Today more than ever, parents, pastors and ministry workers are discouraged by the spiritual condition of the young people, who are increasingly apathetic, disinterested, drawn into sins and addictions, present in church only because of parental pressure or to socialize. At times, they are totally absent from church and even abandoning the faith.
What is the problem?
How did we get here?
How can we win them back?
As spiritual mentors, in what way are we to be blamed? Could the church have lost them, by being wrongly focused and fossilized in forms and methods that quench the Spirit and the Word of God, rather than fanning it into flame? Do pastors, ministry workers and parents truly understand the needs, perceptions and mentality of Gen Z and Alpha? Is the church prepared to help young people who are being pressured by LGBTQ, drugs, lust, and Internet? Will we respond or react? Will we lose them or risk to win them back?
This year, our Vertical Conference will attempt to offer answers and support to pastors, ministry workers, and parents who are concerned by the danger of losing their children and youth. In the course of two full days, four main sessions and over forty workshops we will have the opportunity to learn from the experience of qualified servants in children and youth ministry, how to listen to them, understand them, help them and together win them back. We will learn how to generate appropriate contexts to serve them or to reset those that are already in place, so that the Spirit of God may work through us in this generation.
Register hereThe payment is made through the bank account you will receive by email after completing your registration. Paying the participation fee is a requirement for completing the registration.
The participation fee is 300 lei if you register and pay it until April 15; then the participation fee will be 350 lei. The participation fee includes the conference materials, lunch on the conference days and coffee breaks.
Confirmation of registration will be made after confirmation of payment. To keep your registration and your chosen workshop seats, you must pay within 7 days; otherwise, you will need to register again for the workshops that will be available at that time.
The participation fee includes handouts, lunch and the most important thing of all – coffee.
The conference will take place at Harvest Arad Church. The address is 8 Cetății Orod, 317405 Vladimirescu, Arad. See the location in Google Maps.
If there are more than 5 people who need translation, we will provide translators.
The registration form will contain each and every workshop and you will be able to select the workshops that you want to attend.
The participation fee for the conference is non-refundable upon purchase, but fully transferable. You are welcome to gift your registration. If a medical emergency arises, we will review refunds on a case-by-case basis.
No, at the moment we offer registrations for the entire duration of the conference.
Only people 14 years and up can register for the conference.
Seating is not assigned. It is a first come first serve basis for all attendees, including groups.
Parking is free and located at the venue of the conference.
Yes, the venue is disabled accessible. Early entry will be offered to disabled attendees. Please email us at contact@conferintavertical.ro.
Because we want to create a distraction free experience for you and the other participants, children are not allowed at the conference.
There are 5 total workshop sessions and you can only select one workshop per session.
If you have dietary preferences, please be sure to mark those in the space provided on the registration form when you register.
If you want to be a sponsor for the conference, let us know through email at contact@conferintavertical.ro.
Reach out to us through email at contact@conferintavertical.ro.
If you want to address the spiritual needs of young people in your church, you must understand their age-appropriate mindset. Physical, mental, and emotional stages of development in the life of young people contribute to a better understanding of their spiritual development. In this workshop you will learn about these stages and their correlation with spiritual growth.
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What to say or not to say to a young person who is sharing his pain with you? What to do when you find out that the girl standing in front of you has been sexually abused? How to react when a young person has demonic manifestations during a counseling session? What to do when one gets stuck and refuses to speak? These situations can catch us by surprise, and they can affect the counselling process if not dealt with properly. In these situations, and many others, biblical communication is an important way to reach their heart. In this workshop we will share from the experience of biblical counselling, efficient biblical ways of communication that will help us interact with young people in their healing process.
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We’ve all heard that God has a vision and a plan for our lives, but do we really take this truth seriously? If the story of our lives could be put into words and if we could look at it from beginning to end, the same way we look at the lives of Joseph, David, Jonah, Peter and Paul, what would be the purpose for which God has created us and set us aside? When it comes to an impactful ministry with young people, a leader always faces the challenge to identify first God’s vision for his personal life and only then to help young people discover God's vision for their lives.
