With Rooted, we offer a simple conference. Our gathering features reflection on the Gospel in youth ministry and youth culture in the most intimate environment possible. The schedule and design attempt to maximize opportunities for conversation and sharing about the teachings, about ministry, and about our lives. Our hope is that you will leave, not only equipped and encouraged by the teaching and instruction, but also feeling as if you have a group of friends in the fight with you.
Conference Components
Keynotes
The keynote speaker delivers these three content-filled talks, which last approximately forty minutes.
Plenary Coffee Talks
The plenary coffee talks involve a shorter talk lasting approximately twenty minutes. After the plenary speaker delivers the message, a Q&A forum will take place for ten minutes. After the forum, attendees will discuss the talk and topic over beverages around their tables.
Workshops
This venue includes practical instruction on a topic within youth ministry and youth culture. The workshop involves much content from the speaker as well interaction with the leader. For example, a teacher may offer 35-40 minutes of instruction on exegetical teaching to junior high students or discipleship with young men with questions along the way.
Discussion Groups
Discussion groups provide a place for a guided conversation about a topic related to ministry to youth or youth culture. A leader will offer small bites of content meant to facilitate conversation on the topic. These groups are limited in size to foster intimate, honest conversation. For example, a discussion group may focus on relating to students in times of tragedy. This venue functions to create space for expression of questions and struggles as well as exchange of best practices from experience.
Dinner Groups
On Saturday night, participants have the option to attend a dinner group at a local restaurant. Youth ministry teams practicing in various contexts lead the dinner group, and share how they do ministry in that context. Dinner groups are mainly just a time of fellowship, but they also contain a short presentation where a team discusses their approach, strategy and practice of ministry. For example, a dinner group may feature a church sharing about their work in a small, rural context.
Sign up HERE for Rooted 2014 on October 9-11 in New York City.
