Programs of Religious Activities with Youth

P.R.A.Y. God and Country News Bulletin

Third Quarter 2005

Welcome to P.R.A.Y.’s God and Country News Bulletin. This Bulletin is written for pastors, counselors, mentors, and parents associated with Protestant and Independent Christian churches. It includes program helps, best practices, and special features to support a God and Country ministry. We hope you enjoy this bulletin and take the time to share it with others.

NEW COLOR PICTURES OF GOD AND COUNTRY AWARDS

New colorful pictures showing the God and Country
medals are available on the P.R.A.Y. web site. These
pictures group the God and Me, God and Family, God
and Church, God and Life, and God and Service
awards in an attractive arrangement. The different photos include United Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian,
Baptist, and the standard Protestant design. They are
available in PDF format and print on regular 8.5x11”
paper. We hope these new photos are useful when
promoting the God and Country awards. 
Click here to view. 

IDENTIFYING THE “FAITH ASSETS” OF EXEMPLARY YOUTH MINISTRIES

Search Institute, in its August 2005 newsletter Asset Building in Faith Communities, features a study on “Exemplary Congregations in Youth Ministry.” Simply put, this is a study of those congregations that are successful in shaping the faith lives of youth and discovering what practices and key elements surround these youth ministries. The study looked at congregations of different sizes, locations, and cultural and Christian traditions and included the following denominations: the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America, the Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention, Evangelical Covenant Church, Assemblies of God, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church.

The study identified nine dimensions of congregational life that work together to create a “congregational youth ministry culture” that is more powerful than the sum of its individual parts. These dimensions address issues of the congregation's theological and strategic commitments (e.g. an emphasis on spiritual growth, discipleship, and vocation), qualities of ministry in the congregation (e.g., fostering relationships and a sense of community), and uniquely integrated ministry practices (e.g. an emphasis on engaging families).

The researchers summarize the initial findings: This study while confirming the power of these dynamics, discovers something more basic and critical to establishing vital faith in youth and young adults. It is the palpable and pervasive sense of the living, active presence of God at work among the peoples of the congregation and its youth ministry; at work through the ministries of the congregation in the world; and at work with a passion that all peoples will have life and salvation that characterize these congregations. One congregation’s pastors, youth ministers, volunteers, parents and youth all spoke of their life together as a “God thing; its about God changing our lives and caring about the world. It’s about transformation! It’s about outreach, outreach, outreach!” It is the exemplary congregations’ communal celebration and practice of the Spirit of God that permeates all the values, relationships and practices that gives rise to an “atmosphere,” a “spirit,” a “culture” of life and mission.

This study certainly resonates with what the P.R.A.Y. office feels about the God and Country program. The God and Country curriculum is only a program. A God and Country ministry is something entirely else. We give thanks for those congregations who make youth a priority and whose work is intentional and purposeful. May God continue to bless you and be present in your lives!

The study was led by Roland Martinson at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and made possible with support from The Lilly Endowment. For more information about Search Institute and faith assets, visit http://www.search-institute.org/. For more information on the Exemplary Youth Ministry study, visit http://www.exemplarym.com/

Form a Faith Alliance

The May/June 2005 issue of What’s New  (a newsletter for Girl Scout Program, Membership & Research Staff) included an article entitled “Building Faith Connections.” This article described the Cumberland Valley Girl Scout United Methodist Alliance (CVGSUMA). This Alliance brings together women and men from the local council who believe in the Girl Scout program AND are committed to their faith. Their goal is to encourage the growth and retention of Girl Scout troops and membership, as well as promoting the religious awards within the United Methodist Church. Although this article focuses specifically on one agency and one denomination, the model that they provide has important applications to all. Collaborations with faith communities are win-win situations for all organizations. Click here to read the complete article.

Frequently Asked Questions: Duty to God Promotion Patch

We have had overwhelming response to the new Duty to God Promotion Patch, and wanted to clarify a few items. Here are some explanations to the questions that we have heard:

Is there a cost for the patches? 

Yes. Here are the price breaks

1-15 Patches = $3.00 each

16-30 Patches = $2.75 each

31-49 Patches = $2.50 each

50-99 Patches = $2.25 each

100+  Patches = $2.00 each

The patch pictures a boy kneeling … is this program only for boys?

The program has been focused on the Boy Scouts, but it does not preclude girls from earning the patch. Please note, however, that the DVD only contains resources to be used with the Boy Scouts (the Girl Scouts do not have a video to promote religious awards).

What ages are eligible to receive this patch?

All ages – both youth and adults.

