Yesterday I began a review on reTHiNK by Steve Wright - you can read what I thought of the first third or so of the book here.

In the second half of the book (2/3rds to be fair) Wright takes up his prescription - co-championing the institution of the Family and the church. A partnership between parents (the primary discipler of Children) and the church (purpose to exalt, edify (disciple?), and evangelize). He then states that the key is to strike a balance where we are focusing our efforts in helping our churches be more family-centered (a good word!). His prescription goes on to help reshape our model of youth ministry helping set up parents as the primary influencer/discipler for their children.

Here is my struggle. This sounds great. It plays into the focus on the family agenda of many Evangelical churches. It even “sounds” biblical. From my understanding of culture, ancient stuff and a few years of studying the Bible - this is more of a programmatic reaction than a precise scriptural reading. I think my perspective on reTHiNK is that there is a lot of helpful suggestion (REALLY) but I don’t think it is a more “biblical framework” than many other newer ideas out there which also have the same premise* but different (equally biblically grounded) prescriptions (say Folmsbee’s “New Kind of Youth Ministry,” M. King’s “Presence-Centered Youth Ministry” or Yaconelli’s “Contemplative Youth Ministry“).

I think where Wright sells a bit too hard is in his conviction that parents are to be the primary discipler of their teen. I believe that a case can be made for this idea as it relates to children (I think their are a number of scriptures which would point to this), but to carry this idea over to one who is beyond puberty is not something that I think you can argue from scripture. In the ancient world (actually up till the middle/late part of the 19th Century) there was no appreciation of this “time between.” There was no time between childhood and adulthood. The Bible doesn’t have a word for those after puberty - other than adult. The Bible has words for infant, young child, and child. The Bible recognizes young adults, adults and older adults. The Bible writers know not a teenager (the term adolescence doesn’t appear in English till 1904).

It is anachronistic and reading our world into the text to suggest that parents are to be the primary spiritual care-taker of their teen. In biblical times once a youth goes through puberty - they had a party and ushered the “now adult” into the world of work, child-rearing and becoming contributers to the larger community. This meant the young adult often left their parents home (the ancients understood the fireworks that often occur between parents and their post puberty offspring) to enter an apprenticeship, a relationship with a “master” or Rabbi/teacher, or into the home of a new spouse (and their extended family).

In fact their seems to be more precedent from the lessons of the ancients that what human beings who have crossed over the threshold of puberty need is not more influence from their parents (they should have gotten that from the previous 11-13 years); but reinforcement and new perspectives from other experienced adults.

Wright does a good job with diagnosis. His prescription for championing the twin towers of parents and the church sounds good - but I don’t think it is the winning combination long term in most churches that he envisions it to be. The church does need to champion/help/serve/equip parents to negotiate the new relationship they have with their teen - but not as primary discipler - it is a moving slowly from being the authority to over time acknowledging each others adulthood while still being the parent - no easy task (as their young person struggles with independence, identity, and intimacy). Parents need to help their teen find other adults who can reinforce how they have been “training up their child” and move from being a primary discipler to being a primary modeler (actions over words). I think Wright does a great job identifying some of what I think are critical values for a healthy youth ministry; but I think he really focuses on one of those values far more than the others. I would have probably focused on another one to the detriment of the others - that being the value of “championing the church.” But, I probably mean something different than Wright when I say that. I think Youth Ministry must become an advocate for the integration of all ages into the life and purposes of the church. It is here that more genuine relationship and mentoring and “discipling” can take place. It is here where I see a more wholistic and Acts 2.42 kind of picture of how what we call adolescents can be best cared for.

It is worth a read. Wright is to be commended for raising the issue. I am sure it will cause many a healthy discussion in classrooms and family rooms among youth ministry practitioners trying to do their best for “their kids.” If you haven’t read it - give it a go - and then as Wright challenges us, “decide for yourself.”

*I read Wright’s premise as - those in youth ministry must rethink about the values and priorities of youth ministry because our current way or approach in ministering to teens is fundamentally flawed.

