This week (since Thursday) I've been in Dallas at NYWC or the National Youth Workers Convention put on by Youth Specialties. It's my first experience with this particular convention. For the past three years I've attended NCYM in January. Although I have enjoyed the seminars I've attended taught by the likes of Duffy Robbins, Walt Mueller, Mark Oestreicher, Chap Clark and others I have not enjoyed the sheer mass of humanity here. NYWC is probably three to four times larger than NCYM. I didn't realize how big of a deal that would be to me but it has been. At NCYM I have found it much easier to go by myself and still meet new folks and make connections. Here at NYWC I haven't found that to be the case. I'm not knocking anyone here please understand but it has just been a long four days.
As a guy whose been in full time youth ministry for more than a decade now I have also noticed something else...some (not all) of the younger youth ministers I've run into are pretty full of themselves. You can say the same about some veterans but not to the same degree in my opinion. I don't know why that is and maybe it's just me. I don't know. It disturbs me a little bit though. It's a trend that seems to cross denominational lines and non-denominational lines. Something to keep an eye on I guess.
I will say that given the opportunity to attend NYWC again, I'll do something else. I can hear many of the same speakers at NCYM anyway.
If you are reading this, please don't take this as me slamming NYWC or suggesting that other YM's not attend it. I have no doubt that others benefit greatly from being here and I'm speaking only for myself. Youth Specialties puts out quality products that I use a lot and will continue to use.
At this point I'm ready to get home and see my family. I've missed them very much. In the meantime I will look forward to NCYM 2014!
As a guy whose been in full time youth ministry for more than a decade now I have also noticed something else...some (not all) of the younger youth ministers I've run into are pretty full of themselves. You can say the same about some veterans but not to the same degree in my opinion. I don't know why that is and maybe it's just me. I don't know. It disturbs me a little bit though. It's a trend that seems to cross denominational lines and non-denominational lines. Something to keep an eye on I guess.
I will say that given the opportunity to attend NYWC again, I'll do something else. I can hear many of the same speakers at NCYM anyway.
If you are reading this, please don't take this as me slamming NYWC or suggesting that other YM's not attend it. I have no doubt that others benefit greatly from being here and I'm speaking only for myself. Youth Specialties puts out quality products that I use a lot and will continue to use.
At this point I'm ready to get home and see my family. I've missed them very much. In the meantime I will look forward to NCYM 2014!
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