Re-Imagining Children's and Youth Ministry

Faith Forward is the name of a conference that aims to “bring together children’s and youth ministry leaders for collaboration, resourcing, and inspiration toward innovative theology and practice.” The organizers of this event are asking some good questions that I thought I’d pass on to you for reflection:

Re-Imagining Children’s and Youth Ministry through Theology
Potential questions:

1. How do youth and children call us to re-imagine what it means to be and do church?
2. What, theologically, does it mean to be a young person in today’s church and world?
3. How should our theology (re)shape the ways in which we minister with children and youth?
4. How do our experiences in ministry with young people (re)shape our theology?
5. How might we help children and youth to think theologically?

Re-Imagining Children’s and Youth Ministry through Story
Potential questions:

1. How can we use story to engage children and youth in spiritual formation?
2. How do we invite youth and children to enter God’s story and make it their own?
3. What do we do with the more difficult and violent parts of the Bible?
4. How do young people’s engagement with scripture invite us to imagine God’s story in new ways?
5. How can we spark the imaginations of young people as we interpret scripture with them?
6. How can we share God’s story with children and youth in ways that help them become more loving, inclusive, and creative disciples?

Re-Imagining Children’s and Youth Ministry through Rhythm
Potential questions:

1. How can we re-imagine ways of engaging youth and children in faith practices, rituals, and sacraments?
2. What spiritual practices are most connective for nurturing Christian faith in children and youth?
3. How can children and youth help us re-think Christian practices?
4. How might the arts be used as a catalyst for spiritual formation?
5. How can we cultivate environments that help children and youth practice a holistic rhythm of faith in all aspects of their lives?

Which questions seem important and relevant to your ministry? How might you answer them?

To learn more about the Faith Forward conference visit faith-forward.net.