Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2014

Session 1: Understanding Our Changing Neighbors: The future, in every way you can slice it, is urban—demographically, culturally, and even spiritually. The urban mindset is driving everything in our society. But if you were asked to describe the urban youth in your group, would you talk about the one with hip-hop music blaring, growing up without a dad, or from the “other side of the tracks”? Would you claim you don’t have “urban” students? Or are they, simply, “unchurched”? Well, urban is no longer a word that connotes a specific demographic, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, or even skin color. Instead, it defines those kids who answer with a blank stare when we ask them about their future. All youth groups have these students. Using strategies birthed in urban contexts, learn how to bring them into a thriving relationship with Christ, where every student can grow into the purpose the Lord has laid out for them.