How many congregations made an effort to get their youth and young adults to the Healing and Reconciliation event on May 5 & 6 at Camp Kannawin?

So what if you do not have a youth group, you still have an opportunity for youth ministry. Maybe you only have 1 youth or maybe 2 or 3, the question is how do you relate to them?  Maybe the question is do you relate to them?

One thing that I think is very important is getting youth to attend events that are relational and educational.  The events that are for hype and entertainment won’t necessarily grow them but can be fun. Back to PCC events. Our denomination provides top quality programming for our youth through Canada Youth, Church Camps, Workshops, Conferences, Mission trips, but the biggest problem is lack of promotion at the local level. An announcement in the bulletin does nothing. We need to find ways to do effective pastoral care with our youth.

Ministers or elders could try the following: meet for coffee or equivalent and talk about the event and say ‘you would contribute a lot to the group’ or “we will arrange your transportation” or “the congregation will help pay the registration” or “I’ll go with you” or I’ll find someone who is going for you to meet and travel with them”. Your pastoral care would be showing them that they are important, that they have gifts to contribute, that you care for their wellbeing.

Locally, hopefully you are finding meaningful ways for these individuals to contribute to the congregation. First of all you need to meet with them and discover their gifts and passions.  And then include them as you include adults.  Always remember to offer training etc. so that they will feel good about themselves.

Let’s care about our youth and young adults, they are not future generation members they are present members.

Annabelle Wallace, Westmount and Braeside Presbyterian Churches