Youth Spiritual Life Retreat
National polls consistently show that over fifty percent of teenagers would like to participate in a spiritual life retreat. Hold a retreat for the youth in your church, and use this as an opportunity to invite other youth as well. Or join together with other churches in your community or denomination.
BEST SUITED FOR: Any Size Congregation
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
 | Select a planning committee, which includes adults and youth. Start at least two months in advance of the potential retreat date. |
| Use the step-by-step planning process, which follows (from Youth Workers Handbook, available from New Life Ministries.) Use step three of that process to intentionally invite young people in the community who do not have a church home as well as young people already involved in your church. |
DO'S AND DON'TS
| DO......involve young people fully in the planning process. |
| DO......consider the possibility of an overnight at the church if the cost of retreat facilities is prohibitive. |
| DO......have all the youth in your church make lists of young persons who should be invited to the retreat. Have the young people extend personal invitations to other youth. |
| DO......ask some adults in the church to make scholarships available for young people who want to attend the retreat but who have limited resources. |
| DO......carefully follow up the retreat by involving young people in regular activities at your church. |
RESOURCES NEEDED
| Recreational materials appropriate to the time of the year. |
| Study and discussion materials appropriate to your group. |
| Retreat facilities including meals, lodging, and snacks. |
| Transportation to and from the retreat site. |
| Adult group leaders and chaperones. |
COST
| Variable, depending on the number of persons attending and on expenses at the retreat center. You can charge a fee to those participating but be sure to have some scholarships available for those with limited resources. |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONSULT:
| For overall information on retreats and other approaches to youth ministry, order the Youth Workers Handbook by Steve Clapp and Jerry O. Cook, available from New Life Ministries. |
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Multi-Denominational Spiritual Enrichment Events for Youth
There are several denominational and interdenominational expressions for an extended, intensive spiritual enrichment experience for youth. Two expressions are:
|
FaithQuest (an Anabaptist expression related to the Brethren Way of Christ) |
|
Chrysalis® (an expression related to the Walk to Emmaus®) |
Contact them for more information.
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