Youth Ministry in an Era of Pandemic and Over-Parenting is an online event hosted by The Institute for Youth Ministry, featuring Dr. Andrew Root on Oct. 18, 7-8:30 p.m. Youth workers know what it is to watch parents and youth participate in multiple activities, even in a season when many organizations have adapted their activities to a digital space. Most families say that they have limited time for connecting to their youth ministry or youth group. This happens even when parent(s) (and youth) express a desire to participate. A parent might even say, “Sorry, we haven’t gotten her to youth group in the last six months, it’s just that gymnastics is kind of her thing; it’s really who she is.” This can be frustrating for youth workers. Some respond by contending that youth ministry needs to up the commitment level and move higher up the ranking of things. In this presentation, we will together explore how this approach does not work, because the decisions parents and young people make exist inside very deep conceptions of what makes for a good life. With limited time and unlimited options, youth ministry can’t — and, as Root will show, shouldn’t — compete in ranking of important activities. Find out more and register

Learn more about living into this part of the vision with the Learning Ministries Office. 

Learn how one pastor is offering a listening presence to encourage vulnerable populations to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. He has created a handbook that can help other congregations do the same. https://www.umnews.org/en/news/handbook-aims-to-reach-unvaccinated-with-compassion

Learn more about living into this part of the vision with the Influencing Ministries Office.