So often our churches segment children’s ministry and youth ministry as if they were unrelated to each other and to the larger ministry of the church. The Rev. Caroline Ainsworth-Hughes and Rev. Dr. Jill Olds invite leaders to take a wholistic view and discuss ways to join the programming we do with children to those programs offered to older youth and locate ways to integrate both into the life of the church. Watch these short videos and consider the “Questions for Reflection.”
Children and Youth Coming Together (3 minute video – click to access)
Questions for Reflection:
- What is your biggest reason for wanting to combine your children and youth ministries?
- What would be the gifts that come out of combining your children and youth ministries?
- What challenges or hurdles do you think you’d encounter in making this shift?
- How would you avoid creating unidirectional relationships between the young people in this ministry?
First Steps in Integrating Children and Youth Ministries (4 minute video – click to access)
Questions for Reflection:
- Who are the stakeholders in your context?
- Think about who needs to buy-into and support this vision. What steps will you need to take to present the vision and gather ongoing support? Who will be the members of your ministry team?
- What is one small step you can take to get your community to show up in this new way?
Questions for Reflection:
- Where is intergenerational ministry already happening in your context? Is there a natural opportunity to raise up children and youth leadership in that area?
- How many children and/or youth are regularly participating in the life of your church? What are the traditions, opportunities or programs that they are currently engaging with and how might you lean into these in a new way?
How to Program with an Integrated Approach (7 minute video – click to access)
Questions for Reflection:
- How will you think about, plan and anticipate the differences in the age range of young people in your ministry and how that will allow them to engage with programming and content?
- What are ways you can imagine to engage your youth by interest, not just by age? How will you allow them to opt in based on their gifts and identity?
Somebodying Our Children and Youth (5 minute video – click to access)
Questions for Reflection:
- What are the ways in which you engage with your young people that helps them to feel seen and valued for who they are? How do you help them connect being “somebody” that God sees and loves?
- How are you encouraging your young people to then see and celebrate others as “somebody” of value?
Watch the full webinar, “Connecting and Integrating Children’s and Youth Ministry Across the Church”