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| THE LOGOS PROGRAM AT FUMC BELTON |
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| THE LOGOS PROGRAM AT FUMC BELTON |
The LOGOS Program began at this church on October 2, 2002. It meets every Wednesday during the school year in the Family Life Center. Registration fees may be paid by the semester or by the year. If other arrangements are needed, please contact the pastor. Financial assistance scholarships are available. Transportation by bus from area schools to the church is available. For more information, visit the LOGOS Ministry website.
The LOGOS System...
The LOGOS Program is the theology and practice of Christian relationships in a disciplined, midweek, four-part context. When the LOGOS System is in place, it is possible to develop and sustain a LOGOS Program. The Program creates an arena in which young people and adults experience living together in Christian community.
The Program meets mid-week because this is the time of the week when family schedules are most stable, making regular attendance possible. LOGOS Program churches report 90% or more of those enrolled are present every week!
The Program consists of 4 Parts in which everyone participates every week. Following the example of the first Christians, the LOGOS Program provides an arena in which the four primary elements present in the life of the first Christians can be experienced every week.
Everyone participates in all four parts every week. Relationships are built between young people, between young people and adults, and most importantly between each individual and God.
The experience of living together in Christian community gives each person the opportunity to practice living as Jesus taught. We learn to treat each other as children of God. We learn what it means to respect each other and how to forgive. What is learned in Bible study is practiced in the other three parts of the Program. The whole experience is one of theology and practice.
The Program assumes parent participation. This does NOT mean that parents participate every week in the Program. It does mean that they agree to take responsibility for some aspect of the Program sometime during the year.
The Role of the Family
Parents, the congregation, the youth and children are partners in Christian Nurture. Parents or partner adults are expected to attend a meeting at the beginning of the year to register and attend an orientation about the Program. The registration process requires: attending the meeting, filling out all registration forms, paying a fee, and signing up for parent service for the year.
The Role of the Clergy
The clergy person explicitly, if not implicitly, sets the priorities for the congregation and the attitudes towards the various activities of the church. Consequently, it is essential that the clergy not only support, but become involved with the young people and the programs of Christian Nurture in the church. It is expected that the clergy will participate in the LOGOS Program in whatever way their gifts enable them to do so. The clergy are not expected to administer the LOGOS Program. There should always be a lay person designated as the Director of the Program.
The Role of the Congregation
Christian nurture is the responsibility of ALL adults - not just parents. Singles, couples without children, retired folks and grandparents will find a way to enter into and support this vital ministry. There are some ministries in the Program to which people will be called according to their gifts. For example, the Director of the Program, Teachers, Table Parents, Recreation/Play Time Leaders, Dinner Dean, Music Directors, Registrar, and Record Keeper. Besides the positions to which people will be called, there are many other important roles in which people may serve such as table setters, clean-up teams, cook teams, decoration makers, leaders for recreation, crafts and hobbies, choir parents, music librarian, musicians, assistant to music directors, teacher assistants who make teaching aids, provide resources, and are available for special events, photographers, car pool drivers, newsletter team, bulletin board designer, extra hands for whatever is needed.
The LOGOS System of Christian Nurture
The LOGOS System is a structured, congregational application of the biblical and theological foundations essential for excellence in Christian Nurture. The LOGOS System is the structure and commitment in a church that enables programs to exist. Included in the structure are: finances, policies and procedures for calling people into ministry, a congregation that understands and is involved in the nurturing of it's members - especially its youth and children. The System and Program work in all kinds of sociological, economic, and ethnic settings.
When the LOGOS System is in place:
The relational dynamics of the LOGOS Program supports and strengthens the other youth and children's programs of the church, especially including youth fellowship groups and Church School, as the whole nurturing ministry strives for excellence. The LOGOS System depends on congregational commitment to excellence in Christian education and nurture. It includes the clergy who share their gifts of leadership. Also included are members of the congregation who share their gifts and talents with the young people as they take part in the Program. The LOGOS System is supported by a fee for young people paid by the family primarily to off-set the food costs of the program.
Who We Are
The LOGOS Program was originally known as the Youth Club Program and was initiated in 1957. Youth Club Program, Inc. was incorporated in 1963 by Dr. Dale K. Milligan when he convened a group of Youth Club pastors and leaders and challenged them to pool their efforts to help one another provide curriculum for their Youth Club Program Bible Classes. These leaders became the charter members of what is now LOGOS System Associates. Increasing numbers of other pastors and congregations asked for heln to start similar programs in their churches. The resulting training seminars eventually became the LOGOS Leadership Training Schools. LOGOS System Associates evolved into an organization affiliated with churches, pastors and congregational leaders in hundreds of churches representing dozens of denominations worldwide. All of these congregations have joined together to help one another provide for the quality Christian nurture of young people and adults in their own congregations and communities. The original vision and commitment to the nurturing of children and youth continues today.
