More Conference 2022: Making It Count

The drive to create a space of engagement for our children's and youth leaders in the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa Territory meant that More Conference 2022 may have looked different this year, but it went ahead and felt interrelated and motivating.

More Conference 2022 looked wildly different from years gone by: the registration forms gathered dust, flights weren’t booked, bags weren’t packed in a mad rush, and the usual excitement was inevitably replaced by moments of disheartenment and frustration. But in the spirit of problem-solving, all was not lost.

Earlier in the year, during the resurgence of Covid-19 restrictions, the Territorial Youth and Children’s Department made the difficult decision to transform the narrative of More and introduce the experimental concept of More Online. The idea was to set up a fully decked-out studio and invite all the territorial youth and children’s leaders to tune in live for an evening of valuable listening, learning and engaging, and it was rewarding to see this idea come to fruition as we did our very best to ‘Make it Count’.

MAKING IT COUNT

Proving itself as a highly relevant theme, ‘Make it Count’ almost speaks for itself. I’ll explain: More Conference has always fit quite comfortably into a weekend-long agenda, with lots of breathing room to intentionally focus, but also to casually converse over meals and down time. More Online, however, was not offered that luxury, meaning the leaders of the territory lost that valuable time and the benefits that came with it. But here’s the kicker: this year’s theme was decided on before the physical venue was let go, even before More Online was created. This was God’s hand. He knew that in order for our leaders to squeeze every ounce of encouragement out of the live stream, they would have to actively choose to invest and make that window of time count. Although this theme could have worked effectively in any setting, it made our two-hour slot on the Friday night much more rewarding.

Deep breaths, but on the night the energy was organic and abundant from the get-go. In terms of engagement, the live stream itself reached a total of six countries, and within that, over 40 locations, going as far as the UK and India, wowee! Additionally, some of our friends from other denominations tuned in as well. Larger Salvation Army watch parties of leaders in Fiji and Tonga demonstrated a real commitment to going beyond the status quo of standard children and youth curriculums; they all hold a passion for ministry and it is clear that our whole territory is flooded with leaders wanting to do more!

GUEST SPEAKERS INSPIRE

Due to this widespread commitment, the entire programme had a very noticeable flair. Our lively and wonderfully wise speakers—Margaret Spicer, executive pastor at Gracecity Church, Auckland; Steph Limmer, Children’s and Families Ministries Coordinator at Hamilton City Salvation Army; and Raki Wiringi, senior pastor at C3 Church, Hamilton—all made the trip south from Auckland and Hamilton to chat, teach and inspire; sparking waves of thought despite their in-person audience being studio cameras and a teleprompter. We were so fortunate to have them in our midst.

Ice-breaker question: If you could be on any reality TV show, which one would you choose?

Raki: ‘Wife Swap… nah. Probably Survivor, it’s such a test of a person’s character, and I think, to be honest, I’d probably fail.’

Margaret: ‘I think one of those home demolition or reno programmes, just get a sledgehammer and then leave the mess!’

Steph: ‘I don’t really do reality TV shows, I’m more of a Netflix person, but I would definitely do Stranger Things.’

Those tuning in were treated to varying thoughts and perspectives on discipleship and connection (not just about reality TV), featuring a hard-to-ignore road cone prop, which was put to good use and, despite rumours, was not stolen. Each speaker was given a five-minute window to convey a self-composed message which then transitioned into a question and answer time driven by both the MCs—Kate Geddes and myself—and by questions and queries pulled from the online chat function.

INTERGENERATIONAL INTERACTIONS

Not only did those tuning in receive encouragement around effective leadership, but they were able to offer challenges back, asking questions by the bucket load. Much of the focus during those ‘coffee table chats’ (on the bold and beautiful gold couch) surrounded the mission of intergenerational church ministry. It sounds intimidating, we know. But intergenerational ministry is solely an encompassing of all ages within church culture, meaning that our children and young people are invited into an environment of intentional interaction between their generation and everybody else within the congregation/community.

Margaret, Steph and Raki spoke with this highly relevant mindset and reminded every leader of the responsibility they have in conducting these relationships, even if those steps are small. After all, to create change as leaders, we must lead by example: ‘You want them to join the mosh pit, so you stage dive’, as Raki so instinctively shared.

MAKING IT COUNT FOR THE FUTURE

The best part? The opportunity to have those collective conversations—sometimes difficult, sometimes impossible to navigate—recognising they don't end in one evening. More Online was crafted as a series of instalments, which means that each month from July to November, the Youth and Children’s Department has committed to releasing new pre-recorded episodes within the ‘Make it Count’ narrative. Although these additional instalments take on a whole new design once again, their purpose is to generate discussion and teach as a (hopefully) long-lasting resource!

MORE OF MORE ONLINE

We had fun. Those tuning in had a blast. Each person tuned in with an open and willing heart. Plus, the Holy Spirit was present. Our confidence is that Jesus is constantly weaving us together during our faithful endeavours within children and youth ministry, even with physical distance in between.

More Online (episode one), was simply a valuable moment in time, but through persistence and passion, our children and young people will also grow to understand the importance of making it count.