FootprintsofFaith

Religion Has a Positive Impact on Youths

A new study reveals what we already sensed was true--Children from religious homes are better behaved than kids who grow up in homes without religious influence. Sociologists from Mississippi State University asked parents and teachers of more than 16,000 children to rate how much self-control the young people had and how often they exhibited poor behavior. Those scores were corolated to how frequently the children's parents said they attended workshop services, talked with their children's parents or argued about religion. Kids whose families attended worship regularly or talked about religion at home were found to have better self-contorl and social skills than children from non-religious parents.

MSU Sociologist John Bartkowski said, "What we found is that religion matters. Not only does parental church attendance or religious worship service attendance positively affect child development outcomes, but eh frequency at which parents and children discuss religion has a beneficial effect on children's development.... If indeed it takes a village to raise a child, then we can say that religious communities are an important part of the village we live in, and parents would be wise to utilize this resource should they wish to do so."

The study also found that children were more likely to have behavior problems when parents argued about religion. The study will soon be published in Social Science Research.

Source: OneNewsNow.com, 5-2-07.

Called to Be Communities of Love and Service

As we kick off the month by celebrating Independence Day, I'm reminded of how dependent people were on each other-how important community was and is! When early settlers came west, they came in wagon trains because they needed the security and support community provided. When you needed to put up your barn, the whole community came for a barn-raising. When a woman faced childbirth, the neighbor women came together to bring life into the world. Today, far too many live in urban isolation in homes with millions of people around them but few who truly know them and are willing to help them with life's challenges. But the challenges remain. Government agencies can be cold, frustrating and indifferent. People need community.

As council president, you learn more about what happens in our own church community here at Westlake Lutheran. It's a caring family of God. There are meals for those who are ill. There's communion for shut-ins, Stephen Ministry volunteers who serve in sensitive secrecy, prayer chains that lift us up in prayer support, and leaders of small groups who keep things going. God calls us to be a people of service, but we also know that we are served by serving! Like Christians through the ages, we grow in our faith by exercising our faith muscles as a caring community of love.

We are trying to keep you more aware of services that are available and how you can fit in to serve. We will be doing Temple Talks on non-communion Sundays to highlight what's happening. This month we'll hear more about our first successful Youth Road Trip-a journey of fellowship, fun and service. We'll also hear more about how you can put your special gifts to work in our community. When you need help, you wonder who you can call who you can trust. Roger Niebolt will let you know how to make those skills and services known to our Westlake Lutheran community. 

Thomas Aquinas once said, "Pray as though it depends on God. Act as though it depends on you." This month let us celebrate our heavenly dependence on God and each other by getting involved! Have safe travels on your vacations and know that you have a community here at Westlake Lutheran ready to welcome you home and put you to work for God!

Report from the Southwest California Synod Assembly--Being Open to the Emerging Churches

MAY 31, 2007 REPORT

The Southwest California Synod Assembly is meeting this week at CLU to do the business of the church in our area. As usual, there were great cookies and coffee; you have to mention this at a Lutheran Church assembly. Just don't tell me wife!

Of interest to our members, former Pastor John Cooper was honored for 50 years of service to the church. Pastor Cooper served as our pastor at Westlake Lutheran for one year.

The keynote was a combined presentation and discussion lead by Dr. Nathan Frambach from Wartburg Theological Seminary and Pastor Karen Ward from Church of the Apostles in Seattle, WA. The program focused on the emerging church movement that is serving young adults not currently being reached by traditional churches. They are struggling by what it means to be the church today. They ask important questions: Who are we and where are we to be?

Karen described an emerging church that has grown organically in the Fremont, WA area started by an ad focused on Gen Xers in the area. From an initial response of six people sending e-mails and calling her cell phone, Karen has mentored an exciting church that fits the community. The church focuses on these questions:

Who is God? Does God Matter?
Who am I? Do I matter?
What is community? Does community matter?

Many are Prodigals; they miss the church but can't stand it. They are young adults who grew up in the church but found that the church as experienced in traditional churches were not meeting their needs. They valued a spiritual connection with God, but needed a community of believers that matched them. When called to serve and shine in their church, they were coming alive.

Karen said, "We must get out there in the community. God is hard to keep up with. You have to have running shoes on just to catch up with where His Spirit is moving in the lives of these young people. God is touching people the church has a hard time keeping. We must support and empower these new emerging communities." Instead of drawing them into our midst and expecting them to adjust to us. We need champions who wish to minister out there to let organic communities grow as they serve and then find a way to shine.

