The National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference

NATIONAL 2008

The Westin, Indy

July 10 -13, 2008

Make plans to join us for the third NATIONAL Lutheran Youth Worker Conference at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis, IN.

Scroll down this page to learn more about who should attend, what you can expect, and to view a conference schedule.

At NATIONAL you will ...

Be affirmed in the service your work provides the Church through encouragement, celebration, and recognition of your calling to be a youth worker.

Discover practical skills and relevant theory for effective youth ministry.

Network with volunteer and professional youth workers through fellowship and community building.

Be challenged and equipped to develop youth ministry programs that focus youth to Christ in mission, program, and outreach.

Leave enriched by content that is timely for your ministry and applies your understanding of that ministry in your day to day vocation.

Should I attend NATIONAL?

If you serve youth in the congregational or school setting as a pastor, DCE, teacher, lay volunteer, Mom, Dad, or friend – you want to attend the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference, sponsored by the DCS Youth Ministry Office of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

This conference is open to individuals and teams serving youth in congregations and throughout districts of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. We encourage both professional and volunteer youth workers to attend.

Congregations are encouraged to consider sending youth who are leaders in the Church to participate in the event alongside of their youth leaders. Youth attendees will participate in the same program as adult participants.

The NLYWC strives to provide a comprehensive program that meets the needs and challenges the minds of professionals and volunteers working with junior and senior high youth in the Lutheran congregational setting.

NATIONAL Conference Program

Learn about NATIONAL Seminars and General Sessions, speakers and presenters by clicking on the menu at the top of this page. Here are some details about other program opportunities available for you as part of NATIONAL

Spiritual Life

When we gather for any conference, we have expectations for growth and challenge. NATIONAL provides not only professional and skill development, but opportunities for spiritual nurture and fellowship that is rooted in the Word.

Conference Chapel

Throughout the conference, the chapel is open for prayer and personal devotion. Engage in quiet contemplation, make use of devotional materials provided or simply spend time praying with other conference attendees at the Chapel.

Morning Prayer

Join together for a liturgy of Morning Prayer on Friday and Saturday in the conference Chapel.

Late Night Prayer

Emphaszing a meditative close to your conference day, participate in Late Night Prayer, a time of Compline focused on Word and prayer.

Devotions

Daily devotions that are connected to the daily themes of the conference are provided to all conference attendees. Work through the devotions independently or with others. NATIONAL devotions will continue to be provided to participants in the months following the event so that you can continue to reflect on the themes and insights of the conference.

Worship

NATIONAL concludes with worship as the capstone for the events of the conference. Sunday morning, Word and Sacrament, liturgy, music, preaching by our Bible study teacher, Rev. Reed Lessing and a special commissioning will send participants back to their congregational settings with joy and gladness.

Community Life

Whether you come with a ministry partner or team, or travel to NATIONAL on your own, the community you will find will refresh and restore you. Laughter, play, fun and interaction provide you with opportunities to learn from your fellow participants.

The Green Flag Fest

We're in Indy, after all so it's a RACING city theme and a welcome reception like no other. Exhibitors will be open, food will be plentiful and fun will abound. You won't want to miss our Green Flag Fest, which signals that the race has begun!

Drink and Discuss

Gather informally for conversation and fun with fellow participants, keynote speakers, seminar presenters and the planning team at our Saturday night NATIONAL tradition, Drink and Discuss.

Network Ministry Breakfasts (click here and scroll down)

Leadership and Service Life

TEAM Boot Camp (click here and scroll down)

Mentor Program

Would an hour with a veteran youth worker, DCE, or pastor focusing in youth ministry be a help to you as you work with students? Do you want an impartial ear to listen and provide direction in your ministry? Are you a first year youth worker looking for encouragement and affirmation? Or perhaps a veteran seeking accountability and redirection?

At NATIONAL, participants will have the opportunity to schedule time with one of our Youth Worker Mentors. At the time of on site registration, indicate your need and desire to meet with a mentor, and you will be connected with this individual during the conference.

The Youth Ministry Mentor Program is one more way to be encouraged, nurtured, and networked in your ministry.

Lutheran Youth Fellowship - Welcoming Student Participants

NATIONAL is also designed for high school students who are leaders in their congregational youth ministry programs. Youth who attend NATIONAL can expect to find opportunities for growth and challenge alongside adult participants as part of general sessions, spiritual life programming and by following the Youth Leadership Network Track in our seminar series.

Youth attending NATIONAL will also have access to special programming for building community among other student attendees. The LYF Youth Room will be open throughout the conference with special activities, opportunities for conversation and growth, fun and fellowship. Details coming soon.

Exhibitors

NATIONAL exhibitors bring the very best of Lutheran and youth ministry resources to you! Throughout the conference, spend time exploring the opportunities and programs available to you from a wide range of exhibitors.

2008 exhibitors include:

Christ Academy, Concordia Theological Seminary,Fort Wayne

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Concordia University, Saint Paul

Concordia University Nebraksa

Concordia University System

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis

Concordia Publishing House

Heifer International

LCMS World Relief And Human Care

LCMS Youth Ministry

Lutheran Deaconess Association

Lutheran Educational Conference of North America

Lutherans for Life

Lutheran Women's Missionary League

Media Shout

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity

Valparaiso University

Inspirmedia Ministries

General Conference Schedule

Wednesday, July 9

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Ministry TEAM Boot Camp

7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Youth Ministry TEAM Boot Camp

Thursday, July 10

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Youth Ministry TEAM Boot Camp

12:00 p.m. Registration Opens

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Ministry TEAM Boot Camp

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Intensives

2:00 p.m. Seminar Session

4:00 p.m. Seminar Session

7:00 p.m. Opening Plenary Session

9:00 p.m. Welcome Reception with Exhibitors Open

10:00 p.m. Late Night Prayer

Friday, July 11

7:15 a.m. Coffee and Donuts with Terry Dittmer

8:00 a.m. Bible Study

9:15 a.m. Seminar Session

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Intensives

11:00 a.m. Seminar Session

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch (on own)

2:00 p.m. Seminar Session

4:00 p.m. Plenary Session

6:00 p.m. Free Evening

10:00 p.m. Late Night Prayer

Saturday, July 12

7:15 a.m. Coffee and Donuts with Terry Dittmer

8:00 a.m. Bible Study

9:15 a.m. Seminar Session

10:45 a.m. Morning Plenary Session

12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch (on own)

1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Off Site Service Option

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Intensives

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mega Session with Thom and Joani Schulz, GROUP Publishing

2:00 p.m. Seminar Session

4:00 p.m. Seminar Session

7:30 p.m. Plenary Session

9:30 p.m. Drink & Discuss

10:00 p.m. Late Night Prayer

Sunday, July 13

8:00 a.m. Seminar Session

8:00 a.m Men's and Women's Ministry Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Conference Worship and Sending

Page Last Updated: 3/24/2008 9:23:40 AM