course, and plenty of time in spiritual practices and vocational discern- ment. Students leave these programs thinking creatively about their iden- tity as children of God, having their imaginations shaped and formed in community, and challenged to think in new ways. Students are given challenging
texts to read and discuss. Theologians Douglas John Hall and Dietrich Bon- hoeffer, Martin Luther’s “Freedom of a Christian,” and selected books of the Bible have appeared on reading lists. Evaluations show that students appreciate the challenge to learn in complex ways and engage faculty and program staff in serious conversa- tion. Participants develop skills that they take back to their home congre- gations, where they provide leader- ship in new and exciting ways. Theological engagement shapes
their imagination for vocation. Some students said they had never seen themselves as leaders until given the chance to lead at these programs. Others said these types of opportunities helped them see how God had plans for them even if they hadn’t yet figured out what those plans look like. One student wrote: “Ever since I
was young I have wanted to farm. I feel God has equipped me with the skills, knowledge and resources in order to be successful.” There is an excitement for pos-
sibilities, for thinking about their futures as vocations shaped by God as opposed to jobs or careers they will have as adults.
Discussing questions By creating a safe space for engage- ment that takes seriously the cre- ative, thought-provoking minds of an adolescent, youth will actually ask questions about who God is and what God is up to in the world. And, more
importantly, these participants want to engage in conversations around these questions. They already have thoughts and reflections about the very questions they ask. They aren’t looking for answers so much as for places to discuss the questions. Wartburg has an enduring tra-
dition with its seminarians called “Beer and Theology.” Students gather weekly at a pub to discuss a theologi- cal question that someone has been wrestling with. This tradition has been adapted for the youth leader- ship school, where an intimate con- versation space is created with pret- zels, candlelight and root beer so high school students can ask their most pressing theological questions. When asked about “Root Beer
and Theology,” a participant replied, “Advice was not the major part of our discussion, but the questions were. We left the meeting ready to deeply explore our faith more.” These spaces are created in,
through and in the midst of com- munity. Students are part of congre- gational communities before they even arrive on our campuses. Some programs are designed for students
to work with congregational men- tors before and after the events so their learnings are embedded in their home communities. All of the programs work hard
to develop a sense of community during their events to create an atmosphere of mutual learning and accountability. A student who expe- rienced this firsthand described it this way: “It was one of the first com- munities where I felt truly close to almost 30 people almost instantly. We were a team, open and honest, helping each other grow and show- ing love and acceptance.” We as a church not only have
much to teach these students, we have much to learn from them. Many former staff members of Wartburg’s program have gained a deeper appre- ciation of vocational choices and vocation in ministry leadership. The students teach us to use our imagina- tions in creative and new ways when talking and thinking about God and God’s work in the world. And we find out through it all that their questions aren’t so different from our own. We have much to teach each other and to learn from each other.
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