Youth Confirmation Movement

Youth Confirmation Movement

This movement is the fruit from the Awareness camp held at Arogyavaram, from May 16 to 19, 2011 with the theme, “…Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? _mark 10:38. In this camp Rev. Dr. T. Isaac Prasanna Kumar of Nandyal Diocese taught the Doctrines of Baptism and Confirmations. Rev. K. Devanand Subuddy of Rayalaseema Diocese taught on How to do a personal Bible meditation and How to lead a Group Bible Study. Rev. P. Isaac Varaprasad led the theme devotions. There were some practical talks led by Rev. A. Jayaraju , Rev. I. Prabhakar and Rev. Ch. Rajendra of Rayalaseema Diocese. In this camp 14 delegates stood in the alter calls to live as witnesses and 12 delegates committed to lead Bible Studies in their churches.

This Camp was also in respect to the Moderator’s Address in the Synod meeting on Mission Priorities that every church should have Bible Studies. This movement organizes and trains the youth for 3 kinds of Bible studies in their respective churches and the bible study leaders are trained with 4 kinds of Camps. They are:

1.      Awareness Camps

This Camp shall be for three full days at any place with good accommodation. Youth who had taken or not taken their confirmations shall attend these camps. They are made to know the importance and the power of the Baptism they received through their Parents and the confirmation in the church. The main training on Personal Bible Meditation and Purpose of Christian Life with the Church are concentrated. All these members go back to attend the regular Disciple’s Bible Studies in their respective churches.

2.      Discipleship Camps

This camp shall be for 5 full days with good food and accommodation. All those who attended the Awareness camps and those who had their confirmations are only permitted to the Discipleship Camps. The Doctrines of Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry and histories of Creeds and church are taught in these camps. Practical talks on Successful Christian Life and Time management are concentrated. Perfect teaching with practicals is given on Group Bible Study leading. All those who attended these camps shall go back to be leaders for Disciples’ Bible Studies in their churches and they all shall attend the Apostles’ Bible Studies.

3.      Apostleship Camps

This camp shall be for 7 full days with good food and accommodation. All those attended the Discipleship Camps are only permitted to the Apostleship Camps. The Doctrines of forgiveness, Apostolic Succession, theological authority, Church, and Christian marriage are taught.the histories of Church of south India and the ecumenical movements are also taught. Practical talks on personal management, money management, church administrations are taught. Training on Homolitics and Expository preaching shall be given. All those attended these camps shall go back and continue in the Apostles’ Bible Study and those who are married and those who are of the age 25 and above  shall attend the Deacons’ Bible Studies.

4.      Deaconship Camps

This camp shall be for 3 full days. Those who have had attended all the above camps and those with the age of 25 and above shall attend these camps. In these camps there shall be teachings on the doctrines of Christian family, deaconship, festivals of the lectionary, liturgy and worship with kinds of Theologies. Training on Christian counseling, mediation, dispute management is given. After attending these camps the delegates go back to attend the Apostles and Deacons Bible Studies and lead the Disciples Bible Studies. They also conduct seminars and symposiums with paper presentations.

Thus the goal of the Youth Confirmation Movement is to establish three kinds of bible studies in a week and one seminar or symposium in a month for every congregation. Four kinds of Camps in a year at the diocesan level or regional level. One day or half a day retreats as necessary. The YCM’s financial policy is to look to God and no donations. Registration fees are compulsory for all the camps and no travel allowances are encouraged. The delegates shall be taught to sacrifice in spending for the church.