Despite your kids’ best attempts at slowing down time to enjoy summer a little bit longer, school is just around the corner (and for many, has already started up). Back in school means back to a hot button for many – science class. Faith vs. science. Creation vs. evolution. Are scientific and Christian communities at odds? More importantly, does it need to be?

Young people study science every day in school and (hopefully) come to church every week. And as any youth worker will tell you, questions about faith vs. science always get brought up in discussion at youth group at least once every ministry year.

So, how do ministry leaders engage students in conversations about faith vs. science without making it an either/or proposition?

Recently on the Youth Ministry Podcast, Bryan and Erik tackled this topic and even brought in an expert to share his perspective. Youth workers often feel pressure to make sure they have all the answers to questions that a student may ask.

(If we’re being honest, a lot of us feel uncomfortable or unqualified to answer.) But, it’s okay to be honest with students that you might need to do some research, ask another colleague, or ask their pastor.

Or [insert promotional jingle] check out Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies by Dr. Andrew Root, who joined the Youth Ministry Podcast to talk about his work with a Science for Youth Ministry grant. Dr. Root focuses on helping ministries embrace the tension that comes in the varying opinions of faith vs. science.

Throughout the podcast, Dr. Root talks about his passion for the faith vs. science debate, his history in ministry, and practical tips for youth ministry leaders and students to navigate a long-term issue that is becoming increasingly visible.

Plus, Erik poses a quintessential question: Assuming that kids believe what they’re taught in their science classes and that they believe what they read coming from empirical data, how does that come alongside their understanding of a God, who we also believe created heaven and earth?

Interested in learning more – and hearing Dr. Root’s answer to that question? Check out the full episode here.