Pastors and youth ministers from across South Carolina will converge on the campus of Charleston Southern University Feb. 8-9 for SYNC ’11, a two-day conference designed to connect emerging youth ministers with today’s leaders.
“Pastor/youth minister relations are one of the most volatile relationships in the church, but can actually be the most powerful,” said Seth Buckley, student minister, Spartanburg First Baptist Church, and one of the speakers for the event.
“When pastors and youth ministers work together, it is amazing how effective the body of Christ becomes, because there is a unified approach in the sharing of the gospel. When a youth minister works alone, it creates a solo mentality that can be destructive over time. We will look at ways to strengthen that relationship and talk about ways that the staff relationship can impact the entire church body.”
Joining Buckley at the SYNC ’11 conference will be Steve Genoble (Simpsonville First Baptist), Jason Hodges and Chris Causey (Taylors First Baptist), Tripp Atkinson (Columbia First Baptist), and John Swindler (Friend Church, Irmo).
SYNC ’11 will educate and challenge youth ministers, said Buckley. “Youth ministers today are faced with the constant challenges of presenting quality ministry on a very limited budget. A quality training experience at little or no cost can go a long way in helping them to sharpen their effectiveness and keep them focused on the most important essentials in ministry.”
“I’m especially excited that SYNC ’11 will include veteran youth ministers from SCBC churches, leaders in their field with much to offer for a new generation of student ministers,” said Rick Brewer, vice president of academic affairs and athletics at CSU.
CSU has partnered with the South Carolina Baptist Convention for the event, and Steve Rohrlack, director of youth ministry groups for the SCBC, will lead a breakout group discussion titled, “How to Get Fired – from Every Church,” which he said will focus on ways to prevent “self-sabotage.”
Jay Strack, president of Student Leadership University and a CSU alumnus, will lead a group session and will close the event at CSU’s chapel on Feb. 9.
SYNC ’11 will be held at the Wingate by Wyndham hotel on the CSU campus. Registration is free. For more information: 843-863-7053. – CSU