SUNZ Adventure Magazine September 2015

ISSN 1176-5143

ADVENTURE SEPTEMBER 2015

Is The Bible Still Relevant To Youth Ministry?

INSIDE

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE YOUTH PASTOR

YOUTH MINISTRY - THE MOVE TO SMALL GROUPS A PLACE TO LEAD

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Wayne Fraser SUNZ NATIONAL DIRECTOR

But in our media and entertainment soaked culture, the thirst is for some meaning and spiritual direction. Sometimes this appears to be delivered more as moral lessons and keys to personal success and nothing much deeper.

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE FULL OF COMPLEX situations affecting young people. I wonder if in our youth programmes and in other communities we are providing a good enough foundation for growing as healthy citizens of the world.

A friend who works with youth in their community reflected on their experience; ‘What has gone on in my community/country that has failed to nurture this person, and give them the tools to navigate the journey of life in a positive and healthy way? How many children have you heard say that when they grow up they want to get into a life of crime and bad behaviour?’

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Within and outside the Christian community the issue is the same. We have a collective responsibility for the generations that grow up in our wake. As the old proverb says “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. And as my friend commented further; “if the village is busy elsewhere, focussed on other things or disconnected, the child can fall through the gaps and get lost, and only gain attention as a result of their broken, dysfunctional behaviour. Behaviour gained from growing up without the necessary support, love and role models that many of us take for granted.’

Today it appears there is much less emphasis on the social activities and a group gathers more enthusiastically around the teaching and Bible study programme. That is not to say that the relational aspects are ignored.

Deep thoughts indeed. In this edition we look at what makes a deep and lasting difference in responsible youth ministry today. Join us in making a difference.

“It has been a while since I was a youth leader and pastor. And youth ministry has changed.”

E USED TO PROGRAMME SOCIAL activities 3 out of 4 weekends, providing a social environment for Christian and non-Christian young people.

A few ‘ratbag’ individuals floated in and out of the group. There was youth group once a week and regular youth services, always in the evening, never on Sunday morning.

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F E ATURE

CONTENTS FEATURES 04 Is The Bible Still Relevant In Youth Ministry?

Neville Bartley 08

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Building A Sustainable Youth Pastor Steve Adams

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Youth Ministry – The Move To Small Groups Aaron Douglas

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19 Bringing the Bible to Youth

Andrew Shepherd 20 A Place To Lead

Neville Bartley 22 Adventure Lodge Turns 50

Wayne Fraser

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24 Going, Going, Gone

Hilary Hague

INTERVIEW 12 Getting To Know Us - The SU Youth Team

UPDATES

25 Light For The Path

Ben Necklen

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22 25

26 Out And About

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY 15 WAY2GO Magazine

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RESOURCES 28 Resources For Life

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Is the Bible still relevant in youth ministry?

Our Youth Ministry Team reveals how the Bible is connecting with our ever-changing youth.

By Neville Bartley SU YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER

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F E ATURE

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YOU ASK ME WHETHER OR NOT the Bible is still relevant in youth ministry, I would think the answer would be an obvious “yes”. Some of you are probably already thinking that it goes without saying; you simply couldn’t do ministry without the Bible. Yet, as I’ve travelled the country and met with youth and youth leaders, I was amazed to find out that this was in fact a very compelling question to ask.

The first time I met Josh1 and shared with him from my Bible, he was amazed and looked very unfamiliar at the sight of the book. I found Josh’s reaction to encountering the Bible very surprising. It turned out that even after having attended his youth group for over a year, this was the first time he had ever seen an actual Bible.

He was aware of the Bible and had engaged with scripture before, either on a screen in front of him or on a mobile device, but he had never seen the Bible in the form of an actual book before. It never occurred to me that someone could be this unfamiliar with the physical Bible, but as I talked with other fellow youth pastors across New Zealand I discovered that this was not necessarily such an unusual phenomenon.

I also talked with a youth pastor as I prepared to run one of his youth group sessions and I asked him if they had a set of Bibles we could use. His response was for me to just give him the scriptures I needed as their youth group didn’t have a physical set of Bibles. Instead, they used PowerPoint to display the scriptures

1Name changed for privacy purposes

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on the screen and the Bibles they had on their phones and tablets using Bible apps.

The reason I mention this is not because it was particularly surprising to me, but rather that this approach to opening the Bible is quite common nowadays. The fact of the matter is that the Bible is still relevant in youth ministry, but the way young people open the Bible today probably looks much different than it did ten years ago.

Technology has given us this great opportunity to make the Bible so accessible, even I have multiple Bible apps on my mobile devices.

However, the importance of appropriate Bible teaching and study his become more relevant now more than ever, to go hand-in-hand with Bible reading.

WE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT, JUST FROM A matter-of-fact perspective, we have taken the physical Bible out of church, as we have embraced its technological form through things such as apps and e-books. Even for us in church services these days, how many of us actually take out our Bibles and turn to the passage of scripture despite it appearing on the screen projected in front of us?

Like myself, I think that less and less of us do.

