Send Tim to a Seminar

One of the cool things about the Youth Specialties convention is the number of different seminar options that are available. Over the course of the weekend, there are over 80 seminars available spread over 6 different sessions. I thought it would be fun to get you involved, and let you pick the seminar I go to on Saturday morning. Below, I've copied the description of the possible seminars from the convention web site. I've also included links to the speaker biographies, so you can learn a little bit about the people giving the seminars. To the right you will find a poll where you can vote on which seminar I should go to. Then I'll provide updates on Twitter while I'm in the seminar, and write about it here as soon as I have a chance once its over. So, get involved, and help me decide which seminar to go to.

Deep Justice in a Broken World: Helping Students Serve Others and Right the Wrongs Around Them by Chap Clark. It doesn't take a long list of statistics to convince us that our world is broken. Mission trips, service projects, and the financial support of children around the world through various relief organizations are just a few of the ways we engage students in serving the least, the last, and the lost. While these things are all helpful, the world's problems run far deeper than what an occasional pain job or fundraising project can solve. But it isn't hopeless - deep social justice is possible in your youth ministry. In this seminar, based on the forthcoming book of the same title, Chap will guide you in how to help your students grasp more deeply the call of the gospel to 'go into all the world' as chosen representatives. He'll also give you specific and practical tools and tips you can use to help teenagers become active servants in the kingdom of God.

What Monks Can Teach Us: Helping Students Discover the Ancient Art of Listening to the Voice of God by Dave Ambrose. Is it really possible to hear God speak to you? How do you learn to listen to his voice? Is there more to this than just reading your Bible and praying more? Come and discover some new 'ancient' ways of communicating with God and discovery his plan for your life.

Jack Bauer's Youth Ministry: Using TV and Movies for Teaching and Learning Experiences by Mark Helsel. Teaching and learning can be as exciting as an episode of 24! Come and learn how to impart truth to kids using the culture in which they're immersed. We'll look at how to build teaching series, events, and messages using mass media - and all on a budget. Not only will you receive lots of ideas and free videos, but you'll also feel excited about your teaching and youth ministry in a whole new way. By the end of this seminar, you might even become a secret agent and save the world!

Finding Real Freedom: Creating a Rhythm of Life with God by Mike King. A lot of people are talking about a 'Rule of Life.' Too often, developing a Rule of Life becomes another legalistic yoke to carry around. What if you had a Rule of Life that was more of a Rhythm of Life that truly set you free to enjoy our life with God? What if you had a Rhythm of Life that delivered you from the performance trap? What if your Rhythm of Life viewed time differently? What if going to movies, listening to your favorite music, or going to your choice coffee shop were also part of your spiritual Rhythm of Life? This seminar on creating a rhythm of of life is definitely for the youth worker who doesn't like rules and who wants real freedom to live a robust life with God.

Lessons on Leadership by Tic Long. Leading others can be a very challenging task. There's a lot of talk, theories, and philosophies about leadership out there; so much so, it's very easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. This session will get down to the nitty-gritty details of being a leader. Drawing on more than 30 years of leadership experience, Tic will explore the essential tasks and the most common temptations of effective leadership. You'll leave with a better understanding of what it takes to become - or remain - a healthy leader, the kind of leader people want to come alongside.

Enjoy the Silence: Wholly Listening to God by Maggie Robbins. Want to help your students begin to see the Bible as 'alive and active' (Hebrews 4:12)? What would it mean for your students to begin reading the Scriptures from the inside out? Come learn the story and practice of lectio divina, a basic spiritual discipline practiced by some people you may have heard of - Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Eugene Peterson - as well as some other people you may not have heard of - John of the Cross, Anthony of the Desert, Julian of Norwich. This seminar will help you learn how to pray the Scriptures - an ancient practice that can deepen your students' intimacy with God, while bringing renewal and passion to your own walk with God.

Student Life - Journeying the The Blur: Examining the Relationship Between Adolescent Development and Our Fast-Paced Ever-Changing Youth Culture by The Blur, Darren Whitehead, Erin Moon, Chris Kinsley, Scott Burks, Shaun Blakeney, and Drew Francis. Many youth leaders feel equipped to guide the spiritual development of their students. But how do we handle the questions that come with the physical and emotional development? Join Student Life as we navigate the landscape of adolescent development and discover how our increasing understanding only makes our ministry stronger.

Now you know as much as I do about the seminars. Look over to your right and vote!