Faith Listens

What have we learned when we slow down, listen deeply, and make space for God to surprise us?
In this final episode of Season 2 of Faith Listens, we hear wisdom from the congregations featured throughout the season—from youth leading retreats to intergenerational gatherings, sensory rooms, third spaces, and youth councils. Their stories remind us that transformation doesn't always begin with a big idea or a perfect plan. Sometimes it begins with a question, an invitation, or one small step.
Throughout this season, we've heard again and again that listening is more than a ministry technique. It's a posture of curiosity, discernment, and trust—a way of listening for the voice of God through our neighbors, our young people, and one another. When we let young people speak for themselves, when we notice the gifts already present in our congregations, and when we give ourselves permission to experiment, new possibilities begin to emerge.
You'll hear why it's okay to think small, why we don't have to do youth ministry alone, and why there's grace in not having everything figured out. Most of all, you'll hear a reminder that we're not alone in this work.
As we close the season, we're invited to keep listening—to what is bubbling up, to what God might be calling us toward, and to the people right in front of us.
Because listening opens us to the voice of God, the wisdom of our neighbors, and the possibilities we couldn't see on our own.

What if the connections we're longing for are closer than we think?
In this episode, we hear from Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota, and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in San Diego, California. Through listening, these congregations discovered that both young people and older generations shared a deep desire to know one another. Rather than assuming they knew the answer, they took small steps to create meaningful opportunities for connection.
You'll hear how one congregation hosted an intergenerational event where youth led conversations by asking adults thoughtful questions, and how another brought generations together around food, conversation, and community. These simple experiments sparked new relationships and reminded everyone that faith is nurtured when generations learn from one another.
This conversation reminds us that meaningful change doesn't begin with having the perfect plan. It begins with listening, staying curious, and taking one small step. As we create opportunities for people of all ages to belong together, we discover that God is already at work building a stronger, more connected community.

What does it look like to create spaces where every young person knows they belong?
In this episode, we hear from Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois, and Peace Lutheran and St. Luke Lutheran in Memphis, Tennessee. Through listening, these congregations discovered a deep longing for belonging and responded by creating spaces where young people could feel seen, welcomed, and included.
You'll hear how one congregation recognized the needs of families in their community and created a sensory room that allows more young people to fully participate in the life of the church. You'll also hear how another congregation reimagined an unused space as a "third space" - a safe place outside of home and school where youth can gather, build relationships, and grow in faith.
This conversation reminds us that welcome is more than an invitation, it's something we intentionally create. As we listen for where God is already at work, we can build communities where every young person has a place to belong.

What happens when we truly listen? Not just listen to respond, but to be changed?
In this episode, we hear from Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Augustine, Florida, and Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana. Although their stories are different, both congregations discovered that transformation begins with a willingness to listen with humility and curiosity.
You'll hear how one congregation's listening led to an unexpected partnership that met real needs in their community while opening the eyes and hearts of their young people. You'll also hear how a new youth ministry leader embraced a posture of learning, inviting others to share their wisdom and helping create space where young people could grow and lead.

What happens when we stop trying to control every outcome and start creating space for others to lead?
In this episode, we hear from leaders at Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan, as they share how their ministries have been transformed by empowering young people, listening deeply, and embracing a posture of "yes."
You'll hear why thriving youth ministry isn't just another program, it's a catalyst for the whole congregation. Together, these leaders explore what becomes possible when we give young people real agency, trust others with leadership, and begin by listening before we act.

Welcome to Season 2 of Faith Listens, the podcast of the Formation Co-Op. This season highlights stories of experiments from congregations across the country who have been part of the Co-Op process — what they have tried, what they have learned, and how the Co-Op has supported them as they explore new ways of rooting young people in a lifelong, transformative faith in Jesus Christ. Through honest conversations about faith, leadership, listening, and community, this season will offer encouragement and inspiration for anyone curious about what becomes possible when we make space to listen deeply and try something new together.

Meet Jasmine Fiscal and Andrea Olguin-Ledezma, members of the young adult leadership team guiding the children and youth ministry programs at St. James Santiago Apóstol Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. In this episode you'll hear how the care and accompaniment of their Guide Sal helped them grow in their confidence as leaders and how they used new skills to reflect on their ministry with youth, providing deeper connections and engagement. They also share what makes shared leadership work between younger leaders and more established leaders.
Referenced in the podcast is Camp Hope, a ministry of LEAD. You can find more information at https://leadconnects.org/camphope/.

Meet members of the Formation Co-Op Team from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina: Paige Gibbons, Deacon Sandra Holland, and Maya. Learn how the Formation Co-Op helped them take the pause they needed to help them get clear on their mission and vision, and how listening has reoriented them to prioritize the voice of young people.

Meet Yamileth Escobedo and Alejandro Martinez, volunteer leaders at Iglesia Santa Cruz in Chicago, IL, as they share the power of invitation in ministry and being in communities of acceptance. Their listening has opened up space for youth to wrestle with questions of faith and connect their faith to daily life.

Meet Ben Buss, Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH, and volunteer leader Mark Keller, as they share how listening deeply to young people and their families is reshaping their approach—from confirmation curriculum redesign to involving youth in music and community outreach. You’ll hear them talk about the necessity of adapting to cultural changes, fostering community, and the importance of spiritual practices.