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There are six foundational practices used by Christ in forming his disciples that the youth leaders should practice consistently, in order to develop stable and fruitful youth ministries. What are these? In this workshop we will discover together the foundations for teen and youth ministry.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
There are children and young people who have been through traumas, abuses, rejection, and these affect their attitudes and behavior, and most of all their heart. In this workshop we will explore the heart and its needs, the damages and the symptoms, the inadequate responses, and how God’s order can be restored in these lives. A healed heart leads to a transformed life. Come and learn how to read the symptoms and find solutions for a broken heart and how you can help young people to be healed and restored.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Our calling is to have an impact around us. Whether we like it or not, the church promotes a culture, which defines us. This is how we identify ourselves and this is the way we are seen by society. Why are we losing our youth? How can we regain it? I invite you to join me and reflect on how we can build and promote a culture that stirs in our youth a desire to have an impact around them.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Abstract Image is a powerful means of communication; it informs us of the physical, social, and spiritual realities around us. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, is a very well-known cliche yet a truth hardly ever put into practice. Although the power of visuals is a current communication language, efficient in delivering truth, it is undervalued and underused in youth ministry. How then can we use this power of visuals when communicating the Word of God to a prominently visual generation?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Generally speaking, the youth ministry consists of weekly meetings where we sing or we are preoccupied to entertain the youth through games, snacks or maybe great worship and a biblical message with impact. But is there a higher purpose than all these? YES! If so, what is that purpose and what exactly should I implement to reach that end? “The success of a church is not about the number of people that are coming but the number of people that are leaving… to make disciples” (N. Cole).
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Drugs, gambling, and other addictions are becoming increasingly encountered in our churches, among children and youth. Although we are well meaning, we can still fail in our attempt to help those who are addicted. In this workshop, we will learn what to do and what not to do – both as individuals and as a church – when dealing with an addictive person and/or their family.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
We are living in times when “first impressions” matter and the first experience of a young person with your church could be his last one… That’s why a culture of welcome and love implemented with excellence, is not optional. A first impression may change hearts. We will talk about all this in our workshop where we will find practical and relevant solutions to create and maintain a culture of welcome and love.
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The various methods used to evangelize youth raise fundamental theological questions. This workshop will focus on theological questions by creating the setting for several general principles: What is the Gospel? Who are the best evangelists to young people? What are we trying to achieve? What is our ultimate goal? When does one become a “Christian”? Is there a common way to evangelize young people? It is important to clarify thee issues as they affect the way we act.
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How should we relate to a generation that is always connected and able to follow the every move of friends, parents, teachers, church or political leaders? What do we think of this generation and what are the accusations that we bring against it? One of the greatest challenges in the youth ministry is to convince young people that there is a God who loves them, just as they are, with a rich and undeserved love.
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Generation Z is defined as the first generation to be born connected online and also to find answers in the virtual space. This is also where they find their moral and ethical authority, a fact to take into consideration in attempting to answer their questions. Their questions are specific to their generation and the answers aren’t always easy. In this seminar we will present some of the most frequently asked questions by this generation and discuss together what the most age-appropriate answers can be.
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We all go through times of discouragement in our ministry. Have you been called or driven into your current ministry? If you are not sure of your divine calling in ministry you will feel unstable and inefficient, and you will be lacking trust from your team. How can you differentiate between calling and drive? How can you strengthen the conviction of your calling in such a way that you will not quit or be discouraged by the burdens of the ministry?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Although the church should take into consideration the necessity of a variety of activities to draw in the young people, it should not focus only on competing with a multitude of options offered by society. Our challenge is to discover new and practical methods through which we can use the “secret weapon” of Christianity, namely stable relationships based on the love we learn from God the Father through Jesus Christ and perfected through the work of the Holy Spirit. What are the practical principles we can apply in the way we relate with the young people, so as to win them over and not lose them? What does it mean to offer stability to a group of young people? What are some new activities that the church could offer the youth? This seminar will attempt to answer these questions!
