[Ailist] AI and Religous Youth Groups

[MARY DELCUZE]

Corbin,
  You are in the midst of something very exciting. Youth are very willing to engage through AI.
  I have worked with Christian Educators in the Episcopal tradition - especially those working with the teen population. I always begin with the positive focus.
  One place to start -
  What is your most desired outcome for the youth in this program? Have you involved other adults and asked them about their best experience of their faith community when they were "youth"?
  It sounds like you don't yet have form or focus for the program- let the youth help you define both in an overnight AI based youth retreat. Name the event - give it importance. This is a time to inquire into the best youth community/youth program you can be. What would it look like? Who would be involved? What would you be doing?
   
  I have facilitated many church leadership groups using AI and a Friday evening till Saturday evening format. One night away, 24 hours, and such an abundance of energy and ideas! In many cases they proudly report back to the congregation at the Sunday service.
   
  If you would like to know more about the process or inquiry protocol contact me at mmsbdelcuze at sbcglobal.net. I'm glad to share the information.
   
  Peace,
  Mimi Delcuze
  Delcuze Consulting LLC

Corbin Davis <hiphopcorbin at hotmail.com> wrote:
  
Greetings!

I am a “beginner” with the whole AI experience,
having encountered it in the past couple of years. Having done some
initial reading I am still feeling “new” to this amazing universe.

I
am a seminary student doing a year long internship as a youth director
for a Japanese-American Church (the denomination is United Church of
Christ, a progressive denomination). 

The church has never had
a “real” youth program. Starting from scratch is both exciting and
challenging. My goal is to use AI in the formation of this group from
the start.

We are just beginning, and as a group the community
is fluid. I am never sure exactly how many will attend or how many new
faces there will be.

So far we have had some good discussions
and I also have been able to form a leadership team of four committed
high school aged youth. Together the leadership youth and I explored
these AI influenced questions:

1. When have we felt transformed through our connection with a community?
2. Share a story of a time at church that you felt welcomed and valued. 
3. What do you value most about this church community?

These questions yielded an exciting and energizing first meeting but I know that there is so much more yet to come.

I am looking for advice from those who have used AI in a youth or young adult religious group setting. 

I
also would value input from others on using AI to start a new community
and how we explore shared values in a context that is “new”.

Corbin Davis




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