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What is
LOGOS?
LOGOS is the Greek word that literally
means "The Word." In John 1:1-18, LOGOS is translated "Word"; "In the
beginning was the Word...and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among
us...." The LOGOS Ministry is a Christian
organization that partners with congregations to develop an after school
ministry in which adult leaders nurture youth into discipleship. This
youth-oriented program has been found to energize congregations across the
country.
What is
LOGOS based on?
LOGOS is founded on the four key
activities recorded in Acts 2:42: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and
worship. (Acts 2:41-42 So those who welcomed his message were baptized,
and that day about three persons were added. They devoted themselves to the
apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.)
Is
LOGOS Presbyterian?
43 years ago a Presbyterian Church in
Pennsylvania began a mid-week program to teach and support their youth in
Christian discipleship; and this grew into the LOGOS Ministry.
The LOGOS Ministry today is not identified as Presbyterian per se, but is
operating in 1,500 churches and 20 denominations (including many
Presbyterian churches).
When does
LOGOS happen?
During the fall of 2006, LOGOS will
happen at Trinity on Thursday evenings beginning on September 14 and ending
on December 7 (no LOGOS the week of Thanksgiving)
from 4:15 – 7:00 p.m. The cost is $36 per semester per youth.
Participating adults will be charged $3 for each meal.
What does a typical LOGOS program look like?
Our fall 2006
schedule is shown below. Youth into four groups: K – 2, 3rd
grade - 5th grade, 6th
grade - 8th grade, 9th grade - 12th grade. Each group takes turns doing either
Bible Time, Worship Skills and Recreation (three of the LOGOS activities).
Everyone shares the fourth activity (fellowship/dinner) together.
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4:15 – 4:30 |
Everyone arrives, snacks |
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4:30 – 5:00 |
1st Activity Rotation (Bible Time, Worship Skills or
Recreation) |
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5:00 – 5:30 |
2nd Activity Rotation (Bible Time, Worship Skills or
Recreation) |
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5:30 – 6:00 |
3rd Activity Rotation (Bible Time, Worship Skills or
Recreation) |
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6:00 – 6:45 |
Family Time – dinner |
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6:45 – 7:00 |
Closing |
What is the
LOGOS Golden Rule?
Everyone is to treat everyone else as
a Child of God. No one has the right to treat anyone else as if they
do not matter.
Who is using
LOGOS in Topeka?
Churches in Topeka that are currently
using LOGOS include 2nd Presbyterian Church and Faith Lutheran
Church. 1st Presbyterian is planning to launch a LOGOS in
the coming year and committed to sending five people to a LOGOS training in July
2006.
LOGOS
at Trinity?
Frequently asked Questions
Aren’t our youth too busy to be
involved in another program? While our youth are active, this is a
program that would take place on Thursday afternoon/evening – a time when
many of our youth are already at the church. Several of the youth and their
parents have remarked that they wished that Trinity had more going on for
the youth (such as the Church of the Nazarene).
How many volunteers would be
needed? The LOGOS program would require a substantial investment of
volunteers from the congregation. Parents of the youth usually become
involved, but so do other adults in the congregation. Churches that
successfully run LOGOS programs find that their members (and the entire
church) are energized by this involvement. Contact the LOGOS
Directors, Jenny Lee (478-9607) or Susan Burris (273-0788) if you would like
to help.
How much would this cost?
There are three main costs associated with the LOGOS program.
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First, Trinity would need to send
a team of members to be trained at a three day LOGOS learning event. The
cost starts at $425 for the first person and decreases after that.
Special discounts may be available. Sending people for training would be
an annual expense as you want to increase the number of folks trained each
year.
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Third, there would be associated
costs with running the program such as food for the dinners, materials for
crafts, added utility costs, etc.
There are two identifiable income
sources at present to apply against these costs: the Keith Bossler Memorial
Fund of $2,500 (which has been dedicated for a LOGOS program) and modest
fees paid by parents for participating children. 2nd
Presbyterian assesses a $35 fee per child per semester.
Would this mean more liability
for the church? Our current liability should cover most of our
needs, but we will need to examine the coverage to determine whether it
needs to be enhanced.
Wouldn’t we want our new (yet to
be identified/hired) DCE to be involved in launching this? If
approved by session, the program could begin as early as this fall, January
2007 or at a later point. We hope to have a DCE on board prior to the fall,
but the implementation of LOGOS could be postponed if it were decided that
the DCE must be on board beforehand.
What people are SAYING about
LOGOS
“The
LOGOS program is the best thing that we have ever done to bring the
different generations of our church together.
- Lisa Danielson, Pastor, 2nd Presbyterian Church in Topeka
“I
have never known a time in the life of our church when so many people in my
generation knew so many of the children so well”
- Clarence Risebig (age 82) who washes
dishes every week at
Second Presbyterian Church for the LOGOS Program
“I want to go to
this church!”
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Michael Meenan, upon participating at 2nd Presbyterian’s
Logos program
“LOGOS is revitalizing our children’s and family ministries and giving new
life to the congregation in general. We are noticing a new spirit of love
and fellowship and a new opportunity to teach Bible study and worshipping
skills. It is also an opportunity to begin reaching out to the unchurched
folks in our neighborhood.”
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First Presbyterian Church, Hutchinson, KS
“Logos has energized our church! This is our 14th year and new
kids keep coming!”
- Geneva Presbyterian Church, Laguna
Hills, CA |
