Conference For Youths by Youths?

[sgkid]

hi...i dunno whether this is the right place for this...so forgive me if it isn't...

i was just wondering...u guys probably know about conferences such as oneday n passion.....yeah...but u prob know of at least one of these type of youth conferences....to inspire youths to reach out to their frens n all....

well...um....do u notice that all these conferences for youths are done by adults? i dunno..it's just a thought that came to me...wouldn't it be cool to have a youth conference like for youths by youths? like...with worship leaders, speakers,etc that are our age (12-18 )....i dunno...maybe i'm the only one that feels this way...but i think that it'll be great to see our peers rise up n lead our own generation...also, i think that having our peers being the once like...speaking n all...it allows the audience to relate better....

wad do u guys think? would a conference for youths by youths be a gd idea? would u go for one?

derrick

[reverbbb]

I would support such an effort. I think the reason that you don't see much of this is because of several different reasons. I'll see if I can point out these issues. But most issues can have a solution.

1) Empowerment - Many youths do not realize that they are empowered by God to do what ever is for the glory of His Kingdom. Therefore, they feel that they have to be completely directed by adults. Many adults feel that youths need the leadership of other adults as well.

2) Technical and finacial resources - This can be the stumbling block even for adults. It oftens takes significant money to finance an effort, even if it as simple as buying the refreshements. The technical abilities are not just equipment, but sometimes the transportation, the logistics of the people skills being established for the event, managing the people involved and so forth.

3) Maturity - It is difficult for youth to accept the fact that they don't know everything there is to know about such events. Even adults have to seek the advise of specialists. The masses of youth may have good intentions, but lack the experience to pull it off. There are considerations like being responsible for injuries, trouble makers, theft control, mentoring to the needy at the event and many other things that may or may not happen.

4) Leadership - A person that takes on such a challenge needs to be a leader that everyone respects and knows how to lead others graciously and effectively.

Like I mentioned, all of these issues can be addressed. Perhaps the solution in some cases is to have an adult advisory board or a general manager that has the capability to address all of these concerns and remain in the background as a safety net, so to speak. The outward appearance is that this is a youth driven event by youth.

Also, there are born leaders in this world. Napoleon was one of those such people. He had worked his way up the ranks of the French Army at an early age. Then when he finally got his chance, he was ready to go forward as a General. God makes leaders and servants. Leaders sometimes do not know they are leaders until they are called upon. Servants may think that they are leaders until they find themselves inadequate to lead and sometimes realize that they are born to be servants.

Good luck with your poll. This seems like an important topic for you.

[stephen]

Hey Derrick!

I was unable to vote, cause the alternative that I would have chosen, wasnt there. I am all for the youth heading up the production of an event as you describe. But, I do have a concern.

I think it would be very important for you to find an elder, that can oversee, your production. One that will not stiffle your creativity, due to taste in music, clothing, etc., but one that has through the Word of God, and through Fellowship in the Holy Spirit, proven himself to be an elder worth recognition and respect.

One that has the kind of wisdom to say things like: "I see where your trying to go with this, but I think it gives the wrong conotation due to these chapters and verses. Keep trying, your almost there!" And he lets you develope it. And then when you have come up with the complete concept, you will know that you have done your best to be as scripturally, and as doctrinally sound as possible, which will then give all the Glory to Jesus!

I'm not just basing this on an old mans opinion. I am also consulting the Word of God. Here are two verses

1 Timothy 3:6)Not a novice(*1), lest being lifted up with pride (*2) he fall(*3) into the condemnation of the devil(*4).

(*1)neovfutoß [Neophutos (neh-of'-oo-tos)]: newly planted: a new convert, neophyte (one who has recently become a Christian

(*2)tufovw [Tuphoo (toof-o'-o)]: to raise a smoke, to wrap in a mist. [metaph.]
1. to make proud, puff up with pride, render insolent
2. to be puffed up with haughtiness or pride
3. to blind with pride or conceit, to render foolish or stupid
4. beclouded, besotted

(*3)ejmpivptw [Empipto (em-pip'-to)]: to fall into
1. to fall among robbers
2. fall into one's power

(*4)diavboloß [Diabolos (dee-ab'-ol-os)]:
1. prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely
2. a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,
[metaph.] applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him

And:

1 Timothy 4:12) Let no man despise thy youth(*a)]; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

(*a)neovthß [Neotes (neh-ot'-ace )]: youth, youthful age.


Now I want to exhort you, with all of your youthfullness, to wave the banner of Jesus high! Shout from the mountain tops all about His Glory! Standing tall in the depths of the valley, because He is with you, and because of Him, you fear no evil!

I want the youth in our Church (I speak of the entire body of Christ) to aggressively evangelize in the Name of Jesus, but, I want to see them do this with wisdom, utilizing the experience of their predecessors, and the support of their elders. To not stumble. To run to win!

Hey Derrick, you could be your generations Billy Graham! So keep thinking these big plans, consult with your parents (if under age, your gonna need there ok!), your pastor, and a respected elder, and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!!!

Also, it just occurred to me: an event of the magnitude you are talikng about, well, there are a lot of logistics involved.

