We know how this works. Chances are you are a parent looking to see what youth ministries Calvert Community Church offers to families with middle school and high school kids. We can appreciate that, so most of what we have to say on this page is geared to inform parents about our philosophy and practices of youth ministry. Actually, this makes it easier for us. We don't have to work so hard to be boss, groovy, cool, hip, rad, bad, fly or whatever we’re supposed to be these days.

 

Youth Ministry Core Values

We sense God leading us to base all we do in youth ministry on the following essential beliefs about God, God's will, and the church's appropriate response:

·   God deeply loves all youths.

It is the appropriate response of the church to value and cherish youths.

·   By God's design, youths are relational beings.

It is the appropriate response of the church to provide a relationally based youth ministry.

· The Holy Spirit is drawing and gifting youths for lifelong, personal relationships of devoted service to Jesus Christ.

It is the appropriate response of the church to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in actively evangelizing and discipling youths.

· God is the Creator of families and often draws people to his Son, Jesus, working in and through families.

It is the appropriate response of the church to work with youths in partnership with their families wherever possible.

 

Youth Ministry Mission

Grounded firmly in these core values we feel led to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in pursuing the following two-part mission for youth ministry:

1. Create an environment in which youths are exposed to the gospel of Jesus and expose youth to Biblical life principles.

2. Prepare, equip, and release the youths for ministry in our church, their communities, and in the world at large.

 

Youth Ministry Strategy

Our regularly scheduled youth ministry program primarily targets the middle school and high school student who is not antagonistic toward the church, and who is somewhat given to "spiritual" things. Effectively reaching the targeted student involves much effort in providing a well-balanced, multi-level Discipleship Ministry.

1. ENTRY LEVEL--(Come and See)

The purpose of the youth outreach ministry is to reach the curious, the fun-seekers, the non-interested and the secular--to expose new people to Jesus Christ in a positive way and see them further accept Christ’s followers or go away closer to accepting Him.

2. GROWTH--(Come and Grow)

As convinced students accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, they must be nurtured and fed in order to mature in Christ. During this stage, the Youth Ministry Team spends time building relationships in order to create an environment of love, trust, and acceptance which will in turn facilitate an atmosphere conducive to producing growing disciples. The key principles of this stage are:

a. Atmosphere of Loving Acceptance

Loving acceptance must be the basis for everything we do in ministry. Youth need to be loved and see God's love in practice. They need to be involved in environments where healthy unconditional love and acceptance abounds.

b. Attractive Youth Group Image

Kids want to associate with a group they feel good about, and they need a group which can be a youth subculture group for them; a group where they could possibly attain their primary group.

c. Sense of Significance

Kids need to know that they are a significant member of the group and not just a number. Thus, it is essential that relationships be established between the youth and the Leadership Team outside the church setting...on the kid's own turf.

d. Proper Understanding of Christ

During the Growth phase, youth need to understand the characteristics of the Biblical Jesus. This is the foundational truth of Christianity. Jesus being God is the major truth that separates true Christianity from other false religions. Thus, our verbal teaching as well as our actions must emphasize who Jesus is, what He has done for us, and who we are in Christ.

e. Prayer Base

Establishing a group of individuals who commit themselves to regularly and aggressively praying for the individuals and events within the youth ministry.

f. Communication of God's Word

It is necessary that every aspect of our teaching be embedded in God's Word with the purpose of getting the youth to read the Word on their own and respond to its truth.

3. MINISTRY--(Minister to others)

The purpose of the ministry level is to organize a team of committed young people who have excelled in the growth phase and deeply desire to be trained to use their lives and spiritual gifts to expose their friends to Christ.

 

Youth Ministry Activities

Based on the above Core Values, Mission, and Strategies, the following are typical of Calvert Community Church’s youth ministry activities:

WEEKLY: High School  and Middle School Plus (grades 5-8) Student Group Meeting - Fridays, 7:00 - 8:30 PM

MONTHLY: Group Specials / Socials / Outreach Events / Day Trips / Camping / Etc.

SEASONAL: Retreats / Snow Camp