I actually don’t think there’s anything wrong with this. However, because the Bible is now so available and easy to use, the issue we must be aware of is that we need to continue to actively support Bible-reading with grounded study and teaching. We need to make sure our Bible engagement is rooted in the context that

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F E AT U RE IF OUR YOUTH MINISTRIES AND CHURCHES go away from helping people to discover and engage with scripture, then we will end up with a generation of “Christians” who are illiterate and not grounded with the Bible.

Many of the young people I meet want an experience of God, but if that experience is not partnered with actively exploring the Bible, then we are selling them short in their relationship with God.

surrounds the scripture. We need to always remind ourselves that each scripture and passage is just a small part of a God’s much larger story.

Yes, the Bible is still relevant in youth ministry, but we must continue to encourage our youth to engage with it past reading quotable verses here and there. Our mission in youth ministry doesn’t stop with encouraging youth to download Bible apps and Bible technology. Like at our SUNZ youth camps and programmes, we must actively sit with youth to engage with the Bible as a whole, so that God’s teaching becomes more relevant in real life. Let’s journey with our youth and encourage them to partake in the rich tapestry that lies within the Bible’s pages.

And this issue is very relevant for our youth. In my experience I have found that many young people don’t engage with the Bible as a whole.

If they want to know what the Bible says on a topic they don’t find out by reading it, in fact many of them just consult “Google” and take the answers from what is written online. The internet is a wonderful tool for information gathering, but when it comes to Bible engagement it doesn’t create that personal connection between the young person and God. Suddenly, the Bible becomes something more like a source of historical information, rather than for God to form a relationship with his people.

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READING APP

A new way for young people to engage with God through scripture on a daily basis.

For more information please visit www.sunz.org.nz/engage Our Engage Daily Bible Reading App is free to download for smart phones and tablets. Everyday a new audio bible reading is released in English and Te Reo Maori. Simply click on the day, click listen and a young kiwi will read the scripture to you, ask you a few thoughtful questions and finish with a prayer. If you want you can open the scripture and read along and have the questions there before you to consider.

If you feel like engaging with others over the questions you can hit a link that takes you to a Facebook page where the scripture and questions can be found and you can add your comments. The app also gives you access to Scripture Union events such as camps and training days. There is a built in ESV bible which is also in audio format if you wish. So set yourself a challenge download the app and take part in connecting with God through scripture on a daily basis.

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Building A

Sustainable

Youth Pastor

By Steve Adams SU YOUTH WAIKATO/BOP YOUTH CONSULANT

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USTAINABILITY IN YOUTH MINISTRY IS often looked at in “what doesn’t work”; areas that we youth pastors fail in are more highlighted than the positive driving forces that keep us in ministry. If you were to ask a new youth pastor what strategy he/ she has put in place in order to last in youth ministry, it could be a far different response than someone who has served a longer time in ministry.

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The difference in response is largely their experience in how they were treated and what factors were put in place around them in their ministry, for example a proper job description, accountability, was there any mentoring support given to them, Did they receive good communication from the senior pastor(s) and leadership? Were there opportunities for them to be able to share and communicate their vision and aims?

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F E ATURE Maybe some had their own personal struggles, how much freedom and trust did they have in their role? My favourite that seems to be a big issue these days is ‘were they controlled or empowered to do what God has called them to do using their abilities and talents and the God given gift(s) that God has blessed them with.’

The above comments are some of the areas that need to be clear right from the beginning.

The reasonability that the church have for the youth pastor, under the care of the church leadership is:• A clear job description that includes the youth pastor’s abilities and gift(s).

• Accountability and the opportunity to be mentored and encouraged either by someone in the church or outside the church.

• A clear form of communication between youth pastor and church leadership.

• Acceptance that he/she won’t get it right all the time, grace is needed when dealing with youth.

We need to listen and try to understand their life journey and when we can’t listen or understand them we need to listen to those that work and understand them. We say “youth are the church of tomorrow” but as I look around some churches, sad to say it’s not looking to good out there, To be sustainable in ministry we should continue to work on improving our relationship with God, developing our skills, abilities and gift(s) for God and ministry and realize

“We have never arrived at this, until He arrives”.

Be encouraged, find a mentor, learn to listen and seek advice, embrace accountability and take time out to charge your batteries’ your called by God not self, make it about Him not you. And keep adding to this list to be the best you can, Bless you…

The church need to empower a successful youth pastor along with a youth ministry, individuals trying to control the youth pastor or youth ministry is a quick and messy death.

I know there are more that can be added, my experience has taught me over the years that youth pastors are called to youth ministry and are a very passionate people in what God has called them to do. One of the areas that often is over looked in church and contributes to the decline in youth attending church is they have no one that speaks up for them. So when the youth pastor/youth workers do, they can take a bad rap on their behalf. On a personal note the thing that bothered me the most was the injustice done to church youth; I wanted to be a voice for their issues and concerns.

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YOUTH MINISTRY The Move To Small Groups

By Aaron Douglas SU YOUTH OTAGO/SOUTHLAND YOUTH CONSULTANT “WE ARE A CULTURE CRAVING RELATIONSHIP. In the midst of our crowded existence, many of us are living lonely lives. We live and work in a sea of humanity, but we end up missing out on the benefits of regular, meaningful relationships.” 1 While interested in the loneliness of working or studying adults in their book, the above quote is no less true for young people, and it has been the observation of many who minister within churches and youth ministries that their young people are seeking something deeper. I am regularly involved in

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conversations with youth workers/volunteers that begin along the lines of “our young people just don’t seem to be interested in coming to purely social events”.

