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.