Saturday, July 27, 2013

NAFAUM and the Young People's Mission

The millennial issue has been a problem for many of the established churches and the United Methodist Church is not exception.  Many theories have arisen as to what could be the leading cause of the exodus of younger generations leaving the churches.  One theory suggest that since the idea of a youth pastor/director was never a part of God's plan since there are no mention of any youth director ever mentioned in the Bible, so the source of a child's spiritual formation should not be anyone else but their parents.  Another theory is that since the churches are so old fashioned with their old hymns and sermons that do not speak to the issues of the younger generations.  Thus finding themselves either finding their spiritual feeding somewhere else or find the church to be a chore and not attend at all.  Another theory is that the youth are regarded as second classes members of the body of Christ.  Thus not being included in the development of the Church or any vital areas of the ministry.  Given enough time I am sure that their are many other theories as to why young is leaving the church.

I believe that it is all those issues and needs to be addressed if our beloved Church is to survive.

The NAFAUM Young People Core Team this year tried to addressed as many of the issues by not trying to dodge the issues but attack them head on.

So NAFAUM 2013 held at Riviera United Methodist Church the Young People core comprised by Kathylyn Talapian from Illinois, Allen Navarro from Northern California, Rachel Wu and Sara Agtarap from the Pacific Northwest, and Katerina DePano and myself from Southern California all leaders of their own respective Christmas Institute tackled each of these issues with programs such as Utilizing Social Networks workshop lead by United Methodist Communications' Minister of Online Engagement  shared to the next generation of leaders how the utilization of Social Networks can be a powerful tool of spreading the Good News from all corners of this Earth.  Then a workshop in Filipino Martial Arts lead by Filipino Martial Arts School owner Guro Francis Thomas B. Serrano (Myself) closed of the day of workshops.

On day two, for the first time in NAFAUM's 100 years history, a panel of Pastors and Lay Leaders participated in an open forum discussions of today's issues such as same sex marriages, health care reforms, immigration reforms, abortions and death penalty and where the United Methodist Church stood in these issues.  What made this even so important we allowed anyone to be able to ask questions about these issues and hear from different sides of the spectrum.  Lay persons such as Katerina DePano, Manang Ely Del Rosario, Pastor Glen Haworth, Pastor Amy Barker, and Pastor Richard Bentley did not duct any question and was ready to show to the audience that they do not all agree with everything written down on the United Methodist's social principles.  But that it was our diversity is what makes us a United Methodist. 

There were so many wonderful events including the amazing Filipino race and the YP congress. But Rachel and Sara who lead the planning for the CI Reunion gave everyone old and young alike a glimpse of CI from all over the United States. The photo montage that was put together was beautiful, and to see the old photos again was both embarrassing and funny. But what the rest of NAFAUM saw  was this is where our leaders are born and that CI needs to be supported if we want to continue to foster the next group of leaders. 

The last memorable moment for me is the Young People's Service. Our keynote sermon given by our very own Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, with performances by Prayer of Jabez from IL, Fellowship UMC from Vallejo, CA and a dance also from IL. 

Over all the experience gave a sense of CI in July and one that has sparked the sense of service in me to continue to serve. And to the team, well done. 





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