Seismos is a gathering of 17 youth leaders from 4 states & 15 churches representing over 9 different denominations. We’re meeting for three days to dig into what the future of youth ministry might be. This is the second post, which will give you a glimpse of who is here participating in the conversation.
we asked each leader to share where they’re at, how they got there, a few top books/authors, and the basics of what they do. some church/group #’s have been included, not for ranking but for contextualization. this is the super condensed version:
John Moores
-Rivertree Christian Church in Jackson Township
-started pursuing youth min in early 90’s. 10 years @ Saint Philips in Pittsburgh. 2 years @ Rivertree (3 campuses….coaches/oversees)
-Reggie McNeal – “Practices of Greatness”
-”In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day”
-Richard Foster – “Celebration of Discipline”
-large part of John’s role is communication & oversight/coaching
Matt Wiggins
-Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church in NC (average age 65, less than 200)
-in 2006 moved to Charlotte & shortly after started at QHPC
-”The Things They Carried” – Tim O’Brien (story truth & real truth)
-likes making movies as a group
-currently doesn’t have many adult volunteers
-”The Rite” – Mike Baglio
Frankie Graber
-Hartville Church of the Brethren
-”Contemplative Youth Ministry”
-no regular programming but assorted activities
-currently doesn’t have many adult volunteers
-started doing youth ministry in her late 40’s
Joe Troyer
-Hartville Mennonite
-2 1/2 years…is his home church
-how do you teach in the midst of seasons of transition in your life?
-”Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture” – Walt Mueller
-”Beyond Me – Grounding your Youth Ministry in God’s Story”
-Greg Boyd books
Laura Meierediecks
-Rivertree Christian Church
-involved in Youth for Christ in high school
-interned @ Rivertree for a few years & started full-time as MS oversight 8 months ago
-spends a lot of time investing in leaders
-Henri Nouwen, Rob Bell & Shane Claiborne
Darin Nisely
-First Mennonite (Canton, OH)
-does after school programming in urban neighborhood – The Lighthouse – “it is a ministry, but it doesn’t really look like one”
-youth group at church is 60% from neighborhood, 40% from church – goal for breakdown
-how does youth ministry 3.0 fit with urban culture?
-Greg Boyd – “Myth of a Christian Nation” & “Repenting of Religion”
Chelsae Cobb
-Saint Philips church in Pittsburgh
-been there full time for about 2 years
-HS – rotates, worship, meals, service
LeAnne Snavely
-volunteer worship leader at Rivertree
-finishing @ Malone University this semester
-Rob Bell & Shane Claiborne, Bonhoeffer & Panenburg
-feels a calling to bridge academia & the church
Derek Myers
-Faith Methodist in Canton
-interned at First Friends for 4 years & then interim high school guy @ First Friends for 6 months
-1/2 of population of youth group are from “charter members” families and 1/2 don’t have much church “experience”
-have intentional “organic” hangout times outside (at Caffe Gelato), etc
-”The Brothers K”
-”Pagan Christianity” – Frank Viola
-”Jayber Crow” – Wendell Berry
Richard Smith
-Sharon Methodist in North Carolina for 3 years
-20 years of youth ministry, 4 different churches
-”Under The Overpass” – Mike Yankoski & other social justice stuff
-went from large program in Florida to small program in NC
-”Crazy Love” – Francis Chan
-Jim Cymbala, Mark Yaconelli
Kevin Thomas
-First Baptist in Canton – 9 years
-started doing YM in 1993
-”Help for Kids Who Hurt” – Marv Penner
-”Screen Free Parenting” & “King Me” (father/son book)
-Ted Doeker stuff
Paul Rhodes
-Valleyview Church in Louisville, KY
-9 years as Middle School guy @ Valleyview
-did 2 years as Children’s Pastor prior
-”Me to We” (leadership book)
-large number of adult leaders
-do small groups based entirely on affinity group
Matt Ellington
-Stanwood Community Church about 8 months in Dalton, OH
-home church…and now their first youth pastor
-”Youth Ministry 101″ – Walt Mueller
-”Sustaining Youth Ministry” – Mark DeVries
Tom Roepke
-New Hope Community Church, outside of Ashland, OH
-30 years in ministry, last 3 as full time
-works with a lot of adult leaders
-”Believing in Christ” series from Youth Specialties
-”Simple Church”
-Malcolm Gladwell & Seth Godin
-”Crazy Love” – Francis Chan
Jarrod Williams
-The Chapel
-grew up Catholic, then went to Pentecostal
-connected into Campus Crusade at Kent State
-started MS ministry at The Chapel 7 months ago
-”First 2 Years in YM” – Doug Fields
Char Messenger
-Deuber United Methodist
-YM for 20 years
Joel Daniel Harris
-Middle School Youth Pastor & Instigator of Justice at First Friends
-been there 9 months…at The Chapel for the 4 years prior, also in Middle School
-”The Brain That Changes Itself”
-”Jayber Crow” – Wendell Berry
-”5 Smooth Stones” – Ann Fairbairn
