PREVIOUS CONFERENCES
Youthwork the conference first took place in Southport in November 2003. Since then it has grown each year, and in 2005 expanded to two locations, taking place in Southport and Eastbourne on consecutive weekends.
Church Unlimited
Youthwork and the
local church
2007: Southport & Eastbourne
The theme in 2007 encouraged us to think about the role of the Church - the bride of Christ. The main sessions took on this challenge by looking at questions such as what is the Church, what should it look llike and how can we play our part in shaping its continuing story?
Session 1 - Rooted
In the first of the main sessions, Jeff Lucas talked about the need for us to grasp an understanding of the grand biblical narrative, so that we would be better equipped to understand the role of Church and the ways in which our youth work could fulfil part of it. Jeff reminded us that we are just one generation in the great stretching line of God's people, which stretches back through thousands of years, and like all those who have gone before us, we need to explore the part we could play in the history-spanning story of God.
Session 2 - Inclusive
In the second session, Ruben King highlighted the truth that God is not into discrimination, He's not into closing doors, and He's not into walking by on the other side of the road. Ruben helped us to explored the themes of equality, relationship and compassion - and God's plan for the Church. Ruben spoke of the challenge, that if we follow the example of Jesus, and of the early Church, then we too would be loving and engaging with those young people who the rest of our society don't want to touch. He reminded us that it is this grace in action that makes our faith distinct; it is the fragrance of Jesus that would draw even more young people to us.
Session 3 - Integrated
Fuzz Kitto spoke in the third of the main sessions, encourgaing us that the beauty of Church at its best is that it does not just offer the immortality of eternal life, but it also meets the needs of those who struggle and suffer in this fallen world. Fuzz spoke about God's infinite wisdom, and the amazing truth that He chose the Church to be his instrument on earth; reminding us that however flawed it might be at times, through the work of the Church, the kingdom of God begins to break through - on earth as it is in heaven.
Session 4 - Servant
The final session was lead by Juliet Kilpin, and explored some tough questions; What does it mean to truly love our neighbour as ourselves? What does it mean to put others first, and ourselves last sometimes? What does it mean for us to wash one another's feet? Juliet considered with us, that Jesus modelled the way of service and of servanthood - the old chorus calls him ‘The Servant King', and reminded us that the early Church carried this on, retaining the perspective of a family where all the members love and care for one another. Juliet encourgaed us, that the challenge for us today is to ensure that our churches, and our youth work, retain (and in some cases regain) this beautiful idea, and become the central force of love, acceptance, change, justice and help at the heart of our communities.
Infinite Possibilities:
Re-imagining Mission to the digital
generation
2006 Southport & Eastbourne
The Main Thing - Why do we do what we do?
2005 Southport & Eastbourne
Youthwork in widescreen
2004 Southport
Youthwork the conference
2003 Southport
More details about each previous conference will be available shortly.
Recordings of main sessions and seminars from previous conferences can be purchased at www.essentialchristian.com, by following the link to teaching and then Youthwork the conference.