I’m confused … What do I have to do to earn this patch?

You have to promote the religious emblems programs. This is a Duty to God Promotion Patch. Adults and youth who 1) make or attend a presentation to learn about religious emblems and then 2) make a commitment to do their Duty to God have earned this patch.

What does it mean to “make a commitment to Duty to God”?

Making a commitment to Duty to God can mean deciding to earn your religious emblem, talking to your clergy to schedule a time to earn your religious emblem, presenting information to your congregation, helping younger Scouts learn about religious emblems, etc.

Does this patch replace the square knot?

No. The Duty to God Promotion Patch indicates that you have learned about the religious emblems programs. The Universal Religious Square Knot indicates that you have earned your religious emblem. The two patches are completely different and are not to be confused with each other.

How do I find out where these presentations are being offered?

The point is for YOU to make a presentation. The scripts and resources are provided so that you can make a presentation to your unit.  Click here to view resources.

FOCUS ON RALPH DINGER, P.R.A.Y. EMERITUS MEMBER

As P.R.A.Y. intentionally builds for the future, we want to pause and look back to our past, and reflect on those who have influenced our ministry. Ralph Dinger immediately comes to mind.

Ralph Dinger has been associated with P.R.A.Y. for over 38 years. His work began as the liaison person for the Lutheran churches in the United States and a number of civic youth serving agencies. Ralph was invited to be a member of the National Protestant Committee on Scouting in 1967. He has been promoting collaborations between the youth organizations and churches ever since. The P.R.A.Y. Board of Directors bestowed the title of Emeritus Member upon Ralph for his outstanding service and commitment to our mission.

When reflecting on his years with P.R.A.Y., Ralph says, “What impressed me the most about the group is its ability to make representatives of all Christian denominations welcome into the ‘fellowship’. A way has been found to accommodate all groups to make P.R.A.Y. available and useable with the youth of each denomination.”

CEO Mark Hazlewood noted that when the God and Service Recognition was created in 1981, Ralph was among the first to be recognized. “In fact, I found the notes that my father wrote about Ralph for his presentation, how ‘Ralph always gave more of self than his portfolio called for’. I have found this to be very true. P.R.A.Y. is fortunate that it has had people like Ralph who have provided a rock solid foundation for ministry. Ralph was a pioneer in his day interpreting the youth agency programs as youth ministry to churches. His passion helped mold P.R.A.Y. into what it is today, and for this we are grateful.”

Feature: The God and Life Program

God and Life is the culmination of the God and Country series. The series starts out with God and Me and helps children look at their personal relationship with Jesus and understand how Jesus is their best friend. In God and Family the series expands to look at how God builds the different “layers” of a family to make the family strong. God and Church challenges youth to understand how they are part of a larger family, their church family. Finally, in God and Life, after studying the life of Paul and other faithful men and women in the Bible, young people are encouraged to respond to God’s call and live a life of love and service.

Mark Hazlewood, director of P.R.A.Y., says “God and Life is still my favorite program. Maybe it’s the age, and the fact that you can discuss faith at a higher level, but this is my favorite one. A lot of people get hooked on pizza (with the God and Family program), but this is the one I hope they do.”

Here are some lesson-by-lesson resources and/or suggestions:

Introduction

·        Option 3 (Counselor Manual, page 6): Adapt this Agree/Disagree activity. Post these phrases around the room. Instruct youth to stand under the statement they feel most describes themselves at this point. Explain why. Click here to print phrases.

·        Introduction (Student Workbook, page 3): The introduction refers to four Bible passages. Click here to print these verses on 8.5x11 sheets in the NIV translation.

·        Daily Bible Reading (Counselor Manual, page 7): You may want to challenge the young people to keep a “prayer journal” as they do their daily Bible reading. Prayer journals can be a way to converse with God without dozing off or losing focus. Having a written record allows one to look back and see growth and evidence of God’s work in one’s life. Make the prayer journal simple: First, respond to the scripture passages that you read (this is not a plot summary, but your response to them, i.e. How does it make you feel? How does it challenge you? How does it convict you? Does it bring to mind other people? Remind you of past events? What new understandings do you have? Second, write down your prayer requests. A spiral notebook is fine. A three-ring binder or folder will allow you to add pages or even choose special paper. Here is a link to some prayer journal pages with inspirational designs.

http://home.comcast.net/~FREEChristianprintables.com/PrayerJournals_and_Lists.htm

Section One: God Calls All Kinds of People

·        What About You? Question 3 (Counselor Manual, page 11):  For additional information on the twelve disciples, visit these web pages

http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/thetwelve.htm

http://www.biblenet.net/library/study/12disciples.html

·        Reflect (Student Workbook, page 7) – Here are some questions to facilitate the writing process: How is God calling you? How is God preparing you for ministry? What experiences, talents, or people are pointing you to God’s calling?

