Pathways at Big Tent
Pathways at Big Tent is an opportunity for youth, adult youth workers, college-age young people and collegiate ministry leaders to explore God’s path for their lives. It will be a mix of leader development, discipleship exploration, recreation and worship. The younger members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the adults called to accompany them will be at Big Tent, still engaging in a manner that fits their energy, interest, and experience. With great content and a fresh approach to learning, Pathways at Big Tent is a must-do for summer 2011!
Location
The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (just across from the JW Marriott, the site of Big Tent). For high school, post-high school, volunteer and paid youth leaders, clergy, other educators and campus ministry leaders.
Registration
Cost
$285 per person (includes program materials, notebook masters, event meals, concert admission and memento)
General session topics
“The Theology of Leadership,” “Your Path— God’s Path” and “Vocation: “Who Is God Calling Me to Be?’”
Workshops
- Engage: Lively, Relevant and Meaningful Meeting Leading
- Sharing Your Faith Without It Being Weird
- The Presbyterian Youth Worker — Guiding the Younger Voice in an Older Institution
- The Way We Believe: Christian Spiritual Practice and Preference
- Emerging Adult Ministry: Who Are They, Where Are They and Why?
- Roots and Wings: Helping Young People Stay Connected to Their Home Church While Seeking a New Congregation
- Congregational College Ministry: How to Start (or Re-start) and Sustain a College Ministry Within a Congregation
Leadership
- Steve Wilde — keynote speaker— “Theology of Leadership”
- J. Herbert Nelson — opening keynote speaker
- Irene Pak — Preacher — Pathways worship
- Beth Watson music and worship
- Julie Mercer Kidd — speaker —“Who Is God Calling Me to Be?”
- Beth Gunn — community building leader/workshop leader
- Jerry Beavers — workshop leader
- Chuck Bomar — workshop leader
- Michelle Thomas-Bush — workshop leader
- Andrew Miller — workshop leader
- Ashley-Anne Masters — workshop leader
- Lars Rood — workshop leader
- Gina Yeager-Buckley — workshop leader
Find information for unaccompanied participants
Pathways is designed to be an educational process that gathers youth and adults together. Its structure is ideal for youth groups, adult volunteer teams, youth councils and youth committees. Do you have questions about sending a group or an individual to Pathways? Download information on the Pathways youth track and unaccompanied participants.
Ways to use Pathways at the Big Tent to enhance your congregation’s mission
- Send your team of adult volunteers. They will build community, hear common themes, be encouraged to lead with confidence and creativity, be reminded of their call!
- Send young people from your high school age youth group who are looking for how God may be calling them, peer to peer leadership, curiosity about leadership.
- Send your youth council. They will be empowered to take back great ideas, teachable lessons and they will sense a common call together!
- Send your 9th grade confirmation class! Pathways is an amazing mix of theology, leader development and personal spiritual practice — all great things with which to empower a new member of the church!
- Send your youth committee members, CE committee members, nurture team, session. It’s a good time to begin to listen to and understand the younger Presbyterian’s perspective, experience and ambition! The workshops will give practical ideas to your teachers about engaging young people and planning a lesson that communicates relevance and fun.