Two Questions: Karen De Boer

In each edition of IG Mix, we ask a guest writer two questions about serving in ministry.

What Keeps You Up at Night?

That our children and youth are being raised in a world where Christians are not known “by our love” but by our animosity. And that church, instead of being a place where all are welcome will be known as a place where only some belong.

In Season One of the Open to Wonder podcast (which I co-host), we spoke with university chaplain Rev. Dr. Mary Hulst about what it means to live a “Beyond Sunday” faith. She shared these words from a student: “The church has taught me to care for the poor and that Jesus looks out for the marginalized and [to] beware of power and now I’m looking at a church…that seems like they’ve totally sold out to power, and I don’t get it.” Hulst added: “So [young adults] are thinking, “All y’all taught me this in Sunday school and I don’t see you living it out….and they’re trying to figure out, what good is the church?””

That conversation continues to replay in my mind.

What Gets You Up in the Morning?

Yoga, coffee, and hope in an infinitely loving, faithful God. I’m motivated by the dedication of those ministry leaders who are living what Jesus taught and the determination of justice-seeking young adults to do the same. They remind me that the loudest voices may be heard on the news and in social media, but they don’t represent all of God’s people.

I’m also inspired by the work of people who are engaged in intergenerational ministry around the globe and excited by the ways in which technology has allowed us to develop and share ideas and resources with each other.

While we may have felt dazed and confused during the pandemic, God has not. And God’s got this.

Karen De Boer is the Resource Developer for Faith Formation Ministries; a role which involves curating online toolkits for ministry leaders, developing Dwell at Home resources for families with children, sharing faith nurturing ideas on The Network and co-hosting the Open to Wonder podcast. She lives in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

Other April 2022 IG Mix articles

Christ-Centered Community Through Intergenerational Fellowship
Celebrating in the Pandemic: A Growth Group Journey
Resources for Summer and Outdoor Fellowship