I am looking for input concerning the CIY conferences. Has anybody taken a group of youth in the past? Is anybody going to a conference this year? ( www.ciy.com )

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Answers

It's been some years (4) since I attended a CIY conference. When I was still very active in youth ministry, I took my high school youth to CIY every year ... either from Florida or Charleston, SC. We attended the conference held at Milligan College, TN.

Our youth enjoyed the conferences, as did I. I taught various workshops, and was able to attend some well thought out Bible studies held for adults. The youth always enjoyed their "D" groups (discipleshhip) as well as the speakers and music.

One highlight each year was the youth group time each evening where the group shares items from that day, as well as things about the group itself. It was a time of group building that I have not seen matched very often.

I do know that the CIY staff does all they can to bring in top-notch speakers, performers, and especially worship leaders. I know from past experience that the praise and worship times are some of the highlights for the youth, especially if they come from congregations where they don't get the opportunity to sing current contemporary songs. (Some of our congregations have what they call contemporary services, using music from 15-20 years ago -- you will find that the p&w leaders are very cutting edge with their music).

Now -- it's been four years since I attended, so I don't know if there have been any vital changes. But CIY has a great reputation, with myself as well as with many others, and based on that info, I would suggest attending conference 2001.

If you do attend, be sure to post once you return to let us know how things went this year!

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Darrell,

Thanks for responding....

I will, hopefully, be attending CIY in Ill. July 30->August 3. This will be my first trip. I will be going as a Sponsor (or whatever the correct terminology is). I will be sure to update you with my thoughts when I return.

Did you see a long-term impact on the kids? I have been involved in similar things (smaller scale) and have seen a lot of enthusiasm at the time... which seems to quicly wear off once back home. What are some good ways to 'make it stick'? (That's a BIG question, I know!)

Thanks!

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2001

Robin

Many years ago my daughter attended CIY a couple of times. She loved it.

A lady in our congregation was a school teacher. She wanted to start a youth group. The youth group went from 15 or 20 to over 100 in a short time. Her goal was to teach the kids what the bible has to say and to live as it says. CIY and church camp were highlights of the summer but the enthusiasm came from the solid teaching of the youth group. The kids were taught to put their faith to work. They also memorized a lot of scripture. Today many of those kids are sunday school teachers,Elders,Deacons and some bible college grads. Many others are faithful in whatever they are doing. There is more than one tremendous success story from that youth group. That youth group is still impacting those kid's and CIY played a part.

To me CIY is a lot like church camp for the kids. Church camp for the kids is like family camp for the adults. While we are at camp enthusiasm abounds but it fizzles if we dont put it to work. I guess it goes back to faith without deed's.

If you are going with the kid's, I wouldn't count on a lot of sleep that week. Don't be surprised if you enjoy it as much as the kid's.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2001

I just returned from the CIY's TENN 1 conference. It was a great week and I believe the theme really hit home for the teens in our group. The theme is Reckless Abandon, but that is really just a catchy way to grab them. Total Surrender is really what they are trying to hit home. Each day has a different thrust. Surrender your heart, hands, mind and life.

You also asked about whether or not CIY has a tendancy to get teens fired up and when they come home it falls apart. Here is my explanation. For 5 days, teens are brought before the Lord in Bible study, devotions, praise and worship, powerful preaching, effective drama's and all sorts of other ways. For five days they are busy coming before their Creator. Of course they are effected by that. Then they come home and they are busy going to work, sports and very little Lord stuff.

My encouragement is to have some plan for accountability when your teens come home. Make sure they use CIY as a jump start, but not a fix. Because CIY will not be a fix. Teens coming before their Creator on a regular occasion will hopefully sustain the fire. Teens longing to know what their Lord wants from their lives even after CIY will sustain the fire. Don't allow your teens to have a one week spiritual high because they experianced God, and then go home and do nothing to continue the experiance.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2001

Ditto's to the last two posts.

I have found that the high energy of the P&W is hard to hold onto once most of the teens return to "their norm" every Sunday morning. Be sure to highlight this fact each evening, sharing that CIY is certainly different than most congregation's and the way they present worship ... neither is better, just apples and oranges, so to speak. I see much of the same problem with college students coming to the university here ... sadly, it is especially true with young people coming out of many (though not all) of the restoration congregations. Young people show up at university and are glad to get away from home ... and church. It takes some time to get them involved in ministry ... and I have found that when they find out we are associated with the same churches they came from, they are hesitant to join in, thinking it will be "more of the same." Sad, but nevertheless true. Same thing coming from the "high" of CIY and returning to what many young people deem "more of the same old thing" at home.