Many involved in youth ministry have observed a shift away by young people from big, loud and entertaining youth ministry, toward a hunger for smaller more intimate groups. I don’t think this is just a trend, but is a correction towards our created purpose as relational beings (with God, ourselves, each other and the rest of creation). Surrounded by people all day (physically and virtually), many

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F E ATURE of our young people are functionally isolated. 2 What does this mean for our youth ministries?

What does it mean for SU Youth Camps and our other ministries to young people? Following in the way of Jesus, I believe that everything we do in youth ministry should be a step on the journey to the goal of young people being engaged in small group discipleship and relationships.

SMALL GROUPS AREN’T JUST ANOTHER TACK on program as an answer to the above reality.

Too often we make the mistake of spending no time naming the outcome we desire in ministry and therefore we fill our calendar with programs and activities, some of which is good and some not.

The challenge then is to make small groups, in which discipleship and meaningful relationship

naturally occur, the goal and not simply another program in answer to our questions about youth ministry. In making them our goal, we reassess everything else that we do by asking the question “How is this a step in achieving our goal?” This isn’t to say that all fun and games, and the big entertaining attractional activities have to stop, but they do need to serve the purpose of the end goal.

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus calls the twelve apostles from a crowd of disciples who had begun to follow him around, and immediately takes this small group to the crowd in order to minister to their needs . Where life changing relationships and discipleship occurs, a ‘crowd’ of hungry and lonely people will be drawn seeking ‘healing’, ‘freedom’, ‘reconciliation’ and ‘wholeness’. Through twelve apostles following in the example of Jesus the world was and is being changed.

1Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, Creating Community: 5 Keys to Building a Small Group Culture, Colorado Springs, CO, Multnomah Books, 2004, pg24 Ibid, 28 2Luke 6:12-19

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GETTING TO KNOW THE YOUTH TEAM

Neville Bartley National Youth Ministry Leader •

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What’s your favourite thing about being involved in Youth Ministry? The youth themselves, they always surprise you, always challenge you, and they are just so amazing to engage with.

What’s one thing you treasure most about your work? Seeing Christ make an impact and a positive difference in a young person’s life.

What got you involved in Youth Ministry?

Corny answer but God definitely did. As a person spoke in church about reaching youth, just after I had become a believer God clearly spoke to me about getting involved.

How do you recharge? Spending time with my wife and family.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your work in the last year? No matter what things may look like on the surface just keep trusting, keep pushing hard into God and He will make miracles happen.

What’s your favourite characteristic in others? A heart to care for others.

When are you the happiest? Working with youth and particularly when I am doing it with my wife and family.

What would a “perfect” day look like for you? Time with my wife and family, along with sessions of one on one and with larger groups of youth, empowering them to grow and trust the Lord and see them become change agents in their world.

Wayne Goodchild North Island Camps Facilitator •

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What’s your favourite thing about being involved in Youth Ministry? Building trusting relationships with youth and seeing them grow as individuals.

What’s one thing you treasure most about your work? The privilege of being a part of a young person’s journey and helping them to face their own challenges What got you involved in Youth Ministry?

God – through my friend and mentor Andrew West while working at Tui Ridge Park.

How do you recharge? Being in the bush, with others or alone, the quiet and peace calms my heart and connects me to my creator.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your work in the last year?

That it makes a difference. Last year I was really struggling with “success” what it is, and how it looks in my context. God has recently answered that through campers.

What’s your favourite characteristic in others? Finding true depth and thought hidden beneath humour.

When are you the happiest? Outdoors with people I love.

What would a “perfect” day look like for you? Camping in the bush with my family with 0 electronics.

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Andy Banks

South Island Camps Facilitator Auckland/Northland Youth Consultant

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What’s your favourite thing about being involved in Youth Ministry? Being a small part of a young person’s journey.

What got you involved in Youth Ministry?

Having great people that sacrificed time for me as a teenager has motivated me to invest in others.

How do you recharge? I find that a good practical task helps me recharge. I love getting stuck into a building project or heading out for an adventure in the hills or on my bike. Recently On the day after our South Island Winter camp we I headed out Ski touring with some friends.

Nothing beats good scenery, fresh air and good people to share it with.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your work in the last year?

I always appreciate when people are genuine and honest. It’s easy to focus on our own situations and issues but it’s great when we can be uplifted, held accountable and supported by our communities through the challenges and the celebrations.

What’s your favourite characteristic in others? A can do attitude and willing to invest when there is nothing in return.

When are you the happiest? When I see young people develop and take steps in their faith journey.

What would a “perfect” day look like for you? It would start with a good brew of coffee, an adventure, great people and inspiring conversations.

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What’s your favourite thing about being involved in Youth Ministry? Seeing God transform lives and getting back and learning more than I give.

