#021: Talking about Racism with your Youth with Pastor Gerard Bolling

06/16/20 • 40 min

Pastor Gerard Bolling joins Mark and Julianna to discuss how we can engage with young people around issues of race, racism, our life in the church, and in our society. Pastor Bolling gives great wisdom and insight so we can reach the end goals of young people and a church which embrace and value the diversity of ethnicity, language, and culture God has created in His community.

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: Rev. Gerard Bolling was born and raised in New York City and currently serves as Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. Gerard is passionate about Urban/Deaf ministry, and treasures the dynamic programming Bethlehem does to reach people in rough urban areas including Ferguson, MO through the “More Greater Things Program” and Hope Center. He teaches at Concordia Texas, Concordia St. Paul and Concordia Wisconsin the leadership and theology. He also served as a morning session speaker at the 2019 Gathering. Gerard has a beautiful wife, Lorenda, and two super cute kids, Lincoln and Monroe.

Resources from Pastor Keith Haney:

The Search for My Identity by Pastor Keith Haney: youthesource.com/2019/07/25/bible-study-the-search-for-my-identity/

Keith Haney End Goals Podcast to discuss his study: kfuo.org/2020/03/24/end-goals-episode-15-youth-gathering-resource-rev-keith-haney-and-racial-reconciliation/

Kathy Haney’s Book, One Nation Under God: Healing Racial Divides in America Published by Concordia Publishing House cph.org/p-31186-one-nation-under-god-healing-racial-divides-in-america-downloadable.aspx

Sessions at the Gathering dealing with race and our Christian identity:

Youth Session: Our View of Justice Effects our Evangelism (Rev. B. Keith Haney) kfuo.org/2019/11/21/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-keith-haney-our-view-of-justice-impacts-evangelism/

Youth Session: Real Talk (Rev. Matthew Gonzalez) kfuo.org/2019/11/15/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-matthew-gonzalez-real-talk/

Adult Session: Race, Ethnicity, and Faith: Why We Need To Be Talking About This (Rev. Matt Gonzalez)

Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Resources from Pastor Keith Haney:

The Search for My Identity by Pastor Keith Haney: youthesource.com/2019/07/25/bible-study-the-search-for-my-identity/

Keith Haney End Goals Podcast to discuss his study: kfuo.org/2020/03/24/end-goals-episode-15-youth-gathering-resource-rev-keith-haney-and-racial-reconciliation/

Sessions at the Gathering dealing with race and our Christian identity:

Youth Session: Our View of Justice Effects our Evangelism (Rev. B. Keith Haney) kfuo.org/2019/11/21/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-keith-haney-our-view-of-justice-impacts-evangelism/

Youth Session: Real Talk (Rev. Matthew Gonzalez) kfuo.org/2019/11/15/lcms-gathering-2019-rev-matthew-gonzalez-real-talk/

Adult Session: Race, Ethnicity, and Faith: Why We Need To Be Talking About This (Rev. Matt Gonzalez)

Previous Episode

#020: Youth Gathering Resource: DCE Rebecca Duport and Dealing with Fear

Young people today are living in a world marked by fear, anxiety and shame. Mark and Julianna are joined by DCE Rebecca Duport to talk about how we can address that fear by pointing young people to our God who has conquered fear. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Bio: DCE Rebecca Duport who serves as Director of the DCE Program at Concordia University in Irvine, CA and Assistant Professor of Christian Education Leadership. Rebecca has served at Concordia since 2014 and is also the Associate Director of Crosswise Institute. Prior to CUI - Rebecca has served as a DCE in Idaho, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Florida in life-span education roles working with Children, Youth, Family, Older Adults. She also speaks at youth gatherings, retreats and conferences. Along with her husband, Kyle, she enjoys spending time with her four boys and their events in scouting, sports and school.

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#022: Youth Ministry Starter Pack – Supportive Adults for Youth Ministry

In the Youth Ministry Starter Pack series, Mark and Julianna talk about how you can engage and foster healthy supportive adults to serve as volunteers in your youth ministry. It takes a whole team of adults to help raise young people as disciples of Jesus. Those who volunteer in your youth ministry are a critical part of its health. Find the LCMS Youth Ministry resource website at youthesource.com.

Volunteer Longevity: youthesource.com/2018/10/23/volunteer-longevity

Making the Most of Adult Volunteers: youthesource.com/2016/01/12/all-things-new-making-the-most-of-adult-volunteers