NCYM Take-Aways Part 3

The final day of the conference was apparently for the youth ministry endurance champions, the people who live close to Atlanta, or the hardcore youth ministers. I do not know which of these I am, but I stayed. Chap Clark was supposed to be the keynote for the morning, but he dropped out at the last minute (I do not know why...) I slept in at my childhood home in Atlanta. When I got up, I talked and ate with my parents, and I headed for the hotel.

Because Chap was not there, NCYM got Reggie Joiner from North Point to fill in. As an Atlanta native, I have been blessed to participate in many of the ministries that North Point Community Church offers to the area. I made it to Reggie's super-session, which was an incredible blessing. I am not a youth minister who models his ministry after the big ministries (like North Point, Willow Creek, or Saddleback), but Reggie talked about viewing your family ministry with children as a holistic experience. Each age group can focus on different aspects of your purpose more effectively.

Because I showed up late, I skipped the practical part of Reggie's super-session (Logan got the notes.) And, I wondered over to Walling's last missional class discussion. If you have heard the word missional before, you understand that there are many pluses and minuses to this new form of Christ followers. Walling talked about my biggest deal with the missional movement, and he explained it in a way that actually made sense. Again, this will show up more later.

The night keynote was McLaughlin, Walling, and Buddy Bell having a group discussion about the weekend. I respect them all, and I have used all three of their materials in some way or other. Because Don had the most radical talk at the conference, they grilled him a little more than each other. But, I guess that is what happens to prophets.

Overall, I came out of this conference with my sponge full of how God can and will work in the world and in ministry. All in all, this conference basically said that I need to change my mindset about ministry. The disadvantage of that kind of conference is that it has only a few practical implementations for program. But, the advantage is that the mindset can in fact change the world... (which is the option I will take every time.)