Communities of Practice for Next Generation Ministries.

You're shaping the future of the church (and you're doing it alone)… no longer.

Something happened while we were running our listening sessions… we had been asking ministry leaders across the country about the challenges they face and one theme kept surfacing.

People working with children, youth, young adults, and families were telling us they felt isolated.

Not just busy.
Not just under-resourced.
Isolated.

One person put it bluntly when they were reflecting on attending conferences in the United States in this area of ministry… often, in their experience, as one of a handful of PCC types in attendance:

"I have often asked, What do I do with this information when I come back? Who do I speak to? Do I share it with — no one. Zero. In the US they're very equipped — they've got a formal system to educate, to pull their leaders together, to do Christian formation. In Canada, we have zero. At least that's my experience... There is nowhere to go with this information. No one wants to hear about it."

That's a hard thing to hear. And they are not completely wrong.

Here's the reality: The Presbyterian Church in Canada doesn't have a robust system for training and supporting leaders who work with the next generation.

There have been phases in our history where we dabbled in it. And definitely, a season when we trained people specifically for these kinds of ministries - shout out to Ewart College and the Order of Diaconal Ministries.

But by and large, if you're a children's ministry coordinator, a youth pastor, a young adult ministry leader — you're figuring it out on your own. Often without formal training. Often without peers who understand what you're navigating. Often feeling structurally marginalized within a denomination that says it cares about young people but doesn't always resource the people who actually work with them.

And here's the thing that really gets me: these leaders are shaping the future of the church. They're the ones helping young people grow in faith, building relationships, creating the environments where the next generation encounters the love of God. And too often, they're doing it alone.

So we want to experiment with something:

Communities of Practice for Next Generation Ministries.

But here's where the story gets interesting.

While we were holding our listening sessions and developing this initiative, The Presbyterian Church in Canada started its own community of practice for ministry leaders serving the next generation. It’s called Christian Education Exchange. This arose organically… with people like Jessica Foy and Spencer Edwards recognizing the same need we were hearing about and deciding to do something about it.

We see this as a gift, not competition. Our role at the Centre for Lifelong Learning isn't to duplicate what's already happening… it's to amplify, resource, and expand what's emerging.

We want to come alongside the good work that's already begun and ask:
How can we help?
What do you need?
What would make this sustainable?

Here's what we're dreaming that we might build together - and as I mentioned last week, our Innovation Animator, Heather Powers will be taking the lead on this initiative:

A Collaborative Network
Connecting ministry leaders who work with children, youth, young adults, families, and camping ministries. Breaking down the silos. Creating space for people to find each other across geography and ministry context.

Professional Development That Actually Fits
Not generic leadership training, but resources tailored to the unique challenges of next generation ministry. Created by practitioners, for practitioners.

A Resource Laboratory
A space where leaders can share what's working, develop new approaches together, and pilot innovations that can spread to other contexts.

Support for University Chaplaincies
This wasn't in our original grant application, but it's an area we're committed to focusing on. University and college chaplains occupy a unique and often overlooked space in ministry. Most Christian denominations have walked away from these dedicated ministry leaders with funding cuts over the last few decades that have left “ecumenical chaplaincies” with denominational labels without the undergirding support that would enliven“naming rights” (for lack of a better expression.) University chaplains are present at a critical moment in young people's faith journeys, but are frequently isolated from both congregational structures and peer support. We want to change that.

Mentorship Connections
One person in our listening sessions pointed out how valuable this could be for people new to ministry who don't have years of practice yet. Connecting emerging leaders with experienced mentors who can guide them through the learning curve could be transformational.

Why does this matter?

Because when leaders are connected, ministries thrive. When resources are shared, impact multiplies. And when we bridge generations… when we actually invest in the people doing the work of faith formation… the entire church is transformed.

This work requires investment. It requires people. It requires the church to put resources behind its stated commitment to the next generation.

We can't do everything.
But we can do something.
And we can do it better together.

Are you a next generation ministry leader? Or do you know someone who is?

If you're working with children, youth, young adults, families, camping ministries, or university chaplaincy — we want to hear from you.

What would actually help?
What connections do you need?
What resources would make a difference?

Send us an email
Tell me your story.

Because you matter.
Your ministry matters.
And the young people you're serving? They matter too.

And if you know someone serving in this ministry… please share this email with them and invite them to join our community and reach out to us.