Blog posts from Alvin
We continue looking at some observations Renegotiating Faith highlighted its report. (Click here for Part One.) Young adults who went straight into postsecondary studies fared worse on all our measures of religious persistence than those who had taken a gap year. (p.11) I (Alvin) remember that in high school the big push was to graduate and go straight on to university. A gap year was seen as a form of
One month has already passed in this school year. Your high school grads are only nine months away from graduation. How are you supporting them in their transition to emerging adulthood? Renegotiating Faith highlighted that home church youth groups and mentors are key in the successful shift into emerging adulthood. Here is one way for you to help your grads. On June 1, 2019, we along with Power 2 Change,
Each year, there are probably one (or a few) big events everyone looks forward to, whether it’s a retreat, a compassion experience, or that annual big-bash Christmas dinner. Those big events can be monumental and life-changing…if they’re used well. One person suggested to me that big events in youth ministry are giant “sledgehammer” moments where there is potential for huge impact in students’ lives. There are a variety of reasons
Last July, a new report called Renegotiating Faith (RF) was launched from a research partnership between Power 2 Change, InterVarsity, Youth for Christ, Truth Matters Ministries, and The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Renegotiating Faith looks at the transition from high school to the next stage in life for Canadians age 18 to 28 who had a Christian religious affiliation as a teen and who attended religious services at least monthly
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) have graciously offered us a limited block of free tickets to distribute to our churches. The game is on Saturday, October 20, 4:00 pm @ BMO Field. OBJECTIVE We are looking for youth ministries to submit a proposal to CBOQ Youth on how they will utilize some of these tickets to engage with the unchurched friends of their students. HOW DOES THIS
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29 (NIV) For many, home signifies a place of belonging, a place of safety. The church is to be that place for anyone can belong, to return to the one who created us. For anyone who steps into a church, two questions many are asking: Do
Another Assembly is done. Our family gathered to worship and fellowship over three days. Among us was the focus on the next generation. While most of the program was similar to previous years, there were some unique elements to this year's Assembly: God's word delivered by Chap Clark and Tim Day. We were led into God's presence by Drew Brown. Assembly approved the motion to change a by-law allowing churches
The class of 2018 is about to finish high school. The next few months will be filled with excitement, anxiety and a dash of chaos as many head to college and university. Last Saturday, some of these high school grads connected with upper years heading to the same campus this September. Transition 101 is a collaboration with Ambassadors for Christ, Navigators, Inter Varsity and Power 2 Change. Our objective for
Each family does them differently. Our CBOQ family reunion aka Assembly is no different, but something special happens every time our family of churches gather together. For me (Alvin), after being part of 17 Assemblies, I am encouraged by these common occurrences: Friends greeting friends, especially if they haven’t seen each other since the last Assembly. There are numerous people I get to see once a year, and it’s a
After the long weekend (the unofficial start of summer), the school year is almost done. Many youth ministries begin to wind down. It’s time to finish the year well. CELEBRATE: Spend some time recounting the blessings that God’s brought the last few months. Have a special time of prayer. Like so many Baptists before us, celebrate with food. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” DEBRIEF: Take time to debrief
