Formation Co-op

The Formation Co-op
The Formation Co-Op is a unique partnership between the ELCA and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, funded by the Lilly Endowment’s “Strengthening Congregational Ministries with Youth Initiative.” This project roots young people in a lifelong and transformative faith in Jesus that is experienced through life-giving communities.
*Formation Co-Op Updates!* We have been excited and overwhelmed by the response of exceptional applications to participate in the Formation Co-Op! There were 37 Guide applications, and 55 Congregation Team applications. This first year we selected five Guides to accompany ten Congregation Teams. We will be introducing these leaders and congregations on our social media channels in the coming weeks! *What’s next?* In the coming months the Guides will be trained and will then meet with their Congregation Teams to begin this journey of listening, learning, and experimentation. We look forward to sharing what we learn through workshops at the Extravaganza, online training and resources, and more. Did you miss this first round? We will be selecting a new group of Guides and Congregation Teams each year! Watch for applications and details to be posted around March 2024.
*What is the Formation Co-Op?* Over the next four years we will develop an ever-expanding community of co-learners and co-creators made up of Guides who model and teach deep listening practices to congregation teams, and Congregation Teams themselves, who use these skills to listen to and learn from their context and that of others. Based on what is learned through listening, and drawing from existing research and training resources, we will assist Congregation Teams in developing frameworks for youth ministry suitable for their contexts. With the accompaniment and support of a Guide, Congregation Teams will experiment in their congregations and communities over the term of the project and report their experiences to the wider Formation Co-Op community. Learn More: Formation Co-Op Overview Read the project proposal to the Lilly Foundation Read the news release about the Formation Co-Op project Stay Connected to the Formation Co-Op Want to receive news and updates about the Formation Co-Op? Subscribe to the Network's e-mail newsletter to stay in the know! Follow the Formation Co-Op on social media:

ELCA Youth Ministry Network