Church vocations to be discussed

Young people who are interested in a career serving in the church will have an opportunity to explore a variety of church vocations at the 14th annual “Invitation to Service” on Thurs., Aug. 4 through Sat., Aug. 6 at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

“Invitation to Service” allows young people ages 15 to 25 to explore the roles of pastors, missionaries, diaconal ministers, music ministers and youth ministers.

The event will feature special music, small group interaction where concerns and questions can be aired, recreation, devotional meetings and Bible study. The three-day event allows participants time for one-to-one consultations with church professionals, as well as time for meeting others, worshiping and learning.

The seventh annual Youth Ministry Training Event, which will be held simultaneously, will offer four tracks of youth ministry training, including the basics of running a youth program, applying youth ministry fundamentals and spiritual development.

Dick Hardel, director of Vision and Creative Ministries at The Youth and Family Institute in Bloomington, Minn. will serve as featured speaker at “Invitation to Service.” Previously, he served as assistant to the bishop of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and as executive director of the Youth and Family Institute at Augsburg College. Since 1973, Hardel has been active in clown ministry, a profession that has taken him throughout North America and Eastern Europe.

Registration for “Invitation to Service” is $120 before Fri., July 8 and $145 after that date. Registration for the Youth Ministry Training Event is $200 for each of the four tracks. The commuter price is $150 for each track.

The registration deadline is Fri., July 22. For more information, please call Linda LeBlanc at (805) 493-3936 or visit the website at www.clunet.edu/ Church_Relations.