All NexGen Pro articles – Page 103
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Issues
Editorial
When did you first realise you were called to youth ministry? It may have developed gradually over years, with small inklings along the way pointing you in the direction of working with young people. Or perhaps it was a sudden eureka moment, a lightning bolt from above, when you knew deep down in your soul that youth work was what you were born for. Or maybe you just stumbled into it, and aren’t really sure why you are doing what you are doing, or why you are reading a magazine about youth work.
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Issues
Editorial
While I was working as a schools worker a few years ago, the local authority went through a phase of renaming failing schools. It was as if they thought that if they changed its name and gave the children new jumpers, everyone would forget what a terrible school it had become and everything would be alright.
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Issues
Editorial
My heart sank as I arrived at church on Sunday. Having lovingly prepared a youth session with all sorts of whizzy activities and games and discussions and group work – only three young people turned up. We are never a huge and mighty army (we have six on a Sunday), but three is a tricky number ...
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Issues
Editorial
We’ve been trying out some new things in our children’s group recently. After a short story, we’ve been experimenting with letting the children respond as they want to, using various different materials. No worksheets or crafts prepared by the adults, and no leading or policing. It’s been interesting and exciting, but at times frustrating and disappointing.
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Issues
Editorial
A church in our Diocese recently took a radical step. They decided to scrap the rota. They didn’t close the Sunday school (panic over) but they decided that the best thing for the children in their groups would be to have the same leaders every week, providing the maximum opportunity to form quality relationships with them. This policy sadly had a knock-on effect for the leaders; they felt they didn’t have any spiritual space for themselves and their relationship with God was suffering. The plan was abandoned, and the rota reinstituted.
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Issues
Editorial
Our history books are full of people who did big and marvellous things. Einstein discovered the theory of relativity. Nicolaus Copernicus figured out that the Earth wasn’t actually at the centre of the universe. Johannes Gutenberg brought the printing press to Europe, Florence Nightingale founded modern nursing and Thomas Crapper didn’t invent the flush toilet (contrary to popular belief). These great men and women are remembered for their one overarching achievement.
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Issues
Editorial
I love a theory. Specifically, I love coming up with theories. My latest theory is that the biggest contribution that Walkers (the crisp people) have made to the UK food industry is the proliferation of sweet chilli. Just think about it: before sweet chilli Sensations, it was a pretty niche flavour, now you can barely trip over in Waitrose without banging your head on a sweet chilli dip.
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Issues
On The Edge : Reflex Woking
When Clare Strong moved to Woking she was determined to help young people realise and reach their potential. Her baptism of fire began when, in her first week at her new church, she said to her pastor: ‘I have always wanted to do youth work.’ ‘Great,’ he replied, ‘I have two groups; you can take the older one.’ That Wednesday evening she walked into a room of 30-40 young people from the local estate and began her ministry.
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Issues
On The Edge: Oneness
Ian has been doing youth work on the Isle of Wight since 1999. Financial and time constraints meant a trip across the Solent wasn’t possible so a phone call had to suffice.
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Issues
Ready-to-use Movie: Edge of Tomorrow
In the near future, the Earth has been invaded by a seemingly unstoppable extra-terrestrial enemy who can reset time and know the future. Using this ability they are quickly destroying the world’s army that has united to stand against them. During the final assault, cowardly PR man Cage (Tom Cruise) finds himself bestowed with the ability to experience the same day over and over again.
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Issues
You, the Future and Generation Edge
If you don’t shape the future, someone else’s vision of the future will reshape you, your youth work and your city.