Youth & Culture
Supporting Youth When the Church Gets It Wrong
How do we continue to tell students that Jesus is good when the Church that purports to espouse His teachings, hurts people? Youth leaders should be prepared for responding when young people are faced with sin within their congregation and the larger church. This article helps leaders consider how they might do approach this difficult topic.
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2022 LCMS Youth and Adult Poll Executive Summary
The Lutheran Youth and Adult Poll (formerly known as the Lutheran Youth Fellowship Poll) has been conducted every three years at LCMS Youth Gatherings since the 1980s. The executive summary seeks to highlight the most important findings from the 2022 poll.
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Starting a Conversation about…School Violence
The rise, and shocking normalcy, of school violence in our lifetimes brings about difficult questions. This conversation guide on school violence helps us to point teens to the Gospel, an important task since the majority of teens report that school stress is a significant source of stress.
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“Can’t Walk Away from Jesus”: Supporting Youth who are Wresting with Church Teachings
It can be difficult when youth express how questions and struggles with belief or with the church. It is worth the time and energy to walk alongside these youth as they ask questions. This article talks about how we can be those people in times when you are struggling with faith and the church.
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Connecting Youth Culture to Timeless Truth
Youth ministry means working to understand and appreciate youth culture. Heather discusses why it is important to listen and care for teens as you share with them the Gospel of Jesus.
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Start a Conversation About…Suicide
Suicide is not easy to talk about, but it is necessary. It is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-24, and the rate of suicide in that age group has increased by 60% since 2007. This conversation starter sheet can help you approach the difficult conversation around suicide and supporting those who are struggling with mental health.
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A Hope that Endures: Developing Resiliency in Teens
Now more than ever our children need to develop resiliency skills as they face the after-effects of the pandemic as well as the ongoing repercussions of social and political unrest. In Youth Ministry we can help them to identify their feelings and see where God is with them and working in them to develop endurance, hope and resiliency.
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Where You Belong: Talking to Youth about Coming Back to Church
As we adjust to the new normal after the pandemic, we can see fewer people in our pews. So, what do we do to get people, especially young people, back in church? This article helps us think through some ways we can answer that question.
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Closer than a Brother: Healthy Christian Friendships that Encourage Faith Growth
Teens need friends to help them weather the stresses of adolescence, feel accepted, and grow spiritually. This article talks to youth workers about how to equip students with the tools necessary to build and maintain solid friend relationships, especially those that point back to Jesus.
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Can we be Instagram Friends? How Social Media has Changed Relational Youth Ministry
Youth leaders build relationship with young people in a variety of ways. One of the ways to meet youth where they are at is connecting over social media. This article helps youth leaders consider how to do that well.
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Loving Youth When Transitions Are Vulnerable
As youth leaders, we know that transitions can be vulnerable. We should not be passively waiting on the other side of the transition, the new phase of life, hoping that they make through with their faith. This article talks about how to walk with them through the valley, through the newness, through the changes and connect them to the God who does not change, who is always faithful.
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Flexibility in the Face of Adversity
Since March of 2020, COVID has drastically changed how Christians around the world see things. We can trust that through faith, God gives us the character and flexibility to not only face change but to allow it produce strength and hope that does not break. In this article we look at how to help youth face of change and adversity while maintaining our faith and integrity?
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