--MAKING A DIFFERENCE -- IN SPIRIT'S TIME
There are several elements that are important to me as a pulpit minister. There is public relations, promotion, short and long term operational and strategic planning, building maintenance, accounting, volunteerism and, for me, the most important of all is, what is it? For Paula and me, in our humble attempt to create an inter-generational community in a church that was aging five years ago, we needed a strong youth program.
What I have learned is this, when you add a Children's Church and support it with help and money, it does okay. However, when we add prayer and love from a dedicated core group who see the benefit of new, young families in the church and that core group is trained by our consultants to work with the children, we create ownership. It is affirmative prayer and ownership that brings about the development of a church in spiritual consciousness and growth in membership. In 2003, we began an aggressive push to upgrade and improve our children's program. It began with brainstorming and coming up with the actual operation plan. (Big on business, short on making the kids the priority). This established a base and, for the next two years, we did quite well. Then, in late 2004, it became evident that we needed to re-energize. We needed more kids because ours were all growing up. We looked great in Uniteens and Y.O.U., but we had no little ones.
At first we tried to revamp what we were doing, but then we realized it would take something more. Finally, we began what we probably should have locked down in the first place. WE BEGAN AFFIRMATIVE PRAYER. What we have learned, is that if you want "Youth Experiencing Spirit" there is a two-fold path to follow:
1) 1. Constant prayer and surrender, with the teacher's and parents included.
2) 2. God-centered action to make a difference, because Spirit depends on us.
Today our Youth Program is back and it has brought tremendous benefits to our church. We have been blessed to receive help from Reverend Imm-Kee Lang, who has consulted with our wonderful Youth Director, Lin Wilson in an effort to develop a mission and vision that has spread into the adult community, as well as, the Youth Program.
Now Reverend Imm-Kee and her husband, Reverend Doug, are working magic at their home church in an effort to revive their Youth Department. They are doing this by assisting the Senior Minister, Reverend Linda Dominik at the Ann Arbor Unity Church.
And for us? Lin Wilson and her fantastic team of loving volunteers are looking for more help because we are still growing! In five years, our average age has gone from the 70's down to the late 40's. We still have many of our greatest generation and now the kids and grandkids are here also. In the book of Isaiah 35, it says, "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, He will come and save you".
We are absolutely blessed to be 150 adults and kids on Sunday. Yet, friends, even if there are thirty-three people on Sunday and two kids to start with, you are ready to "Make a Difference." The miracle is there, if you actively own a Youth Ministry. Pray, take action, you are empowered, and it will appear! It is the Spirit that matters, numbers come in Spirit's time. Own your church's future; invest in the kids.
God Bless You,
Reverend Dennis, Unity of Livonia.
For more information, go to www.unityoflivonia.org
