The Youth Leader as a Midwife for Resilient Faith

Abstract This article investigates how youth leaders act as “midwives” for the “birth” and “growth” of a resilient Christian faith. Drawing on a mixed-methods study of Norwegian adults with long-term involvement in youth ministry, we show that authenticity, integrity, and reliability are central in shaping lasting commitments to faith and practice. By engaging Kierkegaard’s concepts of irony and humour, the article argues that youth leaders support young people in negotiating key existential transitions, creating space for questions, ambiguity, and growth. The combination of empirical data and theoretical analysis clarifies how youth leadership can sustain the formation of a mature, reflective, and resilient faith.