network definition of youth and family ministry

A Definition of Youth and Family Ministry

renew…educate…connect…

The Vision Project

Calling for a national dialog

Effective Youth & Family Ministry in the ELCA is…

1. Discipleship 2. Baptismal3. Grounded 4. Excellence5. Welcoming6. Generational7. Advocacy8. Congregational9. Connected10. Partnering


1. Discipleship

Effective youth and family ministry is adults and young people walking alongside each other in relationship, as both grow and mature in faith in Christ.

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.”

- Hebrews 6:1


2. Baptismal

Effective youth and family ministry focuses on the promises of the God who calls us unconditionally into the relationship begun when we are claimed in the waters of baptism and lived out in the calling of our vocation.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. “

- 1 Peter 2:9


3. Grounded

The Lutheran Biblical understanding of God’s love and grace is one that young people and families desperately need to hear.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing but is a gift from God.”

-Ephesians 2:8


4. Excellence

Young people deserve nothing but the best from the church.

Freed by grace, we strive for excellence as our standard…

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them…”

-Matthew 19:14


5. Welcoming

God’s message of grace is for all. The work of the church is to welcome all into communities of grace without exception.

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

- Ephesians 4:4-6


6. Generational

Faith is formed by the power of Holy Spirit in caring relationships between the generations.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

- Hebrews 12:1


7. Advocacy

Youth and family ministry speaks on behalf of young people and families within the church, the community and the world, and encourages people to claim their role in the priesthood of all believers.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

-Matthew 25:40


8. Congregational

Effective youth and family ministry happens at a congregational level. All churchwide and synodical structures exist to strengthen the ministry of the congregational community.

“ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…”

- Hebrews 10:24-25a


9. Connected

Transformational ministry with young people connects their faith with the culture in which we live, and the world around us. Youth ministry leaders walk alongside young people as they use their faith to navigate the culture and serve in the world.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

- Mark 16:15


10. Partnering

Effective youth and family ministry recognizes, lifts up and utilizes the gifts of the whole church.

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

-Ephesians 4:16


1. Discipleship 2. Baptismal3. Grounded 4. Excellence5. Welcoming6. Generational7. Advocacy8. Congregational9. Connected10. Partnering

renew…educate…connect…

network definition of youth and family ministry

Spiritual