There are tons of great resources out there for you to choose from, this month we tried to sort through them and bring you some of the best.  Take a look through the list and see what you can use today!  

CURRICULUM

 SEASON TO GROW

This just out!  You will want to get a copy of this integrated curriculum!  The Season to Grow packet is a multi-dimensional six-week series; bringing together the best of Covenant materials. In addition to the six week small group curriculum there are many other  ideas for youth ministry available on the website focused on the areas of GROW (God’s Word, Relationships, Obedient Living and Worship.  Check out the Covent Church website to find out more. 

EXPLORING COVENANT AFFIRMATIONS DVD

Have you ever had a kid ask, “So what is the Covenant all about?”  Here’s a resource that can help you answer that.  The Covenant Affirmations are the six central tenets that unite the Evangelical Covenant Church and this new DVD and Study Guide will help your youth more fully understand what the Covenant believes and what it means to be Covenant.  Find out more about the DVD and Study Guide on the Covenant Church website.  Contact the Covenant Resource Center or to order your FREE copy of this DVD and Study Guide experience.

JOURNEY DISCIPLESHIP/CONFIRMATION CURRICULUM UPDATED

This curriculum was recently revamped to help you go deeper with your youth.  In response to the feedback received from pastors this workbook and leader’s guide have been revised.  The NEW Leader’s Guide has more resources for you to help your students grow in their faith as you walk beside them.  Check out the updates on the Covenant Resource Center’s website. 

FOUNDATIONS FOR FAITH: BUILDING BLOCKS

To go along side the Journey curriculum there are the Building Blocks.  This resource has 27 questions and answers to help you navigate the Journey curriculum with your students.  You can download this resource from the Resource Center. 

24-7 DISCUSSION GUIDE

This curriculum lays out for you and your students how to live for Jesus 24/7.  The DVD curriculum published by Youth Specialties/Zondervan outlines this study of how to live with Jesus everyday.  This is the discussion/leader's guide to The 24-7 Experience: A DVD Curriculum on Following Jesus Every Day, which was just published by Youth Specialties/Zondervan.  Download the discussion guide and find out how to order here. 

CRECER

Looking to start a Spanish speaking small group?  Already have a Spanish speaking group and you need a curriculum option?  Then check out CRECER!  The series focuses on our relationship with God, relationship with one another, evangelism, knowing the Word, worship, and responding with obedience. In response to the desire to reach others, an English adaptation is now also available.  To find out how to order this awesome resource click here. 

PERSONAL CARE

FRONTLINE COACHES

These are people you will want to get to know in youth ministry!  Frontline Coaches are youth pastors who lend encouragement and support to other youth workers in their conference.  These youth pastors are the personal touch and resource for new youth workers moving into conferences.  Visit the website to find the  frontline coach in your area. 

SUSTAINTING PASTORAL EXCELLENCE

Credentialed pastors and missionaries can apply for grants to help them pursue growth opportunities in the areas of character, competence, and constancy.  You can apply for resources to be used toward the events/conferences listed below among other options.  To find out more about the opportunities you can take advantage of through these resources check out the Department of Ordered Ministry website.

SEMINARS & RETREATS

BRIDGING THE GAP: Presented at YWC 2008

There is a huge ditch that many of our students fall into…it’s that ditch between junior high and high school.  Helping our students bridge that gap is one of the most important things we will ever do in our youth ministry.  Our time will be spent talking through why this bridge is important as well as sharing with you a tool that you could adopt in your own ministry to help your student make the journey across this ditch. 
 This is part of one of the Early Bird seminars being presented at YWC 2008.  It is part of the seminar “Jr. High Outreach and Right of Passage” offered Saturday afternoon from 1:30-4:30.  Check out the YWC info to find out more about the event.