What’s one thing you treasure most about your work? “Passing on the baton” - Seeing young people living out learning and developing into leaders and lifelong disciples.

What got you involved in Youth Ministry?

It may be cliché, but God did! I had plans to become a PE teacher but God had other ideas! And as usual his plans are best…

How do you recharge? I’m an active relaxer so usually cooking a meal (which I love to do) or doing something in the outdoors.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your work in the last year?

That its God’s mission and his work, not mine.

What’s your favourite characteristic in others? A servant heart.

When are you the happiest? With family, on or in the sea.

What would a “perfect” day look like for you? A day with family and friends involving fishing, hopefully tucking into our catch for dinner and ending with a good movie!

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I N T E RV I E W

Steve Adams

Aaron Douglas

Waikato/BOP Youth Consultant

Otago/Southland Youth Consultant

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What’s your favourite thing about being involved in youth ministry? It’s always changing.

What’s one thing you treasure most about your work? It has good challenges with very rewarding consequences.

What got you involved in youth ministry?

The passion in my early teens to see my friends come to know Jesus and to help disciple them in their journey, that lead to God calling me to continue.

How do you recharge? Family & hunting.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your work in the last year? I can’t do everything.

What’s your favourite characteristic in others? Telling the truth.

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What’s your favourite thing about being involved in Youth Ministry? Witnessing the ‘Aha’ moments for young people and then watching them get excited about what it all means for them.

What got you involved in Youth Ministry?

Mostly I stumbled into it. On the whole, the scales balanced toward the enjoyable and rewarding while navigating the frustrating and downright painful. I stuck with it even through burnout and depression and had my passion reignited through camps ministry on Ponui Island where God broke my heart for young people.

How do you recharge? Reading a good book, watching a good TV series is my regular go to recharge with periodic times in the wilderness to rest in God’s creation while enjoying birds, wildlife and the flora and fauna.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your work in the last year?

That God desires to relate to my whole person not just my head. This has opened my eyes to a much wider and richer appreciation of worship and learning types that I have been attempting to explore in the ways I train youth workers/ leaders and the camps I lead on.

What’s your favourite characteristic in others? Generosity and compassion.

When are you the happiest? I am happiest in the company of others who know they are Beloved of God and enjoy good food and wine around the table in community.

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Issue 51

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The children of Aotearoa, New Zealand are our treasure, our taonga. We long to see them grow into the people God has in mind when he looks at them mature disciples living God-shaped lives, connected and contributing in their faith communities.

Do you wonder how we are going with this responsibility?

SUNZ took a look to find out. We gathered responses from a cross-section of churches around the country - different regions, different sizes and different denominations.

The research found much to celebrate. It found creative passionate leaders and children and young people growing in faith. But there were areas of concern too. It also found that many of our churches are finding it hard to connect with large numbers of children and families.

Many of us who work with children and families already know this. We feel it deeply and worry about it. We want it to change. But change is hard and we have begun to recognise that it will take more than just the children and families workers to bring it about. In e m order for things to change o lc e W GO the whole church must to the WAY2full of ’s work together: parents, magazine. It ple who children’s ministry ideas for peoildren in leaders, church leaders work with ch and local es their church nities. and church members. He u comm s waka eke noa – we’re all as p d Pull it out an d. in this together. it aroun

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“ “ “

A typical Sunday morning programme will have 20 children or less in its primaryaged programme.

More than half of churches surveyed had 2 or less leaders in their Sunday primary-aged programmes.

Around 10% of New Zealand children will be found in a church on Sunday morning.

From He waka eke noa: Children’s Ministry in Aotearoa, New Zealand 2015. If you would like a copy of this research, email us at way2go@sunz.org.nz with your name and address, or download it from our website www.sunz.org.nz Check out our Children and Families Blog (childrenandfamiliesnz. blogspot.co.nz). We are going to put more detail up there as well.

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How are we doing when it comes to getting to know the children in our communities?

Our research found 60,000 children across New Zealand who are involved in activities run in their community by the local church. 40,000 of these children were involved in one-off activities like Light Parties or maybe holiday programmes. The other 20,000 were involved in regular community ministries such as clubs and classes in their local schools or regular after school programmes.

Sixty thousand. That’s the size of Napier!

That’s a significant number of children and we can celebrate what we are doing in our communities.

The problem is, that while many of these children are attending our programmes,

they are not connecting with the churches who are running them. When we asked about those children who have found their way into the life of the church through the church’s community programmes we discovered something sad. 34% of the churches we surveyed had no children join the church as a result of their community programmes and the majority of the rest of the churches had only one or two children who became regular attenders at church.

We feel the sadness of these statistics and we know you do too. They reflect real children and real families; ones that we meet in our schools and at the

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

local shops. neighbours What can w How can we children and the life of o This is an im for us to thi we need to with. As you our WAY2GO in prayer ab How are the in your com connecting

Steve Taylor says “ is like Velcro, creat help things stick.”1

When it comes to our community programmes, we need to remember that it is the means relationships are a vital part of connecting children and families with church will be what makes the relationships stick well. The programmes are only tools to

Take a look at these key principles and use them as you build relationships with the

Be genuine –

We want to build relationships with people because we care about them. Make sure you are building genuine two-way friendships and enjoying the people you meet.

