The 2024 Young Leader Formation Workshop – Human Design Thinking for Youth Ministry
The Young Leader Formation Team team hosted its Annual Summer Workshop for Youth Leaders on Sunday, August 25th. We were hosted on the beautiful grounds of Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center. Our speaker was Liz Moore (pictured), Assistant Director of the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, who led us in a Youth Ministry Design Workshop. Liz led the group of over twenty people from the Highlands and three neighboring presbyteries through the design-thinking and planning process as a way to help us imagine and innovate ways to connect with and serve young people in our churches and communities.
The room was energized as we moved through the steps of the design-thinking process!
Empathize: gain an understanding of the young people you are seeking to minister to. . . what do they say, think, feel and do?
Define the problem/need or opportunity and consider how the church is uniquely poised to help.
Liz encouraged us to “fall in love with the problem” and come alongside young people with empathy rather than thinking the young people themselves are the problem, which they are not. Refine your thinking into a “How might we” statement. . . “How might we (verb) a (adjective, noun) so that (group) can (verb).”
For example, “How might we nurture a safe, loving, inclusive and wider space so that young people can discover their identity as beloved children of God?”
Ideate – brainstorm without limitations or filters, ways to respond to the “how might we” statement.
Prototype – Choose the idea that seems to best address the “how might we” in a way that is doable within your ministry context. Develop a plan of action, knowing it will need refining over time.
Test – Liz mentioned “the pancake principle.” The first pancake never comes out quite right and you make adjustments over time. Your ideas and plans will also need refining over time. It is important to know that failure is a part of the process and to look at moments of “failure” as opportunities to learn and adjust and refine and grow. Liz also shared a quotation from the Vineyard Ministry – Faith is spelled R-I-S-K. We were all challenged to put that into action!
The Design-thinking process is helpful for all areas of church planning. Slides and resources from the workshop can be found here on the Young Leader Formation Team Webpage.
Our time together closed with worship, led by Katherine Scott-Kirschner and fellowship and dinner at Johnsonburg.
Pencil in the Sunday, August 31, 2025 for our next Young Leader Formation Workshop!
Upcoming Young Leader Formation Events
To stay current on events and resources for youth ministry, check out the YLF webpage!
We are always looking to welcome new members onto the Young Leader Formation Team.
If interested, contact Steve Shussett (steves@highlandspresbyterynj.org) or Amy Clarkson (amyclarkson103@gmail.com).
We are seeking volunteers to help with planning a delegation from the Highlands and neighboring presbyteries to attend Triennium 2025!
July 28-August 1, 2025 | Louisville KY
Please contact Steve Shussett at steves@highlandspresbyterynj.org if you are interested in joining the Triennium Planning Team.
Programming and meals will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center with participants staying at nearby Triennium-designated hotels at special PYT rates.
The $199 fee includes all programming, registration, meals, an event t-shirt, and more. Housing at Triennium-designated hotels will be an additional cost along with travel which has yet to be determined.
Get more information here and keep watching the YLF webpage!
Save the Date: Family Spirituality Camp – March 1, 2025!
This will be a Saturday morning event designed for families, to support home routines and rituals that encourage spiritual awareness and connection. Learn with body, mind, and spirit!
Watch the YLF webpage for more information!
