Philosophies & Approaches
Bible studies. Informal meetings. Literal fun and games.
The offerings for young people may seem simple, but the thought and intention leaders use to create the containers for these offerings is anything but. Each leader we interviewed brings a mix of beliefs, philosophies and approaches they believe work best with creating spaces for young people to thrive. While the application may show up differently, one element seemed to be rooted in all of their beliefs: all young people have inherent worth, gifts and talents, and they deserve safe, vulnerable spaces for discovery and connection.
This belief manifests differently in certain contexts, particularly when working with young people of different ages. With younger teens, leaders place more of an emphasis on balancing play, education and relationships. With older youth, leaders cultivate spaces where they can grapple with life’s transitions, evolving identities and the process of discovering where God fits in the midst of it.
Yet, each of these leaders weaves in opportunities for young people to not only express agency, but also to lead in shaping the experience. For some, this simply means giving young people choices on what they might do next. For others, young people become the leaders, playing an integral role in how the offering is conceived and deployed.
Regardless of the shape it takes, at the heart of these spaces lies safety and vulnerability. These leaders believe it’s necessary to create environments for young people who may have been hurt, shamed or left out in others. They welcome flexibility, collaboration and perhaps a bit of uncertainty – because in doing so, they build a container where young people can bring their full selves to the table.
How Leaders Create Safe Spaces
Melissa and Marshela at SD United wanted to anchor their middle and high school students in one foundational thought: “God made you beautiful.” That core belief then could expand a young person’s perspective - if God made me beautiful, what does that mean for who I am and where I fit in this world? They designed SD United to be a safe place for a journey of self discovery, one where they felt safe to question and doubt along the way. Their team created a catchphrase to capture that discovery journey.
Larry at Inclusive Collective wanted to create spaces for his college students as they explored what it meant to be Christian and how that practice can look in daily life, especially for those students who are grappling with how Christianity fits with their identities and values. These spaces must also be brave ones, where people feel safe enough to practice vulnerability. Larry believes that allowing students to engage difference – whether it be sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, culture or spirituality – is a Jesus-rooted space.
Trevor’s inspiration to create The Place stemmed from two sources: encountering young people previously involved at churches who now claimed that church was no longer a safe space for them, and feeling that God was prompting him to think about what ministry could look like with a different model. The Place now serves as a safe haven for those who have separated from traditional churches or just want to experience their faith in a different setting.
How Leaders Involve Youth as Co-Creators
In working with Latino youth, Juan believes they need designated spaces to reconnect to the roots, language and spiritual practices of their culture – and that process has to start before adulthood. Engaging Stories offers a space for the participants to return as the program facilitators and planners – so that young people see leadership from others who look like them.
Trevor also believes in centering young people in leadership, allowing each person to develop their innate gifts. When it came time to start The Place, Trevor brought together a team of young adults to serve in leadership alongside him, a team where everyone can use those gifts to create the environment they want to see. He describes it as “doing ministry with, not for and to”.
Melissa and Marshela brought on people in their 20s to help plan and facilitate weekly group nights. While they knew their expertise and desire to serve would strengthen the offering, they didn’t realize that these co-facilitators might also receive healing in the process.