Mission Statement for Congregational Youth Ministry (Mennonite Church, 1997)

From Anabaptistwiki

Mission Statement for Congregational Youth Ministry (Mennonite Church, 1997)

Mission Statement

The mission in Mennonite youth ministry is to actively invite every youth to commit to a personal relationship and everlasting adventure with Jesus Christ, mentoring them towards wholeness within a supportive church community and empowering them to bring healing and hope to the world.

Introduction

This mission statement fully embraces Vision: Healing and Hope, the long-term vision statement adopted by both the General Conference Mennonite Church and the Mennonite Church in 1995. Furthermore, this mission statement for congregational youth ministry suggests specific responses to the six priorities (in italics) of Vision: Healing and Hope. Conferences, districts and congregations are encouraged to utilize these specific responses as they continue to nurture youth toward faith in Christ and fall participation in the church.

Vision: Healing & Hope

God calls us to be followers of Jesus Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow as communities of grace, joy and peace, so that God's healing and hope flow through us to the world.

  1. To follow Jesus Christ more faithfully, we are called to mentor youth to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. As we:
    • enrich our prayer, worship, and study of Scriptures.
    • offer all that we are and have to God. By:
    1. providing an environment where a commitment to Christ is encouraged
    2. nurturing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture reading, regular devotions, solitude, reflection and fasting
    3. discipling through biblical teaching
    4. encouraging healthy self-esteem and respect for one's body as the temple of God
    5. modeling biblical stewardship in all areas of life
    6. advocating love, peace and justice as the Christian way of life
    7. guiding responsible decision-making in ethical & lifestyle choices
    8. teaching the biblical way of conflict resolution
  2. To grow as communities of grace, joy, and peace we want to invite all youth to be an integral part of congregational life. As we:
    • call and nurture congregational leaders for ministry in a changing environment.
    • practice love, forgiveness, and hospitality that affirm our diversity and heal our brokenness. By:
      1. creating a loving and supporting environment
      2. strengthening family life
      3. embracing God's gift of multicultural and intergenerational diversity
      4. advocating for youth in Church and society
      5. calling youth to invest themselves in building up the church
  3. To live as people of healing and hope we are committed to call forth the gifts in youth and empower them to minister to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we:
    • invite others to faith in Jesus Christ.
    • seek God's peace in our homes, work, neighborhoods, and the world. By:
      1. seeking, recognizing, affirming and involving the gifts and talents of youth
      2. calling youth to share their faith
      3. inviting youth to a lifestyle of missions and service
      4. educating, equipping, enabling and empowering youth to minister
      5. partnering with our denominational institutions and organizations to provide opportunities for ministry and missions
      6. walking with youth as they live out their faith

Approved by the Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries, March 22, 1997

Approved by the Mennonite Church General Board, April 12,1997

Approved by the Mennonite Church General Assembly, August 1, 1997