Developing Capacities for Empathy for Ministry With Young Adults

Abstract

This paper explores how empathy is necessary for ministry with young adults. Through qualitative research based on a two-years long process of teaching design thinking for the purposes of innovative ministry with youth adults, we find that empathy is a capacity that can be developed through conversations with young adults. We also show that developing empathy also includes self-reflection and a commitment to act on what one has learned through such conversations.