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" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
If you want to address the spiritual needs of young people in your church, you must understand their age-appropriate mindset. Physical, mental, and emotional stages of development in the life of young people contribute to a better understanding of their spiritual development. In this workshop you will learn about these stages and their correlation with spiritual growth.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
There are six foundational practices used by Christ in forming his disciples that the youth leaders should practice consistently, in order to develop stable and fruitful youth ministries. What are these? In this workshop we will discover together the foundations for teen and youth ministry.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Indeed, Generation Z is different, dynamic, and extremely unpredictable, however the good news is that the young people in this generation are humans, too. Consequently, we can make use of universal principles and apply them so as to develop a healthy youth ministry. In this workshop we will look at five key elements that guarantee an efficient and healthy youth ministry, no matter if it consists of 15, 50 or 500 youth; if it’s in rural or urban context, in Romania or in diaspora.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
There are children and young people who have been through traumas, abuses, rejection, and these affect their attitudes and behavior, and most of all their heart. In this workshop we will explore the heart and its needs, the damages and the symptoms, the inadequate responses, and how God’s order can be restored in these lives. A healed heart leads to a transformed life. Come and learn how to read the symptoms and find solutions for a broken heart and how you can help young people to be healed and restored.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Our calling is to have an impact around us. Whether we like it or not, the church promotes a culture, which defines us. This is how we identify ourselves and this is the way we are seen by society. Why are we losing our youth? How can we regain it? I invite you to join me and reflect on how we can build and promote a culture that stirs in our youth a desire to have an impact around them.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Abstract Image is a powerful means of communication; it informs us of the physical, social, and spiritual realities around us. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, is a very well-known cliche yet a truth hardly ever put into practice. Although the power of visuals is a current communication language, efficient in delivering truth, it is undervalued and underused in youth ministry. How then can we use this power of visuals when communicating the Word of God to a prominently visual generation?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Drugs, gambling, and other addictions are becoming increasingly encountered in our churches, among children and youth. Although we are well meaning, we can still fail in our attempt to help those who are addicted. In this workshop, we will learn what to do and what not to do – both as individuals and as a church – when dealing with an addictive person and/or their family.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
We all go through times of discouragement in our ministry. Have you been called or driven into your current ministry? If you are not sure of your divine calling in ministry you will feel unstable and inefficient, and you will be lacking trust from your team. How can you differentiate between calling and drive? How can you strengthen the conviction of your calling in such a way that you will not quit or be discouraged by the burdens of the ministry?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
What are the characteristics of Generation Alpha and how should you approach it, whether you are working with the children, or you will be shepherding them in a few years? What are the destructive tendencies of the children and pre-teens, born after 2010, as well as the amazing opportunities that God is offering to us through them? Join us and find new research in this field, as well as solutions and ideas that have already been tested. Let’s discover the way faith develops during childhood, as it intertwines with their physical, cognitive, emotional, and relational development as well as the role you can play in the life of children of this generation.
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Preadolescents are the toughest category to work with in the church and yet the readiest. Between infancy and old age, you won't find a harder age to connect with in the local church. It takes God-given devotion to teach and impact this youth for the Kingdom of God. This is the age most of them will either choose for or against God in their hearts. This ministry requires a wise and dedicated disciple maker to make a difference in their life. Come and see what the Word of God is teaching us on this topic.
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We are all engaged in a constant battle to redefine terms, a battle where the nuances and ideology of this generation force us to learn new words, new meanings and to choose well the way we interact in order not to offend. Tolerance has become insufficient. Now, we not only need to tolerate sexual minorities, but we must applaud them. The relationship of the church with LGBTQ+ is extremely difficult and we have no choice but to prepare our young people for what culture holds, to show love, but also truth, so that in the end Gospel is proclaimed.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
There are children and young people who have been through traumas, abuses, rejection, and these affect their attitudes and behavior, and most of all their heart. In this workshop we will explore the heart and its needs, the damages and the symptoms, the inadequate responses, and how God’s order can be restored in these lives. A healed heart leads to a transformed life. Come and learn how to read the symptoms and find solutions for a broken heart and how you can help young people to be healed and restored.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Abstract Image is a powerful means of communication; it informs us of the physical, social, and spiritual realities around us. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, is a very well-known cliche yet a truth hardly ever put into practice. Although the power of visuals is a current communication language, efficient in delivering truth, it is undervalued and underused in youth ministry. How then can we use this power of visuals when communicating the Word of God to a prominently visual generation?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Whether you are a pastor, leader, or teacher, you want to set the foundation of a biblical ministry for children or make an assessment of the ministry you already have in your church, this seminar will help you understand five healthy and important principles that you should take into consideration. How to form a team of dedicated and trained teachers and how to make a partnership with the parents? These are just a few of the things we will cover in this seminar.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Have you ever asked yourself the following questions: What influence has technology over children? What is the connection between media and the spiritual world? What is our role as parents and educators, in a century that is predominantly digital? If you have, join our workshop to discover together how to navigate a digitally saturated culture. Problems children face are becoming more noticeable and complicated. Lack of attention, addiction, anxiety, and even demonic ties, all have roots in and can be amplified by the incorrect and unfiltered use of digital resources, whether it be Internet, TV or virtual games. It's time for us to put on the armor and win the next generation for God.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
After graduating from children’s ministry, teenagers start worshipping with adults in the regular church services or perhaps attend teenage ministry groups. Suddenly, everything seems completely different: they get bored, defensive and aren’t interested to get involved into the community. What can we do, as parents, to help them adjust? Let's discover together the things that prepare our children to be healthy members in their church and address the five bridges that allow children to transition efficiently and organically towards the next stage of their lives.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Most often, we invest enormous resources, time and energy in directions and projects, that in the end will not make much of a difference in the lives of the youth. The parents are not just supposed to spend seven days a week with their children, but they have the biblical mandate to shepherd and disciple them, as well. In this workshop we will explore some practical ways through which we can develop a partnership with the parents of Generation Z, in order to help them and us, as ministry workers, in winning them over and discipling them.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Most people who serve in children's ministry are women. Why is that? What makes a ministry so feminine, that men do not wish to be part of it? Why is it vital for a church to have men involved in children's ministry? What can we do to create a culture in which men regain their God-given roles of teachers and spiritual leaders over children.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
We all go through times of discouragement in our ministry. Have you been called or driven into your current ministry? If you are not sure of your divine calling in ministry you will feel unstable and inefficient, and you will be lacking trust from your team. How can you differentiate between calling and drive? How can you strengthen the conviction of your calling in such a way that you will not quit or be discouraged by the burdens of the ministry?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
What kind of studies should I have? What sort of outreach events should I plan? What kind of camps and activities should I organize? How do I convince others to get involved in this ministry? How do I get the parents involved in it? What is my final goal in all this hard work? Let's talk about this, as God is listening!
