1.The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youthand Family MinistryTerri Martinson Elton, PhD

2. National Study of Youth and Religion 5 learnings 3. Teen are not rebellious about faith, rather they are open to religion Youth are not flocking to "alternative" religions andspiritualties and in fact the majority are connected to faithcommunities. 1/3 regular attenders, 1/3 connect, 1/3 not connected The vast majority of the teenagers identified themselves asChristian either Protestant or Catholic - or as Jewish orMormon. Yet, faith is not a viable or central element of their life. Only about 8 percent said faith was not important at all. 4. de facto creed Moralistic Therapeutic Deism A God exists who created and orders the world and watchesover human life on earth. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, astaught in the Bible and by most world religions. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good aboutoneself. God does not need to be particularly involved in ones lifeexcept when God is needed to resolve a problem. Good people go to heaven when they die. 5. Teens could not speak the secondlanguage of faith A vast majority of teens are "incredibly inarticulate abouttheir faith, their religious beliefs and practices. Faith is a second language and young people are notcatching the faith religions profess. In other words, faithcommunities were not passing on the faith in word and deed. Learning the language of faith will require, among otherthings, being immersed in a culture where the faith is spokenin the present tense and where it is practiced being spoken. 6. Parents are important Three out of four religious teens consider their own beliefssomewhat or very similar to those of their parents. Parents, whether they know it or not and like it or not, theyare in fact always socializing youth about religion. It is not whether or not parents are passing on faith, but whatfaith/beliefs parents are passing on! 7. a significant minority Yet, for a small percentage (8% of teen where religion was important)of young people faith was not wallpaper, but an active, integratedpart of their lives. 8. Religious SocializationChristian Smith saysThe form, content, and intensity of religioussocialization are crucial in shaping the religious outcomes of those being socialized.And since most of the broader Americansociety is not in the business of direct religioussocialization, this task inevitably falls almostentirely to two main social entities. 9. Religious SocializationFirst are individuals family households, where parents predictably do the primary socializing. Souls in Transition, 286 10. Religious SocializationSecond are individual religious congregations, where other adults can exert socializing influences on youthIf formation does not happen there, it will with rare exception not happen anywhere.Souls in Transition, 286 11. Exemplary Youth Ministry Study 12. Its aboutnurturing faith 13. 7 aspects of matureChristian faith Seeks Spiritual Growth Possesses a Vital Faith Practices Faith Makes the Christian Faith a Way of Life Lives a Life of Service Exercises Moral Responsibility Possesses a Positive Spirit 14. #1 influencer of spirituallife in a young personis their parent! 15. #2most important factor in fostering faithfulyoung person is an intergenerational community of faith! 16. #3 influencer of spirituallife in a young personare their peers! 17. 3 particular aspectsin congregations Particular Theology Sense of the Presence and Activity of a Living God Emphasis on Spiritual Growth, Discipleship and Vocation Promote Outreach and Mission Particular Qualities of Ministry Reflect Congregational Priority and Support for Youth Ministry Foster Significant Relationships and a Sense of Community Develop Committed Competent Leadership Particular Ministry Practices Focus on Household or Families Common Effective Youth Ministry Practices Custom Designed, Integrated Approaches to Youth Ministry 18. 44 4assetswithinareas Congregational18 Assets Age-Specific6 Ministry Assets Leadership15 Assets 5 FamilyAssets 19. Leadership Findings from the ExemplaryStudy . #1 Youth Minister was the Sr. Pastor/Solo Pastor Leadership within Youth Ministry matters! Everyone in the congregation is a youth minister Youth are involved in leadership within the congregation The Youth Ministry culture leads the overall congregationalministry culture 20. Leadership matters! Pastoral leadership Matters! Youth Ministry Leadership Matters! Involving Youth in Leadership matters! 21. Exemplary Youth Ministry StudyPublic Christian Leaders Have a personal and vibrant faith Value the faith formation of young people Are competent and skilled Equip, mentor and train others Are communal in their leadership style relational and team-oriented 22. Exemplary Youth Ministry StudyLeadership Assets Leadership of Pastor: spiritual influence, interpersonalcompetence, supports youth ministry, and supports leaders Leadership of Youth Minister: provides competent leadership, modelsfaith, mentors faith life, develops teams, knows youth, and establisheseffective relationships Youth and Adult Leadership: equip for peer ministry, establish adult-youth mentoring, participate in training, possess vibrant faith, andcompetent adult volunteers 23. Share What did you hear? What was troubling? What is hopeful? 24. Bad News Christian way of life is no longer the normFaith communities are not passing on the faithWorld isnt going to pass on the faithchurch language is not familiar to most 25. Good News Youth are open to faith and religionYouth are open to parents and significant adultsActions are importantIts time to be creative and discover new ways 26. Its aboutnurturing faith 27. Its aboutthe spirit and culture of a congregation 28. Exemplary Youth Ministry StudyCongregational The Sweet Spot!AssetsAge-SpecificMinistry Assets LeadershipAssets FamilyAssetswww.exemplarym.org 29. Vibrant faith that is integrated into thelives ofthe next generation! What is at stake? What does that mean personally? for congregations? for the church-at-large? Can congregations reclaim the focus on discipleship? Are we, congregations, willing to change? What are we, congregations, willing to let go of forthe sake of being faithful to our calling to pass onfaith to the next generation? 30. Things you can do today to nurturemature Christian faith in young people Grow spiritually yourself Making faith for you matters - itscontagious Engage in faith practices and invite young people to join you! Use God language put God talk into your conversations, both inchurch and in the world and let young people overhear you. Make time for young people in your life notice them, talk withthem. Care about the parents and families of young people. Engage in conversations with young people about things thatmatter and ask how faith intersects with those things. Foster the gifts and passions of young people and Give youth opportunities to lead. Serve and invite young people to serve as well. Pray for young people and with young people See the potential in young people and invite their imagination.