project genesis

Project GenesisThe St. Andrew Anglican Church

Youth Ministry Blueprint

Why Project “Genesis”

• Genesis is regarded as the beginning and sets the pace for the rest of the Bible.

• Similarly, this project will establish the foundation for the St. Andrew Anglican Church Youth Ministry.

• The dove with the olive leaf from the story of Noah symbolizes hope, a new beginning & building anew.

The Purpose• To create an environment that will foster a

young person’s relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, education, stewardship, fellowship and love.

• The youth ministry must become sustainable, educational, continuous and vibrant.

• The notion that youths are “the church of tomorrow” must be erased so that youths can find their role in the church today.

Things to Note• Youth ministry members are never constant

– Members age, migrate, graduate, marry and go through dramatic changes from youth to adult

• Although the membership is dynamic the framework should be consistent.

• Youths are enthusiastic, energetic, & fickle in nature.

• The Youth Ministry consists of 2 age groups1. Adolescents: 13-182. Young Adults: 19-35

Things to Note• All issues can not be addressed at the

group-level.

• The ministry’s focus must be member-centric i.e. focus on individuals.

• One challenge is to find the balance between social and spiritual activities.

Things to Note• The Youth Group must have

representatives in the following bodies:

I. Management CommitteeII. VestryIII. South Regional Anglican Youth CouncilIV. Diocesan Youth CouncilV. Caroni District Council

Constraints & Scope• The diocese does not have the most

reliable communication system. Initiative is required to address this shortcoming.

• The project scope is scaled to concentrate on the church of St. Andrew before incorporating the entire parish once successful.

HierarchyPriest (Clergy)

Adult Coordinators

Executive

Members

Hierarchy• Each Adult Coordinator must have a clear role.

• The Executive members can be elected or appointed by the Adult Coordinators.

• The Executive consists of:I. PresidentII. Vice PresidentIII. Communications Officer & AssistantIV. Treasurer & AssistantV. Secretary & Assistant

Faculties• Faculties are departments within the Youth Ministry

that will facilitate the interests of our young members.

• These faculties include:I. SportII. Music III. Theatre & Dance (Arts)IV. TechnologyV. CommerceVI. Education & EmploymentVII. Young Clergy

Faculties• The following must be found to establish a

faculty:

I. Qualified & competent adult facilitators.

II. Faculties are specialized and will target the specific interest of the young members.

III. Members can choose any number faculties that they wish to join.

IV. Plan, feasibility study & budget

Sport• Football: A football team will be formed for male

& female to play other churches & community teams.

• Cricket: Will be played at least twice per year within the parish.

• General Fitness: All members will be encouraged to exercise daily and eat healthily.

• Other Sports such as basketball, track, netball & table tennis will be considered as the project progresses.

Music• The Folk Choir will accommodate

singers.

• An ensemble will be formed to accompany the Folk Choir with musical instruments.

• A feasibility study will be done to analyze the possibility of a church music school.

Theatre & Dance (Arts)

• The service will be enhanced through theatrical devices such drama, puppets, etc.

• Dancing the elements to the altar.

• Annual Youth Ministry Concerts to exhibit talent & possibly raise funds.

• Using theatre to portray the Lectionary Readings

Technology• This faculty will oversee the church’s

social media such as facebook.

• Develop and maintain the church’s website.

• Explore, experiment and implement innovative ways to improve church life.

Commerce• The Youth Ministry will establish a

business.

• Youths will learn the principles of business.

• Entrepreneurship will create an income for the Youth Ministry.

• The need for fund raisers will be reduced.

Commerce• Possible products & services include

I. E-Store: Opening a Parish E-Store on the parish website to sell e-books and other items.

II. Small-scale Agriculture: Use the grow box system of agriculture to cultivate crops within a small area on the church’s compound.

III. Photography & Videography: record & produce DVDs of special church events such as baptism, weddings, confirmation & thanksgiving services etc.

Young Clergy• Aimed at unearthing aspiring priests

and clergymen.

• Acolytes and Lay ministry training will be encouraged to create a platform for further clerical pursuits.

Education & Employment

• The greatest human resource we have in our church is the number of teachers.

• We can create a learning environment e.g. homework center to help target essential subject areas such as Mathematics and English.

• All young members should have access to job opportunities through the assistance of church membership.

Activities• The 5 main activities include bible study (spiritual),

community stewardship, social, youth service and fundraising.

• Regardless of faculty all young members of the church should participate in all activities.

• Adult coordinators should facilitate activities.

• Notably, Youth Sunday, the 2nd Sunday each month is not the only Sunday for youth fellowship.

Bible Study• The most challenging habit to

implement in the past.

• Will need to employ creative tools such social media, debates, theatre, art, research, lectures, quizzes and writing.

• This will address prayer, worship and aspects of Anglicanism.

Community Stewardship

• The youth ministry will use its capacity and resources to assist the community.

• Youth ministry should aggressively help those in need. For example, clothe the naked, feed the hungry and help improve our community.

• Visit hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages etc.

• Environmental clean ups.

Special Cases• Due to the exposure to a variety of

social ills. Special individual cases may spring up such as drug use, abuse, sexual, relationships, unwise decision making and career guidance.

• Adult Counselors must be trained and be readily available to advise and assist young members in distress.

Performance• The group & individual performance must be

measured monthly based on I. Church ActivityII. FinanceIII. Membership DriveIV. Meeting Attendance

• The group’s executive will produce monthly reports and submitted to the coordinators. This will form the Youth Group’s Annual Report & adhere to the Annual Reports structure.

• The performance Measurement is essential to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the Youth Ministry.

OutreachThe means to keep flow of membership going:

1. Word of Mouth – speaking to church members

For Example,Q. “Why should someone join the youth group?”

A. “This is what we do (list activities) and this what we have available to you (list faculties).”

Outreach2. Phone Team

o Volunteers for phone team should be given a guideline to call visitors and members to find out how they are doing, pray with them, council them and encourage them to attend service and join groups.

o Team members will be given a list of visitors & members from our database.

o Phone calls must be genuine and not appeared to be read out.

o The integrity of the church database is maintained.

o Hospitality is enhanced and our church extends beyond Sunday and Tuesday services.

o They can choose use the parish office phone.

Outreach3. House Visits • Use close acquaintances or the phone

team to schedule visits.

• Visits must be planned to give the visit purpose.

• All interacts of outreach should be recorded for follow ups, to monitor progress & effectiveness.

Outreach4. Encourage Parents & Guardians

• Annual meetings with Parents & Guardians.

• Reachout for feedback from Parents & Guardians on the influence the Youth Ministry has on their child.

• Invite parents to youth events.

Draft ScheduleMonth 2014 Deadline to Establish Faculty or Activity

Completed Establish Regular Youth Service

June Theatre & Dance, Technology

July Sport, Phone Team, House Visits, Social

August Community Stewardship, Bible Study

September Education & Employment

October Music, Counselors

November Young Clergy

December Concert / Fund Raiser