Youth Culture

Start a Conversation About…Suicide

by Kristin Schmidt | May 18, 2022 | Conversation, Free Resources, Spring 2022, Talk Sheets, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture | 0

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.

Can we be Instagram Friends? How Social Media has Changed Relational Youth Ministry

by Sarah Dibbern | Feb 7, 2022 | Pop Culture, Seven Practices, Supportive Adults, Winter 2021, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture | 0

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.

Flexibility in the Face of Adversity

by Heather Hardecopf | Jan 21, 2022 | Doing Ministry, Winter 2021, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture, Youth Ministry Theory | 0

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?

What Teen Leaders Want Adult Leaders to Know

by Julianna Shults | Aug 26, 2021 | Doing Ministry, Fall 2021, Seven Practices, Student Leadership, Summer 2021, Supportive Adults, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture | 0

During the 2021 National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference, we asked our YouthLead participants what they wanted the adult leaders in their Youth Ministry to know. These were some of their responses. We are so grateful for how God is working through amazing teens in our congregation.

Keep it Together!: Nurturing and Maintaining Connections with Youth

by Kristin Schmidt | Oct 19, 2020 | 2020 Resources, Doing Ministry, Practical Youth Ministry, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture | 0

When working with young people, building trust and maintaining connections are always essential components of youth ministry. Teenagers need those solid relational dynamics now more than ever, as the challenges of Covid-19 have in many ways forced separation from peers. It is essential to demonstrate genuine concern and to create a sense of encouraging warmth for students struggling in the turbulent uncertainty of daily life.

Connected but Alone: Navigating the Curse of Social Media

by Cassie Moore | Oct 5, 2020 | 2020 Resources, Doing Ministry, Practical Youth Ministry, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture | 0

Social media is both a blessing and a curse. It connects us and opens doors, but can create problems, quietly destroy people, and isolate us. As we seek to help young people navigate through the quagmire of social media, we must be mindful that perspective is key. We can use social media as a tool to connect us to each other and to the Gospel.

Starting a Conversation about…Racism

by Julianna Shults | Jun 26, 2020 | 2020 Resources, Conversation, Free Resources, Hot Topics, Talk Sheets, Youth & Culture, Youth Culture | 0

One of the end goals of youth ministry that we list is that young people and the church embrace and value the diversity of ethnicity, language, and culture in God’s creation. It’s important to address issues of race and racism with your youth.