonely in school and don’t have any friends.
• I don't understand the Lord's Supper. It seems so depressing. Isn't it supposed to be a celebration? I mean, isn't that the way it once was?
• My adjustmet to this country has not been easy. I really would appreciate some prayer and talk once in a while.

These are just samples. Yet, a front porch approach – connection, openness and availability – fosters youth to grow in their journey of faith that meets them where they live. It’s the coffees, the drop-in’s, and the quick or long talks that over time build a relationship of trust such that the youth are led to greater knowledge and relationship in Christ. Kids are pastored in this style of the front porch. The vision is hopefully – in part – experienced through this Place within VCRC's ministry.

There is a downside. It’s organic and therefore not something that has a sign up sheet or a spot on a calendar. So, some kids can be or are currently missed. Yet it’s our hope that every youth is accounted for in this Place. So, in or Covenant Community (youth ministry committee) we’ll be regularly looking over our list of youth and checking to see that each is covered by an adult mentor who routinely looks out for him or her, connects with him or her for coffee, stops by to see him or her at school and so on. This may be the youth pastor or some other adult leader who expresses interest in this type of ministry.

Breaking Bread - Young Adults

Meeting every 2nd and 4th Sunday each month.

Our young adult community gathers for fellowship, food and conversation. We will generally be connecting with some study materials, as well. For example, for the first couple of months of the semester, we will be reading through the book Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation. This book is a memoir of sorts by a 20-something who grew up in a traditional church environment. She slowly became disillusioned by the insitutionalized form of church. This book recounts her movement through her struggles to maintain her faith without completely abandoning the church. Her voice speaks to a part of many of us, no matter what our age.

This year, we will also be exploring our role as stewards for God's earth. We began some discussions last semester about this topic and will continue doing so. Yet, we intend to put our thoughts and words into more concrete action.

Bits o' Tim

On Sundays, following the service, youth are invited to come by Pastor Rob's office for a snack (usually Tim Bits, as the tradition has gone). They may share in some conversation and meet some new youth. This is also an opportunity for youth to be pastored/shepherded. Through this informal time, a quick conversation or brief hello can be a window of opportunity into what is happening in the youth's life. This may lead the way to some follow-up pastoral conversation over coffee or on the school grounds that next week.

Prayer Photos

As youth are willing, a picture will be taken. On the back, we'll post the youth's name and a brief biography. These photo/bio's will be posted on the bulletin board outside Pastor Rob's office. There will be mulitple copies of each youth so that many members of the church may take one (or a few) to post at home as a reminder to pray for youth throughout the coming year(s).

Action

A believer's life always leads to action in some capacity; our inner growth in the Spirit leads to fruit. This may be formally structured outreach programs or a sense of mission with everyone with whom we connect.

As part of our time during Space for God, we will take time each session to talk about how we are living our lives as believers:

• What ways has God been using each of us this past week?
• What is God calling each of us to do in some specific way that demonstrates our faith?

We also will explore what God is calling us as a youth ministry body to do this coming year in a more formal way. Rather than a trip planned and ochestrated by the youth pastor or leaders, it's hoped that together the youth will discover where God is leading.

Adult Mentors

There is a need for committed adults to serve God by connecting with youth who have an interest for intentional discipleship, profession of faith or general mentoring. We are in particular need for some females to mentor and shepherd some of the girls in the ministry.

If this is an area you would like to further explore, please contact the youth pastor.

Lectio Divina

At times used during Space for God...

We talk about scripture. We often study it. Yet, Scripture is ultimately about a relationship. Scripture is the spoken word of Someone with whom we share an intimate relationship. Scripture are God’s words to us.

When a good friend advises, encourages, or challenges you take those words to heart. We can do so in a similar way with God.

Lectio Divina (lex-ee-oh dih-vee-nu). Is a Latin term for divine reading. It is a way of listening to God that has been practiced by some of the early Christian fathers and mothers.

FOR CONSIDERATION

• Lectio is a way of looking at the Bible to hear God’s voice to us. You’re not analyzing scripture. Try to get out of your head and into your heart. Scripture study is important, but this is different.
• It’s a way of encountering God in a very deep way. It’s different than prayer that’s formal, wordy, one sided. You don’t need formal knowledge for Lectio. The only thing you need is a willingness and desire to hear God’s voice.
• This process will transform your life and relationship with God. It can pull you out of the routine in your relationship with God.

