Affinity Groups
A core value of the Simply Youth Ministry Conference is conversation and connection. We imagined a conference where attendees from similar ministries could easily maximize ideas and relationships with others in a casual small group format.
How are Affinity Groups set up?
Affinity Groups are optional small-group style conversations for people in similar ministry situations, led by seasoned youth workers who serve as mentors for each group. Affinity Groups typically meet at the same location (usually a sack chair pod) at various times throughout the conference. Affinity Group locations, meeting times and discussion topics are clearly posted every day.
Do I have to go to an Affinity Group?
Nope. It’s casual and open, just stop by and check out an Affinity Group anytime—no one is taking attendance, and everyone is welcome! Affinity Groups work best for people that have come alone or in pairs, so if you’re with your team (or your spouse) use this time to connect and debrief on your own. (pun intended)
Over 20 different Affinity Groups for all shapes and sizes of ministry!
Christian Educators Affinity Group
Leadership can be lonely and this affinity group is uniquely designed to connect those who lead and direct Christian education — whether as a children’s, youth, or adult minister — in their church. This is the place to talk about how to find, motivate, retain, and encourage volunteers, how to develop leadership philosophy, and how to improve your leadership skills and style.
Jr. High Ministry Affinity Group
So … do you have student ministry for middle school kids all figured out yet? (Me neither!) Okay, let’s try again … how’s your understanding of junior high youth? (Seriously, I can hear you laughing.) Come and join other youth workers who love this amazing age group as we share stories, ideas, insights, tips, challenges, and more!
Sr. High Ministry Affinity Group
We’re a community of individuals that have been called to help Sr. High students to navigate the treacherous waters of high school, to coach them in their relationship with Christ, and to be capable of doing so with a mouth full of marshmallows. We’re called to shepherd, and to manage risk. We’re all about sharing our stories, concerns, laughter, prayers, and dreams about this crazy calling we have. Welcome!
College and Young Adult Ministry Affinity Group
You don’t have to be in college ministry for long to understand there aren’t very many resources designed to help in day-to-day college ministry. We also quickly realize that it’s difficult to connect with others in college ministry to bounce ideas, get new ones, or just hear about what God’s doing in other ministries around the country. Join us for a time of Q&A, brainstorming, and simply connecting with others in the college ministry world!
Volunteers in Youth Ministry Affinity Group
“First, THANK YOU for being a youth ministry volunteer. You’re the backbone of any successful youth ministry. Two quick rules of our group: #1: You’re never allowed to say the words, “I’m just a volunteer.” And #2: There won’t be any assignments or homework. So join us to get refreshed, share our joys and vent our struggles, and gain valuable insight into being the best servant of God that we can be.”
Married to a Youth Pastor Affinity Group
Life can be crazy being married to a youth pastor! Luckily, I’ve had some wonderful mentors and friends who are on a similar journey and a great sense of humor. (Because if you can’t laugh at your spouse and your church…you will go nuts!) This affinity group is for youth pastors’ spouses to visit and laugh and become a little community where we can encourage each other and learn from others who are on the same journey even though our stories are so different.
New in Youth Ministry Affinity Group
Are you looking to connect with others who are excited and passionate about their call to youth ministry, yet feeling a little disillusioned with working in a church? Well, this is the group for you. You are not alone. Join forces with others who are feeling the same way. Be prepared to be encouraged and energized to stay true to your call!
Youth Ministry Veterans Affinity Group
This affinity group is designed for those youth workers who have been in the field for more than 10 years and who feel they have moved beyond the “bells and whistles” in youth ministry. If you have transitioned, or want to transition to passionately pursue health for your ministry and yourself, this group is for you.
Women in Youth Ministry Affinity Group
Must I be a femi-nazi to prove my worth in God’s mission here? Do I have to play piano and lead worship in order to cut it as a “real” woman in ministry? How can I be effective if my husband isn’t inclined toward serving in youth ministry? How do I walk the tightrope of being both mom and youth leader to my teenage children? Let’s talk about these and anything else taking up “plate space.” Whether you’re single, married, mom or not, and in youth ministry, we’ll meet and talk through the conference.
