Young Lutherans
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Young Lutherans exist as an organization for the same purpose as all other orthodox Confessional Lutherans; to:
1. Express their unity in the faith through Christian fellowship (Ephesians 4:3, Acts 2:42), to
2. Unite in prayer and worship of God (Hebrews 10:25), to
3. Extend the kingdom of God through their proclamation of His Word and support of mission work (Matthew 28:18-20), and to
4. Be strengthened in faith and service through the hearing and study of God’s Word, (Ephesians 4:12), according to the confessional standard of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
SECTION 1: MEMBERS
Youth, ages 10-15 who choose to bind themselves (and whose parents choose to bind themselves) to the following guidelines may take part in the organization known as Young Lutherans. 16-18 year olds may apply to be counselors for the group.
Young Lutherans shall be overseen by the pastor, along with volunteers who are adult members of the congregation.
Meetings of Young Lutherans, held monthly in the entryway of the Sanctuary building with the pastor and at least one other adult present (preferably a parent of one of the young Lutherans), shall consist of the following:
1. Devotion
2. Business
a. Fundraising
b. Service [thank yous, participation in special service projects, youth newsletter article, website page]
3. Fun Activity (at the church or in close proximity to the church usually at some subsidized cost to members)
4. Closing prayer
Our Florida circuit (10 congregations) holds the following joint activities each year:
1. Two retreats - held in the Fall and Spring, hosted by one of the circuit congregations, and involving a Friday evening of devotions and Bible Study; and, food and fun, and a Saturday of activity at an area attraction. There is always cost involved for Young Lutherans members (though such can be offset somewhat through fundraising activities).
2. Summer camp – held for four days in June each year at a resort in Lake Placid, FL. There is always cost involved for Young Lutherans members (though such can be offset somewhat through fundraising activities).
SECTION 5: SYNOD ACTIVITIES
Our Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) holds an annual Lutheran Youth Association (LYA) convention. The location is our synod’s Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN every three years, and some other selected location on the other years. There is always significant cost involved for Young Lutherans members (though such can be offset somewhat through fundraising activities). Note: The congregation will not send Young Lutherans members to the LYA Convention without a parent of at least one of the members present and agreeing to be fully responsible for all who attend from our congregation (though individuals may choose to attend under others circumstances without the sanction of our congregation).
Young Lutherans shall bind themselves by signature (along with parental signature) to the following:
1. Weekly attendance of Sunday School and Sunday Service (Lutherans by definition are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and are filled (Matthew 5:6) by receiving God’s grace in Word and Sacrament regularly; it only follows that Young Lutherans would be taught the same)[1]:
2. At all times displaying personal conduct consistent with the first three commandments (honoring God in everything; specifically honoring God’s Name; specifically honoring God’s Word).
This certainly also includes special attention to the following:
· 4th Commandment (honoring authorities);
· 5th Commandment (doing no physical harm to anyone)
· 6th Commandment (dressing and speaking in such a way as to promote purity and decency);
· 8th Commandment (interpreting other peoples’ statements and actions in the best possible way, and protecting their reputations)
3. Regular attendance of Young Lutherans meetings
4. Regular participation in fundraising and service activities (those who participate in fewer than 75% of meetings and fundraising projects will not be considered members of the group eligible to receive subsidies)
SECTION 7: GUESTS
Guests are welcome to participate in Young Lutherans meetings and activities as long as they agree to abide by the above-mentioned guidelines outlined in Duties: 2; personal conduct. Subsidies for activities will be reserved only for Young Lutherans Members in good standing who have met all requirements.
