Registration remains open for LCMS Youth Ministry’s third National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference (also known as “NATIONAL”) — set for July 10-13 at the Westin Hotel In Indianapolis, where participants may take advantage of a special discount room rate until June 19.
“NATIONAL” provides leadership training for volunteer and professional youth workers in Synod congregations in years when there is no National LCMS Youth Gathering.
Under the theme “Something Better,” this year’s conference offers more than two dozen workshops, keynote presentations, Bible study, first-time in-depth “intensives,” and an optional “boot camp” to enhance team building.
Scheduled keynote speakers are Brad Alles, religion teacher at Milwaukee Lutheran High School; Dr. Micah Parker, headmaster at Lutheran South Academy, Houston; Director of Christian Education Patra Mueller, Irvine Calif.; and Travis Hartjen, a DCE from Austin, Texas.
Leading daily Bible study will be Dr. R. Reed Lessing, associate professor of Exegetical Theology and dean of the graduate school at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
“Intensives” — led by Concordia University System faculty members — will guide participants’ study of a single topic of interest over the four-day conference. Those topics include:
- “Adolescent development and spiritual nurture.”
- “Confirmation and youth ministry influence.”
- “Worship and youth.”
- “Teaching for Influence: the ‘teaching’ youth ministry.”
- “Building youth to be congregational leaders.”
Exhibitors will represent some 20 LCMS entities and student organizations that relate to youth ministry.
Billy Buchanan will provide music for the event.
“This conference has been a successful one for youth workers from all settings,” said Gretchen Jameson, director of the event and former associate director for LCMS District and Congregational Services Youth Ministry. She emphasized that it “provides those serving the church with the unique opportunity to be challenged as they network with volunteers and professionals from across the LCMS.”
Jameson described “TEAM Boot Camp” as “a two-day experience for youth ministry staffs, boards, and teams, [guiding them] through facilitated group initiative challenges designed to enhance team building.”
Registration for NATIONAL is $285 per person, and may be completed online at the conference Web site, www.nlywc.com. The discount lodging rate of $119 per night at the Westin applies for single or double occupancy.
For more information, visit the conference Web site or call (800) 248-1930, Ext. 1155.
Posted May 15, 2008
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