Where will they event be held? Does the city/town/county permit that size of event? Permits required? Extra fees for local police support? Will the local community oppose this event (usually an athiest or two backed by the aclu, to try and stop you, hiding in the city halls wood-works)? How much cash do you have to fund this event? Who is going to pay the bands (some are gonna want to be paid, or get reimbursed for travel expenses, lodging, meals)? how much are you gonna pay for speakers fee's?

Then through all of this you are going to have to deal with officials, managers, salesmen, truck drivers, activists, landfill managers, county crews, etc, etc, and they unfortunately, are going to try to treat you with less respect as they would with an adult. Heck, 99.9% of adults have a hard time with all of those guys listed above, and its just my opinion, but I think they are gonna be harder on you, because of your youth.

Now I am not saying all of this to discourage you. I'm just saying, you have to be aware of ALL the different parameters you will be dealing with, to pull off something of this magnitude. With all of these intricacies, are there enough reliable people in your group, to be able to handle all of these responsibilities? When you look over at "Sally" and "Gerald", are you confident on their past performances for completing things they have gotten involved with? Or, have they left things 'undone'?

I think what I am saying is, you have a lot of questions you need to have answered, before taking on something like this. But if you do decide to take it on, I'll betchya dollars to donuts, that you woulod get a lot of support and prayers from all of us here!

[TheViking]

...... but from where I stand, I would much rather see a healthy collaboration between young and adult leaders. I think we all would benefit from that, combining the drive and eagerness of the youth with the experience and spiritual insight of the older ones.
I might have said this before, but I do believe that one of the reasons many churches don’t experience any growth is that we already have done more than enough dividing and segregation when it comes to age groups. I would like to see a congregation working together to reach a mutual goal for all age groups; bringing more people to Christ. That means involving kids and young ones more in the “grown up” segment, and involving grown ups in the kids and youth segments, but maybe in another way than we traditionally do.
I do agree though. There are a lot of gifted and talented young people with an amazing level of spiritual and personal maturity who without a shadow of doubt would be an asset to the youth ministries. You raise an important question.

[reverbbb]

OK, now that we have seemed to cover the scary side of things, let us consider that a youth group with vision and determination can certainly handle a down sized event. Perhaps up to 50 to 100 people depending on the maturity of the youth involved. But one should not attempt an event of over 10 people without considering having an adult(s) available.

In this day and age, the liabilities are great. For instance, some of the kids decide to do some horse play and innocently chase each other through the building. And YOU are in charge. So, being the mature leader that you are, you do your best to get them to stop running or something might happen. But your leadership and respect is not yet tested or established. So, they continue to defy your repeated requests. Suddenly, one of the kids did not realize there was a glass doorway around the corner - and that something does happen. How do you explain that it was their fault because they would not listen to you? Liability cannot be shared that easily.

Or perhaps there is no accident involved, but you have to get firm and then angry. Suddenly, your Spiritual event takes on an unfortunate tone and people become unhappy with you and the event that you so much wanted to turn out great.

But none the less, I think it is wonderful for youth to step up into service. I would certainly welcome and encourage it in our church. But one of the roles (responsibilities) of an adult is to establish the boundries of behavior for youth. Youth don't like it much, but it is a reality and a relationship that has existed since the beginning of the human race.

[sgkid]

thanks for all the encouragement....yeah. i think we're aware that it's gonna be tough...but, i guess. god will help us? yeah. n i think yeah, we'll prob have one or two adults overseeing the thing, to keep us on track n all...but the main planning (if we do this) are going to be done by youths....

one concern i have tho....this is like, my biggest concern. some youths might like being spoken to by their peers. like, if their peers are the ones speaking, they might not be have the respect for them to listen to them. what do u guys think?

-derrick

[reverbbb]

Again, it may come down to a leadership style of the Master of Ceremony (or band leader). Let's say that your front man for the P&W band is a good leader. That person should be able to introduce the speaker in an effective way so that the speaker gets the attention they deserve. If the speaker is sincere and/or passionate, then they should have no trouble keeping the attention of the audience.

There are a few helpful rules for public speaking. Very briefly, they go like this:

1) Ice breaker intro line. All too often people use a comedy line to break the ice. But it is more desirable to open the speech with a mind provoking thought that will easily segway into the subject. Example: "Imagine yourself being tossed around the waves of the recent tsunami in Asia - would you be cussing or praying?".

2) Preview a short list of the points that you will cover. Usually 3 but no more than 5 points.

3) Have an outline of the points in front of you on 3x5 cards not sheets of paper. Paper can reveal your nervousness too easily. Expand your points, but stay on topic without rambling.

4) Avoid fidgeting or odd hand/body movements. PRACTICE not using the "non-words". Many a speech has been severely weakened from the constant use of phrases like "Umm", "You know" & "Umm". You see this constantly. It is a sign of nervousness, lack of concentration and not being rehearsed to know what you are going to say.

5) Re-state the main points again very briefly.

6) Closing statement. This does not need to be long winded. But many people begin to feel this is there last chance to get their points across, and often over state the closing statement. It should be interesting and be the climax of the speech.

If your speakers can get 50% of this correct, they will be able to command the respect of the listeners, no matter how meek of shy they might be.