Attempts at Authenticity in Youth Ministry - Guest Post from Sara Traficante
The kiddos in our churches grow into teenagers, and transitioning from children’s programs is not always smooth. What are the teens to do on Sunday mornings? Although we include frequent intergenerational experiences at my church, there is not always an obvious fit as teens move into high school. Some join the choir or the livestream team, others become assistants in the Sunday school, and a few float in just on time for coffee and cookies.
Resources for Engaging Younger Generations
The Ministry Forum Resource Hub is designed to equip churches with practical tools to support you in your ministry context. Here are a few resources we think could be helpful as we consider young people, faith development and the future of the church…
The Next Generation and Faith: What Are Today’s Youth Searching For?
For years statistics have pointed to declining church attendance and fewer young adults pursuing ministry. At the same time, new research suggests that Gen Z (born 1997–2012) is not necessarily rejecting faith itself. Instead, they are redefining it, reshaping their spiritual lives in ways that don’t always fit neatly into traditional religious categories.
So what does this mean for churches and faith communities in Canada? How do we listen to and learn from this generation? And perhaps most importantly, how do we create space for conversations about faith that reflect the realities of young people today?
A Digital Detox for Advent: Rediscovering Presence in a Screen-Saturated World
As ministry leaders, we often find ourselves at the center of a paradox. We strive to create spaces of connection and reflection, yet we too are vulnerable to the relentless pull of screens and notifications. Our congregations and youth—perhaps even we ourselves—may be longing for a reprieve from the constant hum of digital distraction. What better time to embrace a digital detox than during the season of Advent, a season that calls us to quiet expectation, intentional preparation, and deep reflection?
Advent, the season of waiting for the Light of Christ, invites us to slow down, to make space for what truly matters. It is an ideal time to step away from the noise of the digital world and foster meaningful connections with God, one another, and ourselves.
Bible in a Minute - Riverside Church NYC
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Featured Resource: Growing Young
An overview of Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church
Voices on Gen-Z and the Church
Recently, we completed our second Capstone project with some students who attend a Christian University. Their project was to assess the spiritual needs of Gen Z (those born between 1996 and 2010). We specifically asked these Gen Z students to do this work because they often don’t get a chance to research (speak for) themselves but lots of research is done on this particular generation.
Children Ministry: Resources and Curriculum
A round up of Children and Youth ministry curriculums and resources for all different contexts.
Children & Youth Ministry: Embracing Change and Community
Let’s dig into the evolving landscape of Children's Ministry, exploring innovative approaches to engage young minds beyond traditional crafts and pageants. It discusses the importance of integrating children into the wider church life through family worship and community events. In this post we highlight successful examples of churches engaging young people and the larger community.
Featured Resource: Dandelion Marketplace
An overview of a helpful resource: Dandelion Marketplace - a platform that provides progressive spiritual formation content for families and communities.
Bible in a Minute - Riverside Church NYC
1,189 daily videos, all 1 minute in length detailing each chapter of the Bible… one day at a time!
Spiritual Disciplines for Families
A round up of resources to help foster family faith formation and spiritual disciplines.