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"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."
-1 Timothy 4:12
 

PURPOSE

The Charlotte Presbytery Youth Connection (CPYC) is the youth ministry of the Presbytery of Charlotte.  We are a part of the National Presbyterian Youth Connection of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
As part of this denominational ministry, we seek to fulfill the following five intentions for ministry with young people:
 
  • To Call Young People to be Disciples of Jesus Christ.
We are called to discipleship by Jesus Christ.  We respond to that call both individually and as members of a community.  As individuals, we answer that call by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, publicly acknowledging our commitment to follow Christ, and then being obedient to God.  Becoming a disciple means taking risks, meeting other's needs, and adopting a lifestyle that includes Bible study, prayer, worship, and service. As members of the community called the church, we are part of a church that stretches throughout history and is found in all parts of the world.  Being disciples together means caring for and supporting one another, speaking out as the body of Christ against injustice, and proclaiming the good news to everyone.  Being a church of disciples means faithfully gathering to worship and then going out to serve.
 
  • To Respond to the Needs and Interests of Young People.
Young people come to the church with a wide variety of needs and interests.  Responding to those needs and interests is a critical component of the Presbyterian Youth Connection.  We begin by acknowledging each person as created in God's image and then by providing nurture and support.  It continues by ministering with them in ways that are relevant and have meaning for their lives. Responding to needs and interests also means raising hard questions.  It is finding the balance between recognizing where young people are and offering a challenge and a gentle push to encourage them to be their faithful best.  Responding to the needs and interests of young people means not only taking their concerns seriously but also challenging them to focus on the concerns of others as well.
 
  • To Work Together in Partnership, Young People and Adults.
Youth ministry is a partnership of young people and adults.  It is adults doing youth ministry with young people, not just to or for them.  Partnership involves adults and young people together in everything: from creating, to planning, to doing, to cleaning it all up.  It is sharing experiences and visions with each other.  It is trusting each other.  People who take partnership seriously risk having to compromise and not always getting their own way.  Partnership is hard work as well as teamwork.
 
  • To Be Connected to the WholeChurch, Community, and World.
Youth ministry does not happen in a vacuum.  It is connected to the whole church.  Youth ministry claims its roots in our Presbyterian heritage by being connected to other churches in the presbytery, other presbyteries in the synod, other synods in the General Assembly, and other denominations in ecumenical gatherings.  Youth ministry is connected to families, schools, communities, regions, nations, and the whole world.  The Presbyterian Youth Connection does not set youth ministry apart from the church.  The Presbyterian Youth Connection seeks to connect youth ministry to the whole church as an integral part of the living body of Christ, at all times and in all places.
 
  • To Be Inclusive of All Young People.
Youth ministry is inclusive rather than exclusive.  It reaches out to others and invites them to belong to the community.  It affirms differences and celebrates common commitments.  The Presbyterian Youth Connection includes many different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and ages.  It is, like the nature of God, more interested in building bridges than walls.  Any place young people are involved is part of the church's youth ministry and therefore, part of the Presbyterian Youth Connection. Evangelism, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others, is important to understanding this intention.  We believe and because we believe, we belong to this community of faith.  But belonging is not enough.  We also reach out to others to invite them to belong, too.
The Charlotte Presbyterian Youth Connection seeks to meet young people's needs for identity, belonging, and leadership by supporting local Presbyterian congregations in their ministry with young people through:
  •  A YOUTH COUNCIL- We seek to develop leadership and offer leadership opportunities through a functioning and committed youth council of approximately 30 youth and adults from Presbyterian Churches across the Presbytery.  The youth council is prepared for their work through an annual youth council training retreat. 
  • ANNUAL PRESBYTERY YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS- We offer regular annual events that bring young people and adults from across the Presbytery together to build Christian fellowship among young people, encourage an exchange of ministry ideas, and supplement the ministry resources of local congregations.  These events in the past have included a Fall Youth Service Project, Middle School Fall Retreat, Winter Youth Rally, and High School Spring Retreat.  Each year a long range planning calendar is created to help local congregations plan for participation in these or other events. 
  • PROMOTION OF NATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS- We promote and offer organized participation in the Montreat Youth Conference, Massanetta Middle School Conference, the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, the Triennial Connection Assembly, and the Massanetta Leadership Retreat as well as other PYC Regional Events.
  • LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES- We promote denominational leadership development opportunities for youth and adults who minister with youth. These opportunities include events offered by Montreat Conference Center and MassanettaSpringsConferenceCenter as well as other groups within the National Presbyterian Youth Connection.
  • YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES- We link folks who work in youth ministry to the resources needed to enable them to minister with young people.  Through presbytery staff support, a presbytery resource room, and links with a wide variety of outside ministry resources we seek to provide what congregations need.
 

Contact: Nancy Youmans - Presbytery of Charlotte - 5700 Executive Center Drive - Suite 200 - Charlotte, NC 28212-8801
Phone: 704-535-9999/800-926-1537, Ext. 205     Fax: 704-537-3476
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