What is the Purpose of the National Youth Gathering?

1. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

2. What is the Purpose of the National Youth Gathering? The National Gathering is one of the major projects of the Youth Ministry Office of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The Gathering carries out the vision of Youth Ministry by providing opportunities for young people and adults to boldly come together in the name of Jesus Christ to proclaim, celebrate, and witness their salvation through Him, rejoice in the fellowship of their church and be affirmed and nurtured in their lives as God’s people through Word and Sacrament. Youth Gatherings provide an arena to raise the visibility of youth ministry within The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

3. Gathering Theme ~ WE BELIEVE We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with many different messages . . . So how do we know what messages we should listen to? How do we know what we really believe? In God's Word, we find this statement in John's Gospel:   “But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31 National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

4. WE BELIEVE ~ A Program with Purpose At the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering, we'll be focusing on these words. We'll look at what we believe and at what that means for everything we do. We'll LOOK… …and see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We'll LISTEN… …and hear the words of the Word made Flesh whose words are spirit and life. And we'll LIVE… …because we have been given life in Jesus' name to love others as He first loved us. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

5. TRACKS at the Gathering! During the Gathering we will explore what WE BELIEVE through a track system that allows you to experience all the Gathering has to offer. Program tracks involve you in learning that is rooted in the Word and our Lutheran identity. Moving in a smaller group, roughly 1/3 of the Gathering body, everyone will connect with each of the three tracks during the days of the Gathering. At the time of registration confirmation, your congregation will be provided with your program track schedule. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

6. TRACKS Include LOOK, LISTEN, & LIVE LOOK experiences center us on seeing what God has done for us in Christ, and how that changes our lens for the world around us and for eternity. LOOK includes a variety of hands-on learning opportunities. LISTEN experiences take place in groups of 50 to 5,000, where you will connect with a variety of presenters, workshop leaders, and music/arts performers. Presenters will take the themes and apply them to our Lutheran faith and our daily lives. LIVE experiences are opportunities for you to learn by doing. They include servant event options that will allow many to serve the city of New Orleans through off-site events or projects in the convention center National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

7. TRACK Group Schedules On Sunday at the Gathering, each of three groups will start their Gathering experience in a different track. The 3 groups will move through the tracks in this manner: Sunday Monday Tuesday Group 1 LOOK LISTEN LIVE Group 2 LISTEN LIVE LOOK Group 3 LIVE LOOK LISTEN National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

8. Focus of LOOK Track Program Day LOOK Bible Study Session 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. LOOK Experiential Center 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. LOOK Interest Centers 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. Some Interest Centers may be off-site and others may continuous, hands-on learning opportunities that can be visited throughout the day. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

9. Focus of LISTEN Track Program Day LISTEN Bible Study Session 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. LISTEN Interest Centers (Speaker Workshops) 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. Some Interest Centers will have CONCERTS that begin prior to 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

10. Focus of LIVE Track Program Day Off-site Servant Events Morning TBD LIVE Bible Study Session 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. LIVE (On-site Servant Events) Experiential Center, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. LIVE Interest Centers 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. Some Interest Centers may be continuous learning opportunities that can be visited throughout the day. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

11. Bible Study Bible studies take place Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in each track. Additional Bible Study materials will be available via the Gathering Web site. These Bible Studies will help facilitate study and discussion before the Gathering, at the Gathering, and after the Gathering. Worship Life In most hotels, Prayer and Praise time will close each day. Tuesday evening worship service will provide the opportunity to gather around God’s Word and Holy Communion National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

12. Servant Events Each participant will be able to serve in some capacity during the days of the Gathering during the LIVE track. You can indicate on the Primary Adult Leader registration form if your group wants to participate in an off-site Servant Event. If yes, it is assumed your entire group will participate. Mass Events Mass events broadcast WE BELIEVE through music, videos, Christ-centered presenters, and group participation. Each day of the Gathering, participants will gather as a whole for Mass Events. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

13. Gathering Registration • Registration fee is $275 per participant.($100 deposit per person required at registration) • Fee covers all Gathering program and DCS Youth Ministry Office administrative costs, participant item such as the Gathering Bible, backpack, post-Gathering DVD, and secondary insurance for all participants. • Hotel, travel, and meal costs are not included in the registration fee. • A congregational family group must include at least 2 youth (and suggested minimum of 2 adults) National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

14. Gathering Registration Online registration data entry process begins on September 14 at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time (11pm Central) Collect and enter the worksheet information for participants so it is in the system when registration opens on October 21. After entering registration data, print the Pastoral Affirmation Form and the Registration Account Form. Pastoral Affirmation Form must be signed by a pastor at your congregation. Registration Account Form verifies the amount your group commits to for your first payment (deposit or full). October 21 - first day the packet containing your forms and check can be postmarked. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

15. Age Requirements for Youth Participants • The Gathering is intended for high school youth ages 14-19. • Youth participants must meet ONE of the following eligibility requirements: • Must be 14 years old at the time of the Gathering • Entering his/her freshman year in high school • Not turned 21 by the time of the Gathering • Based on their youth ministry model, each congregation should consider the addition of 14-year olds to their Gathering family groups. • Consider outreach! Invite youth friends who may be interested. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

16. Age Requirements for Adult Leaders Adult leaders must be 21 at the time of registration and must be approved by their pastor for their role as Family Group Adult Leaders. These leaders are responsible to their group for the care and nurture of each youth throughout the National Gathering. Family Group Adult Leaders (FGAL’s) are expected to attend Gathering activities and participate fully with their group. All communication between the Gathering office and congregation will be through each group’s Primary Adult Leader. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

