Leadership Connexion Summer 2022 Q2

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C O N F E R E N C E Bongiorno Conference Center, Carlisle, PA October 24-26, 2022 Growing Young: DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD BELIEVERS Our team is looking forward to resourcing your team at THRIVE! SPECIAL GUEST WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: • 7 Dimensions of a Disciple: Elly Marroquin • Maximizing Benefits for All Ages: Randall Rhoads & Crystal Hoffman • New Trends in Church Recalibration: Jason Tourville • Relational Evangelism: Fight Fight Feed Joel Schreiber & XA Team • Mental Health Hygiene: Jim Comenzo • Conflict Management is a Discipleship Issue: Tim Halbfoerster • 3 Intentional Ways to Disciple the Next Generation: Elly Marroquin • Creatively Discipling Children: Jeremiah Gruber • Healing Leadership Wounds: Jason Tourville • Pastoring your Staff, Leaders & Volunteers: Kurt & Charisse Jenkins • Reaching the Dechurched and Unchurched: Gary Bellis • Planning for Succession: Bill Ellis SESSIONS INCLUDE: SESSION 1: MISSION DRIVEN DISCIPLESHIP Don Immel & Elly Marroquin SESSION 2: NEVER TOO YOUNG Jeremiah Gruber SESSION 3: NEXT GEN DISCIPLESHIP Lee Rogers SESSION 4: FORWARD THINKING Liz DeFrain & Tom Rees FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sessions, Workshops, Lodging, Meals, Activities, Childcare: penndel.org/thrive22
Growing Young: DISCIPLING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD BELIEVERS We know instinctively that if a church continuously grows older without renewing its age demographics, the church will eventually die. I was on vacation last year and visited a church in Cape Cod. The people were friendly and kind. We were in the midst of COVID, and the church’s worship was being conducted outside in the parking lot. I noticed that almost everyone was my age or older. The church’s reality was summed up by their nursery, which was now filled with storage materials. It then occurred to me that I saw only two children at the church. What is the future of this fellowship? If they do not turn their demographic around, their prospects are very limited. Although we value all believers regardless of age, we know that there is hope for the future when there is a strong attendance of younger families and individuals. Strong churches tend to be multi-generational. In a healthy multi-generational church, wisdom of life experience is appreciated and the presence of younger believers is welcomed. Generational conflict is minimal, and generational compliment is normal. Growing old is inevitable, but growing young has to be intentional. Kara Powell, author of the book Growing Young, observed: “The truth is, every church needs young people. Their passion enriches the soil around them. The curiosity they bring to Scripture and the authenticity they bring to relationships keep your church’s teaching fresh and fellowship fruitful. Young people also need a thriving church. A thriving church both grounds them in community and sends them out to serve. Your church needs young people, and they need your church. One without the other is incomplete.” 1 This year’s THRIVE conference will emphasize discipleship. Discipleship is the mission of the church (Matthew 28:18-20). Many churches have experienced decrease in their discipleship efforts due to stress on schedules and the loss of interest in early morning classes (i.e., Sunday School). Despite competition for time and the challenges of recruiting teachers and volunteers, the church is still commissioned to make disciples. How do we grow young, and grow young disciples? Erwin McManus said, “Healthy churches reach young people, and young people make churches healthier. If your church is reaching 20-year-olds, your church will reach 60-year-olds.” 2 Growing young will be our focus in discipleship at THRIVE. Our Network team is excited to help your team develop strong discipleship initiatives, while simultaneously speaking to the needs of developing a multi-generational approach to a thriving, missional church. I was visiting Central AG in Houston for their 70th anniversary, and so appreciated Pastor Kurt Jenkins’ statement: “Our young people are not the church of tomorrow…they are the church of today!” Growing individuals from making a decision to follow Jesus to living the Spirit-filled life of a follower is our call, our passion and our greatest joy (Acts 13:52). When we do this effectively, we will experience the same outcomes of the early church: “Then the word of God spread, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly…” (Acts 6:7) Spreading the gospel and growing the family of God, young and old, into fully devoted followers of Christ, will result in a thriving church! 1 Powell, Kara; Mulder, Jake; Griffin, Brad. Growing Young (p. 14). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition 2 Powell, Kara; Mulder, Jake; Griffin, Brad. Growing Young (p. 34). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT | Donald J. Immel | 717.795.5921 | don@penndel.org In a healthy multi-generational church wisdom of life experience is appreciated, and the presence of younger believers is welcomed. LEADERSHIPconnexion | Summer 2022 3
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Leadership Connexion Summer 2022 Q2

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