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A Family Letter About Student MinistryDear Cross Sound family, Our church has been richly blessed with lots of families and kids. One of our top priorities is to “develop a comprehensive family ministry with an emphasis on teenage students and whole church involvement.” We’ve been praying and working hard together to make this a reality. God has blessed our efforts. Parents have been connecting in discussion groups. Student small groups are actively meeting together. Mentoring relationships are flourishing. As we look towards this coming year we are excited to see what new things God has in store for us. This letter is written to give us a broad outline of where we hope to go this year in Student Ministry.We want to emphasize that we are all in this together – we need your prayers, input and involvement. Theme Scripture: A Vision Statement for Next Generation Ministry. Together, growing young men and women Unpacking this a bit: Together… we are committed to student ministry as a whole church all-inclusive endeavor. Growing young men and women… we aim to embrace the unique and adventurous call to manhood and womanhood and equip students to flourish and grow. Life-long followers of Jesus….. we aim to encourage life-long habits of the heart that foster understanding of and loyalty to Christ. Committed to His church…. We aim to engage students both in an individual faith and an understanding and love for the church. Restoring God’s world…. We aim to instill “blessed to be a blessing” as a lifestyle, making a positive difference in the world.
—Mentors Over the past twelve months our focus has been on launching small groups and mentor partnerships. We also have seen growth in our short term missions (to Tijuana, Chiapis and Kenya, Ehiopia, hosting Basque students, etc.). Moving Forward… Here’s the plan: (and we would love your input!) Sr. High Students (9th-12th grade): Instead of a Sr. High Sunday class during the second service (what have have been offering) we are proposing a weekly teaching and discussion following the second service at the Krueger’s home around a lunch together. This will be facilitated by a team of teachers — Victor Cruz, Jeff Krueger, Kathy Bice, Dana and Steve Webber and Pastors Dave and Paul. We will focus on a quarterly topic (fall, winter, spring) that will include outside assignments and hands-on learning. Together with this Sunday lunch teaching time we are encouraging Sr. High Students to attend and participate in the weekly worship service. Our goal is to shift the perception of this service from being “the adult service” to an integrated gathering of all ages. Jr. High Students (7th-8th grade): Instead of a “wyldlife format” during the second service (what we have been offering) we are proposing a more intentional bible teaching and discussion time. This will continue to meet during the second service hour on Sunday (10:30). We will focus on a quarterly topic (fall, winter, spring) that will include outside assignments and hands-on learning. This will be facilitated by a team of teaching leaders — Scott and Jen Ekin, Tom Johnston and Mark Bullard. Together with this enhanced discipleship training we are encouraging Jr. High Students to attend the weekly worship during the first service before their class. Also, the first Sunday of every month the Jr. High students will attend the 10:30 service together (instead of a class) followed by a lunch at the Schuler or Ekins home to debrief, ask questions, and just hang out (this lunch will include small group leaders, pastors, etc.) We are excited about these new steps and welcome your prayers, input, questions and involvement as we move forward together.! Blessings, Pastor Paul and the Youth Leadership Staff
You may be asking... Q. What Kinds of things will be covered in the Youth School of Discipleship? A. Over the six years of Jr and Sr. High School we will covering topics which will include: Q. What are the details of these “Connection Points” and how do we get connected? A. Here’s some specifics: —Small groups – Regular meeting together of a group of 4-12 students with an adult leader. —School of Discipleship: Comprehensive and intentional teaching, training and discussion to give students a biblical foundation for life. Primarily taking place on Sundays (see above explanation and highlights below) —Multi-Generational Worship Service: Designed for meaningful participation of all ages. Gathering before God together to be renewed in our faith and sent out into the world. —Short term missions: Our aim is to encourage every student to participate in one or more short term mission experiences in their Jr. and Sr. High years. There are opportunities locally as well as internationally. —Whole Family Spiritual Formation: We believe that the family is the primary place where training, discipleship, mentoring and modeling occur. We are exploring ways to encourage one another in things like family devotions, family worship, family service. — Ministry Partnerships: We have a history of working together with Young Life and other youth ministries and organizations. We welcome and want to foster those partnerships while developing what we sense God is leading us to focus on. Q. How can I become part of the team? A. We are seeking called and committed folks to fill the following roles on the team in each age group: Prayer Connectors (commit to pray regularly for kids and student issues and needs) Kid Connectors (Welcome and include kids, match kids with mentors and small groups, etc.) Idea Connectors (Teachers) Community Connectors: (Coordinate events, retreats, service opportunities, etc.) Student Leadership team: Students to represent the voice of students, lead and serve. Hosts: Individuals/couples willing to open their home for events, meetings. Also, those willing to facilitate/coordinate/prepare meals.
Tell me more about the small groups this fall.... Guys Groups: WHO: 7th & 8th grade boys led by Mark Bullard WHO: 9th & 10th grade boys led by Steve Webber WHO: 11th & 12th grade boys led by Rick Maguire Girls Groups: WHO: The Spiritual Sponges, 7th & 8th grade girls led by Robin Duncan WHO: 9th Grade girls led by Dana Webber & Cindy Beck WHO: 10th – 12th grade girls led by Dana Webber If you are interested in joining a group, or have a son or daughter who might be interested in joining a group, feel free to call the contact person listed and/or contact Marit Krueger, 206 484-4953, Marit@Crosssound.org
Ways in which we are looking for help: I would be willing to carpool youth from church to homes: _______
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