Lessons in Family and Youth Ministry: What I Learned on the Road

by Samantha Neeb

From February 4-15, I had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States to learn more about what is happening in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in relation to family ministries.

“Sing, Pray and Keep His Ways” is an LCMS Worship Ministry initiative that is dedicated to helping congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod give faithful and purposeful attention to children in Lutheran worship. This initiative is all about nurturing the faith of children by encouraging their active participation in corporate worship in the Lutheran church.

The first cohort gathering took place at the International Center in St. Louis with church workers and lay leaders from twelve LCMS congregations coming together to share what their congregations are currently doing to encourage active participation of children in worship, and to start planning their pilot projects that will work to continue to nurture the children’s faith in worship.

Some of the ways that these congregations are currently encouraging active participation of children in worship are: children’s choirs, some with child accompaniment, using the art in the sanctuary to tell the Biblical narrative, using a journal and reading plan to continue conversation about what is shared in the Divine Service in the household, and bringing children into roles as acolytes and altar guild members.

As these congregations began to plan their pilot projects, some of the ideas shared were encouraging intergenerational connections through mentorship programs for young families, mentors for children wanting to serve as ushers, greeters, acolytes and altar guild members, and encouraging pew partners. With singing as a big part of Lutheran worship, ideas included starting a children’s bell choir, refining an early childhood music class for parents of infants and toddlers, and personal hymnals for the children. More ideas explored education for parents on how children can actively participate in worship and on the different parts of the Divine Service.

Participants were left with the important reminder that children already have a real, legitimate part in the Divine Service, and this project is looking to amplify that.

The Florida-Georgia District of the LCMS held their second Youth Worker Mini Conference in Orlando. DCE Julianna Shults, Program Manager for LCMS Youth Ministry, presented on the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry. These seven practices are not a program, but a part of the culture of the congregation. Congregations with these seven practices have: warmth, challenge and grace, supportive adults, engaged parents, and opportunities to serve and lead, and help all young people: deeply understand their baptismal faith, develop a resilient identity in Christ, and live out their unique vocation. For more information on these practices, visit the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com or read the book available through Concordia Publishing House.

This conference gave me a deeper understanding of these seven practices and provided me with an opportunity to meet and network with several church workers and lay leaders involved in youth ministry. This “mini” two half-days conference also gave me firsthand experience of this style, with the hope of creating something like it in Canada.

Best Practices for Ministry is a conference hosted annually by Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. This free conference reminds church workers and lay leaders that they are not alone. It provides an opportunity to learn what others are doing in their local contexts, network with individuals and organizations, and worship. I was one of about twenty Canadians there for the conference, including the whole team from Lutheran Association of Missionaries & Pilots (LAMP), and I had a chance to advertise the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada’s Lectionary Learning Pages, just by wearing a shirt! I attended sessions on faith conversations with college students, training up your child, volunteerism, using language for innovation, engaging parents, raising young leaders, seeing God’s presence in daily life, and podcasting. I was also able to make face-to-face connections with two pastors working in family discipleship that I had phone and video conversations with last fall.

If you’d like to learn more about what I learned at these events, please reach out. I would love the opportunity to pass along resources and information to you.

Dcn. Samantha Neeb

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