Many congregational youth workers draw renewed energy from Search Institute's asset-building framework. The initiative focused on seven pilot sites. Uniting Congregations for Youth Development is an initiative of Search Institute made possible with the support of the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. While many leaders quickly connect asset building to their own faith tradition and theology, many people want to see explicit connections between asset building and the theology, beliefs, and scripture of their own tradition and to the core faith-based priorities of congregations.
Some groups tend to be more skeptical than others.
Evangelical Christians are most likely to want explicit connections to scripture and to see faith-specific language in the asset framework. They are also most reluctant to participate in interfaith activities or to use interfaith resources. We re beginning to talk about asset building creating a readiness for faith development. Many elements of asset building help build the context, relationships, and opportunities in which faith can be nurtured. Asset Building Within Congregations Congregations will find many, many ways to make asset building part of their life, depending on their own sense of identity and priority.