What Makes Your Youths’ Spirits SOAR?

An Multisensory Focus Group on Youth Faith Formation

NYE 2012

Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi,

Minister for Christian Faith Formation Research

What Is This About?

Christian Faith Formation

Christian/Religious Education

Discipleship

Spiritual Formation

Christian/Faith Development

Question 1 In your opinion, which of the following have been most formational for your

youth in the last year? (Choose all that apply.) Worship

Sermons

Bible studies

Choir/hymn singing

Youth Group

Seasonal/topical studies

Book group

Prayer group

Mentoring/spiritual direction

Social/peer groups (within church)

Activity groups (church sports teams, craft groups, etc.)

Service/mission opportunities

Social justice/peace activism

Conference/Association-sponsored workshops, trainings, or events

Camps

Home/family-based reflection time

Intergenerational programs

Online/internet-based resources (blogs, social media, online studies, etc.)

Other (specify)

Question 2 What do you believe your youth most desire to learn about? (Choose up

to FIVE responses.) How to practice their faith in everyday life

How to manage struggles and difficult times using tools from their faith

How to better understand the truths of the Bible and directly apply them to their lives

Social justice issues and how they can be agents of witness and transformation in the world

The deep history of the UCC and the stories that have shaped our denominational identity

The practices of other Christian traditions and how they inform their own faith

The practices of other religious traditions and how they inform their own faith

How to better relate with others across cultural and other differences

How to express their faith to their families

Ways of expressing their faith through creative means (art, dance, music, etc.)

Theological and practical knowledge and skills in preparation for lay leadership and ministry

Theological and practical knowledge and skills in preparation for ordained or licensed ministry

Other (specify)

Question 3 What currently prevents your youth from taking part in

formation experiences in your local church (Choose all that apply.) Nothing—They are able to take part in most formation experiences

Time—They have other competing demands for their time that do not allow them to participate in these activities

Scheduling conflicts—The formation experiences offered at the church conflict with other priorities

Interest—The types of programs offered at the church do not appeal to their interests

Availability—There are no/few formational opportunities at their church

Format—The format of the programs offered at their church do not appeal to them

Inclusivity—The programs offered at the church are not fully inclusive to individuals with their particular identities or backgrounds

Teachers—They do not prefer the styles or methods of the facilitators/leaders

Other (specify)

Question 4

What learning formats most appeal to the youth you work with? (Choose all that apply.)

Discussion groups

Internet/social media

Lectures/seminars

Individual study

Sensory/”hands on” experiences

Retreats

Social/support groups

Workshops/trainings

Other (specify)

Question 5

What activity/resource/strategy has been the most useful in your ministry with youth and why? (Respond to this question online and you might win a prize!)

Conclusions

Anything else?

THANK YOU!!!