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Covenant Youth Programs Included in Study
ST. PAUL, MN (March 18, 2002) - The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) has been recognized for its innovative and vital youth ministry programs, having been selected as one of seven denominations included in a three-year study on congregations doing exemplary youth ministry.
Other denominations in the study include the Assemblies of God, Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Southern Baptist. Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Center for Ministry Development in Naugatuck, Connecticut, are coordinating the study. It is being funded by a grant from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, Inc., a noted philanthropic organization that has aided churches and ministries in a variety of ways for more than 50 years.
Researchers will identify congregations consistently establishing faith as a vital factor in the lives of youth. They will also examine the basis for their effective approach to ministry. Some 350 congregations of different sizes, locations and cultural and Christian traditions will be studied. A total of 30 congregations will be selected for the qualitative portion of the study and plenary results will be given at a November 2004 conference. Noted researcher Merton Strommen calls this combined effort "one of the most influential studies of youth ministries ever conducted."
Strommen, who founded Search Institute and The Youth and Family Institute of Augsburg College, was one of the guests at a recent Exemplary Youth Ministry Team meeting. So was Marti Burger, director of Youth and Family Ministry for the ECC Department of Christian Formation. She stated that Strommen's past research of youth ministry for his book Youth Ministry That Transforms included ECC models.
"He (Strommen) was very impressed with the quality of ministry that comes out of the Covenant," said Burger after her conversation with the noted researcher and author. "He explained that it was because of this research that the Covenant was invited to participate in this new study."
The ECC has included children, teens and young adults in its ministry paradigm since its beginnings in the late 1800s. Many congregations ministered effectively through large Sunday school programs in the neighborhood. Through the years they have found denominational assistance in the process of discipling youth.
The Covenant Young People's Association (CYA) and nationally recognized ECC high school events such as CHIC have evolved during the years to excite students about Jesus Christ. And a host of North Park, Covenant Bible College and denominational young adult ministry options have helped students grow in their faith and further their desire to serve others. Burger says she understands the breadth of youth ministry that has existed for years in the ECC and that she is happy to let others know what is transpiring.
"I am very excited to share with others some of the great ministry that is happening in the Covenant," she said. "We have many wonderful ministries that are growing because of faithful service and dedication to personal spiritual growth of those God has called to serve. It is humbling to see God at work in the lives of youth, youth workers and adult volunteers."
Besides preparing to help with the national youth ministry study, the Department of Christian Formation is planning its triennial high school event, CHIC2K3, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville from July 31 to August 6, 2003. Registration materials will be ready to be sent to churches in North America by June 1, said CHIC Coordinator Kirsten Dahlstrom. Publicity packets will be sent first, followed by the actual registration packets.
No registrations will be accepted before November 1, 2002. Those registering from November 1 through January 6 will pay $455 per individual. Those who register between January 7 and May 5, 2003, will pay $495. After May 5, the cost will be $535 if housing slots are still available. More than 6,500 people traveled to Knoxville for CHIC2K and while more housing spots are available, CHIC2K3 representatives caution that housing will go quickly if past history is an indicator.
For more information about CHIC2K3 or other youth ministry activities throughout the denomination, call Burger at the Department of Christian Formation, 773-583-0220.
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