Just got an email from the folks behind the Children, youth and a New Kind of Christianity conference being held next month. And it was a reminder that there are only 4 weeks until this conference! If you haven’t signed up yet…it’s not too late; you can still register here. This is how they describe the conference:
This isn’t your average children’s and youth ministry conference!
Something is happening in the church. A new kind of Christianity is taking root and growing across the globe. New forms of ministry, worship, and community are emerging. Questions are being asked. And change is happening.But amidst these changes and shifts, children and youth are being left behind. Innovative approaches to ministry with adults are emerging around the world, but little critical reflection and attention has been given to how to nurture young people within a new kind of Christianity.
In May of 2012, leaders, ministers, volunteers, parents, and students will gather in Washington, DC, USA to spark conversations about youth and children within a new kind of Christianity. They will talk about innovative practices, critical issues, and controversial topics like violence, racism, interfaith dialogue, and sexuality. They will emark on a journey together to engage in life-giving ministry with young people. And they will blaze a new trail for the 21st-century church.
After finally figuring out my hotel and flight details two weeks ago, I’m really jazzed about making it out for this conference. I’ll be flying out on Sunday (a red-eye) and getting into DC on Monday morning. I can’t wait to meet up with friends, meet new folks and listen to some phenomenal presentations and panels.
My real hope for this conference is to come back with some really helpful ideas for how to do children’s ministry in a small-church/small-town context. That is one of our struggles at our church right now, and I’m hoping to draw on the wisdom of others at this event. It’s going to be great, and I hope to see some of you there.