Prayer & Petition

Loss at Andrews University: On October 14, 2011, a car crash claimed the life of Esperanza Alvarez-Muniz, Assistant Dean of Women for Lamson Hall. Esperanza was a beloved wife, mentor, friend and colleague. 

Personnel Changes

Wendy Eberhardt: Wendy has been appointed as the Youth Director of the Upper Columbia Conference, after serving as the Youth Director for the Kentucky/ Tennessee Conference.

Ministry Seekers

No Items This Month

If you are a youth professional seking a position in youth ministry, send your information to info@cye.org.

Ministry Openings

Thunderbird Adventist Academy: Looking for someone to fill the position of Assistant Dean of Women for the boarding academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. Position needs to be filled immediately. More info: Contact Kristy Conklin.

ACF @ UTK: Adventist Christian Fellowship on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville is looking for an Assistant Chaplain for the 2011-2012 school year (August - May). More info: Contact Michaela Lawrence Jeffery.

Senior Pastor in Central Florida: Position available in the Central Florida/Orlando area. Seeking senior pastors with experience working in large church settings. More info: Contact LookingForAPastor@yahoo.com.

Adventist Resources

Andrews Study Bible: Andrews University Press has partnered with Logos Bible software to release a digital edition of the Andrews Study Bible. The Bible can be purchased for download onto your iPhone, Android or computer to gather an abundance of resources. More info: Visit Logos.com/AndrewsStudyBible.

College Bible Kits: The Adventist Chaplaincy Ministry has created a Bible kit for Adventist students attending public or private colleges/universities. The kit consists of a NLT Bible, carrying case, Steps to Christ and more. More info: Visit AdventSource.com.

Non-Denominational Resources

Bible Wiki: This is a free scholarly commentary to the entire text of the Christian Bible.  Anyone can create an account, edit information and add content. More info: Visit BibleWiki.be.

Pure Life Ministries Counseling: Pure Life Ministries provides Bibically-based counseling, teaching resources and a public speaking ministry with the goal of leading Christians to vicotry over sexual sin and a deeper life in God. More info: Visit PureLifeMinistries.org or Call 888-293-8714.

The Skit Guys: A DVD series with funny videos, including everything a leader needs to incorporate into a lesson or message.  The series is perfect for youth groups, small groups, study guides and more.  More info: Visit Zondervan.com.

Book Review

Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and Ronald Jones: Omar Miranda's*  review of this book can be found on CYE's Book Reviews Page.

*Omar Miranda holds a certificate in Christian Counseling from the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). He is a Certified Christian Counselor and founder of Abundant Life Ministries. Omar now has a new column called "Miranda Writes" at InsightMagazine.org, updated online weekly.

Research

As a partner with Roger Dudley and the Institue of Church Ministry. CYE will be featuring research in the area of youth and young adult ministry.

FACT* has just released a partial report from the massive 2010 study which may be relevant to youth ministry.

Innovation in Worship Continues:

• In 2000, about 29% of congregations were regularly using electric guitars and/or drums.
• In 2010, 43% of congregations were using these musical instruments.

At the current rate of change, by some time in 2015, the majority of religious congregations in America will be using contemporary music in worship. This trend is driven, in part, by the link with spiritual vitality that comes with innovation and a contemporary style.

• 17% of the congregations who say they are neither innovative nor contemporary report high spiritual vitality.
• 48% of those who say they are both innovative and contemporary report high spiritual vitality.

American Congregations Are Aging:

• Just over half of Old-line Protestant churches report that only 10% or less of their members are young adults.
• More than a quarter of Evangelical churches have only 10% or less.

Congregations where the majority are from ethnic minorities are most likely to attract and retain young adults.

Overall Decline in the Numbers:

• In 2000, the median weekly attendance in American congregations was 130
• In 2010, it dropped to 108.

Despite the attention given to mega churches, one in four congregations has fewer than 50 in worship on a typical weekend. One way that congregations are countering this trend is to increase their investment in outreach and community service activities. The least shrinkage is found in those congregations with three or more such ministries.

Erosion in Spiritual Vitality:

• In 2005, about 43% of congregations reported high spiritual vitality.
• In 2010, it dropped to 28%.

This is paralleled by a decline in financial health in congregations.  Other topics in this report include the rapid adoption of electronic technologies by religious congregations, the general growth in the number of internal and community programs conducted by congregations and continued high levels of conflict in congregations.

For follow up questions please contact Roger Dudley.

*The Faith Communities Today (FACT) series of studies includes all major faiths and denominations in America and is implemented by the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership.  The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is a participating partner.

