PD 2012: Opportunity or Despair? Youth Ministry at the Crossroads
The Practice Discipleship Initiative launched in 2011-2012, in partnership with the ELCA Youth Gathering. The training sessions are strictly geared for general training in Lutheran theology, youth ministry theory and practices, although references may be included in regards to the ELCA Youth Gathering. Special thanks to Youth Leadership and EveryDay LLC/Peer Ministry Leadership for their permission to include portions of their training curriculum in these training sessions. Also, thank you to the writing team of Dr. Terri Elton (Luther Seminary) Tiger McLuen (Youth Leadership) and Dr. Jeremy Myers (Augsburg College) for their collective work on these materials.
Opportunity or Despair: Youth Ministry at the Crossroads Dr. Terri Elton, Luther Seminary The landscape of youth ministry has changed. Studies show that while the majority of young people believe in God, 92% hold a watered down version of faith that does not inform their daily lives. This session looks at what young people believe, and effective ways to pass on transformative faith.
Youth Ministry Events as Faith Formation: Part 1 - Planning Events Shivon Miller, Trinity Lutheran Church, Duluth, MN We know that faith is passed on best through relationships. At the same time, we know that events – when done well – are effective tools in helping to build relationships and provide opportunities for meaningful faith conversations. This 3 part training series will give adult leaders a framework in which to plan, prepare and implement events that deepen faith.
Youth Ministry Events as Faith Formation: Part 2: Going Deeper and Preparing Your Group for an Event Heather Hansen, Texas Lutheran University Topics in this training session include: Planning with a purpose, Logistics for planning events of all types; release forms/consent/paperwork, and crisis management.
Youth Ministry Events as Faith Formation: Part 3: Processing Events and Connecting them to Daily Life Heather Hansen, Texas Lutheran University Topics in this training session include: Processing the Experience, Connecting Events and Experiences to Daily Life and Managing a Group During an Event.
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Lutheran Theology: God at Work in the World
Dr. Jeremy Myers, Augsburg College
This lesson will present participants with a handful of ideas that are central to Lutheran Theology. These ideas will help the participants interpret and understand their experiences in a particular way. They will also help participants in assisting students in the interpretive process of their own experiences; helping them articulate God’s presence and activity in a way that (we think) gives faithful witness to how God works in the world.
Lutheran Theology: How Lutherans Read the Bible
Dr. Jeremy Myers, Augsburg College
No. This is not an oxymoron. Lutherans actually do read the Bible and they often read it in a particular way. This workshop will introduce you to the various ways the Bible is often interpreted and will lay out for you the tools or concepts Lutherans have used for many years while interpreting scripture.
Your Role as Leader Dr. Terri Elton, Luther Seminary Have you ever wondered what it means to be a "leader" in ministry? Then this training is for you. Centered on the idea of servant leadership, this session will note the necessary dance of leading - a dance between joining God's work in the world and the importance of using our gifts and skills. In addition to outlining three important aspects of servant leaders, participants will learn about three clusters of skills needed in ministry and have the opportunity to evaluate their own abilities in each area. (handout is included in the curriculum)
Strategic Planning Tiger McLuen, Youth Leadership This session will help you think more clearly about the goals of effective youth ministry. We want to help you get past just having some good intentions for your programs. This will help move you past the busyness of your schedule to some clear plans that will keep you motivated in ministry. We will give you time to talk about your dreams, visions and goals for ministry. (handout is included in the curriculum)
Leading a Small Group Tiger McLuen, Youth Leadership Small group leadership is a key part of most youth ministry roles but, we often feel unprepared for the task. Leading a small group is not easy, but everyone can learn to do it well. We won’t guarantee that your middle school boys will love every small group, but this session will introduce the basic ideas and skills necessary for leading a small group. (handout is included in the curriculum)
Faith Conversations Tiger McLuen, Youth Leadership Sharing your faith story is an essential part of your role as a leader yet this is usually a tough area for many people in the church. This session will introduce the basic ideas and skills necessary for having a natural, relational conversation about faith and life. We will admit our fears and find a way to speak about faith and life in real conversations with students. (handout is included in the curriculum)
Planning for the Unexpected Tiger McLuen, Youth Leadership There are always surprises in youth ministry, and this session will discuss this reality. Even with great planning, events with teenagers almost always involve surprises. What is the role of a caring adult in the midst of these surprises and how do we stay focused on a loving environment and discipleship in the midst of the surprise?
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