YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE THE FLOOR AT DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY TO LAUNCH “YOUTH: CARRYING THE FLAME” AS THE YEAR’S THEME

It was clear from the youth panel assembled for the 103rd Diocesan Assembly in May that young people may sometimes seem reluctant to get involved, but with determined adults in their lives young people can find a joy in being an active Armenian Church member.

Seven young people shared their diverse views and experiences as part of a panel during the assembly agenda to help launch the Diocesan theme this year of “Youth: Carrying the Flame.”

A diverse cross-section of young people from throughout the Diocese spoke about their faith and heritage, and how the church can attract the next generation of faithful; how the current leadership can pass the flame.

A common theme among the participants was that their family, clergy, and other adults are responsible for their current involvement in the church. Most who are involved in the church now credited positive role models for their love of the Armenian Church. Some admitted being forced and coerced into participating in camps and St. Nersess Seminary summer sessions when they didn't want to go, that clergy showed an interest in teaching them about the faith, and that Diocesan youth ministry teams helped them see what it meant to be an Armenian Christian.

"For those of you who fear the flame is dying, fear not. The flame may not burn in all of us but the pilot light is still on," the panel moderator said.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

In each of the forums with Diocesan delegates, young people and youth leaders were asked several pertinent questions:

What does it mean to “carry the flame?”
What is contained in that “flame?”
How can each person assume responsibility to pass the “flame?”
How can we engage more youth in the governance of the church?
Can we identify strategies for the Diocese and parishes to pass the flame?

The answers recorded were as diverse as the individuals we engaged in these discussions. There were no common answers, but there was common ground. Across the board, a cross section of our Diocesan audience responded that we need to engage our youth in the life of the Armenian Church. Leadership must assign responsibility to youth in order to establish a bond between them and their religious heritage, and we should instill accountability for moving the Armenian Church forward into the 21st century and beyond.
The following is a compilation of responses gathered at the Diocesan Assembly and ACYOA General Assembly.

What does it mean to “carry the flame?”

Jesus said, “Do not hide your light under a bushel.” If the flame is put away, we lose a part of who we are. A sense of responsibility exists within us to pass the flame.

• Love for Christianity and our heritage
• Leading by example, acting as a role model
• Ministering to others and building their faith
• Teaching our culture
• Leading the youth
• Knowing our religious roots
• Showing younger generations what we are all about
• Living the life that the flame represents
• Living out our Armenian Christian heritage
• Witnessing
• Valuing our youth and accepting them for who they are
• Mentoring
• Encouraging participating, being inclusive
• Pastoral encouragement and involvement

How can we pass the flame? How can each person assume responsibility to pass the flame?

• Balance responsibilities of youth, involve them without overburdening them
• Delegating tasks and responsibilities (and not always the least desirable ones)
• Develop programs for inclusion
• Promote discourse among churches, political parties, cultural groups
• Listen to youth and have the courage to change
• Don’t be judgmental
• Hire youth directors to lead the younger generation in your parish
• Train youth ministers
• Encourage parish priests to engage and identify with youth
• Give youth a voice in church affairs through junior parish council
• Support youth groups and initiatives financially
• Communicate to youth in the language they understand
• Balance cultural preservation efforts with Christian education
• Discuss youth involvement with those not already involved as active church participants
• Teach Sunday School
• Engage youth personally

How can we engage more youth in the governance of the church? Can we identify strategies for the Diocese and parishes to pass the flame?

• Find a way to identify and reach out to those who are not already involved
• Identify talents of the youth pool and utilize their gifts toward church goals
• Fun is relevant to youth; make sure they are having fun while becoming involved
• Recognize youth leaders and give them responsibility
• Allow youth to implement their ideas without fear of making mistakes
• Provide in-service training for positions within the church
• Clergy should be tasked with developing programs to engage youth and interest them in their religion, Bible study
• Market our language and culture as the backbone of our church
• Market and support our Diocesan programs:
• St. Nersess
• Summer camps
• Armenian Studies
• Trips to Armenia
• Trips to Jerusalem
• Leadership seminars
• Plan Diocese-led reunions for past Leadership seminars
• Offer scholarships to boost participation in Diocese programs, leadership programs and camps
• Utilize and support Internet communication with more tools like Diocese College Ministry website (www.college301.com) created for appropriate audiences
• Engage parents for help in involving youth; church should not be a passive activity for
families