Youth Ministry a Focus of Continuing Education Workshop for Clergy
24 October 2011
Seventeen clergy and seminarians of the Eastern Diocese gathered at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary on Saturday, October 22, for a workshop on youth ministry. The continuing education program was coordinated by the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, and the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Seminary Dean, by arrangement of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate.
The two-day program, which began the day before at the Diocesan Center in New York, was designed especially for the younger clergy of the Diocese, including those who have come from Armenia to serve in the Eastern Diocese in recent years. Several recent graduates of St. Nersess Seminary and the current seminarians also participated in the workshop.
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"Of course how to engage our young people effectively with the message of the church is of paramount importance," said Fr. Findikyan. "It is equally important to give our priests—especially the younger ones—the opportunity for true Christian fellowship and team-building. And St. Nersess provides the ideal venue for that.”
Drawing on the considerable experience of the Diocese's Department of Youth and Education, as well as diocesan priests who have been involved in youth ministry, the workshop addressed the challenges of reaching out to Armenian youth—or the "the millennial generation."
As described by Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s coordinator of Youth Outreach, these young people, born in the years around the turn of the millennium, are known for their technological savvy. "Social media is redefining the way this generation engages in relationships—for better or worse," said Morris. "They are lonely and looking for intimacy and faith—but not in customary places or ways."
Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA executive secretary, gave a succinct survey of faith development theory: how young people of various ages conceive of God, referring to differing styles of faith according to the model of John Westerhoff, an authority on Christian Education and author of the book, Will Our Children Have Faith?
Joining the workshop as well were Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian Education; Gilda Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian Studies; and Michael Guglielmo, the Diocese’s executive director.
Following Evening Prayer in St. Vartan Cathedral, the workshop continued at St. Nersess Seminary, which hosted the clergy with a festive evening meal, prayer and fellowship.
Saturday's sessions included a presentation by longtime director of the St. Nersess Summer Conferences and pastor of St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, the Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian. In a presentation titled "Youthful Sponges: Soaking It All In," Fr. Doudoukjian spoke from the Bible and from his own experience to emphasize how closely young people observe and imitate the behavior of adults, especially their clergy.
The Rev. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, pastor of Holy Translator's Church of Framingham, MA, and director of St. Vartan Camp, spoke on the topic "The World of Our Young People: Challenges to Effective Youth Ministry." His predecessor as director of St. Vartan Camp, the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor of Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA, shared practical techniques and strategies for youth ministry.
The day ended with a forum and discussion among the clergy and members of the Central Council of the ACYOA: Danny Mantis (chair), Olivia Derderian, and Adrienne Ashbahian. The young leaders spoke about the history and mission of the ACYOA, and offered suggestions as to how the young priests might support its work in reaching out to college-aged youth.
"We want to help you draw in the young people in your parish," Mantis said, as he handed out a list of over 100 concrete ideas for bringing young people together in the embrace of the church.
"It was a great pleasure to gather as one body of brother priests at St. Nersess," said the Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan, pastor of the Church at Hye Pointe in Haverhill, MA. "I have gained much that I will take back to my parish and to my young people," he added.
The Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan, pastoral intern at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, said, "I appreciated the vast experience of our diocesan clergy who have enormous experience communicating with our young people."
Initial planning has already begun for the next continuing education workshop for diocesan clergy. St. Nersess has recently been charged with the responsibility of organizing periodic intensive courses for the professional development of the ordained priests serving the diocese.
"The world around is changing fast," said Archbishop Barsamian. "Like other professionals, our clergy need to keep abreast of the most innovative and effective skills and insights in order to draw our people into a deeper love for our Lord and the Armenian Church."
