On the way home from a recent youth ministry trip, I sat next to my colleague, Joe, on the plane. We both knew that in many ways, this trip was the last significant thing I’d do as youth pastor in our congregation. I was transitioning out and Joe...
“When you’re a straight, white male, your privilege bracelet looks more like a necklace,” one of my high school students told me after making a privilege bracelet at a booth at the recent ELCA Youth Gathering.
The activity was great – exposing...
“Do you wish one of the daily themes of the Youth Gathering had been ‘Jesus Changes Everything’?” one of my adult leaders asked me on the final day of our denomination's triennial youth gathering of more than 30,000 students.
She’d spent the week...
Discussion Questions based on Alexia Salvatierra
1. Describe your reaction to Pastor Alexia's initial story about the gang member.
2. How aware are you of the immigration crisis that Pastor Alexia described? What has influenced your awareness...
Discussion Questions based on Eric Barreto
1. Eric said, “My faith taught me many wonderful things.” What wonderful things has your faith taught you?
2. According to Eric, “My church also taught me one big lie: That I was not different. That I...
Discussion Questions from the Ford Field Intro - Night 2:
1. Describe your reaction to the spoken word from tonight.
2. What did you learn about Detroit from the spoken word?
3. The spoken word artist talked about God being on an extended lunch...
Discussion questions based on Dean Luke Powery
1. Read Mark 16. Answer Dean Powery's question: “What kind of ending is this for Mark's gospel story?”
In what ways is this ending unresolved?
Why do you think Mark leaves his story unresolved?
2....
Discussion questions based on the “Why?” spoken word
1. “Why did you go to Detroit?” How would you answer that question? What expectations do you have for this week?
2. “This isn't just a gathering. This is a movement. This is a place where we...
For those looking to process tonight's opening session in Ford Field at the ELCA Youth Gathering, here are some discussion questions you can use with your youth ministries.
1. Bishop Eaton said, “The places the world calls godforsaken are...
I first heard Becca Stevens speak several years ago at the ELCA's Youth Ministry Extravaganza. That year, she also spoke at the ELCA's triennial Youth Gathering. I was intrigued by her work. She's an Episcopal priest who founded a non-profit, ...