Image

The world is changing. 

Stay up to date on the latest research, resources, and reflections exploring how to cultivate Christian faith in the 21st century. 

More Posts


Mar. 07, 2012

The Hunger Games: A Guide for Discussion by David Lose

See an overview and suggested study guide for The Hunger Games by David Lose. This is a great resource to talk about the book with teens and youth groups. related link: “…In the Meantime” blog by David Lose
Jan. 19, 2012

Congregational Resource for Todd Hobart’s Presentation

  In Todd Hobart’s video, he recommended churches do 2 things:1) Discern where you are as a church. Identify your particular context and the issues in your community. 2) Discern who you are as a group of people. Learn about the congregation and its strengths. Then, you can see how you fit into what God is doing in the world.
Jan. 17, 2012

Introducing AMP (All Metro Praise)…

“Collaborative Worship – an act of Stewardship”  Dave Scherer and Tony Fair give us a peek into the emerging All Metro Praise (AMP) worship experience partnering city and suburban churches in praising God together with ALL of our gifts.  The first AMP worship experience will be January 29th at Augsburg College.  All are welcome – so come! Where: Augsburg College,
Dec. 05, 2011

Mike King at Missional Church Consultation

“Thrive: Curating Environments for Vibrant Faith Communities” Mike King How do we move from being programmers who do events and programs that tend to create mere connections with adolescents, to youth workers who craft environments where young people inhabit transforming space and sustained Christian formation? Serving as a curator requires deep theological reflection and an inclusive posture, along with the
Dec. 01, 2011

Dr. Ryan Bolger at Missional Church Consultation

“Following Jesus in Participatory culture: Faithful Living in a World Mediated by technology” Dr. Ryan Bolger, Part 1 above  Click HERE for Part 2 Ryan Bolger examines how the social media revolution has reshaped daily life for those in the first third of life. In addition, he explores how these cultural changes impact churches. How might Christians pursue the reign
Dec. 01, 2011

Space to be Church: A Reflection on Ryan Bolger’s Presentation

By Sandy Troyan, MA Children, Youth and Family senior at Luther Seminary Conversation on the First Third of Life The conversation is alive, yet holds two dominate perspectives: – I am aware that the world around me is different. Things look different. People are different. And the very nature of our wants and needs are much different. – I am
Nov. 15, 2011

Missional Church Consultation on the First Third of Life

Dr. Terri Elton discusses the Missional Church and the First Third of Life How does the church remain faithful, while also being open and imaginative? The church finds itself at an important crossroads. Aspects of church are being questioned, new challenges are stressing current practices and old answers are not sufficient for current circumstances. In the midst of this reality,
Jul. 28, 2011

EYM Shifts by John Roberto

The Exemplary Youth Ministry Study results indicate that churches seeking to develop an effective formation focus make three distinctive shifts. SHIFT I They emphasize personal and community transformation understanding that, though programs are a necessary dimension of congregational life, they are a means toward an end and not the end itself. Christian formation is about turning believers into disciples of
Jul. 26, 2011

Dispelling Cultural Myths by Tim Coltvet

In Disconnected: Parenting Teens in a MySpace World, Chap and Dee Clark take on a popular cultural myth that, sadly, most of us in youth ministry buy hook, line, and sinker: simply, that teenage youth do not want to spend time with their parents. We often run into the smokescreen when recruitment for small groups comes around. We think, “I