GROUP PROCESS
1. Prepare your heart. Sit quietly for a moment. Stay alert. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing, and then center you heart on God. If you get distracted, just come on back to your focus on God.
2. First stage reading. Read the passage twice out loud. Listen for a key word or phrase from the passage that gets your attention. Don’t question it. Even if the word seems odd. Just see what jumps out at you. Repeat that word to yourself during a one-minute silence. When the leader gives the signal, say aloud to everyone that word or brief phrase. No more. No interpretations.
3. Second stage reading. Have someone else read the passage. During this reading, listen to how this passage touches your life. What’ your initial impression of this word or phrase? Think about this for about 2 minutes of silence. When the leader gives the signal, share with the larger group.
4. Third stage reading. Someone else now reads the passage for the final time. Listen to a possible invitation from God that He is giving you for the next few days during a few minutes of silence. This invitation may be something specific God is asking you to do to fully embrace and live out his message to you. Share with group.
5. Pray. Pray silently or aloud for God to help the person on your right to respond to the invitation received.

NOTES
Lectio Divina is to be used on very short passages, 2 – 10 verses. No more than that. Certainly, you can use aspects of Lectio Divina if you are reading longer passages, and you do not need to read short passages to hear God in your heart. Lectio Divina is just one way of listening. There are others that can be equally as helpful.

Here are some sample passages: Luke 5:4-7; Psalm 23:2; Psalm 22:1-2; Psalm 42:1-3; Mark 10:47-48; Psalm 13, Isaiah 55:10-12a; Psalm 46; Colossians 3:14-16; Philippians 4:5-8

INDIVIDUAL LECTIO
You can do the same thing by yourself. Follow the general outline above:
1. Take a moment to be silent and prepare your heart to hear God.
2. Read the key passage twice, listening to a word or phrase that jumps out at you. Ponder that word for a couple of minutes,
3. Read the passage again. Listen for some greater meaning of the word or phrase.
4. Read the passage one more time. Listen for God’s invitation to you over a few minutes of silence.
5. Pray.

Note – Between each reading, it is helpful to sit in silence for at least a few minutes. Part of the healing and connection that comes with God occurs during the silence.

Helpful resource for these notes – Gathered in the Word, Norvene Vest

Fellowship Events

Fellowship events are the fun, active large group gatherings within our youth ministry. Most youth ministries are based on these types of events. They draw a fair amount of kids out and engage youth in a style and language they appreciate. Things like Chaos and Control, Spy Games, movie and pizza nights, Guess Who? and other events are examples.

For us, it's not just something we do. There is purpose and reason behind these activities. For some people, it may not seem like an event is profitable on a spiritual level. Yet, the event is only the shell or framework for something that will hopefully happen on a deeper level later on.

While it's true that most Fellowship Events don't draw youth into a deeper experience of God, they do provide ripe opportunities for pastoral connection. And this is one of our key points of vision. Leaders are encourged through the means of the event to connect with youth, grab an opportunity to talk or check-in. Given the nature of an event, youth are more open and willing to share a few thoughts about what is happening in their lives. The event itself might not be the place for in-depth mentoring but does serve as a springboard for it to occur at some other time.

Profession of Faith

We would like to encourage all youth to make a profession of their faith. In part, it is a step for the youth to publicly proclaim what he or she believes. Jesus is not just one-on-one. Jesus is about a community. As believers, we want to make steps into community, not stand apart from it. Profession of Faith is one way to intentionally connect with the fellowship of believers.

Granted, it's not a do or die thing. It doesn't save anyone to do it in this way. A person's heart in connection with Christ is the main deal.

Yet, God encourages connection.

"Here I stand. Here is what I believe...." And the response? "We support you and will walk with you!"

All members have a role in raising a youth in the faith. When a youth stands before the congregation, together everyone can affirm their part to support and encourage a youth to grow in maturity. (Granted, this takes some intention on everyone's part beyond a pledge of a few words.)

To help youth prepare to profess their faith, 6 or 7 guided sessions with a mentor are completed. The study "I Believe" will be used. It's straightforward and easy to grasp. Some brief reads and reflections are done during the week with a follow-up discussion with the mentor. This nice thing about this plan is that a relationship in faith is created. Questions are raised and processed.

It's really a path to know God better and to more accurately declare what we believe.

Please speak to the youth pastor about beginning these sessions.

Intentional Discipleship

Intentional discipleship is similar to Front Porch Ministry yet with greater focus. At times, youth have shown interest in particular topics of study. However, it is not always available to gather larger groups for study given schedules and time availability. As youth have interest, there is the opportunity to do more personalized and intentional mentoring. Young couples and individuals are currently meeting regularly for study, prayer and discussion.

If a youth has an interest in growing in some area of faith and life, it's possible to study and discuss in a mentoring relationship with that youth.

Please talk to the youth pastor about this option.