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INTRODUCTION:
In 2003 Session and Committee
launched Future First to secure funding and so create the Director of
Youth Ministries post within First Lisburn. As a result Matt Craig
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joined us. Through this post we want to pool together and strategically
build on the various youth ministries within our congregation. One of
the many aims was to produce an overarching Youth Strategy for all such
activities.
PURPOSE:
(What are we about?)
Relying on God’s grace we
want to meet young people, between the ages of 4 – 25, where they are
and communicate Christ in an authentic way that encourages faith and
draws them towards a life of discipleship, service and belonging within
Christ’s body, the church.
VISION:
(where we want to be in 2-3 years time)
A growing youth ministry
within the centre of Lisburn that is an integral part of the worshipping
community of First Lisburn characterised by:-
- Evangelism- Making contact with
both our young people and those unconnected with First Lisburn so
they are able to hear and understand the message of Jesus. Our hope
is that by God’s grace they will place their faith in Jesus as
Saviour and Lord.
- Fellowship – Those who come to
our youth ministry should find a welcoming and safe environment in
which they have room to ask questions about their faith and identity
and we are prepared to respond to them. Our hope is that young
people will develop meaningful relationships with each other, youth
leaders and the congregation of First Lisburn. We as a congregation
should be aware of issues that face young people and be prepared to
draw along side them giving appropriate help as they work their way
through them.
- Discipleship – Our youth
ministry should give young people time and space to investigate the
challenge of Jesus as he calls them to be his disciples and
witnesses within their sub-culture. We also want to provide learning
experiences through practical service and outreach opportunities. We
who are the worshipping community need to model discipleship to our
young people at all times.
- Worship- Young people will be
encouraged to investigate and develop worship styles that are
meaningful to them in their own organisations and in congregational
services. Such times should enable them to worship Jesus with their
lives after the event.
VALUES: (what we want
to shape the way we do our Youth Ministry)
- Christ Centeredness – We need
to continually keep our focus on Jesus Christ as we seek to serve
him in our ministry.
- Biblical Basis – Here we find
the only reliable source of knowledge about God and how we should
live for him.
- Prayer Support – We are totally reliant on God’s
blessing to make our ministry effective.
- Relational Youth Work – We are
told that the most effective way to minister amongst post-modern /
millennial young people is via authentic relationships rather than
relying solely on programs. However programs are absolutely
necessary to give structure. We recognise that each organisation has
its own structure.
- Inter-generational Community –
all generations working together as the body of Christ to achieve
our goals.
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