Youth Ministry
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

Pastoral Care
Listening deeply
Developmentally appropriate pastoral care

Multigenerational Relationships
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