Adventist National & International Events

iThirst: November 11-13, 2011, in Montebello, Virginia. A spiritual retreat for young adults 18 years and older. The retreat helps take each youth's spiritual quest to a deeper level. More info: Visit PCSDA.org or call 540-886-0771. (Sponsored by the Potomac Conference)

Cruise With a Mission 2011: December 11-18, 2011, from Tampa, Florida. A young adult annual cruise and mission trip in one! More info: Contact Fidi Mwero, or Visit CYE.org/cwm. (Sponsored by CYE & the Lake Union Conference)

the One project: February 13-14, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. Celebrating the supremacy of Jesus in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. More info: Contact Japhet De Oliveira, or Visit the1project.org.

Church of Refuge Summit: February 15, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. COR assists churches in providing meaningful, Christ centered ministry for senior youth and young adults. More Info: Contact Japhet De Oliveira.

Just Claim It 3: March 7-10, 2012, in Greensboro, North Carolina. All youth and young adults, as well as youth and young adult leaders, are invited to attend this weekend of dynamic worship, community outreach and much more. More info: Visit JCI3.org. (Sponsored by the North American Division Youth Department)

Pathfinder Bible Achievement/Bible Bowl: March 31, 2012, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. A fun way to encourage Pathfinders to study the Bible, while they also learn team work and study skills. More Info: Contact Terry Dodge, or Visit PathfinderBibleAchievement.org. (Sponsored by Lake Union Conference & Andrews University Theological Seminary)

ACF/NAD Campus Ministry Conference: April 6-8, 2012, in New York City, New York. ACF/NAD join together, on the campus of Columbia University, to invite students from across the division to talk about campus ministry. More Info: Visit Columbia.edu. (Sponsored by the North American Division)

Pathfinder Bible Experience: April 21, 2012, in Silver Spring, Maryland. NAD Pathfinder Ministries introduces a Pathfinder team challenge on immersion in the Word of God. More info: Contact Pam Scheib, or Visit the Event Page. (Sponsored by the North American Division)

Non-Denominational Events

Emerge N Engage: December 2011 and January 2012, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A Bible Conference designed to challenge students to go beyond the surface of casual Christianity and bring them into a lifetime commitment to Jesus Christ. More info: Visit StrengthToStand.com.

Passion 2012: January 2-5, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia. A movement of young believers for God's renown. Passion's mission is to continue to engage the "university moment" with the compelling message of Jesus and the story He is writing around the globe. More info: Visit 268Generation.com.

Planet Wisdom: Through an in-depth look at God's specific attributes, Planet Wisdom events provide an experience for students to discover practical ways they can change the world by becoming more like Him. Event locations and dates vary. More info: Visit PlanetWisdom.com, or call (888) 346-4179.

Acquire the Fire: 27 hours set apart to give your teens a life-transforming experience with Christ. ATF tours occur periodically throughout the year at various locations. More info: Visit ATFTour.com.

Dare2Share: The 2012 "Game Day" Tour, taking place in various locations on various dates, provides training conferences to "inspire, equip and unleash" teens for the most important competition of all. More info: Visit Dare2Share.org/GameDay.

No Parent Left Behind: A seminar series of three fast-paced and practical sessions led by Dr. Walt Mueller, founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. Host a seminar at your church or school. More info: Visit CPYU.org, or call (800) 807-2798.

Pathfinder Camporees

Pacific Union: March 22-25, 2012, at Glen Helen Park, in San Bernardino, California. Theme: "Love, Lead, Live." More info: Visit PUCCamporee.org or Contact Elden Ramirez.

Northern Asia Pacific Division: August 7-12, 2012, at Jamboree Campsite, in Gosung, Gangwondo, Korea. Theme: "Mission from the Northeast" (Daniel 11:44). More Info: Contact Angela Han.

Mid-America Union: July 25-28, 2012, in Custer, South Dakota. Theme: "Truth to Freedom." More Info: Contact Hubert Cisneros.

Columbia Union: August 8-12, 2012, at Camp Mohaven, in Danville, Ohio. Them: "Choose Withouth Compromise." More Info: Visit Camporee Website.

Miscellaneous

Air Miles Needed: Help students attend the One project in Seattle, Washington. If you have air miles you're willing to donate to help students attend the One project gathering February 13-14, 2012, please contact Japhet De Oliveira.

Pronounced Dead At Birth: This short video is an amazing story of faith and calling about Christopher Coleman, a young adult who was pronounced dead at birth and ended up surviving and inspiring others around the country.

NAD Survey: A college experience survey, especially for Adventists who completed their undergraduate degrees at non-Adventist instiutions. Complete the survey and enter in a drawing for one of ten iPod touches. More info: Contact Rob Weaver or Jimmy Kijai.

What "Adventists" Mean to You: The World Life Expectancy website is very interested in improving human life on the planet.  This report they have featured is extremely favorable on the health impact of the Adventist Lifestyle.

Ellen G. White Advice: "God has appointed the church as a watchman, to have a jealous care over the youth and children, and as a sentinel to see the approach of the enemy and give warning ofdanger. But the church does not realize the situation. She is sleeping on guard." (Source: Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 165)