ISSN 1176-5143
ADVENTURE SEPTEMBER 2017
CONNECTING/ RECONNECTING WITH OUR YOUTH INSIDE
Faith Filled Hope Building Men God as Lifeblood Adventure Sep 17.indd 1
O WAAYGA2ZGINE M
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editorial Youth culture emerged in the early twentieth century and a generation gap was born. This gap has variously been seen as something of a battle or a problem to be solved. Institutions, including the one called ‘youth work’, were created to fix the problem. The church can present a better way. As the saying goes ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. Therefore youth work is the responsibility of the whole church body. Nurturing faith is both a corporate responsibility and a golden opportunity for whole-of-life discipleship. Jason Gardiner wrote: “we shouldn’t even think of employing a youth worker unless every adult in the church knows exactly what the church’s responsibility is towards young people and is committed to being a part of that process”. 1 That’s a big statement which emphasises the importance of adults connecting with the young as mentors, encouragers, and coworkers with Christ. We can start by becoming good listeners and inviting young people into church leadership in some form. Young people need people other than youth workers to be role models — otherwise they all end up wanting to be youth workers! 2
Here is an opportunity for adults and families to be hospitable, to be mentors and spiritual parents, reaching out to young people who may be biblically and spiritually illiterate, who may have struggled at school and who can’t get their heads around the language of discipleship courses. The New Testament church acted like a family reaching out to Gentiles, to the unlovely, and even to enemies. The Christian family is therefore not a safe haven apart from the world, but a powerful witness to the world. This is the church’s job, to be a family whose focus is on reaching out to the other, to the marginalised, to remove the divide that keeps people from being united. It is the passion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to see the church grow together as a family. At the heart of God is a perfect community and expression of shared love for us to copy.
WAYNE FRASER National Director 1Jason Gardiner; Mend the Gap. IVP. Nottingham, England,
2008.
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contents Features 4
NO SIGNAL Neville Bartley
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FAITH FILLED HOPE Paul Humphreys
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BUILDING MEN Steve Adams
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GOD AS LIFEBLOOD Eugene Fuimaono
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SCRIPTURE UNION HAS AN IMPORTANT BUT CHALLENGING FUTURE Neil Walbran
Interview 8
Q&A - WE ASKED OUR CAMPERS FROM OUR RECENT WINTER CAMPS WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF THEIR YOUNG LEADERS. Youth Campers
Updates 25
LIGHT FOR THE PATH Paul Humphreys
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OUT AND ABOUT
Children’s Ministry 15
WAY2GO MAGAZINE
Resources 28
RESOURCES FOR LIFE
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No Signal
no signal HOW DOES THE CHURCH (RE)CONNECT WITH A DIGITAL GENERATION? BY NEVILLE BARTLEY National Youth Ministry Leader, SUNZ
In today’s world of technology and super-fast connections with people all over the world, no-one wants to come across the words “no signal” or “signal lost”. This always seems to happen just at the most inappropriate time! “Signal lost” is a strong picture of the church and its connection with Gen Z – those born since the mid-1990s. For so many of Gen Z, the connection with the wider church has been intermittent (at best) or non-existent. The church struggles to communicate to this generation. We acknowledge they are both the present and future for the church, yet when talk about what church will look like in the future we do not include them in the conversation. We need to do better. 4
Both the world and the church have painted Gen Z as being stuck on their digital screens and uninterested in interacting and connecting with the physical world around them. However, our assumptions about them and their relationship with technology have created a divide instead of a community. Gen Z is incredibly proficient in adopting new technology. Also known as ‘the five screen generation’, they are constantly communicating on multiple platforms and can multi-task across five screens: TV, phone, laptop, desktop computer and either a tablet or handheld gaming device. This notion might seem daunting to the average adult in church, but is the norm for those born
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“
Gen Z is incredibly proficient in adopting new technology”
into a world already heavily reliant upon the internet. Expecting them to turn off and put away phones during a church service totally disregards who this generation is, what makes them tick, and how important they are. Gen Z is the most globally connected and globally focused generation ever. They have a desire to fix things in the world —not just get others to do the fixing but to get their own hands dirty doing it. I have been working with volunteers for a long time and know Gen Z as some of the most committed volunteers with a passion to make a difference in the world. When they believe in a cause they will commit 100%. Recently I was told by a church member that the absence of young
people at their church working bee proves this wrong. Actually, it affirms my theory and also illustrates the disconnect in perspective between church and young people. While their youth didn’t share the church’s priority on painting and maintenance, they wanted to help in other ways. Youth want to focus on the bigger problems. They would rather research, debate and formulate practical answers to bigger issues that affect us in our world, and get out into the community and help those who are hungry, hurt, and homeless. Their answers may seem risky to us, but to them risk is worthwhile if it could dramatically change this world. Tests have shown Gen Z as the most September 2017
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intellectually mature generation ever and yet we still teach and treat them like children. Stop and have a real conversation with them about global warming, the fight against slavery, ethical business, orany such adult topic and I think you will be amazed at what they know and what they think needs to be done. Recently a very intelligent 18-year-old woman talked to me about how so-called adults in the church treat her as a child, yet her youth group look up to her as an adult and a role model. She feels she has no real place to belong. Youth group leaders may be the only adults ever connected with many of Gen Z. Many of those youth group leaders are labelled as‘ young adults’ by the church — not even seen as being real adults yet. Isn’t it ironic how we don’t want to recognize them as adults and yet we give them the immense task of journeying with our teenagers?
