Peer Ministry

WHEN: most Wednesday evenings at 7pm, through late April / early May
WHERE: The House
Open to 10th graders after confirmation
Led by Megan Richason & Niels Anderson

Peer Ministry is an amazing opportunity for our young adults here at First Lutheran. It’s is a great way for our 10th graders to learn about how to deal with any situation that arises, large or small. It makes handling conflicts simple and equips them to be better listeners and be welcoming to all those around them. It trains and equips them to have the skills to deal with the tough situations that confront our youth in today’s world. They learn how to welcome in those who are hurting, listen with empathy, and communicate in clear ways.

Not only does Peer Ministry look great on college applications, but it also becomes a time for our youth to grow closer together in a safe, close-knit community; but our community doesn’t stop here in these church walls. Peer Ministry grows leaders who can continue to help and serve out in their everyday life.

We go through three different types of leadership, broken down into 16 sessions. The leadership types are:

Listening Leadership
Helping Leadership
Welcoming Leadership

Peer Ministry for sophomores. No bible or church expertise is required at all!! Just a chance to learn, discuss, and practice life skills that you can use everywhere every day to be a more caring, compassionate, Christ-like person. Also, a chance to explore of tips & tricks to help you overcome fear or anxiety to “do the right thing”. A safe & confidential place where you are surrounded by peers who get it b/c they live it every day and they share your faith/values/struggles and are comfortable enough to ask each other to guide them and give them grace.

For some, you’ve heard this is a great experience and are looking forward to it. For others, you might feel a little nervous or hesitant about what you are getting into. Remember, nothing in peer ministry is forced! If you are nervous and worried you're going to be forced to talk and share your deepest secrets……your not, we promise! There will be times you feel like listening much of the time and times when you feel you have something to share. Both are great! If you are nervous this will be heavy conversation all the time and dull…..it won’t be. While a lot of what we talk about is real and sometimes serious, we also laugh a LOT together and EVERYTHING we talk about pertains to you and the things you experience in your daily life.

Each Peer Ministry session builds on the previous one. Committing to it is really important and we’d like you there for every session ideally. We plan to meet for a total of 12 to 14 weeks, but when we meet this Sunday we will talk through calendars and talk about some common weeks to take off—b/c everyone needs a free day now and then :) We will wrap up by late April or the first week in May depending on how many weeks we take off. Many of you have jobs or sports practices—come as you are, we don’t care if you come in practice clothes, show choir costumes, or whatever! And we will have snacks and drinks every time too to tide you over if you haven’t eaten yet! We also know you have to finish homework on Sunday nights so will get you out by 8:30 sharp!

Learn more at peerministry.org