What does the NALC offer in the way of children’s, youth and/or family ministry?
The NALC Youth and Family Ministry Task Force has identified three cornerstones and focus areas to resource congregations locally. Each congregation is provided free access to resources, networking and coaching on these cornerstones and focus areas as well as on all topics related to children’s, youth and/or family ministry.
How do we get connected?
Contact [email protected]. Mention your name, church name, town and state and any specific questions/thoughts you may have. You will soon be contacted with opportunities for resources, networking and coaching.
The Cornerstones of Youth and Family Ministry in the NALC
Safeguarding
Unfortunately, issues of sexual misconduct happen far too often in American churches.
Church Mutual, the largest congregational insurance provider, received about 100 sexual misconduct claims in 2007. By 2014, Church Mutual received an average of five sexual misconduct claims per week from customer congregations. That is over 200 claims a year from just one insurance company, more than double the number of claims in 2007. And that number continues to increase.
Safeguarding children and youth in a church setting is a real issue that needs direct and specific attention.
Most states have laws on the books that churches are required to follow, and most insurance carriers have specific recommendations when it comes to safeguarding children and youth.
This can be a complicated subject. The NALC is here to help. Contact [email protected] and mention that you are interested in developing or reviewing your Safeguarding documents. Someone will walk you through the process.
Outcome Based Youth Ministry
Outcome Based Youth Ministry is a long-term strategic design for equipping children and youth with the necessary faith skills to live out their personal calling in life. It fulfills the biblical mandate of church leaders found in Ephesians 4:12, to equip its members to do the work of the Church and build up the Body of Christ.
The NALC offers opportunity for churches to receive coaching towards creating an outcome-based vision for future ministry to young people. The intention is to design a results oriented ministry by identifying key aspects and concepts based around the areas of spiritual disciplines, faith growth, personal development and people skills.
Interested in knowing more? Send an email to [email protected] and mention that you wish to know more about developing an outcome based ministry in your congregation.
Immersing Children and Youth in the Life and Mission of the Church
The NALC values immersing children and youth in the life and mission of the church through active participation. The hope is that churches will have a healthy balance of age-based programming and interest-based ministry.
Involving young people in interest based ministries transcends the typical problems many churches have with transitioning young people from one age group to another.
Interest-based ministry often leads to involving young people in meaningful service projects and intergenerational faith formation, a concept we call “Faith Webbing.” Connecting young people to the life and mission of the church through intergenerational relationships helps keep them involved in church and faith through their grade school years and beyond.
Resources
The North American Lutheran Church (NALC) is entered into an agreement with faithwebbing.com to provide children, youth, and family ministry consultation for NALC congregations.
Faithwebbing.com is a congregational youth and family consultation ministry offered by youth staff of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grove City, Ohio.