Helping young people belong
When Grow Ministries began we developed ten guiding principles. They help to guide our efforts in creating effective practices that support our ministry to children, young people and their families. We refer to this as intergenerational ministry, as it requires the efforts of all generations and brings benefits to all generations.
Do not be overwhelmed by this list or feel like you need to do everything. Rather look at it as a list of colours that will be woven together in an intergenerational tapestry.
Or perhaps it is a menu, a menu of opportunities. Think about how God has gifted you and how you could serve a young person in your congregation, family or community.
A great place to start is simply getting to know one person a little better. Offer to help at youth events, or invite a young person to visit your small group. Ask them to share about how God is working in their lives and be prepared to share with them too. Become a prayer partner or a pen pal with a young person.
Leadership: When introducing any new way of thinking about doing ministry, we need the support and understanding of the leaders of our homes and congregations. This means sharing the vision with your pastor, church council members and parents.
Intergenerational: Find ways for the different generations to come together for intentional interaction. The sharing of stories of faith and life experiences is beneficial for all generations. This creates a shared understanding of the social, cultural and ministry needs of the different generations. Being intergenerational helps to build a sense of belonging to the community. This could take place in a small group setting, through service activities, or through a mentoring program.
Faith at Home: Relationships with members of the congregation are important, but parents and grandparents are the most important influences on a child’s faith. Practising faith at home by developing faith rituals and creating a space for caring conversations is important. Share how you have seen God working in your life each day. This helps to give children and young people a faith language. It gives them the confidence to live each day as children of God in the world.
Mentoring: This is an opportunity to walk alongside a younger person, perhaps with similar interests as you. A place to share your wisdom and faith either in an informal way or as part of a formal mentoring program.
Lifelong Faith Formation: When we understand that we are all on a lifelong journey of faith formation, it helps us to realise that we do not need to teach children and young people everything about the Christian life before they finish high school. Rather, help them build a network of relationships that will continue beyond graduation. Provide a range of opportunities to learn alongside others including adults.
Peer Relationships: While encouraging intergenerational relationships is key in developing lifelong faith formation and building belonging, equally important is providing a space for children and young people to learn and dialogue with their peers. However, it is important to provide mentoring and adult support to these ministries. Opportunities for adults to serve in these ministries could be as small group leaders, welcoming people to worship or providing hospitality.
Personal Crisis: People of all ages will go through tough periods from time to time. This is also true for children and young people. They will experience times of grief and loss or perhaps a time of high stress or anxiety. During these times, they need to know their church family cares for them and is willing to provide support for them and their family. Think of ways your congregation could offer support to young people, it might be as simple as sending a card to offer encouragement and prayer.
Gifts and Talents: Providing opportunities to serve within our communities is one of the most profound ways to build community and belonging and this true is for children, young people and adults alike. Invite young people to get involved alongside experienced volunteers. Tasks such as helping with hospitality, serving communion, welcoming or involvement in your music ministry.
Acts of Service: Providing opportunities within congregational life is important, but inviting families to be involved in serving in their local community alongside their church family can be life-changing. This is not always easy to accommodate due to school and family commitments. The key to success is to think creatively and consult with families. For example; your congregation could be involved in your local community’s weekend market, or Clean Up Australia Day.
Missional: In everything, we do we need to always be thinking about how we are equipping each other for the work of God’s mission in our community. Equipping young people for this task and taking them on the journey with us is important too.
May God bless us as we continue to be faithful servants of God’s mission in this world.
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ | Matthew 28:19-20
Jodi Brook – Director, Grow Ministries
If you would like to learn more about the work of Grow Ministries or our guiding principles, you can find out about them HERE. You can also contact the team at Grow Ministries by emailing growministries@lca.org.au and a member of our team will contact you.