So I came across the book, reTHiNK (is student ministry working?) by Steve Wright on the recommendation of a friend. Have you seen it? I think it is worth considering. It is a book that has gotten me thinking about new approaches and new priorities in the field of ministry to adolescence. His basic premise - those in youth ministry must rethink about the values and priorities of youth ministry because our current way or approach in ministering to teens is fundamentally flawed. His prescription: create a true church/parent partnership for the purpose of spiritually impacting young people (ala Deuteronomy 6)

In this portion of my review I want to focus on what I think Wright has done well.

1. He has raised a fair argument to suggest that youth ministry and it’s current dominant models of attractional evangelism, event oriented programs, and being an alternative to secular society aren’t working (as seen through numerous studies.) He also shows that youth workers are not adequately trained or prepared to carry out the demands that the current dominant models of youth ministry (as seen through studies that suggest youth worker retention, satisfaction and health are poor).

2. Wright does a good job identifying and evaluating the current values that inform the dominant models of youth ministry operating in the Evangelical Church of the West. He then offers alternatives. Here I think Wright is at his strongest. He suggests the following values as a correction:

moving from separation from parents to partnership

moving from student ministry to student development

moving from cultural relevance to biblical faithfulness

moving from internalized ministry to championing the church

Now - to be fair Wright sets these up as “either/or” options. Which probably is not realistic in every case. And the terminology does need some explanation - but here is my perspective (probably diverting a bit from Wright) on his 4 youth ministry values (revalued):

Family Ministry - a reframing of our purpose to embracing the whole family unit

Spiritual Formation - we must reconsider our role moving from program directors and communication specialists to spiritual directors and mentors who accompany youth through life.

Immersing Teens INTO the Story - adolescents don’t need bleeding edge technology (they may want it or it may be hip initially) what they are looking for ultimately is a story or narrative that makes sense of their past, present and future. Young people need to find an embracing epic that inspires, informs and is worthy of their investment. What students need is what we all need - not facts, figures, and statistics about the Bible - what we need is to be read by the Bible, to be immersed, caught up in, to find ourselves in the story.

Youth Ministry as a ministry OF the Church - no more is youth ministry done in isolation in the church. Youth ministry must be integrated into the life of the church allowing for a natural process of intergenerational ministry; mentoring; “on-the-job” training; and real-life experience of the ways, joys, and struggles of Christ’s Church. Young people need to both give and receive as vital members of the church - youth ministers need to be advocates for integrating young people into the life and ministry of the church.

To be fair, I am not sure if I have fairly represented Wright’s values in the four points above. But after reading the book and reflecting on it - this is my “reTHiNk.” What do you think?

So the first 1/3 or so of this book is what I have presented - Wright’s research on the dominant models of youth ministry (they aren’t working) and a revaluing of what youth ministry should be about. I think much of what he suggests in this part of his book is worthy of consideration. The book is a helpful read for this alone. His remodeling of youth ministry follows over the remainder of the book (I have mixed feelings about it) and I will look at that tomorrow.

“a long loving gaze at the real…”

photo credit from Mike Raether.com

Maybe it is just me. Probably.

I have noticed that I am more enamored or more drawn to the “prescriptions” or commands of scripture than to the promises or to the declarations. I think it may be a result of my penchant to act or “do something.” Maybe you can relate to this, as well.

Think about the great command (or the sh’ma as found in Deuteronomy 6).

The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12.29-30)

When you think about this statement do you hear the declaration or the command. (I hear some of you, “both!”) But I wonder when we think of the “great commandment” as it is called - what do we do with God’s declaration, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Another example that we probably know by heart, the great commission.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Again what are our ears drawn to - the declaration or the command; the prescription or the promise? I know we should be attentive to both, but where is our awareness greater? In my honest moments when I reflect on both of these passages, I hear the commands. I hear my duty. I hear my obligations. I hear the imperatives over the indicatives. I wonder in my reaction to act without really hearing the surrounding truths what am I missing?

Am I turning this vital faith into a human endeavor? Am I doing my own little thing oblivious to what God is up to in our world? Am I focusing on me rather than on Thee? Am I practicing a kind of deism, inattentive to the nearness and presence of God?

