Blog – Page 13 – CBOQ Youth

October 2020

Giving Thanks and Clergy Appreciation Month

By Alvin|2020-10-03T21:50:53-04:00October 3rd, 2020|Alvin Lau|

It goes without saying that 2020 has held unexpected events. So much has happened since March. We are asked to approach Thanksgiving with hearts of gratefulness, but as it approaches being grateful will be easier for some than for others. There are many in our communities (local or regional), and maybe in our churches, who are feeling great anxiety, tension and stress as a result of COVID-19. However, the question remains for each of us individually, “Do I come to God with unreserved thanksgiving?” In Psalm 27, David reminds us of

September 2020

Coaching the Class of 2021

By Alvin|2020-09-24T13:16:27-04:00September 27th, 2020|Alvin Lau, youth ministry thoughts|

Although most high school students are getting into some kind of back-to-school rhythm, their year will be unlike any other. And think about how different it will be for those who are graduating in 2021! It’s just as vital as ever for us to come alongside them as they navigate their move from high school to whatever post-secondary chapter they choose. Our grad mentoring kit is still available as a

Camp and Youth Ministry: working together

By Alvin|2020-09-26T15:42:10-04:00September 26th, 2020|Alvin Lau, youth ministry thoughts|

Youth ministry has a great symbiotic relationship with camps. Youth ministries and Christian camps both strive towards the goal of the next generation knowing and growing closer to Jesus, but we each have our specific platforms in which to accomplish that. That being said, there are many ways we can complement each other in attaining that goal. (You can see specific ways Kwasind, Kids and Youth do this as CBOQ Next Gen in our onboarding guide.) Resource Sharing: God has equipped each of our individual churches and camps with various

Book Club – Youth Ministry: Now and Not Yet

By Alvin|2023-10-23T10:25:44-04:00September 17th, 2020|best practices|

In 2012, Matt Wilkinson wrote a book that guides a conversation between the lead pastor, youth leader(s) and parents in how their church can move towards a youth ministry that is youth-led, adult-mentored and family-empowered. From October to May, each month, we'll spend an hour together with Matt as he shares some key considerations followed by a group discussion with those on the Zoom call. The 10-min sharing by

Pastor Tip: Discuss with your children and youth leaders about integrating the monthly resources.

By Alvin|2020-09-16T13:58:54-04:00September 16th, 2020|Pastor Tips|

It’s vital, as the pastor, to have an understanding of what’s happening in other ministries. It’s not to say you have to manage or organize these. At the very least, if someone asks you what’s happening in those ministries, you can share with confidence and redirect as needed. With these resources, you can discuss with your children and youth leaders if/how they might use them. Perhaps they have a rationale not to use it; that’s fine. They

Pastor Tip: Promote the “One” theme and monthly resources, this month on prayer.

By Alvin|2020-09-16T13:55:15-04:00September 16th, 2020|Pastor Tips|

Both CBOQ Kids (www.cboqkids.ca/one) and CBOQ Youth (www.cboqyouth.ca/one) have monthly resources on specific aspects of our shared theme “ONE”. CBOQ Kids has weekly family-based activities that can be done at home. They are shared on Facebook and on Instagram every week. Encourage your families to try these and share their experiences either through social media, video clips or with images that you can share. CBOQ Youth offers a youth group lesson (both

September 2020 Zoom Recap

By Alvin|2020-09-14T23:59:44-04:00September 14th, 2020|monthly zoom|

3 Key Insights from Dan Martin The youth ministry experience needs to encompass those who want to gather in-person and those who want to connect online. Although some previous roles may not be utilized, reassign those volunteers to new roles (e.g. "Zoom lobby manager"). Hybrid youth ministry allows for youth to pivot with changing restrictions (both when it's lessening or increasing). This will likely be part of

Initial Insights into Gen Alpha

By Alvin|2020-09-14T09:53:33-04:00September 14th, 2020|Alvin Lau, youth ministry thoughts|

Recently, McCrindle (a research organization in Australia) released a report on “Understanding Generation Alpha”; these are kids born approx. 2010 and later. Some are starting to enter youth ministry. Here are some key highlights (especially as they differ from Generation Z): Personalization is key. It’s not just having their “names” on everything; they are growing up in a world where a service or resource is channeled specifically to them individually. This isn‘t a case of entitlement; it’s just “how it

August 2020

Avalanche and Blizzard Update for 2021

By Alvin|2020-10-23T20:42:18-04:00August 30th, 2020|Alvin Lau, Events|

August is about to end, September is just around the corner, and while winter feels far away, some of you are asking what’s happening with Avalanche and Blizzard. Good news! Avalanche and Blizzard are still on! Avalanche is scheduled for January 15-17, 2021 and Blizzard for February 5-7, 2021. How they are carried out may look different from previous years, but the purpose of offering high-quality experiences, musical worship and engaging teaching for youth that focus on the powerful and life-changing love of