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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
November 2002 |
Youth committee wants to change church, world
OSLO, Norway (UMNS) - The World Methodist Council's youth committee has a mission and a purpose: to change the world by changing the Church.
Its statement of purpose sparked a lively discussion after Fabiola Grandón, chairperson of the committee, presented a report on her group's work in the past 12 months. The committee said it wants "to empower young people to change the world by changing the church through witnessing, worshipping, connecting, and strengthening belief in God the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit."
"Do you really mean you want to change the church?" asked an executive committee member.
The answer from youth committee members was a resounding "yes," and many others at the meeting supported the idea.
"The church as I know it is not what God intends it to be. The young people are right on," said Bishop Melvin Talbert, ecumenical officer for the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
The youth committee announced plans to hold the 2006 International Methodist Young Leaders Seminar in Seoul, Korea, to coincide with the 2006 World Methodist Conference. The seminar is designed to provide youth church leaders with an international experience for their ministry. Throughout the seminar, participants engage in activities that allow global networking and understanding from a faith-based perspective.
To increase awareness and understanding of the World Methodist Council and provide an opportunity for young people to experience the global church, the youth committee plans to hold a "Global Youth Gathering" in July 2004 at Kenya Methodist University.
"The youth committee believes it is important for youth to develop international experiences and to gain exposure of life outside their home context," Grandón said. "The Global Youth Gathering will have a vital role in this and enable youth to meet across international lines."
Visitors to the new www.worldmethodistyouth.org Web site can download a flyer in English or Spanish on the youth committee. The site is also available in Spanish, and future plans include translations into Portuguese, German, Afrikaans, Zulu and French.
After hearing the report, one of the leaders remarked, "What the adults can do, the young people can do better."
Last updated on 01/14/2004