I always tried to use some of the CIY theme prior to attending conference, then used the same theme for some time after returning home. That will help to keep things fresh in their minds. Use some of the same worship songs. Review the devotional material for a number of weeks. Then get the young people INVOLVED in ministry within the body --- putting to work what they have learned. They will grow in their spiritual walk, and will be waiting for the next summer's program.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Thanks for all of the responses!

I have another related question concerning Youth Groups.... There are, I believe, two extremes for Youth Groups. First, 90% Play and 10% Bible Study and Second, 90% Bible and 10% Play. (And, of course, any combination in between....) What are your thoughts on this? Where do you strike a balance?

I have had experiences with both (not necessarily as the leader). In the Mostly Play, many kids turn out and it is attractive to 'outsiders'... BUT, there seems to be very little Biblical impact. (I say "seems" because sometimes it appears that kids are learning nothing and they surprise you.) In the Mostly Bible, kids begin to look at it as 'work' and outsiders can be intimidated and view it as 'not fun'.

A lot of what I have read concerning Youth Groups comes back to "Service"... getting the kids involved in using there faith. Is this a key ingredient from your experience? Do you have any examples of a service project that worked well? Or didn't?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Robin -- unless you live in the middle of nowhere, then trying to "compete" with the world with a "play" typeof youth group won't work.

Heavy on Bible and subject studies ... include activities to help build fellowship ... then plan service opportunities where the youth can put to work what they have learned about.

It can, and does, work!

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Robin

The lady that worked with our kids was a school teacher. I can not give you % of work and play because even when they were learning there was a lot of laughter. She made learning fun for them. Many others worked with her but she was a natural leader.

In order to go to CIY they were required to work for members of the congregation to earn the money to go. The money went into a common fund and when there was enough for everyone to go they were done. You had to work to go. There were a lot of obvious reasons for this. This also served to get the older folks involved.

One of the members had an area of his farm where, once or twice a year, the kids would have a large get-togeather. It was like a one day church camp with games, devotions, campfire. That was a favorite. They also spent time at local parks and had lockins at the YMCA with area churches.

They visited the nursing homes, invited friends, had youth night at which they led singing, led devotions, etc.

The youth leader expected the guidance and support of the elders and the congregation. They gave 100%. The elders seemed to have the attitude of, if the kids need it we are going to get it for them. You can't go wrong with leaders like that.

The men liked the idea of getting togeather at the farm. They started a men's retreat. It started friday evening and lasted until saturday evening. They camped there friday night. They had local people come and speak and also local singing groups. This was very successful. The idea came from the youth group.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Good call Darrell,

There are already enough adults that "Play" church these days.....we sure don't need to raise up the next generation to do the same thing.

There needs to be good Biblical teaching, whether it be structured or situationally based. And to be most effective, service opportunities should be planned around what is being taught at the time.......such provides great reinforcement of the teaching; truly lessons that can last a lifetime.

While recently serving as a temporary Youth Minister, in addition to the normal Sunday routine, I tried to plan 1 purely fun & fellowship type of activity a month, at least 1 monthly service-based-on- teaching activity, and maybe a combination activity - something that was both fun and met needs within the Church or surrounding community. Also, if at all possible, get them involved in the church's Worship Services on occassion.........leading singing, serving Communion, collecting the Offering, etc......let the congregation know that the kids exist and that they care. Things took off pretty well under those guidelines as the kids enjoyed it and the parents respected it & wanted to be a part of it.

And there's the key to a good Youth Program - Parental involvement! If it is to work, you cannot allow the parents, preachers, elders, etc turn things into a Baby-sitting Service. Make that known up front and things will go alot smoother and respect & involvement will follow.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Also remember -- many people call the teens in church "the members or leaders of tomorrow." NOT TRUE! They are the members and leaders of today as well!? Mark -- getting them involved in the weekly service is a great idea ... it will be natural for them as they get older.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Absolutely Darrell,

Putting something or someone off till "tomorrow" is a mistake that usually never gets totally corrected. Get them kids active now, while you still can!