PAREENTEEN™ AND HURT SEMINARS:

These are two seminars that you can use to help both students and parents in your ministry.  The ParenTeen™ Seminars equip parents to both understand and nurture their children in a constantly changing cultural environment. Tailored to the specific issues and needs of a community or hosting organization, ParenTeen Seminars are guaranteed to help parents gain insight into their child's journey, and to develop a more authentic and effective parenting strategy throughout the teen years and beyond.
The HURT Community seminars are designed to help anyone who works with or in the service of adolescents to understand who they are and how they think in today's changing culture. It is based on the latest research on adolescent development, family and social systems, and the rapidly-changing environment that every student faces. Each seminar is specifically tailored to meet the needs and interests of a given community or hosting organization, and wraps us with specific, doable, and encouraging responses to the needs of adolescents in your church.
You can find out more about these seminars and how to schedule one in your area by checking out the Speaker Team website or contacting Marti Burger. 

SPEAKER TEAM:

Planning a retreat?  Then you need to know about The Speaker Team. The Speaker Team grew out of a desire to assist Covenant Church Youth Ministries by providing quality speakers for conference retreats, leadership-training, or gatherings of two or more Covenant churches.  Our goal is to challenge and assist the Evangelical Covenant Church to reach, disciple, and equip youth and families for growth toward
spiritual maturity and to serve the community and the world for Christ.  Check out the Speaker Team on the website or email Marti Burger to request a speaker. 

EVENTS & RETREATS

CHIC 2009!

The dates and location for CHIC 2009 have been announced!  CHIC will be July 12-17, 2009 in Knoxville, TN at the gorgeous UT Campus!  Check out the CHIC website to find out more and view the promo video.  Also, stop by the online Covenant Book Store to order your CHIC 2009 t-shirt for only $10!  And join all the cool kids on the “I’m going to CHIC 2009” facebook page.  Check the CHIC website for updates and information as it becomes available – you don’t want to miss out on this event!

YOUTH WORKER CONNECTION 2008!  JANUARY 26-28

Come together to worship, learn, play, and connect with other youth workers from around the country at YWC 2008.  YWC is intended to be a time of quiet reflection and spiritual renewal for all who attend. It is also a time for renewing old acquaintances and beginning new friendships. Harvey Carey, Covenant Pastor in Detroit, MI will be our speaker and Nicole Nordeman will share in a special Sunday evening concert.  Check the website to find out more about YWC.  

YOUTH PASTOR SANKOFA: JANUARY 22-25, 2008

Youth Pastors are invited to take a Sankofa Journey, a time of looking back to move forward in racial reconciliation, immediately preceding YWC 2008.  The journey will begin in Chicago and travel through Alabama and Georgia, stopping at significant sites in the Civil Rights Movement.  For more information and to register click here  or contact Kjersten Jennings at 773-583-0220.

A TIME TO BREATH

Are you looking to grow in your journey with God?  Then you should consider “A Time to Breathe.” This retreat is an interactive and experiential retreat designed to provide guidance and experience in spiritual practices.  To register for the Time to Breathe Retreat March 11 - 13, 2008 for Youth Workers in Malibu, CA click here.

YOUTH NEXUS

Youth Nexus is a one-week experience that engages students and their youth leaders in theology and real-life situations with the intent of inspiring dialogue and transformation. The only cost to you is a registration fee of $50 per church, and 25% of your travel expenses.
All ECC youth leaders (clergy or laity) are welcome to apply with one or two students who are entering their junior or senior year of high school. Approximately 30 participants will be selected for Youth Nexus for each of the weeks it is offered.  Start planning now to attend; dates for 2008 are July 6-12 and 16-22!  For more information about Youth Nexus and to find the registration forms check North Park's website at: www.northpark.edu/sem/mci/nexus.cfm  

YOUTH SPECIALTIES YOUTH WORKER CONVENTION 2007

Experience training, encouragement, worship, fun, and fellowship with thousands of other youth workers just like you!  Enjoy late night concerts and comedy, build a house in Mexico, or simply hang out with other people who have dreams like you!  Locations for 2007: • San Diego: Oct. 19-22 • St. Louis: Nov. 2-5 • Atlanta: Nov. 16-19.  To make it easy for you to gather at any or all of the 3 National Youth Workers Conventions, Youth Specialties has offered you a discounted registration rate of $275, a savings of $100 off the regular individual rate.  Special Code: NDECCY4.  For more info check out the Youth Specialties website at: http://www.youthspecialties.com/events/  

NATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY CONFERENCE: 2008

Learn, recharge, worship, and connect with other youth ministry workers at this conference hosted by Group and Simply Youth Ministry.  February 22-25, 2008 in Cincinnati, OH.  This conference offers in-dept and practical ministry ideas and discussions; a time to relax, laugh, and be inspired; and a time to connect with other participants and the leaders from the conference.  Check out more info and register on-line at: http://www.youthministry.com/conference/ 

GET INVOLVED

THE INVITATION TO RACIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

Do you need an experience to challenge your youth to move beyond language and knowledge of racial righteousness to a deeper place of personal awareness, responsibility, healing and action?  The Invitation to Racial Righteousness will help your youth move toward true community across ethnic and racial lines by exploring racial and ethnic injustices that exist in our society, and by identifying action steps for change, both personally and as a community.  Find out more about this invitation by contacting the Covenant Resource Center or by calling 1-800-338-IDEA.

FEET TO FAITH

At CHIC 2006 youth were invited to share their gifts with the people of Bentiu, a village in central Sudan. The students collected more than $100,000 to begin a food program, build a medical clinic, new school and wages for teachers. This was a starting point. Then we began to ask the question why? Why are their injustices in our world?
In the summer of 2008 students from the North Pacific Conference will gather to explore and expose youth to injustices in their corner of the world. They will be challenging students to not only understand what is happening in the world but work to make changes in their local churches, schools and communities.  Students will be challenged to live out Matt 25:14-46 when I see people who are sick I am there to care, when people are in prison I will be there to visit, when others are hungry I will be there to feed, when someone is thirsty I will give them a drink. 
It is our strong desire to challenge youth to be followers of Jesus Christ being a people who consistently live out both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.  To find out more about Feet to Faith please contact Marti Burger. 

BREAD FOR THE WORLD

 Bread for the World is Seeking Justice and Ending Hunger.  You and your youth can get involved in this movement of education and action in several different ways.  Bread for the World organizes the public through education and offering opportunities to seek justice and end hunger both domestically and internationally.  Their website http://www.bread.org/ has numerous opportunities for involvement, from joining a letter writing campaign to getting involved in the ONE campaign to holding a bake sale in support of Share our Strength.  Check their website for more information about these opportunities and the many other great possibilities and educational resources.

MISSION TRIPS

COVENANT MERGE MINISTRIES

MERGE Ministries offers customized international mission trips for groups seeking relational ministry opportunities with long-term impact!  MERGE has a dedicated staff to helping you plan and participate in an international ministry experience where you will be doing meaningful ministry with a long term impact on the region you work with.  Their website http://www.covmerge.org/ has tons of great information to help you in planning an international mission trip.

COVENANT MISSION CONNECTION

 Looking for a mission trip but don’t know where to go?  Check out Covenant Mission Connection (CMC).  CMC is a resource available to local Covenant churches to assist in planning and preparing work teams sent to locations in the U.S. and abroad.  You will find a list of trip possibilities as well as other great resources on their website.  This is a great way for your church to get connected with other churches doing ministry.  For more information email CMC or check the CMC website.  

CENTER FOR STUDENT MISSIONS (CSM)

 Wanting to do an urban mission trip with your youth?  Check out CSM.  CSM’s mission is: To provide students with an effective urban ministry experience that transforms lives, influences local churches, and honors Christ.  They have several sites through out the U.S. spanning from L.A. to D.C. and several places in between where they lead urban ministry experiences for students from around the country.  To find out more about the mission trips they offer and the cities they are located in go to their website: http://www.csm.org/ or contact them at: info@csm.org

GENERAL

COVENANT RESOURCE CENTER

Trying to find a resource and don’t know where to look?  Need a curriculum idea and can’t find anything?  Then the Covenant Resource Center is the place for you.  You will find answers to these and many other valuable questions on their website and by contacting them at 1-800-338-IDEA or email.  The Covenant Resource Center is a BRIDGE for local Covenant churches, lay leaders, regional conferences, and departments – linking everyone with the resources they need for more effective ministry.  