17. Adult to Youth Ratio Family Groups are made up of youth/adults in the following ratio: Number of Maximum Number Recommended number Youth of Adults of Family Groups 2-6 2 1 7-13 3 2 14-20 4 3 21-27 5 4 28-34 6 5 35-41 7 6 42-48 8 7 Beyond seven Family Groups, continue to add one adult for every six youth. The Gathering adult to youth ratio is established so that as many youth as possible are able to attend the Youth Gathering. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

18. Young Adult Volunteer Corps • Young Adult Volunteers play a huge role in making the Gathering a successful and memorable experience! YAVs serve as role models for teen participants while working in specific areas of the Gathering. • YAVs must be 19-25 years old at the time of the Gathering and at • least one year out of high school. • They must have a willingness to serve, as well as a commitment • to perform specific volunteer tasks. • Application process is open now until January 1, 2010. Applications and references are reviewed by Gathering staff, and notification will be made by February 15 for those selected to serve National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

19. Family Groups A Family Group is the core unit at the Gathering.  It’s the primary place for learning, growing, sharing, and fellowship before, during, and after the four-day on site experience. WE BELIEVE will bring tens of thousands of LCMS youth and adults together for four days of exciting, mass group activity . . . but it’s the individual participant's experience within a Family Group that forms the core of a youth’s Gathering experience. Family Groups provide the smaller setting necessary for the Gathering to have a lasting impact in the lives of participants. Family Group time provides youth the opportunity to talk things through and make new discoveries about life in Christ and life in the Church. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

20. Family Groups & Adult Leaders are Key The Gathering is only a catalyst for the real work with your congregation's young people.  Adult Leaders must be committed to building strong family groups.  It's easy for teens to see the Gathering as a four-day, awesome, great, good time.  Which it is!  But it is the commitment of Adult Leaders working intentionally with teens in the context of Family Groups that helps youth carry deeper learning away from the event.   The Gathering provides web resources and training models to assist groups in experiencing the Gathering. * National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

21. Housing Preference Process • Go into the Registration booklet on the web and click on a Gathering Hotels link to learn more about contracted Gathering hotels. • Consider cost, type of hotel, amenities offered, and location. • Determine what type and how many rooms needed. • Doubles (4 people per room) Kings (2 people per room) • Do not put one adult & one youth alone in one room or one bed.  • Do not put male and female participants in the same room • (unless married). • Primary Adult Leader indicates the group’s top ten hotel choices on his or her registration form using the three-letter codes provided in the registration book. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

22. Hotel Considerations Groups will be notified if alternate choices are needed. Be flexible to actual assignments made and possible budget impact. Registrations of groups attempting to book outside of the Gathering Hotels will not be accepted for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering. Booking hotels outside Gathering blocks diminishes the Gathering’s ability to provide competitive rates to participants. There are absolutely NO exceptions to this policy.  Regardless of your ability to find outside housing the Gathering best benefits the whole by insisting all participants fill the room block contracted. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

23. How to Determine Your Budget • Estimate # of potential youth that might go to the gathering. • Calculate how many FGAL’s will be needed. • Check out the average cost of hotels from the registration book. • Estimate the number of days. Do you need extra days? • Compare transportation costs (Air vs. Ground). • Determine pro’s and con’s of vans, chartered bus or plane. • Determine food/meal options. • Determine if extra activities will be involved. • Cost for District Events & T-shirts • Estimate ground transportation costs in New Orleans for arrival, • departure and special events (if needed). • Need to rent a vehicle? Need to pay daily parking? • Identify potential sources of funds. • Church, Foundations, community, other National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

24. Other Financial Issues • How much fundraising can and will be done? • What fundraisers are best options for your youth? Your • congregation? • How will funds raised be allocated? • When you get to New Orleans, how will you manage the money? • LCEF offers onsite banking. (See flyer) • Church checkbook/credit card • Cash management with the envelope system • There is no Louisiana tax exemption (like in Florida). . • Make sure your church treasurer is your friend.  • Is youth ministry included in your congregation’s budget? National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

25. Nebraska District Options • District T-shirt (preferences?) • Charter bus from Seward to New Orleans • District booth staffing opportunities for your group • District Event (preferences?) • Watch Nebraska District Website for updates on District plans! • www.ndlcms.org National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

26. Possible Nebraska District Events • Riverboat Cruise on Paddlewheeler Creole Queen • July 19 – Board at 10:00 pm and cruise 10:30-11:30 pm • Includes pop, tea, water, chips, pretzels, and pizza • Approximate Cost: $26 • Alternative Cruise – Wednesday July 21after the closing event. • Swamp tour and picnic • Wednesday July 21 (after the closing event) • 60 passenger boats for 1.5 hour tour. • Gators & wildlife up close. • Picnic with boxed lunches or barbecue, seafood boil or pizza • Tour and picnic together approximate cost: $30 • Dinner meal Event (before Mass Event) with cajun music • Approximate cost: $25-$30 National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

27. Important Gathering Dates & Deadlines September 14 – Online registration access opens for data input (do not mail before October 25) October 21 - November 4– Priority window for Gathering registration January 4 – Registration confirmation for groups accepted to the Gathering Early Spring – Primary adult leaders receive Gathering hotel and daily track assignment June 1 – Full payment due (for express registration at Gathering (no payments accepted at Gathering office after this date) National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21

28. Recommendations ~ Reminders • Your congregational ID must be included on all communication with the Gathering office. • Check out the website often! Read everything! • Do not make firm travel arrangements until after Gathering confirmation is received. • Follow the guidelines, ratios, deadlines, etc. • Check www.neworleanscvb.com for info on New Orleans tourist options. A good source for tours is www.bigeasy.com • National LCMS Youth Gathering Web site www.lcmsgathering.comis your best source of information for the Gathering. National Youth Gathering - 2010 - New Orleans, LA - July 17-21