Can you imagine how good a preacher a young man could become if he started some pulpit service training at 10 years of age instead of at 20? I shudder to think of the impact this could have if carried out by the churches in our Brotherhood.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

One example from the Mormons ... most (the greater percentage) of young people who are active in the Mormon belief, go into the world somewhere to serve as missionaries of their belief for two years ... and they do this either after highschool, or after college, or somewhere inbetween.

Can you imagine the impact we could have on our communities, our nation, and the world if all our young people would devote two years to the same type of missionary work the Mormon youth do? WOW! I can only imagine. Maybe then they would grow up to become adults in the church who know how to DO church, not PLAY church!

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2001

Thanks for all of the input.

You guys seem to be talking about a Youth Program made up mainly of kids from the church... is that what I am hearing? What about a situation where the Youth Program (Wed. Evening Youth, activities, etc.) consists, in part, of many kids that do not attend church (various reasons -- don't want to, parents won't allow it, not around on Sunday, etc.)? These kids do not have to be there (like many kids w/ parents in the church do). Doesn't the approach have to be somewhat different than it does for a program of mainly 'church youth'?

What do you see different between Sunday School and Wed. Evening Youth? How should they be taught differently, if at all?

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2001

Robin,

There really should be no difference between Sunday & Wednesday efforts - except maybe in methodology, possibly more "loose & casual" on Wednesday, etc.

To be honest, A youth Program that isn't bringing in kids from "outside" the church isn't doing it's job. True, one of our jobs as leaders is to "edify the saints"..........but our Biggest commission is to "go into all the world". If the youth aren't trying to get more people involved, either they have a "personal problem" which needs attention or else the program itself is afflicted and needs to be revamped.

I'm not talking about turning Wednesday night into a Rock concert or a pool hall, but there are ways to foster excitement without going outside the lines of good taste and Scritural teaching. With teens, that line can get awfully "fine", but always remember that your church is a witness to your community of the grace and goodness of God - NEVER do anything to spoil that witness.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2001

last year or youth group went to CIY in Kentucky i think we aregoing back this year i cant wait!Are they the same every year? i hopenotbecause i learned a lot from the one i went to llast year..

thanks a lot Heather MT.Gilead church of christ

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

I had the chance to attend CIY four times thoughout high school. Presently I'm a freshman in college and this year I will get the chance to go as a sponser. I have gone with two different churchs and every year it has gotten better. The church I attend is only two years old and we have attended a Ciy both years. The first year out of 21 high schoolers, 19 of them made decisions, some to rededicate and some getting baptized. I believe this proves what Ciy can done for students but you also need to have great youth ministers and sponsers to go along. Now everytime I have gone I have attend one of the Tennesse conferences so I cant say they are all good. Tennesse is great but from talking to friends the other conferences are awesome too. The kids in my youth group constantly talk about going again and what fun the had a year ago. So to answer your question Mr. Cornell, I believe taking the trip can change your youth group drastically if they let it. It will be the best trip they will ever go on.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002

I'm on a quest. I have been through horindous things all through out my life that a young girl shouldn't have to go through. But i did. I'm still fighting too this very hour. However, i wouldn't change my life for the world. I know deep down in my heart God has something GREAT for me in my near future. Wether it be a testimony, leadership, teaching, or anything else. i just have a feeling it's going to change lives. Now to my quest. I have just recently reconnected with old youth minister's family. We have become very close again. It's one of God's amazing gifts right when you feel like there is nothing there. One day, Karen was telling me about this dream that she had a while back. She beleives without a doubt that God gave her the vision of an ALL TEENAGE YOUTH CONFRIENCE. Just the way she described it to me and how she expressed herself, i knew right away that God was involved and present. She told me that she wrote a letter too Women in Christ or group like that. But she never got a return. She really wants to get something going. God has given her this vision and I also beleive she has told me for a reason, also. So I guess what i'm asking is for help and advise. ANYONE out there that wants to give me ANY kind of advise or places/persons that i could contact. From the bottom of my heart, please help. We both beleive that if we could just be placed in the path of one person that has the connections, this vision will come a reality. Thank you all so much for your time. In His Grip! AJL

-- Anonymous, January 26, 2002