Resources are labeled into 6 categories: C - Children's Ministry, Y - Youth Ministry, YA - Young Adult Ministry, A - Adult Ministry, F - Family Ministry, I - Intergenerational Ministry
We are not selling any of these resources, but there are links for some of the resources to where you can purchase them if you like. If you purchase it from Amazon.com we encourage you to do so through Amazon Smile and support the Eastern North Dakota Synod.
Y
Sticky Faith, Youth Worker Edition: Practical Ideas to Nurture Long-Term Faith in Teenagers
by Kara E. Powell, Brad M. Griffin & Dr. Cheryl A. Crawford
This is a Youth Worker Edition of the "Sticky Faith" series. They present a theological/philosophical framework and practical programming ideas that develop long-term faith in teenagers.
Published by Zondervan in 2011
C/Y/F/I
The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family: Over 100 Practical and Tested Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Kids
By Dr. Kara E. Powell
This is another resource from Fuller Youth Institute in their "Sticky Faith" series. In this book Powell provides practical ideas to use for building a faith that lasts in your family.
Published by Zondervan in 2014
YA/A
By John Roberto
In this book John Roberto explores ways churches can develop faith formation for every season of adulthood: young adults, midlife adults, mature adults, and older adults.
Published by Lifelong Faith Publications in 2015
Y
by Andrew Root
This book is one in a series of 4 books where Andrew Root takes a theological journey through youth ministry. In each book he writes a story about a youth minister wrestling with the use of scripture, theology, mission & theology of the cross.
Published by Zondervan/Youth Specialties in 2013
C/Y/YA/A/F/I
by Michael Novelli
In this book, Michael Novelli explains the art of Bible storying--an imaginative way to engage in the scriptures through storytelling, creative reflection, and dialogue. It is an interesting way to lead Bible Study, devotions and perhaps preaching.
In 2012, Michael partnered with sparkhouse to create Echo the Story curriculum, based on his approach to Bible storying.
Published by Sparhouse Press in 2013
C/Y/I
by Dr. Rich Melheim and Friends
In this book the authors talk about the current culture and effectiveness and suggest some new ways of doing Sunday morning faith formation.
Published by Faith Inkubators
Y/YA/A
by Rolf A Jacobson, Karl N. Jacobson & Hans H. Wiersma
A light hearted but scripturally & theologically sound dictionary of Biblical terms.
Published by Augsburg Books in 2009
Y/YA/A
by Rolf A Jacobson
A light hearted but scripturally & theologically sound dictionary of Theological terms.
Published by Augsburg Books in 2008
YA/A
by Meredith Gould
If you are thinking about using social media in your ministry this is a very good and short book to read. It is also a good resource for church outreach and evangelism committees.
Published by Liturgical Press in 2013
From Rev. Dr. David Lose's presentation on March 9, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He talks about how we don't share our faith stories.
Y
Dr. Andy Root speaks about recognizing what success looks like in youth ministry, following his YMI lecture, "Ministering to Youth Growing Up in a Screen-Based World"
Y/YA
"Recovering a Missional Imagination: Why Generation OMG is the Theological Stimulus Package We Need" by Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean given at Luther Seminary in 2010
Y/YA/A
This is a recording of one of the 2012 Practice Discipleship Webinars. To learn more about Practice Discipleship you can click here.
Y/YA
This is a recording of one of the 2013 Practice Discipleship Webinars. To learn more about Practice Discipleship you can click here.
C
This is Dawn Rundman's presentation at the 2014 ELCA Youth Ministry Network's Extravaganza event. In her presentation she talks about the development of faith in children and scientific research.
C/Y/YA/A/F
This is a recording of one of the 2013 Practice Discipleship Webinars. To learn more about Practice Discipleship you can click here.
A webinar that is a part of the Practice Discipleahip Initiative. "Going Public", led by Dr. Jeremy Myers of Augsburg College. This webinar is about proclaiming the Gospel outside of the church building.
Y/YA/A
This is a recording of one of the 2015 Practice Discipleship Webinars. To learn more about Practice Discipleship you can click here.
Presenter: Carol Jacobson, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
How does where you live make a difference for how you live and tell God’s story? Learn how Jesus’s attention to his context(s) and listener(s) shapes how he tells his story and receives theirs, and consider how attention to context and place presents both challenges and opportunities in sharing God’s story with others.
YA/A
By the Method Church
Even though these videos are created by the Methodist Church many of them still apply to all protestant churches. There are 2 video series. One is the original series about different things in the church. The second is about a church committee, where each episode is about different things congregations deal with from stewardship to worship, to evangelism and more.
C/Y/YA/A
The book of faith is an initiative of the ELCA to encourage all ages to open and explore the Bible. There are various resources on this site.
YA/A
http://www.workingpreacher.org/default.aspx
No only a good resource for preachers but also helpful for those teaching on the lectionary texts. Note that they support the RCL and the new Narrative lectionary schedules.
Y/YA
This is a Youth Bible Study curriculum by Sparkhouse. There is a 12 week version and a 36 week version. It used video, storytelling, art and sharing to go through the Bible as one great story. It involves youth watching a Bible Story, drawing an object to associate with the story, hearing the Bible Story and then retelling the story in their own words or pictures and sharing it with someone else.
