Best Practices Institute V

Beyond Games & Soup Kitchens

with guest speaker and workshop leader Rodger Nishioka

Fun. Ask most young people today about what they want in a youth group or Sunday school and many will say they want "fun." But what does that mean? And how does that match up with a gospel that demands obedience to Jesus Christ? And if we provide something that is fun, are we just enabling youth to be better consumers rather than calling them to a lifetime of discipleship?

When researchers dig beneath the surface of "fun," what they consistently find is that even a youth ministry based on fun gets boring after a while. The truth is, young people are seeing meaning and passion and a connection to something and someone that is worthy of their life's adventure.

Over the course of two days, participants in this year's Best Practices Institute will explore what it means to move beyond the fun of games and the momentary significance of mission events such as soup kitchens to a ministry with youth that truly nurtures a passionate spirituality through a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ.

We will examine the latest research about young people, the newest fads and trends in youth ministry, and end up with a practical understanding of what we are called to do and who we are called to be as leaders in youth ministry.

BPI V Brochure (pdf)