Research into Resources

By now, youth workers and parents alike are familiar with the African proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child,” but they are asking harder questions.  Is that proverb just a warm and fuzzy phrase or is it supported by actual research on real life kids?  How does that proverb fit with a biblical theology of family and church family?  What can we learn from the field of Psychology that helps us move beyond rhetoric to real support for kids?

In almost every FYI research initiative, we are reminded of the importance of intergenerational ministry.  Simultaneously, youth workers are asking FYI for help in understanding not just why intergenerational ministry is important but how to live it out in their daily work with kids and families.  As a result of both our internal findings and these external requests, we are developing even more research-based resources to help ministries and churches experience the richness of intergenerational relationships, worship, and service.

Beginning in Fall 2008, FYI will be releasing new articles and resources aimed at helping your church go deeper into intergenerational ministry.