Next month, several new cohorts focused on faith formation will start. Are you in ministry with children, youth, or adults? No matter the age level, there is a place for you to find the resources and support you need.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
Growing in faith is a lifelong journey, but some specific needs and challenges arise for each age group. The life experiences of Generation Alpha, those born between 2010 and 2024, are vastly different from Baby Boomers, those born in the years just after World War II.
Just think about the different ways these two groups engage with technology and learn new things, the different ways they understand concepts of family and peer bonding, and the different ways they experience racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds as diverse communities are brought closer together through technology and global migration.
To better equip church and ministry leaders to understand and reach different age groups, the Michigan Conference’s Connectional Ministries Team has created several peer cohorts that will begin gathering online this fall. Some start in September, others in October.
According to Rev. Kathy Pittenger, Associate Director for Connectional Ministries, cohorts offer leaders regular meeting times with others in similar positions or interests. “They provide both opportunities to learn and a place to share celebrations and challenges,” she explains.
These cohorts are made available to any ministry leader in Michigan, clergy or laity, and will be led by trained facilitators. The fee for participating in these cohorts helps provide honoraria and other expenses. This year, cohort fees will be subsidized by the Connectional Ministries budget from local church Ministry Shares to keep registration fees lower.
“If the registration cost is a barrier,” says Rev. Pittenger, “please reach out to me directly. We want to ensure that everyone who wishes to participate can do so. Don’t let finances be a barrier. Please email me at [email protected].”
The Adaptive Leadership in Faith Formation Ministries Cohort has been offered in the past, but all others are either brand-new or a reconfiguration of a previous cohort. Rev. Pittenger is excited to bring in new facilitators, both from Michigan and the Arkansas Conference.
“I met Dr. Brittney and Zack Schrick, who are leading the Gen Alpha Cohort, at a conference posted by United Methodist-affiliated Perkins School of Theology last winter, and their workshop about Gen Z and Gen Alpha was fantastic!” She continues, “We also saw a gap for youth ministry leaders and recognized that many leaders oversee both children and youth ministries. So, this year, the Children and Youth Ministry Leaders Cohort includes both, and we’re moving the timeline to align with the school calendar.”
Visit the Faith Formation Cohorts landing page and explore all the various cohort options. A summary of each, broken down by age, is listed below. All of these cohorts will meet online via Zoom.
All Ages
Adaptive Leadership in Faith Formation Ministries Cohort
In a rapidly changing world, faith formation ministries require leaders who can navigate complexity with creativity and resilience. This cohort is designed to equip ministry leaders with the tools and insights needed to adapt to evolving challenges while staying rooted in their mission and purpose. Appropriate for all ages, including adult faith formation.
Dates: Second Thursday of each month, September through December
Time: 10 to 11:15 am ET / 9 to 10:15 am CT
Cost: $49-$99 (sliding scale, choose to fit your budget)
Deepening Discipleship Cohort
This cohort will focus on discipleship pathways. Churches that are currently using a discipleship pathway will be invited to share their process and what they have learned — both successes and challenges. There will be time set aside for cohort members to share their ideas, celebrations, and challenges, and offer support to one another. Appropriate for all ages, including adult faith formation.
Dates and time: To be determined by cohort members
Cost: $25-$75 (sliding scale, choose to fit your budget)
Children
Woven Book Study
Join fellow children’s ministry leaders for an engaging and thoughtful discussion of Woven by Meredith Miller — a fresh and compelling guide to teaching the Bible in a way that centers God’s character, not just isolated stories or moral lessons. This discussion group will explore ways to create faith-forming environments where kids can wonder, wrestle, and grow.
Dates: Every Tuesday from October 7 to November 11 (six weeks)
Time: 10 to 11 am ET / 9 to 10 am CT
Cost: $25-$75 (sliding scale, choose to fit your budget; purchase book separately)
Youth
Youth Ministry Leaders Cohort
This cohort will lead participants through three questions: Why do we do youth ministry? How do we do youth ministry? And finally, how do we as youth workers care for our own souls in the deeply challenging work of youth ministry? This cohort will meet once a month, October through April. For October through January, Andrew Root’s book The End of Youth Ministry? will guide conversation about practice and theory in youth ministry. From February through April, an updated classic, The Godbearing Life, will lead the group to discuss the vital work of tending our souls in youth ministry. Reading the books is encouraged but optional.
Dates: Third Monday of each month, October 2025 through April 2026
Time: 11 am to 1 pm ET / 10 am to noon CT
Cost: $99-$199 (sliding scale, choose to fit your budget)
Children/Youth
Generation Alpha Cohort
Designed for ministry leaders working with children born between 2010 and 2024, the Gen Alpha Cohort blends theory and practice to help you understand and engage this emerging group. Build a practical toolbox filled with ready-to-use ideas, resources, and strategies — plus insight into what to avoid. Those who work with parents of Gen Alpha children may also wish to attend, for part of the cohort is learning how to communicate and equip parents of children and young youth.
Dates: Four Tuesdays: September 9 and 23; October 7 and 21
Time: 2 to 3 pm ET / 1 to 2 pm CT
Cost: $99-$199 (sliding scale, choose to fit your budget)
Children and Youth Ministry Leaders Cohort
This group will bring together leaders in children and youth ministry to learn, grow, mentor, and find community together. The group will decide what looks best for everyone in September at the first meeting and decide topics based on interest and need. This is a choose-our-own-adventure cohort.
Dates: Fourth Thursday of each month, September 2025 through April 2026 (November and December will be on the third Thursday)
Time: 10 to 11:30 am ET; 9 to 10:30 am CT
Cost: $149-$249 (sliding scale, choose to fit your budget)
Last Updated on August 19, 2025