What Makes Your Youths’ Spirits SOAR? An Multisensory Focus Group on Youth Faith Formation

1. 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

2. What Is This About? • Christian Faith Formation • Christian/Religious Education • Discipleship • Spiritual Formation • Christian/Faith Development

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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!)

8. Conclusions • Anything else? THANK YOU!!! 