Beyond Relevance: Waiting, Witness & Formation

A conversation with Andy and Kara Root

Andrew (Andy) Root, PhD (Princeton Theological Seminary) is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. He is most recently the author of Evangelism in an Age of Despair and the six volume Ministry in a Secular Age series (including Churches and the Crisis of Decline, The Congregation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, The Church After Innovation, The Church in a Age of Secular Mysticism and Faith Formation in a Secular Age). He is also the author of The End of Youth Ministry? and more than dozen other books.

Kara K Root

Rev. Kara K. Root is the author of The Deepest Belonging (2021), Receiving This Life (2023), and A Pilgrimage Into Letting Go (2025, with husband, Andy).

Pastor of Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN, a Christian community that shapes its life around worship, hospitality and Sabbath rest, she is a trained Spiritual Director and Certified Educator in the PCUSA. Kara leads retreats and workshops on sabbath rest, prayer practices, and church leadership and transformation.

Programme

Monday 26th October

Focus: ministers and congregational leaders and those interested in renewal.

12:00- 1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:30 Lecture and questions: The Waiting Church

It feels like the church is in an unquestioned crisis. But what is the shape of this crisis? And have we misunderstood it? In this presentation we’ll explore an understanding of the church that avoids the temptation to busy ourselves with pursuits of relevance. Instead, we’ll think again about what kind of action can really address the crisis in which the church finds itself. The crisis may not be the loss of relevance and resources, but the very crisis of how to discern and following the living God. Inside this kind of crisis church must learn to wait. We’ll explore how waiting is faithful action.

2:30 Afternoon Tea

3:00 4:00 Panel Discussion

6:00- 7:30 Drinks and Dinner

7:30 pm – Lecture: Pastoring in an Age of many spiritualities.

In a secular age offering a buffet of spiritualities, all focused on the self and personal transformation, how is the Christian view similar or different than these alternative pathways? When everyone is spiritual, but few are religious, what is distinctive about following Jesus?

Followed by discussion and questions

Tuesday 27th October 10 am

Focus on younger generations leaders.

Intro, Acknowledgement of Country and simple worship.

Ministry in an Era of Over-Parenting: Moving from the Thing to the Story

Youth workers know what it is to watch parents and youth participate in multiple other activities. Most families have limited time and space for youth ministry activities or youth group. Often parent(s) (and youth) express desire to participate but say they have no time. A parent might even say, “Sorry, we haven’t gotten her to youth group in the last six month, it's just that gymnastics is kind of her thing; it's really who she is.” This can be frustrating for youth workers. Some respond by contending that youth ministry needs to up the commitment level and move higher up the ranking of things. In this presentation we’ll together explore how this approach can’t work, because the decisions parents and young people make exist inside very deep conceptions of what makes for a good life. In a time of limited time and unlimited options, youth ministry can’t—and I’ll show, shouldn’t—compete in ranking of important activities. Youth ministry should not be just another thing (like basketball, violin, or debate club). Instead, we should turn toward story to reimagine what youth ministry can be for.

Followed by Q&A

12:00 lunch and questions with Andy and Kara.

Contact the host of Beyond Relevance: Waiting, Witness & Formation