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If the church wants to be connected with Gen Z, we need to work hard at connecting with them. Let’s stop worrying about technology and begin to worry about people. Let’s not be daunted about our lack of knowledge of current pop culture. What Gen Z is really looking for is genuine human interaction, with authentic, caring relationships with people of all ages. If we treat Gen Z with the respect they deserve, they will treat us with respect. If we give them a chance to live faith out inaction they will oblige. If Jesus choose this age group to change the world what is our excuse for not including them? Let’s get connected. Let’s create strong lasting signals. And let us be humble enough to realise we may not (well, in fact we do not) have the answers.
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Q&A
We asked our campers from our recent winter camps what they thought of their young leaders.
Inspiring, passionate and awesome.
All amazing & very relatable towards the kids.
They were all really helpful and cool.
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They were reaLly gr They did an amaz job of keeping us tog on the mountain an the camp really w
They were very kind and full of humour.
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?
What did you think of your
leaders
ere reaLly great. did an amazing eping us together mountain and ran mp really well.
They are very friendly and are always there to talk to.
Really nice people.
Nice, funny and easy to talk to.
They were awesome
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g Hope FAITH FILLED
“ “ “
BY PAUL HUMPHREYS South Island Camps Facilitator, SUNZ
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I get made fun of a lot every day and it’s starting to get annoying. They won’t stop and I can’t stand it” I am sad, depressed and hurt” I still get bullied sometimes and I struggle with body image. Sometimes I believe the bullies”
Chilling words from youth. Now read them again, this time as if they were being said by people reaching out to Jesus. What would Jesus do? In Jesus brief 30+ years on earth he performed at least 37 miracles. The overwhelming majority of those miracles were tangible acts of healing. Jesus responded to the greatest needs of those with whom he associated, he responded to their pain. Its cliché, but what type of miracles would Jesus perform today? People die by suicide because they have lost hope and social connection. Suicide conversations are dialogues we are afraid to
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have. This is in part due to myths, in part due to examples we interpret in scripture around Judas, who betrayed our Lord and Saviour. Friends, there is no conversation Jesus Christ isnt willing to have. Yet for many of us in the church suicide is a taboo subject. We are afraid to bring it into the light to discuss the falsehoods, for fear of misplaced results. But have you seen the statistics in NZ? Suicide is destroying our country! We have the highest rate of youth suicide in the developed worldi. Many of us who serve with SUNZ want to faithfully respond to those who are hurting.
We and you have to, its what Christ would do. Yet its not as intimidating as we think. We can commit to this. There are hopegiving questions to ask. We can listen to the desperation. And we can lead. SUNZ is looking to continue some faith-filled ministry in this area. Watch this space, or be proactive and let us know your thoughts.
