RPCNA conferences and retreats seem to be designed around one purpose - growing the youth to adulthood and leadership. There are of course a lot of problems around how this is done, but I'll dwell on my particular experience.
The best way to become a leader in the RP church is to be born to a leader in the RP church - someone on the inside. If you're not the son of a pastor and don't have one of the esteemed last names, then your only chance is to grow up in one of the lead denominational churches and be identified as leadership material. If you're not in one of the lead churches, there are few opportunities to shine. Specifically, you need to catch the wave at the presbytery conferences.
The typical presbytery conference has arevival meeting consecration service that encourages the youth to commit. Initially, it was committing to Jesus, but over the years it has become committing to leadership and ministry within the church. So, if you're not on the short list of already known leadership candidates, you can sign up by committing to the church at a consecration service.
But... what if you've been around, aren't an obvious candidate and didn't get the hint to sign up? If you're past high school, you're toast. You can serve the church by showing up every Sunday and lending your back at work days, but you're not going to be leadership material. Yes, a few break the mold, but mostly these are converts from another church or new converts who are on fire. If you didn't get with the program in high school, you're damaged goods.
The best way to become a leader in the RP church is to be born to a leader in the RP church - someone on the inside. If you're not the son of a pastor and don't have one of the esteemed last names, then your only chance is to grow up in one of the lead denominational churches and be identified as leadership material. If you're not in one of the lead churches, there are few opportunities to shine. Specifically, you need to catch the wave at the presbytery conferences.
The typical presbytery conference has a
But... what if you've been around, aren't an obvious candidate and didn't get the hint to sign up? If you're past high school, you're toast. You can serve the church by showing up every Sunday and lending your back at work days, but you're not going to be leadership material. Yes, a few break the mold, but mostly these are converts from another church or new converts who are on fire. If you didn't get with the program in high school, you're damaged goods.
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