LYO stands for the Lutheran Youth Organization, and is high school youth leadership program for the Delaware-Maryland Synod.
Youth are organized into one of four teams to live out their God-given gifts and sharpen their skills for service in the Synod, their own congregation, and the surrounding community. Each team is mentored by at least two trained and gifted adults and led by one primary young person.
The LYO teams gather individually and as the whole LYO at least once a month for skill development, practice, and planning. The teams have significant leadership roles at the Synod Youth Events to be able to practice their skills, and each event is followed by a time of debriefing so youth can evaluate what they learn. But the ultimate purpose of the LYO is for these young people to take the skills they develop back into their own congregation to serve in their own context!
Teams of the LYO:
- Worship & Music Team – engages in learning about different worship experiences and practices, and then translates this learning into leading young people and advisors in worship and praise during the Synod Youth Events. The team also provides leadership for the prayerful and spiritual life of young people in the Synod.
- Service & Outreach Team – engages in learning and participates in different service and outreach opportunities, and then brings some of these same opportunities to the Synod Youth Events for practice and engagement.
- Fellowship & Hospitality Team – engages in learning and practicing methods of fellowship and hospitality in the Church and community, and then brings these practices to the young people of the Synod through music, games, food, and conversation.
- Small Group Team – engages in training to effectively lead small groups of their peers in Biblical and topical discussions during the Synod Youth Events. Young people on this team are also engaged in the curriculum-development process for the programming of events and retreat.
How to Apply
The application process for the 2011-2012 school year has closed. Please look back here in the Spring for information to apply for the 2012-2013 school year!