The Ministry
Did you "learn" your faith? Or did you "catch it" from someone whose own example of faith and discipleship was contagious? The reality is that most people are brought to Christ through a meaningful relationship with a trusted person. We live in a day where kids are killing kids at school, teenage suicide is soaring and at-risk behaviors are all around. The Christian nurture of our young people must be given urgency because they are truly at risk, being affected by the negative pressures of our culture and facing daily decisions that may affect them the rest of their lives. We can be bearers of hope by nurturing children and youth into relationship with Jesus Christ - a lifeline that connects us to hope amidst the pressures of our world.
Young people desperately need the care, support, and love of mature adults who serve as models. There is no question that youth and children grow stronger in their relationship with Christ through the LOGOS program. Each week in churches all over the world, thousands and thousands gather to build healthy relationships and continue on their faith journey.
LOGOS' Part
LOGOS System Associates exists to help churches like yours to reach their young people before it is too late. We offer training to help you establish and maintain a LOGOS Program, resources such as curriculum, books and products to enhance the local program, and support to keep the vision alive and well. Through the LOGOS Leadership Training Schools, adults learn and experience the difference the LOGOS system of ministry can make in their congregation.
Participants Part
The fees that are charged for training and curriculum are insufficient to cover the costs of this valuable, life-saving ministry. Therefore, an ongoing annual giving program exists. Just like colleges, hospitals and other non-profits, LOGOS System Associates depends on your gifts to help compensate for this difference. We invite you to give to LSA and make an investment in the lives of young people. Each year churches and individuals, give over $200,000 in undesignated gifts. These funds help us to pay for necessities like phone, electric, printing, insurance and rent. Encourage your church and church friends to give. Please know that LOGOS greatly appreciates each and every gift. Make an investment in the spiritual journey of all of our young people. Help churches reach out to their children and youth. Experience the great joy in sharing love and resources with others through Christ. Be both a blessing to others and blessed as you give. LSA continues to minister to so many lives because of the generous support of individuals and churches who believe in this ministry and desire to partner with us in this endeavor As a 501(c)3, not for profit organization, LSA is incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania as a charitable organization for whom contributions are fully tax deductible. Contributions may be sent to the LSA headquarters in Pittsburgh. All contributions will be properly acknowledged.
Blessed to be a Blessing
II CORINTHIANS 9:7-8
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Links |
If you are one of the millions of Americans who have a computer at your disposal, you probably feel like you have the world at your fingertips. Well, you literally do! The question is, what sites would be helpful to a LOGOS leader? Here are some websites that potentially could give you some new ideas for your program.
General Search
A googol Is a 1 follower by 100 zeros. What is "a google?" It is simply a gigantic search engine. It claims to be able to search over 1 billion web pages. You can type in any key word and find an amazing array of possibilities. Check it out by clicking here.
Recreation-Play
New games and crafts are always in demand. Try the following websites for some creative ideas:
Family Time Fun
Bible Study
If you need ideas to enrich your Bible study, try:
Administration
The two sites listed below offer help for the LOGOS Program administrator:
You will receive a confirmation email to confirm your subscription to the discussion group. It's free!
Members of the LOGOS Headquarters and Field Staff can be reached by calling toll free at 1-877-937-2572 or at 412-372-1341. The members are:
The Rev. Thomas Beagan, Executive Director
Beth Buckholtz, Desktop Publisher
Helen DeStefano, Support Staff
Robert Forman, Support Staff
Eric Hammond , Shipping Support
Patricia Janssen, Director of Publications and Products
Cathy Johnson, Asst. Dir/Leadership Training Schools
Carolyn Leah, Office Administrator
Michael Little, Finance Officer
Sarah Ose, Director of Leadenhtp Training Schools
Mary Rosswog, Data Entry/Office Assistant
Julie (Schafer) Kilkeary, Director of Marketing
Kathleen Stewart, Data Entry / Publicity Clerk
Bruce Stock, Shipping Manager
Betsy Strain, Director of Support / Regional Relationships
Source: Alive, the LOGOS System Newsletter, November - December, 2001.