NYWC : Big Room Planning
By Adam McLane on August 07 2010
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Comments
From Brandon on August 10, 2010
I have enjoyed NYWC over my last 8 years in youth ministry and value the work that YS puts into the annual conference. I hope that the work you do will continue to bless those in youth ministry. This particular year is not so exciting for me because of your speaker line-up and the recent video that felt a little condescending. Telling me that I’m not in charge and that it shouldn’t be my concern if things don’t go well with your speaker choice makes sense until you ask me to invest church money and my time. I think the church should demonstrate forgiveness, diversity, and all the things you articulated in your video. But there is a difference between the church and a youth ministry conference. I do hope NYWC will understand the distinction in 2011.
I pray that Ted Haggard learned from his mistakes and experiences love, forgiveness, spiritual restoration and health. I just don’t think a youth ministry conference is the place to take that on. It’s not the most helpful speaker choice for me in youth ministry.
Nevertheless, I am one who stands outside the “Big Room” and so I will pray that those who choose to go to NYWC this year will be blessed by what has been prepared. I also pray against all odds that the limelight will be therapeutic instead of detrimental for the Haggard’s.
From tic on August 10, 2010
Hey Brandon, Tic here. I wanted to clear one thing up that I may have miscommunicated. The “I’m not in charge” thing was not meant to connect to who is speaking or the choices that are made by YS about the convention. What I meant and may have poorly stated is that I know youth workers have to run services and programs week after week and rarely get to completely just get to sit back and enjoy them or be able to enter in with abandon because of the responsibilities. My hope is that in our sessions people can totally relax because they do not have any responsibilities or a class to teach as soon as this finishes.
As for having Ted and Gayle there, I guess we will just see that differently as I stated in the video I think there is a lot we can learn from them because of what they have gone through that hopfully will keep us from some of the pain Teds choices and sin caused them. I do covet your prayers for all of us. Thanks
From Brandon on August 10, 2010
Thanks, Tic. My apologies for reading too much into the context. I certainly agree with you that there is something we can all learn their experience. Grace and Peace!
From Jay on August 10, 2010
I must say, when I first saw that Ted and Gayle were going to be speaking, I was a bit shocked and had a woah moment.
BUT
Having been born human and sinful, I know first hand the need for grace and forgiveness and I all too well know that feeling of being shot in some of my times of most need within my church…sooo
I appreciate you guys acknowledging the reasons for having them and YES, I look forward to hearing some of the things that we often “say” that really is just some cliche that we are regurgitating and does nothing to help bring healing to those who desperately need it.
So, while initially I said “Yeah I’ll be missing that one”...after thought prayer and that explanation I look forward to being there and pray to learn and grow.
Thanks…been 7 years since I was in youth ministry, and 9 since I was last at YS…cannot WAIT to go and learn and be ministered to again.
I am praying for our YS convention in Nashville even now…blessings.
See ya soon!
From Chuck on August 10, 2010
Hey Tic
I won’t be attending this year but my prayers will be flowin your way. I pray for restoration of spirit for all. When I left a NYWC, I felt refreshed and restored.
For the subject of the day, The Haggards, I applaud your decision to bring them in. IMO it is no different than our kids today. If I know youth workers, overall, they are the most Jesus-like group in the Church today. Love and forgiveness flow like a river and when you get 5000 together, look out! I believe it will be one of the biggest highlights ever at NYWC. I look forward to reading some of the blogs that will come out of there. Yes, he screwed up, but all of us sin just the same. It’s funny how judgmental people can get when it is a sin that the convictor has no problem with. Everyone has their own weaknesses. Jesus forgives me and has given me eternal life. Why can’t so many of the rest of us?
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