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Be available –

Take time to sit around and talk - don’t be so busy with the programme that there is no time to have conversations with people. Some of your leaders may need to step back from more active roles in order to do this and you can encourage church people to come along and do this as well. And of course, relationships need to happen outside the programmes as well.

Be real –

Our role is not to model perfection or to offer quic answers. It’s to be honest about our own journey and joys and challenges we fin we relate to God, and to a people we get to know to their ideas with us as much we share with them.

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local shops. They are our neighbours and our friends.

What can we do about them?

How can we connect these children and their families with the life of our faith communities?

This is an important question for us to think about. It is one we need to ask God to help us with. As you read this edition of our WAY2GO magazine, please be in prayer about your community.

How are the children and families in your community programmes connecting with your church?

You w quins and salt. large bowl, glitter, se z inside the large fiz Stand the bottle of mess. Pour the e th in nta co to l w bo o the bottle, then glitter and sequins int . ts’ add salt until it ‘erup t what makes ou Ask the children ab en they think about them feel excited wh God for these k God. Pray and than things.

A Helping Hand

ylor says “Community development cro, creating lots of relationships to gs stick.”1

er that it is the people that are important. That lies with church and the quality of the relationships re only tools to enable this to happen.

onships with the children and families.

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M USttleFofOfizA ULO FAB a z, bo e ill need a 2 litr

Be open –

not to model or to offer quick ’s to be honest wn journey and the allenges we find as o God, and to allow get to know to share with us as much as ith them.

Pray that God will use you to speak his living words into their lives and share things he tells you. Ask people if you can pray with them or invite them along to church when you think it is appropriate.

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emergentkiwi.org.nz

You will need a clear plastic bottle, 2tbs sugar, yeast, surgical gloves, very war p m water and tape. Mix the yeast and water together in the bottle. Put the sugar into the fingers of the glove. Stretch the glove over the top of the bottle and tape it tightly. Lift the glove so that the suga r falls into the yeast mix. The glove will start to inflate but it will take time so begin early in the programme and talk abo ut it later on.

Talk to the children about how Jesus knew we could not do everything on our own and we would need a “hel ping hand”. The Holy Spirit can be that help for us. We can’t see the Holy Spirit any more than we can see the gas that has inflated the glove, but just as we kno w the gas is there because the glove infla tes, we know the Holy Spirit is there and working in us because we can see or feel the effect of what he does.

If you would like to know more about our training, look on our website www.sunz.org.nz ADVENTURE September 2015

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Wondering how you can connect with the children in your community?

Try these ideas.

Holiday Programmes are an effective way for children and churches to get to know each other. They are a great place for non-churched children to experience Christian community and make new friends. Deep relationships are formed as leaders and children spend time together having fun, making crafts, playing games, and exploring Bible stories through music, drama and storytelling. Small groups provide space for talking and deep questions to be explored together. Used well, an annual holiday programme can become a part of your overall strategy to get to know your community. SUNZ can help you with advice and encouragement if you are interested in running a holiday programme.

Children join world famous explorer, Sir Random Finds on an expedition into the polar wilderness. They take the Great Ice Challenge, chill out with fantastic people and follow in the footsteps of some amazing characters as they discover what it’s like to be on God’s expedition team.

SUPAkidz and SURGE Clubs are community clubs for children and intermediates. There are all sorts of clubs - some meet in schools and some meet down the road in a church, some meet during the lunchtime and some meet after school.

SUNZ provide programme material and training & support to help you with your Club. We also help you with safety procedures and leadership applications so that you can assure schools and parents that you are running safely.

SUPAkidz Camps are a fun and safe place for kids to invite their friends along to. There are all sorts of activities and heaps of fun as children in school years 4 - 6 explore the Bible together and learn all about God. The photos in this WAY2GO magazine are all from our camps. Check our website for more information.

Polar Explorers along with many other great holiday programmes are available from SUNZ. Check them out on our website www.sunz.org.nz then ring us on free-phone 0508 423 836 to order.

Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders, and influence the world. Contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Scripture Union in New Zealand – PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 way2go@sunz.org.nz – 0508 423 836 – www.sunz.org.nz

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F E ATURE

BRINGING THE BIBLE TO YOUTH

By Andrew Shepherd NATIONAL CO-DIRECTOR OF A ROCHA AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND It is the reformer, Jean Calvin, drawing on the Apostle Paul (Rom 1:20), and Augustine, who is most famous for the ‘two books’ metaphor: God reveals Godself through nature and Scripture. Involvement in SU camping during my teenage years played a formative role in fostering a deep appreciation of Scripture and nature (and a love for the Author of these books).

Young people today – immersed in digital technology – face particular challenges in reading and being formed by these revelatory texts. Studies show that reading on devices tends to be of a cursory nature and that the constant flow of images and stimuli creates a posture of inattention. Likewise, being ‘wired to the Matrix’ also limits the ability of young people to engage with the book of nature, with Richard Louv suggesting that ‘naturedeficit’ is to blame for much of the physical and emotional ill-health of young people and adults.

