Youth ministry

Trusting youth to lead

As some churches scramble for a quick solution to waning youth programs, a Lexington, Kentucky, church has found success in building over time and empowering their young people as leaders.

By Kory Wilcoxson Pastor and journalist

Image link to article: Trusting youth to lead

From Chicago basement to international stage, the power of collaboration fueled a Latino-led nonprofit working with youth

In its early days, a startup nonprofit working to make the Bible more accessible to young people in urban areas found a crucial community partner. The result of their collaboration is a lesson for us all, writes a director of programs and grants for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Elizabeth Tamez Méndez Director of Programs and Grants, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

Image link to article: From Chicago basement to international stage, the power of collaboration fueled a Latino-led nonprofit working with youth

A beacon of hope shines for LGBTQ+ youth in Florida

Through The Lighthouse, some Florida churches are offering a nonreligious ministry of presence that focuses on God’s love for all, opening doors for both young people and other institutions.

By Catherine Montgomery Founder and executive director, The Lighthouse

Fuller Seminary heads up ambitious ecumenical project to engage millions of young people

Five years in the making, the TENx10 project aims to “help faith matter more” for 10 million teens in 10 years. The effort has involved many groups across the church and might serve as a model for more collaborations.

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Journalist and UCC minister

Image link to article: Fuller Seminary heads up ambitious ecumenical project to engage millions of young people

Anti-racist formation of children and youth

Faith communities can play a crucial role to counter efforts that limit what is taught about our nation’s past and present, including the banning of books and censoring of curriculum content. Most churches already have the mechanisms in place to offer formation. Here are resources to make those offerings practically, thoughtfully and intentionally anti-racist.

Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone talk anti-racism with middle schoolers

Against a backdrop of book banning, attacks on school curricula and the highly publicized death of yet another Black man after an incident of police violence, bestselling authors Kendi and Stone assure a group of North Carolina eighth graders of their humanity and equality.

By Yonat Shimron Journalist

Image link to article: Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone talk anti-racism with middle schoolers

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

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

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?

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

Image link to article: What will summer be like without the usual VBS, camps and youth mission trips?

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"

Mending more than nets

Taking the time to fix what is torn can build strength and resilience. What would it mean for young people to learn the art of mending early in their lives?

By Gretchen E. Ziegenhals Spiritual director and retreat leader

Image link to article: Mending more than nets