Connecting A New Generation-goals
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goal 1:
That every church will annually assess the critical issues facing the children and youth in its community.

• Be aware of what children and youth need, to experience quality life in all domains (physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and emotionally).
  
  
• Create an assessment device to recognize the critical needs and issues of the children and youth in your community. Possible questions to include are:
  ~ Is this a need in our church or community?
  ~ What are we doing to meet this need?
  ~ What (more) can we do to meet this need?
  

goal 2:
That churches will explore the resources available to help them minister to children and youth.

• Evaluate your current ministry to children and youth. Identify resources available to you: health and welfare, intellectual development, spiritual formation, and social issues.
  
  
• Identify district personnel with specialized knowledge in various ministry areas, such as those just identified: food programs, after school opportunities, mentoring, tutoring, or family ministry. Contact these persons for individual help.
  

goal 3:
That every church will create ministries to meet the needs of children and youth.

• Research ministry ideas others are doing.
  
  
• Evaluate those ministries for meeting the needs of children and youth in your church.
  

goal 4:
That every church will support and resource the family as a God-ordained structure for nurturing children and youth.

• Provide materials that highlight the scriptural teachings/understandings about children and youth, especially those that identify parents’ responsibility to nurture their children and youth.
  
  
• Research sources for family ministry books and programs.
  
  
• Have a family-ministry conference sometime during the decade.
  
  
• Declare one month as "Home Improvement" month.
  
  
• Contact the denominational Family Ministries office for current resources about family life.
  
  
• Provide materials about family issues for church families. Make families aware of magazines about Christian parenting.
  
  
• Plan family-oriented activities such as:
  • Family photo event. Provide materials for families to make photo-memory books.
  • Family night of prayer
  • Family bowling tournament
  • Progressive game night
    
  • Cold Turkey Challenge Week. Turn off TV for a week.
    
  • Family Life Conference (local church or district-sponsored)
    
  • Pastoral sermon series
    

goal 5:
That every church will help children and youth identify fully with Christ, helping them enter into a personal relationship with Him.

• Help the church see the value of children and youth.
  
  
• Provide resources such as:
  
  • The Story of Jesus for Children with accompanying salvation booklet
    
  • Follow-up materials for evangelistic events
    
  • Teacher training in the areas of evangelization, spiritual formation, and discipleship
    
  • Participation in special events for children and youth, such as Nazarene Children’s Jamboree, World Quiz, and Nazarene Youth Congress
    
  • Emphasis on evangelism in Sunday School, programming, and church events
    
    
• Give all children and youth the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
  

goal 6:
That all ministries within the church will partner to integrate children and youth into the faith community.

• Share stories of how children and youth have impacted the kingdom of God: such as helping parents or others to become Christians or completing ministry projects.
  
  
• Plan service projects suitable for children and youth and their families.
  
  
• Provide stewardship materials for children and youth, and encourage stewardship among children and youth.
  
  
• Relate stories of children and youth in your area who are becoming vital agents of Kingdom work.
  

goal 7:
That churches will consider ways to celebrate the significant developmental and spiritual milestones in the lives of children and youth.

• Affirm milestones and accomplishments of children and youth. Highlight events such as baby dedications/baptisms, salvation, church membership, and school events.
  
  
• Provide inexpensive awards and gifts to commemorate special milestones.
  

goal 8:
That churches will disciple children and youth.

• Provide discipleship lessons for children and youth.
  
  
• Help parents know how to nurture their children and youth spiritually.