iThe
Social Report 2016 – Te pōrongo oranga tangata, Ministry of Social Development, http://socialreport. msd.govt.nz/health/suicide.html
NZ HAS THE WORST TEEN SUICIDE RATE IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD Suicides rates of 15 - 19 year olds 100,000* New Zealand Lithuania Finland Ireland Chile Estonia Canada Poland Republic of Korea United States Latvia Japan Mexico Belgium Australia Norway Czech Republic Sweden Switzerland Austria 0
15.6 13.3 11.3 10.3 10.3 9 8.5 7.9 7.7 7.6 7.5 7.4 7.3 6.9 6.8 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.1 5.8 2
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Source: WHO mortality database *Rates based on the latest available data between 2009-2013. Highest 20 rates shown
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BUILDING MEN THE ‘MANLY’ CAMP ETHOS
BY STEVE ADAMS Youth Consultant, SUNZ
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My dad passed away a few years ago but his Father-child interaction promotes a child’s values and the principles he lived by remain physical well-being, perceptual ability and in my life — and this inspires me. When giving competence in relating with others. Children me advice Dad would always tell me that you with father-figures also demonstrate greater could learn from others through what they say ability to take initiative and evidence selfand do. That’s the approach with the Manly control. Children need a balance of protection camps we run. As leaders we want to be good and reasonable risk-taking. If a positive male role models, providing role model is not present learning and inspiration in the life of a child, there which helps young guys And yet, O LORD, you is a void. define themselves. are our Father. We are Young men’s masculine Individuals choose the clay, and you are identities are shaped by their role models and a lot of outside factors — the qualities which the potter. We all are TV, media, friends, adult they wish to emulate. formed by your hand. males. It’s our aim, in a Individuals judge camping setting, to make themselves against ISAIAH 64:8 NEW LIVING sure that young men see the standards that role TRANSLATION (NLT) role models in a positive models set, and seek to inspiring way. Our Manly camps are 4-6 days become more similar (or different) to them. in the bush or a remote area. We camp, tent, Too often our society has fragmented dig out the jeep when it gets stuck, cook, relationships, both in the family and society. develop bush skills, learn cleanliness and Many boys today do not know what it means good manners, talk about God and faith, go to be a man because they don’t have a man canoeing, and experience other outdoor in their lives. Sadly, many boys will go to bed activities. We teach life skills and have tonight without saying goodnight to their discussions about life. father, because he just isn’t there. While good role models in a camping environment can The other day a campers’ Mum told me how help, the existence of a positive adult male thankful she was for the positive influence our figure in the life of a young boy is essential camp had on her boy and how it has helped for his masculinity. Every boy needs someone him to attain leadership at school. As we walk who is absolutely crazy about them, enjoys the journey towards adulthood with these their company and wants to enjoy life with young men we give thanks and praise to our them. Father God — for each positive step like this, Fathers tend to encourage risk-taking and to and that by doing life together we can make a be challenging, prodding, playful and physical. difference.
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Support a Camper with bleeds.pdf 1 9/08/2017 3:28:10 p.m.
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Unearth some timeless treasures
Meet new friends as you take the roller coaster ride down the Nile River into the heart of Ancient Egypt. Discover something of God in the highs and lows of Joseph’s multi-coloured life - carved out in the shadows of the great pyramids.
When: 2 – 5 October 2017 Where: Edenview Campsite – Edendale, Southland Cost: Early Bird paid before 19 September $110,
after $140
Contact: Nigel Winder Phone: 03 214 1834 Email: nigel.w@sunz.org.nz
Post your registration forms to: SUPAkidz Camps, PO Box 7, Invercargill 9840
Register at www.supakidzcamps.org.nz Want to be a SUPAkidz leader? Email kidscamps@sunz.org.nz to find out how.
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God As
Lifeblood
THE TRUTH OF THE TREATY BY EUGENE FUIMAONO Youth Consultant, SUNZ
Ka mihi ki a koutou. Greetings to you all. When I think about the Treaty of Waitangi and how I learned it (back in the 90’s), I’m not surprised at the reticence of an entire country to engage with this foundational document. Information presented to me painted the Treaty and Maori people in a negative light. Fortunately, the education system today has
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done its utmost to address the lacklustre performance in the past, but it still fails to inject the life blood of the body that is the Treaty. That lifeblood is God. The success of ministering the truth of the Treaty hinges on this historical fact: God
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created and still endorses the Treaty of Waitangi. When we research the creation of the Treaty we discover God providing prophetic revelation, the Church being involved in politics via the Clapham Sect and that most of the Nga Puhi ariki who signed the treaty were devout Christians. This makes it difficult to separate God from the Treaty. Young people are passionate about the truth, and they’re passionate about justice. The Treaty of Waitangi, when presented in truth and in God, becomes something that fills both of those desires – not only for young people, but for old; not only for Maori and Pākeha, but for any person of any nation who has come to call Aotearoa home. When it comes to the Treaty, we too easily accept the information
presented us by the media and through the secularist education system. Hopefully we don’t do the same when we think about God! With our young people connecting their faith to their actions, trying to rectify the misdemeanours of our nation’s past through God, I firmly believe we are in good hands.
