Unitarian Universalist Youth Ministry saves lives during a time of immense pressure and transformation. Youth Ministry creates emotionally supportive space where youth are welcomed as who they truly are, where they can grow spiritually instead of focusing on achievements, and where they can know that their voices and contributions matter.

We hear over and over again the stories of how congregational, regional, and national UU youth ministry is transforming: youth who felt unlovable and now feel loved, youth who have found their calling in life in a particular social justice cause, youth who arrive shy and timid and become a self-confident leaders able to welcome and guide new youth.

Youth ministry comes in many shapes and sizes. Like all ages, youth deserve to both be part of a welcoming multigenerational community and have time with people of their life stage. There are many different models of youth ministry.

What Does Excellent Youth Ministry Look Like?

Covenantal, Safe, Leadership

• Healthy youth-adult partnership

• Youth Leadership

• Covenantal Relationship

• Safe(r) Policies and procedures

Pastoral Care

• Listening deeply

• Developmentally appropriate pastoral care

• Peer pastoral care

• Care for youth of diverse identities

Multigenerational Relationships

• Adults who are healthy, safe, and present

• Inclusion in the whole community

• Life transitions recognized

• Youth share their gifts with the whole

Spiritual Development

• Youth and whole community worship

• Introduction to individual spiritual practices

• Experience of gratitude, awe, wonder, and “at-one-ness”

• Justice work and spiritual practice to ground justice work

Community Building

• Peer community

• Multigenerational community

• Connections with the larger UU community

• Interfaith community

Justice Making

• Learning about injustice and oppression

• Direct service

• Advocacy and witness

Identity Formation

• Support youth forming integrated identities as Unitarian Universalists

• Exploring racial/ethnic, sexual, gender and other identities

• Supporting youth in living into all of who they are

Faith Exploration

• Free and responsible search for truth and meaning

• Youth as teachers and learners

• Learning and leadership development

Learn More

The Web of Youth Ministry (PDF) all the elements needed to support youth ministry

Connect with UUA Youth and Young Adult Office

Blue Boat Home Blog from the UUA Youth and Young Adult Office