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2007-07-03 issue:

Youth Ministry Council meets in Hesston

by Michele Hershberger

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HESSTON, Kan.—Intergenerational ministry and better Bible teaching topped the list of crucial issues facing Mennonite youth ministry and the wider church when 29 youth leaders gathered at Hesston College for the annual Mennonite Church Youth Ministry Council May 14-17 to discuss youth ministry in Canada and the United States.

Shana Peachey Boshart, conference youth minister for Central Plains Conference of Mennonite Church USA, led the group in discovering these and other issues. The process was unique in that all the agenda for the meetings rose up from within the group.

Central to the discussion was the dilemma of the typical youth ministry structure that many congregations use. Merle Hostetler of Indiana-Michigan Conference said, “We expect [youth] to be involved in the general congregational life on a long-term basis, yet we don’t set them up for that at all. The very thing we’ve created may cause more harm than good.”

Mentoring is one answer but not the cure-all. “Being asked to be a mentor is scary,” said Joy Cotchen of Allegheny Conference. The group also noted the importance of naming the stereotypes that the generations have of each other. “We need to work at seeing the youth as givers and not just receivers,” said Jill Swiers of Pacific Northwest Conference.

Understanding the Bible and Anabaptist theology emerged as other crucial needs for Mennonite youth. “All ages struggle with knowing the Bible—not just the youth,” said Scott Benner of Eastern District Conference.

The group grappled with problems all generations face today—busy lifestyles, learning how to filter and analyze electronic media and finding quiet time to reflect.

The group included conference youth ministers from Canada and the United States and church-wide agency staff whose jobs interface with youth ministry. Represented were 15 conferences, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Camping Association, Mennonite Publishing Network, Mennonite Education Agency, With magazine, Mennonite Youth Convention, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.), Eastern Mennonite Seminary (Harrisonburg, Va.), Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.) and Hesston (Ks.) College. Anna Rehan represented Mennonite Church Canada Formation, and Diane Zaerr Brenneman represented Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership.

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