Youth & Children

When the pandemic closed schools, an existing network of congregations and others jumped in to offer meals — and more

Churches, government agencies and nonprofits that already served struggling families responded to the pandemic by ramping up their shared mission beyond providing children with summer meals.

By Dan Holly Journalist

Image link to article: When the pandemic closed schools, an existing network of congregations and others jumped in to offer meals — and more

Women clergy and the pandemic: Weary, but not giving up

In these profiles, four clergywomen share their pandemic stories. Like many American women, they’ve struggled to balance work, home and community in lives upended by the coronavirus.

By Yonat Shimron Journalist

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Changing lives by changing how we live

There are steps we can take to help offset a purpose gap rooted in historical and contemporary oppressions, writes the senior director of learning design with the Forum for Theological Exploration.

By Patrick B. Reyes Senior director of learning design, Forum for Theological Exploration

Image link to article: Changing lives by changing how we live

'It must be you.' A nonprofit helps Latino Catholic young adults grow in faith and build community

Iskali was created by a 19-year-old to support other young adults in the church. More than a decade later, it offers faith formation, mentorship, scholarships and other opportunities for a new generation to grow in Christ.

By Shanna Johnson Journalist

Image link to article: 'It must be you.' A nonprofit helps Latino Catholic young adults grow in faith and build community

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to stop

Rather than pouring time and energy into what’s not working, be willing to stop, listen and try something different, writes a managing director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Victoria Atkinson White Managing director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

Image link to article: Sometimes the best way to move forward is to stop

Eat. Pray. Skate: A skateboarding ministry offers unconditional love to teens

Serious JuJu is a ministry that meets young people where they are -- in a skate park.

By Katie Cantrell Journalist

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We are physical beings -- what if our ministries reflected that?

Physical labor and activity have been a boon to teens during the pandemic, leading a youth pastor to realize that the physical matters -- to us and to God.

By Matt Overton Associate pastor, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, Washington

Image link to article: We are physical beings -- what if our ministries reflected that?

How poetry can help kids -- and all of us -- practice lament

Poetry from the book of Lamentations invites us to find words for our feelings and offers a form to contain that which feels uncontainable and uncontrollable, says a writer.

By Amy Peterson Writer

Image link to article: How poetry can help kids -- and all of us -- practice lament

Parenting in the midst of protests and a pandemic is a difficult opportunity

Parenting right now is chaos, but there is a lot of opportunity to teach our children to love God, says a worship leader.

By Angie Hong Worship leader, writer and speaker

Image link to article: Parenting in the midst of protests and a pandemic is a difficult opportunity

What will summer be like without the usual VBS, camps and youth mission trips?

Christian professionals and families partner to experiment with innovative approaches to youth formation in a socially distant environment.

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Journalist and UCC minister

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Excerpt: "Delighted: What Teenagers Are Teaching The Church About Joy"

Written by four faith leaders with deep connections to youth ministry, "Delighted" was published in April. In this excerpt, co-author Wesley Ellis reflects on how churches can offer joy and authentic friendships to young people.

Kenda Creasy Dean Wesley W. Ellis Justin Forbes Abigail Visco Rusert

Image link to article: Excerpt: "Delighted: What Teenagers Are Teaching The Church About Joy"