May I not glance past God’s promises and declarations - may I learn to like Mary ponder these statements and live out God’s commands in light of them. For if I “do” the commands - am I loving, if I am failing to listen for the one true God? Do I find myself so enamored or so focused on “making disciples” that I miss the presence of God in my midst (walking right by the figurative burning bushes around me)?

“If we take seriously the word of the risen Christ, ‘Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time’ (Matthew 28:20), we should expect that He will be actively present in our lives. If our faith is alive and luminous we will be alert to moments, events, and occasions when the power of resurrection is brought to bear on our lives. Self-absorbed and inattentive, we fail to notice the subtle ways in which Jesus is snagging our attention.” [Brennan Manning in Abba’s Child p. 99-100]

So I was tagged by Dan Mayes in a “boredom breaker” meme he has started inviting folks to list their top ten favorite films.

The rules of the “game” are simple:
1. list your top ten favorite films (in no particular order).
2. if you’re tagged, you’ve got to post and tag 3-5 other people.
3. give a tag back (some link love) to the one who tagged you in your post
4. give a hat tip (HT) to Dan

So here we go… My Top Ten Favorite Films:

1. Sideways - a great film full of amazing dialogue and some of the most passionate discussions of food, life, and “the moment” conveyed on film. What a trip! But many won’t enjoy it - be warned it is rated R for a reason.

2. The Last Supper - a film I stumbled over that just got me at the right time - I dig this exploration of sin, tolerance, and guilt. A black comedy that is not for the faint of heart - but it looks into the human heart in a powerful way.

3. The Breakfast Club - one of the first films I remember walking out of with my then girlfriend (now wife) and feeling like we belonged to our generation - though we felt “disposable” we also felt triumphant (or defiant - feeling like we were vicariously lifting our leather covered fists with Judd Nelson - declaring - “don’t you forget about me!”). Generation X finds it’s confused, troubled yet communal and determined voice!

4. Chariots of Fire - from the soundtrack to the acting to the inspiring story this portrayal of Eric Liddell enraptured me as a young teenager. I found a hero worth emulating (prior to this it was Pete Rose and Evel Knievel?!).

5. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - well I am cheating putting three films in one entry - but the whole grand epic was one I became obsessed with driving me back to read Tolkien’s work again. I think the film was brilliantly done. It captured the beauty of the “journey” and celebrated the relationships which make this story universal and so compelling. I am definitely looking forward to the two installments of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. “…not all who wander are lost!”

6. Star Wars - the first film (before it was “episode IV). This caught me off guard and I had never seen a film quite like it - but as a kid seeing it in the theatre it made a HUGE impression. Definitely a defining moment as a kid. There was pre-SW and after-SW; and after-SW - films and stories had a whole new standard to measure up to.

7. The Matrix - this was a very personal experience for me. I saw myself in that film - caught in the matrix and definitely (like many) saw myself as NEO finding my way out of the artificial and constructed world I had allowed myself to be “caught up in” This was for me just a great example of a powerful story told in the perfect medium! The Matrix is a very mythic and beautiful film displayed through a whole new world of special effects by the Wachowski Bros. (unfortunately for me neither of the sequels quite measured up - it may be that I just didn’t connect as well).

8. Magnolia - I love this kind of story telling (like Pulp Fiction & Memento) where you are submerged in the middle of the story and through flashback and the culmination of events all the various strands begin to intersect. In my opinion Magnolia does this in a memorable and fascinating way. Loved it!

9. The Name of the Rose - I loved Umberto Eco’s novel by the same title and I think the film captured very faithfully this murder mystery in a medieval Abbey. What’s not to love?!

10. The Silence of the Lambs - Saw this in the theatre and for the last half hour of the film was dying from the incredible suspense and tension! Wow! No film has had me so on the edge of my seat and jumping into my wife’s lap like this one (except the grandaddy of them all - the original Psycho). For me this is the ultimate “horror” film - I don’t dig gratuitous slasher films - but in this case J. Demme balanced the gore and the suspense with a smart written story. Great stuff - hold the fava beans!