CHRISTIAN FORMATION YOUTH AND FAMILY WEBSITE

Here’s a site with you in mind.  Stay connected to the activities of the ECC, read the latest Youth Worker Update, and find the answers to your youth ministry related questions.  This is a great resource to find out what is going on denomination-wide and also check out the numerous other resources available to you as a youth leader.  Stay updated on everything related to youth ministry by checking this site often!

PLANNING

CHRISTIAN FORMATION MINISTRY PLANNING TOOL FOR YOUTH

In his book, "The Courage to Teach," Parker Palmer says, "Teachers possess the power to create conditions that can help students learn a great deal - or keep them from learning much at all. Teaching is the intentional act of creating those conditions." If it is your desire to create a condition of learning in your youth group look to The Ministry Planning Tool which  provides youth workers with a variety of models to consider in the planning process. (G, R, O, W)  Download samples and find ordering information from the Covenant Resource Center. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES

PAPER ON HUMAN SEXUALITY

Ever wonder what the Covenant has to say about sexuality?  Ever had a student ask questions about sexuality?  There is a new paper that will serve as a resource for Covenant churches that can be helpful, Towards a Biblical & Theological Discernment of God in Human Sexuality, has been released by the Board of the Ordered Ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church.  To read a news article about the paper and its history click here.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

If you have a desire to get the discussion about Christian Formation going in your church you may want to check this out.  It can be helpful in starting and helping you and your church through the process of discussion, discernment and direction on Christian Formation in the local church.  Click here to download a copy or to order hard copies visit

CONSECRATION SERVICE RESOURCE

This service is a great example of what you can to do to consecrate your Christian Formation volunteers.  We all know that the volunteers in Christian Formation are important and this one way to show your church their importance. You can download this resource here. 

MAKING CHURCHES SAFER

In our ever changing world it is important to stay ahead of the game and not be reactionary, but rather plan ahead to help prevent unnecessarily dangerous situations for our churches and the youth we are ministering to.  This material offers guidelines as well as samples of procedures and forms for churches that are interested in developing their own procedures to help reduce the risk of abuse in local churches.  For ordering information visit the resource section of the Christian Formation website. 

CURRICULUM EVALUATION TOOL

What does a good curriculum look like?  With as many choices out there to use it is important to be able to evaluate each curriculum and figure out which is the best for your situation.  Choosing a curriculum that is Bible-based is a critical element of your ministry with youth. This is an outline for evaluating curriculum in order to make the choice that best meets your needs.  Check out this resource here. 

ROOM EVALUATION

Ever find yourself wondering which room to use for a particular event?  Here are some suggested space requirements to use when planning your events.  This form will help you evaluate your facility for appropriate square footage and teacher ratios, safety, and appearance.  Download this worksheet as you evaluate the space you have available for your ministry.  Download this resource here. 

GROW COMMITMENT SERVICE

Looking for a way to kick-off the GROW series in your church?  Try incorporating this resource into one of your worship service to help get the entire congregation committed to the GROW program. Download it here 

 GROWING DEEPER TOOLS

A series of practical tools for use by individuals, families, or groups. Based on the belief that growth in Christ needs to be nurtured through regular spiritual practices, these new tools offer a variety of practices from which to choose. We call this our "Growing Deeper" series.  These resources are available
for download from the resources section of the Christian Formation website.

GROWTH COMMITMENT CARD, YOUTH VERSION

Helping your students make a commitment to spiritual growth and growing along the journey with Christ.  Contact the Department of Christian Formation or the Covenant Resource Center. (G, R, O, W)  Go to the Christian Formation website to find out how to order this resource for free.