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
- Ministry leaders and whole congregations are invited to join Church Anew for Christ / Christmas / Covid, a free online event featuring engaging and short talks from both world-renowned speakers and emerging voices providing space to grieve and lament, while reclaiming the prophetic hope of this season.
- Keep an eye out for information on our next ConNext Summit. We’re looking for feedback from faith formation leaders on how we can bring you inspiration, affirmation and hope.
- Looking for more? Check out our Leader Development Resources to bolster you and inspire your ministry.
For Children & Families
We’re excited to highly recommend our Fall Family Toolkits! We’ve collaborated with the MN Conference UCC, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Danger Boat Productions and Doing Good Together to develop these multi-faceted, interactive, at-home resources for families – with bonus materials for leaders to deepen and expand engagement. Watch for the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany iterations, coming soon!
As we move into unprecedented Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Seasons, we will continuously update resources for worship and faith formation. Check out our growing line-up of adaptive pageants from The Ministry Lab:
From other creators:
Looking for more? Check out our resources for:
- Online/At-home tech helps
- Talking about grief & trauma
- Talking about racism & white supremacy
- Children & family curricula and storytime
For Tweens & Teens
It’s LGBTQ+ History Month! Learn how to support your LGBTQ+ teens and tweens with:
- TransMinistry Collective: a whole website of resources and support
- Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens and its companion, Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide for Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth
- A Queer History of the United States for Young People
Find more resources in our Teens and Tweens Sexuality and Gender Identity Lib Guide.
Looking for more? Check out our resources for:
- Online and at-home tech ideas
- Talking with tweens/teens about trauma & grief
- Talking with tweens/teens about racism & white supremacy
- Confirmation/affirmation of Baptism curricula
- Mental & spiritual well-being
- Social justice & community engagement
For Young Adults & Adults
The chaos of this year may be coming to a head as we sprint into what will inevitably be an election “season”. We’ve got helps for:
- leading discussions on conflict, division and reconciliation
- engaging your community by getting out the vote
- preaching: legally and with integrity
See our Advent, Christmas and Epiphany lib guide for books, devotionals, and small group study guides for the seasons ahead.
Looking for more? Check out our resources for:
- Racism & white supremacy culture
- Free and subscription small group discussion guides and bible studies
Intergenerational Resources
Intergenerational pageants are all the rage this year as so many will be produced at home. See Children and Families (above) for options.
We’ve had a slough of Great Ideas for Intergenerational approaches to Contemplative Practices, Community Outreach, and Sharing Stories. For other Great Ideas, see our Great Ideas Archive – and don’t hesitate to share your own!
Looking for more? Check out our Intergenerational resources.
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!
4 Great Ideas to Reach, Bless & Serve
Thanks to Christa Meland of the MN Conference UMC for writing up this article highlighting four fantastic ways UMC congregations have gotten creative with caring for their communities and sharing hope in the midst of the pandemic.
Read the full article for ideas about how you can:
- Have a “mission trip” in your own community
- Host creative drive-throughs for church and community members
- Participate in an existing food giveaway program
- Spotlight and partner with local organizations
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.