The Young Leader Formation Team hosted its Annual Summer Workshop for Youth Leaders on Sunday, August 25th from 2 – 6:30 pm.  We were hosted on the beautiful grounds of Johnsonburg Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center. 

Our speaker was Liz Moore, Assistant Director of the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, who led us in a Youth Ministry Design Workshop. oversees the Certificate in Youth and Theology Program and develops training and resources for youth workers. She led the group of about 20 people from the Highlands and 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 quote from the Vineyard Ministry – Faith is spelled R-I-S-K.  We were all challenged to put that quote into action!

The Design-thinking process is helpful for all areas of church planning.  Slides and resources from the workshop can be found on the Young Leader Formation Team Webpage (see link below).  Our time together closed with worship, led by Katherine Scott-Kirschner and a meal provided by Johnsonburg.

Mark your calendars now for August 31, 2025 for our next Young Leader Formation Workshop!