The Northern Great Lakes Synod Youth Ministry Team is once again holding a Growing Younger class, based on the book, Growing Young, by Powell, Mulder, and Griffin. The class will explore what it means to Grow Younger and why it matters. Based on research at over 250 thriving congregations, Growing Young provides ideas and strategies any church can use to involve and retain young people (specifically those who are 30 years or younger).

The class will meet via Zoom the third Thursday each month between October 2024 and May 2025. Additional information, along with a registration link can be found at https://nglsynod.org/lifelong-faith-formation/

The ELCA Growing Younger project began in 2019, after research confirmed that congregations were experiencing a decrease in attendance, especially among young people. ELCA staff discovered that the Fuller Youth Institute had been working across denominations to help churches grow younger and create more vibrant communities in response to this trend. Since then, the ELCA has had over 300 people trained from 52 synods to learn how to create a faith community that not just welcomes young people, but equips them with strategies to create a place where young people can belong and be part of the church family.