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Church is the place where children are loved and accepted. Is this enough though for them to really want to be there? Let’s discover together the way we can make our church more children friendly. How should we make teachers in this ministry be more friendly? How about having children friendly programs? What about the church building? Are you ready to address the friendliness level of your church? Join us for some important answers to these questions.
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God is a God who thinks and works throughout generations. Would you like to see a generation of worshippers in your church, who doesn’t just sing but worships in spirit and truth? Have you noticed that some generations struggle to worship? Why is that? Could it be because they haven’t been taught to worship from a young age? If you are involved in children's ministry join this workshop to learn how to create an appropriate context where children can grow and learn how to worship.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
There are children and young people who have been through traumas, abuses, rejection, and these affect their attitudes and behavior, and most of all their heart. In this workshop we will explore the heart and its needs, the damages and the symptoms, the inadequate responses, and how God’s order can be restored in these lives. A healed heart leads to a transformed life. Come and learn how to read the symptoms and find solutions for a broken heart and how you can help young people to be healed and restored.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Have you ever asked yourself the following questions: What influence has technology over children? What is the connection between media and the spiritual world? What is our role as parents and educators, in a century that is predominantly digital? If you have, join our workshop to discover together how to navigate a digitally saturated culture. Problems children face are becoming more noticeable and complicated. Lack of attention, addiction, anxiety, and even demonic ties, all have roots in and can be amplified by the incorrect and unfiltered use of digital resources, whether it be Internet, TV or virtual games. It's time for us to put on the armor and win the next generation for God.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
After graduating from children’s ministry, teenagers start worshipping with adults in the regular church services or perhaps attend teenage ministry groups. Suddenly, everything seems completely different: they get bored, defensive and aren’t interested to get involved into the community. What can we do, as parents, to help them adjust? Let's discover together the things that prepare our children to be healthy members in their church and address the five bridges that allow children to transition efficiently and organically towards the next stage of their lives.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Abstract Image is a powerful means of communication; it informs us of the physical, social, and spiritual realities around us. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, is a very well-known cliche yet a truth hardly ever put into practice. Although the power of visuals is a current communication language, efficient in delivering truth, it is undervalued and underused in youth ministry. How then can we use this power of visuals when communicating the Word of God to a prominently visual generation?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Most knowledge that teachers are likely to pass to children in children’s ministry is of cognitive nature, but what children really remember is the interaction between the children and teacher, the atmosphere, and their favorite games. Rarely do they remember information transmitted to the brain, but they can almost always recall in detail the things that have impacted their hearts. This workshop will raise awareness on the importance of using relationships and senses in teaching children. Join us to discover some of the latest creative ways that help children remember the biblical teachings they receive in church even twenty years later.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Whether you are a pastor, leader, or teacher, you want to set the foundation of a biblical ministry for children or make an assessment of the ministry you already have in your church, this seminar will help you understand five healthy and important principles that you should take into consideration. How to form a team of dedicated and trained teachers and how to make a partnership with the parents? These are just a few of the things we will cover in this seminar.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
Most people who serve in children's ministry are women. Why is that? What makes a ministry so feminine, that men do not wish to be part of it? Why is it vital for a church to have men involved in children's ministry? What can we do to create a culture in which men regain their God-given roles of teachers and spiritual leaders over children.
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">
We all go through times of discouragement in our ministry. Have you been called or driven into your current ministry? If you are not sure of your divine calling in ministry you will feel unstable and inefficient, and you will be lacking trust from your team. How can you differentiate between calling and drive? How can you strengthen the conviction of your calling in such a way that you will not quit or be discouraged by the burdens of the ministry?
" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px">