Youth Ministries Theme: “ALL IN”
The information below describes our ministries prior to COVID-19. We’ve changed some of our ways of operating to adapt to the unique health and distancing needs of this situation and of our people. Please contact the church (920-261-7237) if you need any further explanation.
The key phrase of Calvary’s youth ministry is “ALL IN” and it is underscored by 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
The underlying message we want our teens to embrace would be summarized as:
- I am pursuing an authentic relationship with God because He is my creator/redeemer.
- I belong to Jesus Christ and define who I am by what He says in His word.
- I exist every day to demonstrate God’s glory by loving broken people.
- I belong to a local body of Christ and am committed to the fellowship and ministry of this core group. We view the maturing process as a journey.
On Wednesday nights we focus on preaching the Word of God. On Sundays we meet in small groups to probe how we can live the truths that we heard preached on Wednesday. Small groups provide a venue for our teens to…
- Talk about how the Wednesday message can be lived in real life.
- Talk about each other’s spiritual challenges.
- Pray for each other and request others to pray for them.
- Share spiritual victories.
- Plan for group activities that seek to apply Scripture.
- Hold each other accountable regarding spiritual growth.
- Become closer friends.
When we have activities we have three objectives.
- “On my knees” means we want to encourage our teens to worship God individually and corporately.
- “Have a blast” means we acknowledge that teens are at a time in their lives where fun and games are still at a premium, the residual of their younger days. Our take on fun is that it should be healthy, safe, and for all, not just a few.
- “Make a difference” means we do some things to reach out to others in order to cultivate an others-oriented focus. Meeting physical and spiritual needs helps us remember what Christ has done for us.
We do have a few expectations of our teens that also involve parents. We list these expectations below not as a set of standards merely focused on externals, but as a means of keeping the social playing field equal in many respects.
- DRESS. Modest and appropriate.
- DRIVING. If your child will be driving to an activity that is at a destination other than the church, we would like to know ahead of time.
- ELECTRONICS. Please, no ear-buds. Texting is ok as long as it is to contact parents.
- COUPLES. Only with other people.
- MINISTRY. If your child wants to work in a ministry, please talk to us. Teens are not allowed to work in Truth Trackers.
Teens and parents of this age face many obstacles and opportunities: the obstacles involve navigating the cultural challenges at a time when the opportunities for fruitful ministry are enormous and ripe. In response to these obstacles and opportunities, the Youth Ministry at Calvary seeks to support our parents as they nurture their children/teenagers to live Christ-centered lives in this age. We want to provide parents/children the encouragement, information, and insight needed to address the unique challenges of growth from childhood through the teen years and into adulthood.
7th & 8th Grade Teens: I’m a Calvary teen in 7th-8th grade. My goal is to cultivate a personal walk with God through consistent devotions and to begin to experience meaningful service.
9th & 10th Grade Teens: I’m a Calvary teen in 9th-10th grade. My goal is to cultivate a personal walk with God through consistent devotions, & meaningful service, and to connect with the unsaved evangelistically.
11th & 12th Grade Teens: I’m a Calvary teen in 11th-12th grade. My goal is to cultivate a personal walk with God through consistent devotions, & meaningful service, to connect with the unsaved evangelistically, and to demonstrate servant-leadership.