We Heard You: Youth and Family Engagement
Last summer and fall, through several phases of listening, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod sought to gain insights on how congregations and leaders wish to be equipped, provide insights into why synod ministries exist, and ensure that synod ministries are responsive to our people in this changing time.
Major Themes
We learned that congregations of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod bring vastly different perspectives and experiences to this process. The following themes emerged, some touting them as areas of strength and excitement and others sharing them as areas of concern.
- Youth and Family Engagement
- Worship/Spiritual Growth
- Community Outreach and Service
- Staffing
- Volunteerism
- Finances
- Internal Relationships
For the next six weeks we will share findings, interpretations, and critical questions around each of these areas.
This Week: Youth and Family Engagement
Findings
No area excites or concerns congregations more than the engagement of children, youth, and young families. This showed up in nearly every question asked in both the survey and the listening sessions. Confirmation and Sunday School appeared as two top congregational priorities.
Congregations with active and engaged young people see their ministry as ‘successful.’ Those without them identify it as one of their greatest concerns for the future.
Interpretation
Holding ‘youth and family engagement’ as THE pivotal issue between ‘successful’ and ‘struggling’ congregations does not serve the church well.
Congregations find themselves in vastly different contexts. Some communities abound in young families, with their schools needing to build larger facilities to house them. It makes sense that congregations in these communities place a large emphasis on engaging the young people of their communities.
Other congregations face demographic shifts leading to an aging population, with schools consolidating due to declining enrollment. No matter how much energy these congregations put into engaging young people, the reality is that they have few young people in their neighborhoods. That does not mean that they should abandon their efforts. It simply provides a reality check for the expected results.
Engaging with younger generations means something different now than it did 20 years ago. Our culture has changed and the old methods don’t have the same impact. This is the story in congregations across America. Congregations with a desire to engage with them must be open to new ministry experiments.
Many congregations engage in vibrant ministry without active children/youth ministries.
Critical Questions
Where does/should children and youth ministry fit into a congregation’s mission?
Why does a congregation desire to engage young families?
- Is the goal to help young people grow in faith?
- It is to bring back memories of days when congregations had many young people?
- It is to keep the church open?
Click here for more information on the whole Synod Listening Process Summary.
The synod's leadership is committed to listening to you! This listening process was guided by Pr. Pete Reuss and the Synod Generosity Team. Interpretations were made by Pr. Pete Reuss.
For any questions or follow up please contact:
Pr. Pete Reuss, Synod Storytelling and Generosity
pete.reuss@swmnelca.org
Bishop Dee Pederson
dee.pederson@swmnelca.org
