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The theme for this issue is ‘connecting.’

One of the things youth workers/leaders have said to me over and over since I’ve been in this job is that they feel isolated. When we get busy, stressed and things get on top of us, it’s easy to forget that we’re not alone.

We’re part of a BIG team of people working for God with our young people. Really? Where are they? I hear you ask, Why haven’t I met them? Well they’re right next door - one of the perks of being a Presbyterian is that we’ve got ‘outlets’ all around the country. If the church next door isn’t doing youth ministry, there will be one near by that is (give me a call if you’re really stuck.) As for why haven’t I met them? Well hopefully this issue of fuel will give you some ideas of how you can – locally, regionally and nationally.

It seems to me that we need to work at connecting – it requires time, energy and ongoing commitment. We all know how important building relationships is in youth ministry. It’s the very essence I think of what Jesus was on about all the time (love one another as I have loved you…) But if it’s going to be worthwhile and valuable, we need to think about how we can do it well.

In this issue we look at:
What are ways we can do this one on one with our young people? How can we get them connecting as a group? How do we connect with our wider congregation, our local community, other churches in our region… how do we connect with people around the country?

Contents

<typohead type=2>Connecting One on One</typohead>

Resources on mentoring

<typohead type=2>Connecting Locally</typohead>

Em Colgan (Youth worker, St Lukes, Remuera) shares an idea to connect with youth where you’re at

<typohead type=2>Connecting Regionally</typohead>

Mark Johnston (Co-Convenor for JYMC), Neil Carter (Youth Pastor, St John’s-in-the-City, Rotorua) and Chris Konings (Youth Pastor, Knox, Lower Hutt) give ideas for connecting with people in your region

<typohead type=2>Connecting Nationally</typohead>

Ideas for connecting up with the national scene

<typohead type=2>Connectioning Internationally</typohead>

Andrew Bell (Global Missions Secretary) gives a taster about getting youth involved with overseas mission opportunities