I am tagging…

Light Lady - have some fun! (I am guessing Braveheart will make her list!)
Len - I am thinking he may dig Field of Dreams.
Justin - I think he may be a Napoleon kinda guy (just a hunch).
Chris - my gut says that Transformers (or another superhero kinda film) may make his list.
Brian - I think his list will be closest to mine (if not by film; by vintage)!

also Folmsbee can count himself tagged… it may be a way to break the silence over there! [I am fairly certain Hoosiers would be on his top 10]

Peter is also tagged - I think he may put Rosebud in his list (actually I am fairly certain it will make the list).

Okay, so guessing on what films may appear in those I tagged were somewhat genuine guesses - but also ways to mention other films that would or could have appeared in my top 10 on any other given day (well with the exception of transformers!)

This is completely and utterly fascinating. What a wonderful conversation - Krista Tippett is a wonderful host and opens up a wonderful dialogue.

I listened and watched completely enraptured.

I won’t spew out any of my opinions and muddy this beautiful and helpful dialogue about such a complex issue.

Check it out here.
(you can download an mp3 of the edited version - and you can view a video of the complete discussion - check out the page completely)

ht - Mike King

A couple of weekends ago I had the opportunity to spend some time in a quiet spiritual retreat. It was a much needed and great opportunity. I spent a good portion of my time watching birds and sitting on a porch (when I wasn’t facilitating a couple of sessions).

My awareness of God and my time listening was pretty keen - which shocked me!

I held on to four words from my time… they were:

ALL
Will
Be
Well

The four words heard at four separate times made a pretty cool phrase.

Pretty amazing.

I am/was encouraged.

May we join with the Christian community in praying for our brothers and sisters of The Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, Arkansas. As you may or may not be aware fire destroyed their chapel and common building and offices in the very early morning hours on April 29, 2008 - everything was a loss. Fortunately, from what I can tell no one was seriously injured.

Join your hearts in praying that love, grace, beauty and hope will spring from this community in the midst of their great loss.

You can read John Michael Talbot’s reflections on the tragedy here.

It is such a beautiful and glorious thing when heaven touches earth. It is always an awe inspiring moment to glimpse some evidence of God’s Kingdom revealed here. It is what I sensed as I read the post written by Jeremy Bouma.

For two years I taught middle school in a rural Virginia school. It was a meaning-filled and life-changing experience - one I treasure to this day, with great memories, so many lessons learned and besides what I gained, I loved teaching. It also gave me a new perspective on what kids (and my child) endure at school - the stresses, the competitiveness, the social pressure and for many the cruelty of their peers. I also witnessed the special kind of rudeness that many kids reserved for the lunch room (often at the expense of those who served them).

So it was especially touching to read Jeremy’s post, here is how he begins,

So about a month ago a high school senior whom I mentor at the church I’ve begun interning at wrote me an email. Here is a piece of it:

Oh! And I have a question for Jon, but I’ll run it by you quick too. I want to organize a dinner for our lunch ladies at school. Do you think it’d be possible to use the kitchen and tables at Fellowship? Cam and I have been chatting about it a little bit, and thought it was a good location, if it all worked out.

I positively melted!

Two graduating seniors from a local public high school wanted to love on the ladies who have served them for four years by providing a dinner at our church!

How
cool
is
that?!

Continue reading Jeremy’s post entitled, This Is Why I Do What I Do here.

ht - light lady

The Association of Youth Ministry Educators published a study back in 2002 and I just stumbled across it. It would be terrific for someone to follow up and see if the findings are still true. They measured a ton of stuff among active and former youth workers - studying length of tenure in youth ministry locations; age when a person began the ministry; salary information; as well as satisfaction or “well-being” in a number of categories.

The issue that jumped out at me for obvious reasons was, most former youth workers (over 70%) reported that their relationship with God improved dramatically upon leaving full-time youth work.

That should tell us something.

It seems to me that the current or dominant models of “doing” youth ministry are not healthy for those who are carrying it out. Or the majority of those who are carrying out the dominant models of youth ministry are employing the current ministry models in a fashion that is detrimental to their spiritual health.

Something needs to change. This is unacceptable.

It is an older study - but I have a hunch based solely on my own anecdotal evidence gathered over many breakfasts and lunches with youth workers over the past few years - and I bet a new study would find very similar findings.

———————–
ADDENDUM - by the way my own experience reinforces the findings of this study.