ReImagine Youth Ministry:.
Part 3
Excerpts on the unfolding nature of youth ministry within the emerging church, from the ReImagine course with Biblical Seminary and Etrek.
Question: What about all of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of youth "guys and gals" who are heavily entrenched in their current routine and way of thinking and don't desire ("I have no time") to read theology, live within a community, love their neighbors or live out the kingdom in their daily lives?"
"The medium is the message"
- Herbert Marshall McLuhan
Youth Pastors love kids. They get into ministry for a variety of reasons. I love youth pastors because they take what they do so seriously.
It's important to know that it may be the average youth pastor's understanding of their role within the church that is actually hurting kids in the long run. If you are a youth pastor, this should keep you up at night.
Everyday youth pastors are discovering that a life lived focused almost exclusively upon teens is teaching teens something. And they don't like the message.
What is it teaching?
1.) A youth pastor who doesn't have time for theological reflection should beware that they are may not be leading the kids entrusted in their care to God, but to hand-me-down ideas, concepts and understandings of God. There is a reason why many youth pastors do this. Because they have yet to discover the beauty and wonder of God themselves. Often they are regurgitating the theologies given to them when they were youth. A youth pastor who reflects theologically is able to help kids think theologically. A youth pastor who doesn't delivers a diet of cliche's and slogans. Youth don't buy it. The youth pastor might not buy it if they had the time to actually reflect upon it. But busyness is often the rule for youth pastors.
2.) Irony is a youth pastor who rebukes kids for being to busy and not having time for the important things in life, but is too busy for these things themselves. A youth pastor who is not conformed to the busyness of culture can actually lead families to a healthy rhythmn.
3.) What is taught when the youth pastor is too busy for life because of ministry? Often it's the idea that ministry may royally jack up your life, break rhythm with God, hurt those closest to you... and that's a price you pay. The cost so to speak. If you don't have to time live out the kingdom of God within a community of your peers then stop asking kids to come to youth group. They are as busy as you are and it won't take time for them to see through your charade. Even if it's subconsiously. You say, "Get to know kids your age who don't follow Jesus and get to know them." They see a youth pastor who doesn't do this themselves. The medium of your life is communicating loud and clear.
So tell kids about community, loving God and your neighbor, but understand your life is impacting kids as much as your words.
Youth ministry within the emerging church will take the youth pastor's life seriously. For folks who are in more traditional experiences this can be a challenging idea. It may go against the grain of your church. But more likely, it goes against your grain as youth pastor more.
Somethings to think about.
Part 3
Excerpts on the unfolding nature of youth ministry within the emerging church, from the ReImagine course with Biblical Seminary and Etrek.
Question: What about all of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of youth "guys and gals" who are heavily entrenched in their current routine and way of thinking and don't desire ("I have no time") to read theology, live within a community, love their neighbors or live out the kingdom in their daily lives?"
"The medium is the message"
- Herbert Marshall McLuhan
Youth Pastors love kids. They get into ministry for a variety of reasons. I love youth pastors because they take what they do so seriously.
It's important to know that it may be the average youth pastor's understanding of their role within the church that is actually hurting kids in the long run. If you are a youth pastor, this should keep you up at night.
Everyday youth pastors are discovering that a life lived focused almost exclusively upon teens is teaching teens something. And they don't like the message.
What is it teaching?
1.) A youth pastor who doesn't have time for theological reflection should beware that they are may not be leading the kids entrusted in their care to God, but to hand-me-down ideas, concepts and understandings of God. There is a reason why many youth pastors do this. Because they have yet to discover the beauty and wonder of God themselves. Often they are regurgitating the theologies given to them when they were youth. A youth pastor who reflects theologically is able to help kids think theologically. A youth pastor who doesn't delivers a diet of cliche's and slogans. Youth don't buy it. The youth pastor might not buy it if they had the time to actually reflect upon it. But busyness is often the rule for youth pastors.
2.) Irony is a youth pastor who rebukes kids for being to busy and not having time for the important things in life, but is too busy for these things themselves. A youth pastor who is not conformed to the busyness of culture can actually lead families to a healthy rhythmn.
3.) What is taught when the youth pastor is too busy for life because of ministry? Often it's the idea that ministry may royally jack up your life, break rhythm with God, hurt those closest to you... and that's a price you pay. The cost so to speak. If you don't have to time live out the kingdom of God within a community of your peers then stop asking kids to come to youth group. They are as busy as you are and it won't take time for them to see through your charade. Even if it's subconsiously. You say, "Get to know kids your age who don't follow Jesus and get to know them." They see a youth pastor who doesn't do this themselves. The medium of your life is communicating loud and clear.
So tell kids about community, loving God and your neighbor, but understand your life is impacting kids as much as your words.
Youth ministry within the emerging church will take the youth pastor's life seriously. For folks who are in more traditional experiences this can be a challenging idea. It may go against the grain of your church. But more likely, it goes against your grain as youth pastor more.
Somethings to think about.
posted by mark at
4:32 PM
1 Comments:
Mark-
This is a great set of ideas that are challenging to me as I return to youth ministry after a three year seminary hiatus. I have a question though. Do you really think that the emerging church will take the youth pastor's life seriously? Or will this end up as another object in the Church's pile of things it preaches but does not practice. Why will emergent be able to escape a culture of busy any better than anything else? Will it?
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