Camps provide an important environment where young people can be encouraged to read slowly and deeply; to simply be present in nature and observe and enjoy; to ‘be still and know that I am God’. Lack of access to digital technology often literally requires participants to be ‘unplugged’.

Similarly, outdoor settings encourage Scripture and nature to be read simultaneously – in contrast to much of our Bible reading which takes place inside buildings. I often utilise art activities on camps – encouraging participants to express the creativity of the Creator as they read and reflect upon what God is saying to them through the ‘two books’. Likewise, the use of liturgy, alongside a more ‘active’ reading, encourages a reflective listening – a soaking in Scripture.

While facing new challenges, the reading of Scripture within and alongside nature continues to have the same potential to reveal God’s eternal character and transform the lives of young people.

Dr Andrew Shepherd is still actively involved in Scripture Union’s camping ministry. He is the National Co-Director of A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand (see: http://www.arocha.org.nz/).

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A Place To

LEAD

By Neville Bartley SU YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER

A

T SU YOUTH WE ARE ALL ABOUT developing and growing dynamic young leaders for Christ. Raising up young leaders who can be the leaders of not just the future but of today. We want to help our young people to have a place to lead.

Because of this passion we have developed a camp called ‘Exodus Prime’. Exodus Prime is a young leaders’ camp with a difference.

Firstly, not just any teenager can attend the camp, they must be nominated by their church, their youth group or even their school to attend the camp. Once they have been nominated the organisation that has nominated them has also agreed to provide a mentor who will walk with them for the whole year. Scripture Union will train the mentors and provide them with all the resources they will need.

This is not just a 5 day camp; this is a whole year commitment for the young person and the people who nominated them. The training, while acts as a standalone camp each year, runs through a 4 year cycle. A young person who attends every year from year 10 to 13 will learn new skills every year.

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F E ATURE Exodus Prime is no usual camp either. From arrival, the young leaders are expected to do just that: lead. They will be taught aspects of biblical leadership, but they will be expected put it into practice right there on camp. While they are on camp they are also challenged to plan how they can use their leadership skills to work in their schools, their communities and their churches. We want to create a place for these young leaders to stand and lead.

Give them a platform of skills and support to enable them to lead.

WE RAN OUR FIRST CAMP IN JANUARY 2015 and the feedback from the young people, the churches and from parents has been amazing.

We have seen these young leaders step into leadership with serious intentions to do the best they can for Christ and for those they are leading. We have even seen some of them end up leading their whole youth ministry with the support of their mentor and church leadership.

Do you know any young potential leaders?

Talk to your church, talk to your youth leaders, encourage them to nominate these young leaders and see them equipped to impact their world positively for Christ Give them a place to stand and lead.

For more information about Exodus Prime contact Neville Bartley on 0508 423 836 or email him at neville.b@sunz.org.nz ADVENTURE September 2015

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Adventure Lodge turns

50!

By Wayne Fraser SUNZ NATIONAL DIRECTOR

O

N 25 OCTOBER THIS YEAR THE SU Adventure Lodge will have its 50th birthday. The lodge is an iconic site in the history of SUNZ and its walls could tell many stories of adventure and lives impacted

by God. The story of the lodge itself is intriguing.

Scripture Union has never entertained ambitions of owning camp buildings but the lodge certainly met a real need. In his book No Ordinary Union, Peter Lineham records that another SU character, Vine Martin, had long felt that winter campsite accommodation was needed in the Ruapehu National Park.1 22

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The land on Ruapehu at the time was referred to as “the low level clearing�. There was room for several huts to be built and Scripture Union was approached through a Lawrie Bridges who was Chairman of the New Zealand Search and Rescue Organisation. Mr Bridges had no particular religious connections but his teenage daughter gave her life to Christ at a Crusader Camp.

Her witness made such an impression on her father that he invited Scripture Union to build a lodge on the mountain, hopefully to provide an influence for good among the young New Zealanders who were now flocking to the 1No Ordinary Union p143

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F E ATURE mountain for winter sports. Scripture Union saw this as a real challenge and proceeded with plans to build a lodge on the Crown Land.

THE BUILDING WAS FUNDED BY A LEGACY the Morpheth family that ‘miraculously’ arrived at the same time as the offer to build on the public land. The Morpheth’s only son Bruce was tragically killed in a tramping accident at the Wilberforce River, a tributary of the Raikaia River, in Canterbury. At the time Bruce was a boarder at Nelson Boys College. While clearing out his belongings in the hostel the family came across his Crusader notes and because of this they sent the legacy to Scripture Union.

OVER THE YEARS THE LODGE HAS BEEN lovingly maintained by many groups and volunteers. Their interest in maintaining this special facility is a response to the memories and opportunities that have been experienced in all seasons and conditions.

Chief among these enthusiastic volunteers have been the Houghton family from the Waikato. Noel and Jeanette, their family, home group, and friends have spent hours and days lovingly repairing and maintaining the lodge so that many more generations of young people can experience the beauty and presence of God in this place.

Architect and SU volunteer Martin Yeoman designed the A-Frame building which used the Lockwood construction which had recently come on the market. The lodge was pre-fabricated in Napier and transported in sections to Ruapehu.

