Get Your Questions Answered at "Demystifying The Youth Ministry Riddle" Offered by Reinhardt College on Feb. 15, 2005

If you work with young people in a church, you are invited to attend "Demystifying the Youth Ministry Riddle," a continuing education seminar on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Falany Performing Arts Center on Reinhardt College's main campus in Waleska, Ga. The seminar is being hosted by the Reinhardt Ministerial Association and has a registration fee of $20.

Featured speakers The Rev. Micheal Selleck and Shari Hickom will address critical issues in the balance and health of churches engaged in youth ministry. Selleck is director of North Georgia Connectional Ministries, a long-time youth worker and pastor, and author of the Handbook for Youth Ministry in the United Methodist Church. Hickom is the North Georgia Conference executive for youth ministries.

Their presentation promises to be realistic, informative and enlightening, said James F. Jernigan, Reinhardt's director of ministerial relations. Although both speakers will be United Methodist, the information content will be applicable across denominations, thus persons of all faiths are invited, he said.

Selleck said the seminar will address: "Why do all growing churches have dynamic youth ministries, and why do all dying churches lack them; Cause or Effect?" His insights will draw from 30 years of youth ministry experience, a grasp of the full horizon of Christian youth ministry and his understanding of pastoring a local church.

Hickom will share not yet released findings of the recently completed National Study of Youth and Religion, the most comprehensive study of the religious practices and beliefs of teenagers ever done. The study addresses how and why kids practice their faith, how a deeper commitment to their faith impacts other behaviors (such as their moral choices), how their faith does and doesn't influence their "real life," and how parents help and hinder their kids' faith growth.

Selleck plans to debunk the "anybody can do it" and "only young people can work with youth" misconceptions. Time will also be available to discuss difficulties and possible solutions.

For more information

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