Over Age 40 In Youth Ministry Affinity Group
Months of sleeping on the floor. Eating two lifetimes of pizza. Preferring “overnighters” to ”all-nighters.” Trying to figure out how to age gracefully and stay effective as a youth worker at the same time. If these items ring familiar and you would like to hang out with others in the same season of life and ministry to gain some needed encouragement and perspective, then the Youth Worker Age 40+ Affinity Group is for you.
Large-Church Youth Ministry Affinity Group
Being the point person of a youth ministry of 100+ students carries with it some unique challenges and circumstances. In this affinity group, we’ll connect with others who are in the same boat. Chances are there’s someone who’s gone through or is going through whatever it is you’re facing as a leader. Come connect, swap ideas, and discuss some of what makes this situation unique. Come as a team or by yourself.
Small But Mighty Youth Ministries Affinity Group
Small church youth groups need love too! Small church settings have their own particular dynamics, yet what you do it JUST as vital to the Kingdom as big church’s youth ministries (with bigger budgets). Join our affinity group as we listen, share, cry, laugh, pray, eat … hang on for dear life!
Urban Youth Ministry Affinity Group
We work in the city, often in some of the poorest and most depressed communities that America has to offer. It can be tremendously rewarding, and it can wear us down. In the ever-changing world known as “Urban,” sharing best practices, relevant resources, and our stories is necessary for Kingdom expansion. Come hang out and we’ll “chop it up.”
Rural Youth Ministry Affinity Group
Are you serving in ministry with the special challenges of a rural community? Find you don’t have all the things to do like youth groups in “the big city?” Have to get creative to make things work for people who are spread out over a broader area? Then this Affinity Group is for you!
International Youth Ministry Affinity Group
International youth workers span the globe reaching and encouraging young people to take the gospel of Christ seriously. This affinity group is for those unique individuals who understand that there are many ways to flush a toilet but only one of them will get the job done! We hope you will consider joining us to network with others, trade ideas, and share experiences related to our various cross-cultural ministries.
Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry Affinity Group
This affinity group is for youth leaders who are pursuing, or would like to pursue, the Purpose-Driven framework for their ministry. And, it is also for members of the Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry community. Meet to compare experiences and ideas—and to find and give support.
Working With Difficult Leaders Affinity Group
From “Dream Teams” to leadership teams we never want to dream of, we’ve all experienced a variety of leadership styles and conflict when it comes to church boards, committees, or senior pastors. Many of us are likely still carrying the scars from past experiences (maybe even current ones). This isn’t a gripe session or your chance to play the game of “my pastor is worse than your pastor.” This group will be about creating a safe place where others know your pain, recognize your scars, and journey together toward healing and restoration. Dip your toe in the water – or jump in head first – either way, join us on an adventure toward healing and creating a workable plan in dealing with difficult church leadership.
Outreach and Evangelism Affinity Group
This group will be all about sharing ideas of how we can best aid students in fulfilling the Great Commission: using the creativity that God has given us to think of ways within our communities to step outside the box and meet people where they are.
Tech Geeks Affinity Group
Like Jesus, we should use creative and interesting formats in presenting God’s truths to a rapidly changing generation. The past decade has brought tremendous technological changes to our ministries. What forms of media should you use and how? Where do you begin with all the software? What about basics on a tight budget? What’s your next step? Join our affinity group to ask questions, or just sit, listen, and share.
Worship Leaders Affinity Group
This affinity group is a forum for discussion about values of worship and challenges that youth worship communities face. Some of the subjects we’ll be looking into include what a worship leader needs from a band, what a band needs from a worship leader, creating a lifestyle of holiness, and building authentic community with your youth teams.