NextGen Conversations NextGen Ministries

At Westside Church, a two-year-old satellite campus of First UMC (Kearney), a little grant money and creativity took the kid's ministry to the next level. Through digital mediums and activity box deliveries, the church kept connecting with families despite the strange circumstances of 2020. Listen as Children's Director Nicolle Downing and Site Pastor Mitch Buhman share what worked, what didn't and what they'll keep doing as we enter into a new season of ministry.

In our final episode of Season 1, we’re in conversation with Maggie Lohmeyer, NextGen youth specialist at the Missouri Conference. Maggie shares a little about her background in ministry and how through her work with NextGen she aims to connect youth leaders and youth. This episode highlights some of the networking events, youth group programs and resources NextGen makes available to local churches in Missouri.
Resources
LEAP 2021 Information Recorded NextGen Gatherings Upcoming NextGen events

This week we’re in conversation with Rev. Tadd Kruithoff to discuss how Trinity UMC in Piedmont, Missouri, does discipleship. Instead of focusing on facts alone, Kruithoff and his team lean into the relational aspect of discipleship through Holy Listening. This method allows kids to lead the conversation and share about their own lives in their own words while volunteers simply guide the conversation, teaching children to see God in everyday life.
Resources
Spiritual Conversations with Children: Listening to God Together by Lacy Finn Borgo General Overview of Holy Listening Helpful videos and spiritual formation curriculum: GoodDirtMinistries.org Helpful items for accompanying children in their life with God: www.kutsucompanions.com

Social life, schoolwork, family drama and social media: Even without a pandemic, students and leaders have a lot on their plates. The Awakened Life, written by Rev. Angie Olsen and Sarah Bollinger, offers an invitation to peace and silence amid the chaos of life. This week we’re in conversation with one of the book’s authors, Angie Olsen, to discuss the importance of silence and meditation. We discuss how this is reinforced by the spiritual practices of Jesus and how we can use this time to grow in our own relationships with him. Angie even gives us a sample of one of the practices that can be found in this book.
Resources
The Awakened Life Curriculum The Awakened Life

What would it look like to have a youth program that was easy to maintain and had a primary focus on daily discipleship? That’s exactly how Becca Boren, director of youth and young adult ministries at Good Shepherd in Kansas City, has her program aligned. Becca shows us how to turn the standard youth ministry model on its head and allow youth to mentor youth in a meaningful way. At Good Shepherd, Becca has created a system of accountability and growth in her program that has allowed youth to take on meaningful leadership roles while making their faith their own. If you want to learn how she did it and how you can lay the groundwork for a mentoring program of your own, listen in.
Resources
Three18 Info Letter Scripture Memory Sheet How to Study Scripture Example Three18 Covenant Spiritual Disciple Write-Up Rooted Ministries

This week we’re in conversation with a panel of elementary teachers from all over Missouri to discuss what it’s like to teach during COVID-19. Pandemic life is hard enough for everyone but being a teacher may be one of the most difficult professions right now. In our conversation we discuss their struggles and joys as well as how to best use technology to connect with young people. This conversation will definitely hit home for anyone that has children or works with them and will make you appreciate the teachers in your life a whole lot more.