Karen's emerging church started as a Internet Cafe six days a week with a day for services. They eventually found a vacant church and have moved to purchase this former Lutheran church as their new home. They are providing experiences--a U2Charist services and a Marvin Gay inspired Moving On service.  They do baptisms in a tub bought at Home Depot. These people are absent in our churches but certainly not absent in the community.

Most churches are 20 years older on the average than the average ages of the communities they serve. At Karen's church, the average age is 28 in a community whose average age is 32. These people are not brought into the church, they are launched by the church and allowed to grow. We shouldn't be pulling them in; we should be deploying them to where they can grow.

We have struggled getting senior high youth, what if we sent our youth group out to serve in the community and invite other youths to join them. They don't have to meet at our church; they meet where they serve. There would be prayer and faith in action. Is that how God might call us to serve the community? We must prayerfully consider such initiatives.

Instead of being bogged down with bureaucracy, Karen's emerging church is focusing each council meeting by taking one part of their mission and discussing how they are doing and what they need to do to improve. Why have bureaucracy when you choose the passion for service?

Myrna Sheie, Executive for Governance & Institutional Relations for the ELCA, gave a churchwide Report stressing the top ten things to be excited about and pray for in the ELCA:

A generous church that is making a difference here and around the world
Our youth ministries, youth convocation and Lutheran universities
Calling forth of great Pastors and Church leaders
Thankful for being a diverse and open church
The church is less shy about talking about their faith in outreach
The church provides a safe-place to talk about tough issues
God's Word and the new program to renew commitment to read the Bible
A Lutheran Focus on a Social Statement on Education
Our Global Connectedness is growing

Myrna asked for your prayerful support and active involvement. I hope to include a report after tomorrow's full day at the Assembly. Pray for our church and for teh Spirit to work in our midst to do His will, not ours!

By Failing to Tell Your Story You Lose Your Past and Your Future

Pastor Craig Beeker shared a quote from Pastor Rich Melheim in his Easter sermon. I wrote it down and have been thinking about the importance of passing on one's story to future generations. 

Pastor shared the context of the quote, and I'd like you to read it...and react! The quote comes from the First Communion material on the importance of your story: "Why, after thousands of years, is the Jewish faith still in existence while so many other ancient peoples and faiths have vanished from the face of the earth? Some say it is because they remember the Passover. Distribute the following quotation and invite people to pair up and discuss it for two minutes: 'As much as the Jews have held Passover, Passover has held the Jews.' What does it mean? Walk around the room 'Oprah style,' interviewing people for their thoughts and insights. Toss out Tootsie Rolls or a small treat to all who add to the discussion. Then, ask the following questions: 'Do you know any Hittites? Do you carpool with an Amalekite? Are you on the PTA with an Ammonite? No. Where did all of these ancient peoples go? They disappeared. Why? They forgot to tell their children their story. If you forget to tell your children your story, you don't lose your past. You lose your future.'"

If we stop telling the story of Easter, what will the Holy Spirit have to work with? If we stop telling the story about Luther's struggle with grace and the importance of centering faith on the Word of God, we will lose our way as a church. If we stop telling the history of America, American values will not be passed on to future generations.

Do you tell your children God's story? America's story? Luther's story? Don't lose our future by not sharing our past. You may want to share and discuss this quote in your won family. What do you think?

Our 2007 Forward by Faith Youth Ministry Fund-Raising Campaign

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill

As discussed at the congregational meeting, the Westlake Lutheran Church council has approved a Forward by Faith Youth Ministry Fund-raising Campaign in the first three months of 2007 to raise $141,000 in gifts and commitments to fund our youth ministry program for three years. This campaign is the first step in a four-phased five-year plan to challenge our congregation to reach its potential, further its mission and move into our first church home.

Healthy, growing churches have healthy youth ministry programs. Parents and concerned members want their youths to have a strong faith and caring youth networks to help them meet the challenges they will face in their teen and college years. Our church has lost members because we have not had an active youth group. Some youths were forced to participate in other church youth programs.

During our 2004 Strategic Planning that we did as a congregation, establishing a viable and sustainable youth ministry program and outreach was a high, if not top, priority for the future of our congregation. Our youth minister, Sam Campeau, is off to a great start in building the program we need. But the 2007 budget shortfall is a result of the increase of funds needed to fund and expand our youth ministry program.

The council is asking you to increase your donations and stewardship commitment to ensure that we can meet this important need. Using figures for the current budget and the expanded cost for a full-time position and benefits, $141,000 is needed to fund our youth ministry for three years. This campaign is not just for parents of our youth; we want the whole congregation involved. When children are baptized, we as a congregation promise to support them and nurture them in the faith. It is time we take that commitment seriously. Many of you also know the difference your youth group made to you.

