I know that for too many folks picturing youthworkers as theologians is not an image that readily comes to mind. Despite that I am encouraged because I believe that more and more youthworkers ARE thinking theologically. This is a trend I want to celebrate and one I want to encourage. For far too long youthworkers would be approached by kids asking advice on the latest video game cheats and music reviews, not seeing their youthworker as a viable spiritual director. But, again their seem to be signs that in many churches and among a growing number of our constituency this is changing (the deepening discussions at YS Conventions, the latest publishing titles on Youth Ministry proper, and the dialogue I have with youth ministry colleagues are the anecdotal evidence I can cite). May the youthworker as theologian tribe, increase!

Those who work with youth in the local church must come to embrace and become experts in the practice of theology. One of my former professor’s, Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer, defined theology as, “Bringing God’s Word to bear on the world.” I really like that as a working definition for this discipline we call theology. It embraces the “two worlds” that a theologian must straddle - the world as revealed in and through the Living and written Word and the context we now find ourselves in. It is the work of a theologian to rightly understand both worlds and help the church live out a Word-embodied response in our setting. Will we do the difficult work of becoming experts of both biblical and historical theology, as well as, our culture? Will we become known as a person in our community of faith as a theologian? Will we faithfully and reliably bring God’s Word to bear on our community and world?

One such person who has been a model of “youthworker as theologian” is Kenda Creasy Dean. From where I look, I think she is one of the finest examples in the discipline of youth ministry of bringing God’s Word to bear on the world of students. As evidence of this one needs only to read her latest book, Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church. In her treatment Kenda does an amazing job of providing a theological basis for engaging youth, as they are - as passionate people. I recommend this book highly if it is your desire to grow in your theological thinking as a youth worker. Kenda’s book sets the standard for what youth ministry can look like when it is treated as a theological discipline.

Take up, and read.