Jeanette was looking forward to the birthday party but was called home to be with her Lord in April this year. We are deeply grateful for her shared stewardship of this valuable facility and acknowledge the very special she, her family, and many young have experienced there.

The opening ceremony of the lodge in 1965 was performed by Ted Lewis, one of the original Crusader camp leaders. The connection to the camping movement of the era led naturally to the original name, Crusader Lodge, which was only changed in recent years.

On the weekend of 21-22 November there will be a sleepover and party at the lodge.

A neighbouring lodge is booked for extra accommodation, so put the dates on your calendar and look out for more details on the SUNZ website very soon.

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F E AT U RE

GOING

GOING

GONE

By Hilary Hague SU CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MINISTRY LEADER

DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY CHILDREN ARE missing out on Bible stories? When it comes to reading the Bible, 52% of New Zealand children can’t remember reading Bible stories and 29% can’t remember having a Bible story read to them.

These statistics are continuing evidence of a decline in biblical literacy that is happening here in New Zealand and we need to take them seriously. Especially as the Bible tells us it is important for us to pass on the stories of our faith, so that our children will understand who God is and what it means to be a part of his continuing plan for the world we live in.

Kaila’s children were absorbed

Guardians of Ancora is a new digital game for 8 to 11-yearolds and it’s a very effective way to help your children discover more about the Bible. It’s been developed by Scripture Union and combines excitement and creativity with an immersive experience of Bible content and faith formation. It’s a social space where children can explore their relationship with God and the Bible. It’s available for Apple, Android and Kindle Fire devices and best of all it’s free!

the game was loading. Vivian

Psalm 78:4 says “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” Guardians of Ancora can help us communicate these timeless truths to the next generation. Let your children enjoy playing it, and then at bedtime help them find the story they liked the most in the Bible. Ask them questions like “What does this story show us about God?” and “Who do you feel like in this story?” and then pray with them.

Give it a go!

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in the new Guardians of Ancora computer game app and she didn’t even mind! There were shouts of, “Hey, there’s a Bible verse!” while the next phase of said “It’s fun to live the Bible stories and learn more about them through a game.” Gabriel said “It’s really fun. Can I play it now?”

Visit www.guardiansofancora.com to download this app for FREE.

1Pass

It On, 2015 Biblical Literacy Survey.

Published by the Bible Society New Zealand.

2New Living Translation

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F E ATURE

For The Path

By Ben Necklen SOUTH ISLAND CAMPS FACILITATOR

RECENTLY DURING A WINTER CAMP WE were tramping along the Waimakariri Valley in Canterbury. There was a fair bit of small talk being thrown around to pass the time but out of this came a great question from one of the campers:

“How do you have a relationship with God?” The question caught me off guard, not because it was out of place but because it seemed like it was not something we ask very often.

In a world that is saturated by relationship breakdowns and quick fixes, little time is devoted to how you grow a relationship.

Two weeks later I was at a funeral celebrating the life of a member of our congregation in Geraldine. We had not known this lady very long but she had built a relationship with us out of her love for Christ. As people reflected on her life it was evident that relationships were important and her relationship with

nd.

Jesus above all was what sustained her. What a great example of someone who has run the race well and has built a close relationship with Christ.

I HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE relationship journey spectrum, but how do I shift closer to a richer relationship with Christ? Lately, I have been trying to develop solitude as a spiritual discipline, that in our “connected world” we can withdraw and be found by God. Often we find doing to be the easy part but being is remarkably harder.

Tracey Balzer puts it like this, “our doing for Christ means little without intentional time of being with Christ.” I take encouragement that Jesus himself withdrew to pray and spend time with his Father as he modelled a perfect relationship.

As we remember the “Heroes of Faith” in the Bible and those who have played a part in our own lives, I would encourage you to think of how you would answer that same question and what’s one thing you could change to shift closer to Christ?

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OUT Waikato/Bop ABOUT Auckland GRAHAM FULLERTON (GF), Chair of Waikato Regional Committee in an interview with WAYNE GOODCHILD (WG), SUNZ North Island camps Facilitator.

GF: In the recent [youth] winter camps, how many camps were held in the North Island?

WG: There were 3 camps in the North Island, SYLVIA COULTER CWoG (Camps Working Group) equals volunteers, led by Jenny Mackie, who help make upper North Island youth camps happen.

Along with facilitator Wayne Goodchild, and the national camps office, CWoG provides and maintains equipment (kayaks, tents, sound system…), does leader training (outdoor first aid, on-water safety, camp cooking, mentoring, dealing with behavioural issues, helping campers have “God” moments through the day…], and supports directors (“buddies” on call during camp, down-to-earth report back sessions…). CWoG joins with local staff to run info and prayer events before and after the summer camps. If possible, join us on 10 November for “The Summer Adventure Begins” at Eden Community Church.

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1 on the shores of Lake Karapiro and 2 at Mt Ruapehu.

GF: And in total how many people attended?

WG: There were just over 100 attendees at camp. 80 were campers and the rest were leaders.

GF : What were some of the high points?