I would like you to prayerfully consider participating in this fund-raising effort. Your donations can be made in one lump sum, annually or monthly over the next three years. Please make your check payable to "Westlake Lutheran Church" and mark on the check: "Youth Ministry Campaign."  We thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions, e-mail me at terry@terrypaulson.com or call me (818-991-5268).

I encourage you to mail your contribution or pledge (or drop it off) to the Youth Ministry Fund, C/O Arnold Reuter, Westlake Lutheran Church, 2630 A Townsgate Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361. Annually, the council will review budget needs. If the general budget grows to support the cost of our youth ministry budget, your pledged commitment will be reduced.

Terry Paulson, PhD
Westlake Lutheran Church Council President

Your Name: ___________________________________________________

Your Commitment:
Annual Pledge (3 yr.)_____________One Time Donation______________

Facing the Giants Is a Film about Faith Worth Seeing

There is a new film, Facing the Giants (http://www.milkmoneypromotions.com/ftg/), that is coming out this weekend. The film deals with Shiloh Christian Academy, where football coach Grant Taylor has not had a single winning season in the six years he's been in charge of the program. When one of his promising running backs transfers, some plot to have him replaced. When he faces a car that won't run, a house that stinks and the prospect of his wife not being able to have children, he learns that his team faces a post-season match-up against the state's most feared squad, the undefeated Giants. Facing the Giants is more than a simple David-and-Goliath metaphor on the gridiron; it tells a story of faith in the face of long odds and the need to align our priorities with God's.

For example, after Coach Taylor has an epiphany about how he should change the way he runs his program, he tells his attentive team, "Our goal is not to win games; it's to honor God." His new outlook helps cure a bad case of cynicism. He helps a young man who has a bad relationship with his father learn to honor his parents even when he think they're wrong. The team goes from being a collection of bickering individuals to a true team, inspiring parents, faculty and fellow students.

The film shows coach Taylor wrestling with what he believes to be God's
will for him, his family and his team. Scenes show him reading his Bible and in earnest conversation with God and praying for students in an empty school hallway. The coach keeps saying, "I've resolved to give God everything I've got and leave the results to Him."

By embracing the spiritual concept of faith and then exploring the tension that exists
between human experiences and spiritual realities, this little film that could—does.

It Takes More than Youth and a Good Youth Minister to Make a Good Youth Program—It Takes Parents!

After a very successful Meet and Greet Sam Swim party at the Mushovics, we are on our way to enlivening our youth ministry program under the leadership of our new youth minister, Sam Campeau. Now, we need to sustain the momentum that has been created.

There is no question that parenting is one of the most important roles people of face. It is the responsibility of each family and the church family to give children the faith grounding they need. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 reminds us of our critical role: "And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your hearts, and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Unfortunately, what we’re doing with our children is filling every moment of their lives with secular activities and influences—soccer, baseball, football, computers and TV. As important and as enjoyable as they can be, they do not bring our children closer to God or give them the faith grounding that will help them withstand the peer pressure they face as teens. When youth ministers call, it’s too easy for parents to say that their kids just don’t have time.

We welcome Sam Campeau to our faith family at Westlake Lutheran. As we launch a new youth ministry program at Westlake Lutheran, try putting your youth’s calendar where you want their faith to be. They won’t want to come until they connect and find the community that regular attendance brings.

We have a youth minister with experience who is dedicated to serving our youth. We need your support in getting your kids to programs for at least the first three months. After that, they’ll want to come on their own!

Sydney J. Harris has said: "The best things you can give children, next to good habits, are good memories.” This is your chance to give your children faith experiences that will be with them for a lifetime. Keep up on the youth program events you will be seeing in the months ahead and encourage your youth to attend. Get involved yourself; we need parental support to make this program work.

Terry Paulson, PhD
Chair of the Youth Committee

Come Celebrate September 24th Sam Campeau Becoming Westlake Lutheran Youth Minister

For over a year, we have been searching for the right youth minister to serve our senior high and middle school youth, and we now have him! Sam Campeau begins his role as Youth Minister at Westlake Lutheran on September 15th. Sam will be commissioned at the 10:30 Am service on September 17th. Bring your youth to meet and support him. On the following Sunday, September 24th, we are calling all parents to bring their youths to a "Meet and Greet Sam" Event at the "Mushovic Swim Park!" That's right-"Swim Park!" This pool provides a swimming experience your teens will remember for a lifetime! Let them know that they are encouraged to invite friends. They'll love it!

      Date: September 24   Time: 1:00-3:30 PM
      Place: The Mushovics, 2724 Whitechapel Place, Thousand Oaks
      What to Bring: Bring sunscreen and a swimsuit or you'll be sorry!

