NEXT GENERATION MINISTRIES COUNCIL

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. The Next Generation Ministries Council hosted 26 Next Gen ministry workers for our second Next Gen Leadership Summit to encourage and equip them, and develop networks at the Presbytery level.

2. We provided follow up support to each of the Summit attendees to assist in developing networks in Presbyteries.

3. We began planning for our third Next Gen Leadership Summit to be held in Spring 2024.

4. We have worked to collaborate with other leaders of strategic priorities to contextualize initiatives with a Next Generation Ministries mindset.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

The Next Generation Ministries Council has no recommendations for the 43rd General Assembly.

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

NEXTGEN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Acting upon a motion approved by the 39th General Assembly, the Next Generation Ministries Council planned, invited, and hosted 26 NextGen ministry workers at our second Leadership Summit in October 2022 in Orlando, Florida. This Summit was created in order to model and cultivate NextGen networks at the Presbytery level. Everyone at the Summit was refreshed by worship, energized by preaching, equipped through idea sharing, and connected to the EPC and their Presbyteries. But most of all, after two Summits we are seeing incredible development at the Presbytery levels of NextGen Presbytery Networks. Across the majority of Presbyteries, NextGen workers are gathering for the purpose of mutual edification, idea sharing, and joining arms in ministry to children, youth, college, and families.

Behind this is a belief in the power of connectionalism in Presbyterianism. Great things happen when God puts us side-by-side. We believe that for presbyters at Presbytery meetings and General Assembly. Now we are bringing the efficacy of connectionalism to the much-needed area of Next Generation Ministries in the EPC. For this, we are incredibly grateful for Presbyteries and local churches sending their NextGen workers to this Summit to accelerate this worthwhile endeavor.

FOLLOW-UP

Continuing this work means the Council has followed up with support for NextGen workers and budding Presbytery networks. This concept has certainly taken root and borne fruit. We hope to see even more of these NextGen Presbytery Networks so that the work of NextGen Ministries can benefit from the bottom-up dynamic of the EPC. We have begun planning for our third Summit in Spring 2024 in order to continue connecting NextGen workers within Presbyteries.

COLLABORATION

The Next Generation Ministries Council has collaborated with strategic priorities leaders to help contextualize the initiatives of the EPC for Next Generation Ministries. This is important work to help our denomination continue to develop effective biblical leaders, as well as make sure our churches are best equipped to reach out to and disciple young people and families.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

The Next Generation Ministries Council has no recommendations for the 43rd General Assembly.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Gregory Aydt (Co-Chairman)
TE, Presbytery of the West

Cole Lescher
TE, Presbytery of Mid-America

Faith Reid
Presbytery of the Central South

Joseph Stroup
TE, Presbytery of the Alleghenies

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MEETING DATES

August 25, 2022: Video Conference
October 13-14, 2022: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
February 27, 2023: Video Conference
April 13, 2022: Video Conference

Gregory Aydt, Co-Chairman
June 2023

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