|
Sharing Our Youth Groups
Our denomination's mission remains
strong and clear: "To make disciples of Jesus
Christ for the transformation of the world".
Now is an amazing time to fulfill that calling and
reach new people for Christ. Never before in the U.S.
have so many people had so little religious training
in their upbringing; and yet have experienced a deep
yearning for spiritual expression. Relationship-building
with young people means sharing an authentic message
of welcome assuring seekers that they can find acceptance
and support for their spiritual journeys toward God.
• Getting Started - Have A Party!
Sharing the warmth and support of your
youth group can as easy as simple personal invitations
but sometimes it is hard to get all of the welcoming
why-what-who details figured out. This answer is printing
a "W3" planning poster (found right) and
calling a pizza party to bring everyone together for
some fun brainstorming!
This 35"x60" poster (which
prints for about $9, finished
example) and
its guide helps groups through planning a teen
welcoming event in a creative way that results in
an action poster to share with your whole congregation
- try it! Include the RocketTown videos as a great
welcoming refresher and for how-to ideas.
• Creating Your Invitation
Need some teen graphics or customizable invitations?
We have several designs available and they are all
free through MediaWarehouse.
Fun messages about your group as a fun, supportive
place to "fill dead time," "hang with
our flock," and finding faith in unexpected places.
Or, you can take these posters, invitations and door
hanger and customize with your own message - browse
teen designs now!
FREE while supplies
last, we have sample invitation cards available for
your group to practice writing invitations - how
many do you need?
Remember to print "www.OrangeFloat.org"
on your invitation as a "meet us online"
site, and to post your event (for seekers to find
on OrangeFloat) on the UMC.org
calendar.
• Build Your Group's Seeker Welcome
Teen seekers from your area need to find your youth
group when they come to OrangeFloat
Village, the social network extension of OrangeFloat.org.
This guide will
help you better understand OrangeFloat Village
and create a meaningful welcome in your group's profile.
• Is Your Church's Profile A Good Match?
New neighbors and visitors cannot find you if you
are not listed on Find-a-church or, worse, if your
information is not current. Is your church's Find-a-church
profile up to date? Unsure?
• check
your profile information here
• here's
a great model FAC profile
• Recommended Group Training Steps
- Download The Igniting Youth Handbook (free,
right) and keep as a ready resource for your group.
It offers five steps to getting involved, teen culture
insights (even a texting dictionary), and an appendix
full of worksheets and checklists. Explore what
it means to be "seeker friendly" with
the 'Rocket
Town' videos. Discuss what you find.
- Download and discuss "Teen Seekers, Who Are
They?" as a refresher about being new to a
church and understanding the motivations that may
be putting them on a spiritual journey. Once you
understand their needs, you can showcase your group/church's
strengths.
- Turn these new insights into a plan with the W3
Planning Poster. Print this free 35"x60"
poster and let the guide take your group through
discussion and success visualization (and some drawing
fun). Then share this excitement with your whole
congregation.
- Explore the free teen invitation designs (on MediaWarehouse)
and how using "www.OrangeFloat.org" offers
a "meet us online" place until your event.
- Explore OrangeFloat.org
and OrangeFloat
Village to get a feel how these new sites work
and where your youth group can help contribute to
what they see.
- Join the next schedule of online Sunday evening
training to hear guest speakers, connect with other
youth groups, share ideas and ask questions.
What
are other youth groups doing??
get/share teen welcoming ideas
more
teen welcoming
overview
| seeker journey | for
adults | resources
|