Faith formation is central to the ministry of every congregation and to The Ministry Lab’s calling.
We understand the joys and challenges of creating effective faith formation programs—and we know that many who are tasked with forming faith are flying solo. We stand ready to be your co-pilot!
The Ministry Lab’s support includes:
- Robust and ever-evolving online resources for all ages
- Hard copy resources you can borrow, including books, DVD, curricula and study guides
- Co-Lab Feedback Loop gatherings where you can share with and learn from colleagues
For Leaders
- The Ministry Lab, in partnership with the MN Conference UCC, Danger Boat Productions and Doing Good Together, is delighted to offer Family Connections Toolkits. Share the Family version for use in homes; utilize the Leader’s supplemental resources for use in study groups for all ages!
- One of the best ways to support your own leadership is to encourage excellent Mentors & Leaders, Develop Young Leaders and lead the way in Talking about Social Action/Justice/Engagement.
- Our ConNext planning team is working on our next summit, scheduled for Fall of 2022. We look forward to seeing you there!
- Looking for more? Check out our Leadership Development Resources to bolster you and inspire your ministry.
- Find additional resources for all areas, curated for easy accessibility in our Faith Formation lib guides.
For Children & Families
- The Ministry Lab, in partnership with the MN Conference UCC, Danger Boat Productions and Doing Good Together, is delighted to offer Family Connections Toolkits. Share the Family version for use in homes; utilize the Leader’s supplemental resources for use in study groups for all ages!
- Check out our Faith Formation: Lent & Easter lib guide for age-appropriate, at-home resources and tips for Lent, Holy Week, Stations of the Cross, and Easter Pageants.
Looking for more? We’ve got resources for:
- Talking about Grief & Trauma with Children
- Parenting
- Raising Confident Kids
- Sexuality & Gender Identity with Children
- Online/At-home tech helps
- Among others
For Tweens & Teens
Walk with your Tweens and Teens through Lent and get ready for Holy Week and Easter with our Faith Formation: Lent & Easter lib guide, including teen devotion apps, family devotions, Stations of the Cross, Easter pageants and more.
Looking for more? Check out our resources for:
- Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism Curricula
- Sexuality & Gender Identity
- Talking about Grief & Trauma with Tweens & Teens
- Online and at-home tech ideas
- Mental & spiritual well-being
- Social justice & community engagement
For Young Adults & Adults
See our Lent & Easter lib guide for books and small group study guides for the seasons.
Find prayer practices and devotionals for Lent in our Contemplative Practices: Lent & Easter lib guide.
Encourage awareness and individual and group growth around women’s equity with resources from our Confronting Misogyny lib guide.
Looking for more? Check out our resources for:
Intergenerational Resources
Intergenerational ministry is where we’re all headed. Get yourself ready with resources for and tips for how-to in our Intergenerational lib guide.
Intergenerational resources for Lent & Easter can be found in our Faith Formation: Lent & Easter lib guide.
Great Idea
Generated by The Ministry Lab’s partners, congregational leaders and director. If you’ve got a Great Idea to share, let us know!
Outdoor Summer
Ruth Sall talks about some of the hopes and joys she is experiencing as she prepares for in-person summer gatherings with the young people she serves.
In particular she affirms how working outside allows for more “messy” crafts and projects – and offers a few suggestions – and she’s excited about creative ways to use her church’s lawn and neighborhood to stage their annual music and arts camp musical production out-of-doors.
Get more inspiration from the full article – and share your Summer Outdoor Programming Great Ideas here.
Co-Lab Feedback Loop
Get fired up, gain insight and share your own experiments with others through our Co-Lab Feedback Loop. The Loop meets once a month via Zoom. Sign up here.
Learn More
Have something you’d like to discuss? Need to check out resources? Share questions, interests and ideas with The Ministry Lab’s Executive Director, Rev. Emily Meyer or search our site.