Gen/Z: The Blog

I wrote the first business plan for this non-profit work eight years ago, on February 2, 2013.

It was Groundhog Day! This was the first sentence I wrote:

"This document will outline the goal of establishing a non-profit organization to educate and train youth ministers in the Midwest."

We accomplished this objective within 18 months of that first draft. We changed our name and expanded our services in the years that followed, partnering with 100 congregations to share coaching, consulting, and instruction. We published 50 articles on our blogs, mostly about ministry during the pandemic.

MLI specializes in youth and children's ministry training, adaptive leadership coaching, and church consulting.

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It’s mid-winter! In youth ministry, that’s usually when we schedule Confirmation. Sure, things are different this year. Many churches are holding smaller in-person events while keeping an online worship option. What does that mean for scheduling a Confirmation class? Consider some of the teaching and learning options shared in this blog post, including video use, small groups, mentors, and other resources.

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Luke 1:46–55

Here is the mother of Jesus, happily singing about how great God is and how faithful she is… and then a teenage soon-to-be mother having a child out of wedlock (the shame!!) quietly starts the revolution. When I read this text, I wonder if Mary was influencing Jesus from an early age. We tend to think that Jesus and the Holy Spirit conferred on the scope and character of his ministry.

But what if it was Mary putting these radical ideas into baby Jesus’ head?

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Well, COVID numbers are back up. The weather is getting colder. Rats. Youth ministry for many churches is now back online after meeting outside or in carefully-managed indoor gatherings. Why not host a virtual Christmas party with your youth or with your families? Consider playing “Bingo” or “Name that Christmas Tune” over Zoom (or other teleconferencing platform). Even children can participate.

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We had to adapt, and this is a system that works for us. What’s working for you? What is your plan for the rest of the year? If you’re meeting outdoors, how will you adapt to the changing weather? What other challenges and adaptations are you anticipating?

Adaptive solutions are complicated. Covid has forced all of us to consider adaptive solutions to difficult problems. This blog post discusses the difference between technical and adaptive challenges and solutions.

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Consider Joining a Youth and Children's Ministry Training Cohort on 9/14! Would your youth or children's minister be interested in joining an MLI instructional cohort? Newcomers are invited to try it out for little or no cost! We'll resume meeting on September 14-15 at Asbury UMC in the Kansas City area, using health and safety procedures. MLI offers quality theological education and practical ministry training.

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From Melissa Connell — I grew up in the church. Some people think that churches are creepy in the dark. Some people think that an empty church is haunting. Some people think that an empty church is a bad sign. I disagree. After all of the darkness I’ve experienced recently, I’ve found the place that I find the most hope for the future of our congregation. I find hope in an empty church.

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I had a really good conversation with a close friend this week. My friend and I talked about our own fears, our families, and especially how we talk about racial tension and injustice with our kids. Young people are watching these protests and looking for answers. MLI stands with the Black community in the fight for equality, peace, compassion, and Justice for All. Many of us will never understand the injustices being protested throughout our country. In this moment, we are challenged to listen. We are challenged to act.

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Now that we are settled in the midst of a “new normal” one constant has emerged across the landscape of all denominations: online worship. Some churches were streaming their services long before the quarantine. What was once a supplement to worship services has now become the only game in town. With that has come stress and frustration. It's time for some encouragement!

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