Nō reira, ka aroha me te ora a ihowa kei runga ki a koutou. May the love and blessings of God be upon you all.
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Scripture Union has an important but challenging
future NEIL WALBRAN Board Chair, SUNZ
As incoming chair I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to our inaugural virtual AGM at the end of August this year. There was both celebration of the past and excitement for the future. With over 400 people participating over eight locations it may have been the biggest not for profit AGM in New Zealand history. We are grateful for the past, excited about the future, and aware of the challenges going forward.
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Celebrating our history We have a great history and the AGM celebrated so many people who have had such a long personal involvement. We heard many stories of how Scripture Union has made a difference in so many lives. We are grateful to have such a
As experts in reaching and discipling children and young people we can help revitalise all churches and THE church. Our biennial survey of the state of children and youth ministries in churches in New Zealand is revealing key insights and building a picture of trends, needs
wonderful supporter base, but we need to grow
and opportunities.
this by telling our future story better.
From these insights we are developing new initiatives, like the ‘You’re Losing Us’ training
Looking to our future We are uniquely placed to help the church in their critical need - reaching and growing young people. In looking to the future I come back to our mission statement:
‘Working with Churches we create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders and influence our world.’
events to help churches create durable faith in their emerging teenagers, or the ‘Exodus Prime’ youth mentoring programme. We are also helping churches help each other through the NZ Children’s Ministry Network. There are many more initiatives that I don’t have room to mention, some of which Wayne touched on at the AGM.
The challenge - help us to tell our story better Our big challenge is to grow our supporter base. We have a wonderful group of faithful supporters but we need to grow this and bring
I am convinced that as an organisation we have
in new younger supporters. You can help us
a critical part to play in revitalising the church
in this challenge. Please tell your friends how
in New Zealand. While we celebrate that some
great the AGM was and share our Facebook
churches are growing, we share the concerns
page https://www.facebook.com/SUNZ.nz/.
of church leaders, such as Bishop Justin Duckworth, that THE church in New Zealand is not growing1.
1 https://www.laidlaw.ac.nz/news/2016/public-lecture-
video-justin-duckworth/
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Light
for the Path
BY PAUL HUMPHREYS South Island Camps Facilitator, SUNZ Recently I dived into the Lectionary — it always gives me something to ponder. In the Gospel reading (Matthew 15:10-20) Jesus told a parable about the consumption of food. ‘Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.’(v10) Jesus then explained for the disciples: ‘Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. ‘(v17-19) This focused me on what SUNZ does — we respond to the heart! We see young people shaped by brokenness, abuse, dysfunction, hated, fear. We may not be able to influence what has gone in to their lives, but by responding to the heart, we can help facilitate what comes out. We take the hurt, the lonely, those from dysfunctional home, those lacking social connection. And we provide camping opportunities, outdoor experiences, and faithbased programmes to influence what comes out of their heart and bring wholeness and healing.
There’s a quote from the book SlowChurch1: ‘Life, breath, food companionship and every good thing is a gift from the abundant providence of God.’ Do these things sound familiar? They are camp! They are SUNZ in action — whether a dirt bike camp, a camp in the Marlborough Sounds, a biking camp or a horse riding camp. At some point SUNZ probably provided some of these things for you:
Life…
a different perspective on life and a different way to live
Breath… the physical exertion to get to the top of a hill and gasp at the view Food… well, camp is all about eating! Companionship… with a group
who, under normal circumstances, may not ever come together God’s abundant provision comes with a responsibility. So we keep asking God “What next?’, ‘What opportunities are open to us?’ While we cannot control what someone puts into their mouth, we can respond to their heart. Let’s facilitate what comes out of the mouths of children, youth and young adults with truly transformational programmes. Peace! 1Slow Church, Chris Smith & John Patterson (2016).
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and
OUT
Wellington JAMUEL ENRIQUEZ
ABOUT
OTAGO/SOUTHLAND NIGEL WINDER
Aaron and I loved hosting the Invercargill and Dunedin 150 year celebrations with the AGM by video tacked on the end. It was truly inspiring to hear so many stories of people’s connections with the organisation from as far back as the 1930’s to the present day. God continues to write that story and make history through the ministries of SUNZ. Aaron challenged us at the latest Children’s Ministry Network meetings in Dunedin and Invercargill. We explored the power of intentional intergenerational connections to form faith. There were some great examples of how this is happening in some churches. By the time you read this our camp leaders training weekend will have come and gone and we will be well into the swing of spring camps. I’m particularly excited about opening the Bible with campers coming to the SUPAkidz Camp to explore the life of Joseph. I will need to practice my ‘walking like and Egyptian.’
