Friday was the official first day of the conference. And if the rest of the weekend is anything like today, its going to be a wonderfully fantastic conference. (This is my prediction and has been since October)
Today I got to watch more youth workers show up and register, hope to get to meet a small percentage of the few thousand who are here.
Friday highlights:
peer panels – I got to be on one peer panel (Ghosts of Leaders Past) and it was a great conversation about how to handle stuff that comes from past ministers. You could have to follow a “rock star” youth minister, a legacy of short-term ministers, an irresponsible minister, or “that’s what so-and-so did”. Each legacy you follow has a different impact on your ministry. What legacy did you follow? What legacy are you creating?
general session – The first general session was great. Doug Fields spoke about the many voices that we hear – voices that can be discouraging. He also talked about 4 things teenagers are looking for.
- Teenagers are looking for relationships
- Teenagers are looking to be amazed
- Teenagers are looking to do something radical
- Teenagers are looking for healing for their hurts
And Jesus is all about relationships. He is amazing. He is radical. He is empathy.
Two more things – a picture of an empty general session room and a picture of a general session room filled with youth workers š
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