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Youth
Best Practices in Youth Ministry
(Microsoft Word format)
Compiled by adults working with youth in the Alabama - West Florida Conference
Local, National, International Mission Projects
Curriculum
Volunteers
Alabama-West Florida United Methodist Youth (AWF UMY)
An assembly of youth ages 12-17 from throughout the AWF Conference working to be a voice for youth on issues important to them right now.
What is Alabama West Florida UMY?
Purpose (2004 Discipline, ¶648.1): “Its purpose shall be to strengthen the youth ministry in the local churches and districts of the annual conference”
Membership (2004 Discipline, ¶648.2): “No more than one-third of the membership of the [AWF UMY] shall be adults, one of whom may be the conference lay leader or his or her representative… Those serving on the [AWF UMY] shall be baptized or professing members of The United Methodist Church.”
Responsibilities (2004 Discipline, ¶648.3):
a. “To initiate and support plans, activities, and projects that are of particular interest to youth.
b. To be an advocate for the free expression of the convictions of youth on issues vital to them.
c. To support and facilitate, where deemed needed, the formation of youth caucuses.
d. To cooperate with the boards and agencies of the annual conference, receiving recommendations from and making recommendations to the same.
e. To recommend to the annual conference committee on nominations qualified youth for membership on boards and agencies.
f. To elect and certify annual conference representatives to the jurisdictional youth ministry organization convocation.
g. To receive and set the policy and criteria for its portion of the Youth Service Fund (¶1201). (See ¶648.3.g) [Click here for the AWF Conference YSF application]
h. To establish the policy for Youth Service Fund education and be responsible for its promotion throughout the annual conference, in cooperation with the Division on Ministries with Young People of the General Board of Discipleship.
i. To establish a project review committee as an advisory committee with regard to the use of the Youth Service Fund receipts for projects. (See ¶648.3.i)
j. To participate with the appropriate conference agencies in the nomination of the conference coordinator of youth ministry, who shall serve as its advisor.”
Check out the NEW Youth Worker Movement
Login today and discover a place to connect with other United Methodist Youth Workers across the United States through good stories, great advice, and the best programs (tried and true!).
Calling: A Journal for Leaders Who Nurture Vocation
Sponsored by The Fund for Theological Education, Calling is intended to encourage and equip congregations for engaging young hearts and minds with a fundamental question of discipleship: "What will I do with my life in light of my faith?" The journal also gives special attention to the ways in which congregations support young men and women who sense a call to ordained ministry.
Young Adult Links
Youth Service Fund
How do I apply?
I. Understand the expectations & responsibilities
-->Young person between the ages of 12 & 17 at time of application
-->Baptized or professing member of The United Methodist Church
-->Attendance at both meetings
-->Active support of YSF fundraising and promotion
-->Active participation in the advocacy for youth issues within
the local church, district, and annual conference
-->Support of local church, district, & conference youth
programming
-->Serve where called
-->Pray for the AWF UMY
II. Complete the AWF UMY Application
(Hint: You must complete the ENTIRE application in order to be considered)
III. Ask your pastor to complete the reference form
Epworth Document - (2008) Suggestions on how churches and youth pastors should relate (i.e. compensation, hiring, supervision, benefits, SPRC, etc.). This document was created by the Southeastern Jurisdiction Conference Youth Coordinators. However, it is now being distributed by the General Board of Discipleship.
Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation
Body Image Curriculum --written by and for youth of the AWF Conference!
Download it for free by clicking here (Adobe pdf format).