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We had a great time last August celebrating Scripture Union’s 150th birthday with our friends around Wellington. Some people even drove up to four hours to spend time with us on this special evening. We thank everyone who attended and for everyone who has supported us over the years. We’re well into gearing up for our spring camps with our first camp starting in less than a week. In the background we are busy getting everything prepared for our big summer camps. We will be having over 16 camps happening over the December – January holidays. Please pray for registrations for both camping periods and that campers will have a fun and safe time on camp.
AUCKLAND GLENIS SILBY
After our Auckland WAY2GO Conference in June with 335 in attendance, our focus shifted to the SUPAkidz camp in July. 6 intermediate aged children also attended this camp. We’ve enjoyed having visitors in our larger office space with a special morning tea on 2nd June (the date of the first special children’s service 150 Years ago) as well as hosting a prayer group meeting. There were 2 different locations in Auckland for Scripture Union’s birthday party and AGM in which 130 people attended. We were amazed by the stories and special Scripture Union memories shared. In August Annette reduced her hours for SUNZ to take on a part time role for SU International, a role that is still taking shape. Looking ahead, the team are involved in running a holiday programme and different training events in Auckland, Nelson and Christchurch.
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LIGHT MATERIAL
The Light material range provides a wealth of flexible materials for running sessions for preschoolers to teenagers, all following the same syllabus. Perfect for kids church and youth groups it equips you with all you need to teach and disciple your groups.
Bubbles
Bubbles is for 5’s and under.
Bubbles for Children Oct – Dec 2017 $5.99 Bubbles for Leaders Oct – Dec 2017 $20.99 Buy one of our Bubbles books online at www.sunz.org.nz/bubbles
Splash! Splash is for 5-8 year old’s and goes with the Leaders guide.
Splash! for Children Oct – Dec 2017 $5.99 Splash! for Leaders Oct – Dec 2017 $20.99 Buy one of our Splash! books online at www.sunz.org.nz/splash 28
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Order now online at www.suresources.org.nz
Xstream The Xstream for children is for 8-11 year olds and has 13 weeks of fun activities to go with the Xstream for Leaders guide.
Xstream for Children Oct – Dec 2017 $5.99 Xstream for Leaders Oct – Dec 2017 $20.99 Buy one of our Xstream books online at www.sunz.org.nz/xstream
theGRID Lively, interactive Bible-based learning for young people aged 11 to 14. theGRID for Leaders can be used in cell groups, open clubs, traditional Sunday groups and larger celebration events.
theGRID Oct – Dec 2017 $5.99 theGRID for Leaders Oct – Dec 2017 $20.99 Buy one of our theGRID books online at www.sunz.org.nz/thegrid
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Diary of a Disciple – Luke’s Story Dr Luke has a story to tell. It’s a super incredible, massively, mindboggling totally AMAZING, absolutely awesome, epically HUGE story. Diary of a disciple: Luke’s story is a contemporary retelling of Luke’s Gospel. Written in a quirky, contemporary, accessible style, Diary of a disciple offers a way into the Bible for the next generation.
Diary of a Disciple - Hardback $20.99
Diary of a Disciple Activity Book $5.50 Taking the fun and quirky Diary of a disciple: Luke’s story to the next level! An exciting, interactive 64 page book with puzzles, colouring, mazes, crosswords and more, all amongst excerpts of Luke’s story.
Diary of a Disciple - Mini $2.99 A mini-version of Diary of a disciple: Luke’s Story, consisting of the first three chapters of the full book. This booklet makes a great give away to children in both school and church.
Buy one of our Diary of a Disciple – Luke’s Story books online at www.sunz.org.nz/diaryofadisciple-luke 30
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STAY IN THE LOOP
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/sunz.nz FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @newzealandsu VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.sunz.org.nz
He rama tãu kupu ki õku wae
PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 0508 423 836 info@sunz.org.nz He rama tau kupu ki oku wae Your word is a lamp to my feet, Psalm 119:105 SUNZ is a member of the Scripture Union International Family
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