Section Two: God Doesn’t Expect Us to Do It On Our Own

·        Question 2, Discuss (Counselor Manual, page 14) – Additional question: Can you think of a time when you wished someone would have pushed you? Perhaps you missed out of an opportunity and now regret it.

·        What About You? Question 4 (Counselor Manual, page 16) – The comment is made about prayer partners. Talk about prayer. Ask if any students completed the God and Me program and can remember the four parts of prayer that correspond to the acronym P.A.T.H. (Praise, Apology, Thanks, Help… Help me and Help others). Make a list of prayer concerns.

·        Reflect (Student Workbook, page 12) – Here are some questions to facilitate the writing process: How have you been challenged to help others? How will you seek to strengthen your relationships with the church body? How has your attitude changed in regards to accepting help from others? How will you seek to break down the barriers that tend to keep you isolated from others?

Section Three: Each of Us Must Make a Personal Response to the Call of God

·        Opening Activities (Counselor Manual, page 18) – Show your class some optical illusions.  Even though we’re all looking at the same picture, we respond in different ways. The same Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. Our responses may be different.

·        Reflect (Student Workbook, page 17) – Here are some questions to facilitate the writing process: How have you responded to God in the past? What is your response now? How is the Spirit nudging you?

Section Four: God Gives Strength to Face Adversities

·        What About You? Question 2 (Counselor Manual, page 24) – Instead of just writing down the Bible verse, print out bookmarks and have students color and/or decorate them.

·        Reflect (Student Workbook, page 22) – Here are some questions to facilitate the writing process: What strength has God given you in facing difficult situations? How has good come from bad? How has adversity actually prepared you for greater service?

Section Five: God Can Accomplish Great Things through Those who are Willing to Do God’s Will

·        Other Men and Women in the Bible, Question 3 (Counselor Manual, p. 26) – After reading about the widow who put all she had into the offering, take the time to talk about giving back to God. Discuss tithing and how important Christian giving is. Discuss tithing now, so that you can re-visit it when you assign the Statement of Commitment at the end of the program.

·        What About You (Student Workbook, page 26) – As you start this section, ask students to list all their accomplishments, i.e. special awards, recognitions, and achievements in academics, sports, music, clubs, Scouting, etc.  How much effort and determination was required for these accomplishments? How much effort and determination do you put into your faith, into growing as a Christian and in following Christ?

·        Reflect (Student Workbook, page 27) – Here are some questions to facilitate the writing process: Do you believe that God has chosen you for a special purpose? Do you believe that God can use you to accomplish great things? How can you be intentional about living your life open to God’s will?

·        My Statement of Commitment (Student Workbook, page 27) – Encourage students to choose an important Bible verse or verses for their statements. Here are some suggestions: Micah 6:8, Psalm 91:1-2, 2 Peter 3:18, Deuteronomy 10:12.

As they make their plans to keep growing in faith, here are some things that your students may want to consider: personal devotions, daily Bible reading, prayer journals, finding a mentor, scripture memorization, tithing, small group fellowship, community service, mission trips, ministry through music, etc. 

What Others Have Said about the God and Life Program

·        I liked the program. It made me think about what I believe in and how my actions display those beliefs. It also gave me confidence in what I do because God helps me to do his will. Mooresville, NC

·        I remember the lesson about how people respond to God’s calling the best. All of the lessons were good, but I enjoyed the service projects the most.  Lakehurst, NJ

·        My favorite parts were the service projects and learning more about how God does great things through ordinary people. Chapmanville, WV

·        My favorite lesson was “God doesn’t expect us to do it on our own.” I found the story of Philip and the Ethiopian very interesting. I could relate to it. The situation is like me in physics: I can read it, but I probably don’t get it. I love this series. Cypress, TX

·        This has been a great project to end the high school / scout period and move into the college part of his life. Counselor

·        I did much of the program while I was a counselor at a camp for underprivileged children. I liked the way the program helped me find interesting Bible lessons to teach the kids, especially the lesson on how God calls all kinds of people.  Columbus, GA

·        I liked being reminded to do what God wants, and not to go with the flow of the world. Nashport, OH

·        It is similar to confirmation classes. It provided a medium for opening discussions where our faith was a grey area and now we are closer. Wapakoneta, OH

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