Who is Sam Campeau? Before he ever applied for the position, Pastor Craig saw Sam in action this summer at Camp El Camino Pines. Over the last five years, he's gone from camp counselor to leadership staff where he supervises counselors. Son of a Lutheran pastor and a senior at CLU, Sam wrote in his letter of application: "My plan for when I graduate from college is to enter into youth ministry.  I can think of no better introduction into youth ministry than with Westlake Lutheran Church." You'll soon sense this young man's commitment and calling. He's ready to serve! Are we ready to support him?

In past years, we made creating a vibrant youth program a top priority; help Sam and the Youth Committee deliver on that vision. After unanimously agreeing to offer Sam the job, Search Committee Chair Ralph Bogeberg said, "In one year, when his education is done, Sam will decide where he wants to go into full-time youth ministry, the question will not only be did Sam fail or succeed in building a program here. It will also be, did we fail Sam in giving him the support he needs to make that possible?" I call on you to come with your teens to meet, greet and support our new youth minister. With parental support, Sam has what it takes to build a great program for our youth.

On September 24th, you won't just be supporting Sam; you'll have a great time! There'll be swimming, sliding, singing, and great deserts. Put it on your calendar now, and then be there on the 17th and 24th to help launch our new youth program. Sam will be sending a postcard inviting each of our youth; he wants them to know that he wants to meet them!

You don't have to RSVP, but doing so helps us plan for drinks and snacks! Call or e-mail me at 818-991-5268 or terry@terrypaulson.com. See you there!

In Anticipation,

Lutheran Innovations in Youth Ministry and Confirmation

At the 2006 Southwest California Synod Assembly, I attended a workshop dealing with youth ministry and confirmation. It was an exciting program.

Pastor Erik Young (pastor@erikyoung.com) conducted an engaging workshop, "Life after Confirmation: Getting Youth to Stay." His focus stressed a key word--"Apprentice." Most confirmation experiences are built around listening, memorizing, and surviving until you graduate--until it is over! Erik contrasted that with what it was like to learn in drivers education. There was a mix of learning with doing. You learned and then you performed under the watchful eyes of a mentor. It was exciting, and you left well on the way to life of continued driving and the adventures that opened to you. Erik has worked in three different churches to create a different model.

Instead of struggling through weekly programs, Erik has youths participate in quarterly weekend retreats for four years. For three years, they are in the learning mode. In the fourth year, they are involved in mentoring the first year confirmands. In order to attend each retreat, youths must perform 4 service hours in the church. They are mentored by senior members in learning how to usher, deal with the elements for communion, sing in the choir, or other related tasks. The retreats bond the kids as a group. There is much less disruption because instead of attending when they tired of school classes, they are geared up for a retreat of learning and fellowship with their Christian buddies.

Erik stressed how youths crave being needed. They are not only the church of the future; if challenged, they can be the church of the present. He has come to realize, along with many other youth leaders, that an entertainment driven program is doomed to frustration. The church cannot compete with the entertainment industry, and we shouldn't want to. Erik calls for a "purpose-driven youth ministry: size happens as youths search for and find purpose through faith in Jesus." In his experience, youths want to have fun, to be with others like themselves, to have faith mentors to look up to, to have a purpose, and to have someone believe in them before they believe in themselves. Erik, along with many scholars suggested that Jesus was 30 years old when he called his disciples, but that the disciples he called were mostly in their mid to late teens with the early twenties as the eldest. Would we want to stop today's young disciples from serving their Lord? I think not!

Erik noted that an authentic youth ministry attracts youth by three different means: Fellowship (Jesus could have fun with his disciples as in John 2:1-2), Education (Jesus planted seeds of wisdom and took time to discuss as in Matthew 13:31-43) and Service (Jesus served and sent his disciples out to do the same). They want to hang out with other youths, learn in a fun way about Christ, and to do something for others in the name of Jesus!

When it comes to a learning model, Erik focused on a great model, the "Peter Principle:"

I Do - You Watch (Matthew 4:19-24)
I Do - You Help (Matthew 9:35-38)
You Do - I Help (Matthew 14:13-19)
You Do - I Watch (Matthew 28:16-20)

Erik reminded us that we should be making confirmands disciples. The word "disciple" is used 272 in the New Testament. The word "Christian" is used only 3 times. The label "Christian" was used first as a derogatory term to describe believers in Antioch. We now claim it as our label, but Jesus wanted disciples equipped to serve in His name. The word disciple comes from the word for "learner." A disciple was an apprentice or a pupil attached to a teacher or a way of thinking. We need to be making confirmation about discipleship and a launching not a finishing of anything.

There is much food for thought in Erik's approach as we look for a direction in our youth ministry. What do you think?