WG: Seeing the quality of leaders and campers at both the camps I was on was really inspirational. Also, I received more personal feedback and affirmation from people that what I do makes a big difference in their lives.

They trust me, come to me for guidance, prayer and support knowing that it will be sound and non-judgemental. That is more encouraging than you could ever imagine.

There were a number of deep discussions both facilitated and informal that occurred during senior snow camp. On the junior camp we had a fantastic fun glow stick party on the last night that everyone enjoyed.

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UPDATE

Canterbury Otago/Southland BEN NECKLEN

NIGEL WINDER

June and July have been fantastic months for Canterbury Camping. The start of June saw our camp leaders gather at Craigieburn for our annual training weekend, it was great to meet some new leaders and share camp stories with those that have been around for plenty of camps. Our July holidays have been a busy and fruitful time with two South Island winter camps running. Our Canterbury Senior one battled plenty of snow and cold weather but spirts were high and discussions were thought provoking. Thanks for all those people that have helped make these camps and training weekends possible.

We have been encouraged by the feedback from Winter Camps regarding the depth of spiritual ponderings, questioning and desire to know God from the young people attending.

It was brilliant to get a new junior camp out of the starting blocks at Makarora, ably led by Andrew Shepherd. He is also leading the new E3 Wilderness Expedition later this year. Nigel is planning the next SUPAkidz Camp in Spring “Polar Explorers.” We are all very excited about the opportunities for these kids to have junior youth camps for them to progress onto in the region, like the “Queenstown Spring Caper” camp Aaron is leading. A “free” camp leader training weekend is planned for early September.

The successful Way2Go Children’s Ministry Training Day has been followed up by Children’s Ministry Network Meetings in Invercargill and Dunedin.

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Check out the new resources that have just arrived in – unfortunately you can only order by ringing 0508 423 836. But hopefully by the end of October we will have our web shop back online so you can shop and purchase anytime any day.

HOLDING A LIGHT PARTY? Darkness: The Unwelcome Visitor is a missional resource for children 5-11 attending Light Parties or alternative Halloween events.

“DARKNESS is the unwelcome visitor that no one likes to have. He can stick to us like glue, and when he comes he brings his friends FEAR and DESPAIR.

However, there is one who is stronger than FEAR and DESPAIR and whose LIGHT is able to overcome DARKNESS”.

Pack of 20 booklets for $40.00 or $2.50 each + pp Place orders at info@sunz.org.nz or 0508 423 836 by Friday 25th September at the latest so we can ensure delivery in time for 31st October.

This story invites children to discover Jesus who is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and to turn to him for help.

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RE S OURCE S

EXPLORE TOGETHER Explore Together is a new and practical tool for helping people to engage with the Bible. It encourages the exploration of the Bible using natural learning preferences and preferred spiritual styles.

At its heart is a desire to see people hear from God and learn more of his love for them. It works with big groups, small groups, mixed-age groups, single-age groups, older people, young people, children, families, home groups, church congregations, small groups, youth groups, school groups… in fact Explore Together can be used in any environment with any group dynamic. Find out more on the Explore Together website: www.exploretogether.org

Explore Together – The Journey: The inspirational story of how Explore Together came to be, grounding its approach

in

academic

theory

and

research, and answering your questions about it.

RRP: $13.99 + pp Explore Together – The Resource Book: Contains 12 ready-to-use sessions on a variety of themes, and also contains a unique access code inside the back cover, enabling purchasers to access a wealth of multimedia resources that accompany these sessions from the Explore website.

RRP: $15.99 + pp

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IT’S YOUR MOVE A young person’s guide to moving to Secondary School is being revamped and you can order now with delivery starting the first week of October 2015. This is a great resource for churches to use to build relationships with local schools.

$3.50 each or $2.50 each when you order 10 or more units + pp.

GUARDIANS OF ANCORA is available to download for FREE! This ground breaking game is an amazing opportunity for children you know to discover the incredible adventures of the Bible for themselves! Available for Apple, Android and Kindle Fire devices, Guardians of Ancora is a world-class digital game – an amazing virtual world that 8 to 11 year olds can enter and a place where Bible stories come alive!

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RE S OURCE S

Great New Family Resources Rob Parsons is an international speaker on family issues and Chairperson of Care for the Family, based in the UK.

Teenagers

Extremely helpful and insightful book on the turbulent world of raising teenagers. He includes practical advice for encouraging your child as well as dealing with the really testing moments that these years can bring. It really does cover what every parent has to know!

$21.99 + pp

Getting Your Kids…

There are no guarantees that children will accept the faith of their parents. From toddlers to teens, we want them their experience of the Christian faith to strengthen them, not make it harder for them to follow Jesus. In this book for parents, church leaders and youth leaders, Rob Parsons asks questions about the environment in which our children grow up. He also challenges each of us to consider whether there is anything we can change in our homes, churches and hearts, which will make it less likely that a generation will be lost from the church.

$17.99 + pp

The Sixty Minute Family

You will discover the most effective parenting style; how to save your marriage from ‘a creeping separateness’; how to make time for your family; how to discover the magic of traditions; how to get family through tough times; how to appreciate your extended family….

$17.99 + pp

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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

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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