Y
by Sparkhouse
Colaborate is the new hands-on investigative confirmation curriculum from Ausgsburg Fortress an Sparkhouse. It uses videos, Bibles and hands-on activities for faith formation of youth focused on the Bible, faith and what it means to be a Christian. As of November 2015 there are 2 units: A Comprehensive Bible Study and Fearless Faith Formation.
Y
By Sparkhouse
Re:Form is a Faith-formation series for youth that uses humor, hands-on activities, videos and real substance. It can be used as a part of confirmation, Sunday School or in youth small groups.
C/F
A set of resources designed to activate faith.
Sunday School Curriculum in 4 different models: Classroom, Lectionary, Rotation & Summer
Spark Bibles : Children's Story Bible & a NRSV Student Bible
Sparkhouse Family: Children's Books & Bibles, Family Devotional
Published by Sparkhouse
C
by Sparkhouse
Whirl is a three-year curriculum based on the Revised Common Lectionary for children in Preschool through 6th grade. It uses video, special Bibles and hands-on activities.
C
by Sparkhouse
This curriculum is about igniting the biblical imaginations of Kindergarteners through 4th graders. It uses videos & special Bibles in 10 units that can be covered in two years.
C
By Sparkhouse
This curriculum is meant for pre-teens in grades 5 & 6. It is a Bible and video based curriculum that gives an overview of the Old and New Testaments. Five Units per Testament with six lessons in each unit.
Y/YA
http://www.elca.org/News%20and%20Events/blogs/FaithLens
Faith Lens is a weekly (during the school year) look at the lessons that uses current events and relevant questions to get people talking. It is put out by the ELCA.
C/F/I
A well written and drawn children's story Bible.
Published by Sparkhouse in 2015
C
Storypath is a website that connects children's literature with our stories of faith.
C
By Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, Illustrator
A good children's book to use when talking about friendship and bullying.
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers in 2015
C
By Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom, Illustrator
A beautifully illustrated book about using your gifts/talents. Could also be used to talk about being proud of your faith.
Published by Compendium Inc. in 2014
C/F/I
Family Box is a monthly subscription box that promotes faith formation within young Christian families. Each month, four different lessons, crafts and materials are sent to your doorstep to encourage a weekly habit-forming practice of time spent growing as a family in God’s Word. As an added bonus, 10% of your subscription cost gets donated back to the church, school or charity of your choice.
C/Y/YA/A/F
Throw and Tell Balls are great for getting people talking and sharing whether used in a Sunday School Class, youth group, camp, intergenerational group or at home with your family. This ball is for telling stories.
They come in several different kinds: Preschool, Children's Ministry, Pre-teen, Attention Grabber, Life-Application, Prayer, Ice Breaker, All About Me, and Women's Ice-breaker.
Published by Group Publishing
C/Y/YA/A/F/I
Rory's Story Cubes are a good tool to get people telling stories. There are several different ways to use the dice. One is to roll the dice and make up a story. Another is to tell a personal story, inspired or remembered from one of the dice. Making up stories opens children and adults to sharing their own stories. They are also small enough to carry in a pocket or backpack on youth or family trips.
Published by The Creativity Hub
Y/YA/A/F/I
This edition of the popular game Cranium centers on the Bible and gets players thinking about and talking about faith. It is a combination of games and skills where players draw & sculpt, answer questions, unscramble words, play charades and sing.
Published by Hasbro
Y/YA/A/F/I
This movie is based on the book "Joshua". It asks the question, "What if God was to come to earth now as a human being, what would people so and say?"
Rated G
From Lions Gate on dvd in 2002
Y
Dr. Hans Wiersma's presentation, "Monkey Business?" On the History of Confirmation. (Wed., July 29, 2015, at Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, Minn.)
This presentation is from the 2015 Rethinking Confirmation event at Luther Seminary. You can find other presentations on the Luther Seminary youtube page.
Y
Dr. Terri Elton's presentation, The Whole and the Parts: The Disruptive Nature of Rethinking Confirmation Ministry. (Fri., July 31, 2015, at Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, Minn.)
This presentation is from the 2015 Rethinking Confirmation event at Luther Seminary. You can find other presentations on the Luther Seminary youtube page.
C/Y/YA/A/F/I
Rethinking Faith Formation: Christian Identity and Practice in a Pluralistic World July 23-25, 2014
Presentation by John Roberto
This presentation is from the 2014 Rethinking Faith Formation event at Luther Seminary. You can find other presentations on the Luther Seminary youtube page.
YA
Rethinking Faith Formation: Christian Identity and Practice in a Pluralistic WorldJuly 23-25, 2014Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Presentation by Amy Sevimli on the "Nones & Dones"
This presentation is from the 2014 Rethinking Faith Formation event at Luther Seminary. You can find other presentations on the Luther Seminary youtube page.
C Y F
By Dr. Rich Melheim
In this book Dr. Melheim writes about 5 simple steps to use in your family called the "Faith 5". It is a way for families to grow closer together and to God.
Published by Regal from Gospel Light, 2013
The Confirmation Project - This link takes you an ecumenical research project about Confirmation. They have resources and details about their study and what they hope to accomplish.
C/Y/F/I
By Kara E. Powell & Chap Clark
Fuller Youth Institute, where Powell works, has done research into the faith of teenagers and young adults. They have found that many young adults are not only graduating from High School, they are graduating/leaving their faith when they go off to college or a career after high school youth group. In this book they discuss the research and findings and then offer ideas how to build a faith that lasts beyond high school.
Published by Zondervan in 2011