Laying awake in bed this morning I began to consider the question of this post. What are we passing on? In youth ministry are we passing on the Christian Tradition? What does that look like? I guess I am really thinking about the so-called conservative or evangelical brand of youth ministry - what is the (real objective and measurable) “tradition” or legacy we are handing over to our students.

Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come. [ Psalm 71.18]

When I think of that passage I wonder - what are we leaving the next generation with? (3 reasons to wait? have a quiet time? funny anecdotes? memories of other cultures?) As I was thinking about this I again was struck with the memory of reading Christian Smith’s book, Soul Searching. One of the factoids that I can’t escape is that after interviewing a bunch (that is a technical term) of adolescents about their beliefs - the most theological statement that emerged from his hours and hours of interviewing was, “Jesus died for me.”

This can’t be our heritage.

As a person involved in Youth Ministry - this can’t be the fruit of the hours and the energy and the resources that have been given and sacrificed.

Can I suggest that we return to the legacy of passing on a tradition of Catechism?

Let’s provide youth with a bit more substance than, “Jesus died for me” (that may be a good start but do students understand why Jesus had to die; and do they understand the obligations involved in appropriating that death?) - and augment that with helping them understand the meaning and memorizing the words of:

The Great Commandment
The Ten Commandments
The Lord’s Prayer
The Apostles Creed

Then let’s ensure they understand how to approach and participate in the Sacraments.

Any thoughts?

Today officially begins the liturgical season of lent. This is a forty day season of preparation and repentance that precedes the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. Before we feast though, we are called to fast and before we celebrate newness of life and the power of God, we are called to let go, surrender and remember the humility of our Lord. This season of Lent I am going to attempt to enter into this walk of letting go, surrendering and remembering; I have been giving this a bit of thought and am ready for it to begin.

As I mentioned - I am going to be using Christine Sine’s Lenten Guide titled, A Journey Into Wholeness and I will be sharing some of how that is enhancing and informing my observance of Lent. I also will be:

Praying the Hours using - Phyllis Tickle’s The Divine Hours (Prayers for Springtime)
Praying The Litany from An English Prayer Book - each Saturday Evening

And praying this daily as my lenten prayer:

I beseech You, Jesus, Loving Saviour to show Yourself to all who seek You, so that we may know You and love You.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit our All in All, Amen. (From A Celtic Primer compiled by Brendan O’Malley)

To lent,
To less,
To laying down,
To letting go!
Unto the Lord.

Other Participants in the Christine Sine’s Lenten Synchroblog:

Julie Clawson
Rev Cheryl A Durham
Henriet Schapelhouman
Rebecca Gagne
Leena Prindle
Steve Lewis
Carol Collins
Tim
Michele Morgan
Barbara
Gilbert Purtee
Monica Paper-Bridges
Traci
Steve Fouch
Carolynn
Lyla Lindquist
Todd Hiestand
Joel Daniel
lfbatista
Joan Ball
Banu Moore
A J
Randy Siever
Mak
Maria
Bethany
Rose Swetman
Eric
Taeler Morgan
Thomas Turner
Chris Olson
JR Woodward
Tom Grosh
Karen B.
Kathy Escobar
John Chandler

Today we are on the doorstep of Lent. Lent is that season of preparation and repentance that precedes the Holy Season of Easter. On the Tuesday before all this we are to enjoy a bit of feast in advance of a time of frugalness, withholding and letting go.

As I observe Lent this year I will be joining in with others at least weekly on a Synchro-blog hosted by Christine Sine. Those involved will all be using Mustard Seeds Lenten Guide as a common tool. I look forward to this journey. I will be sharing other things that I have found helpful, as well, in keeping this time of Lent.

In the meantime - you can read what I wrote regarding Shrove Tuesday last year, here

Peace.

It is true the blog is back and I think about 85% healthy… better than less than 50%. The site got really sick. But enough of that. I stopped in the middle of Advent and we are back up and running before Ash Wednesday, so let’s commence.

It is also an exciting time round these parts for at least me, because after 10 years of my books being in boxes they are now out on shelves! So it is good times - the blog is back up and the books are out! See the new shelves (I have one other wall of shelves that contained the reference and must have books):

So this has started a flurry of activity as I have started to gather up some books from around the house (the bathroom, bedroom, from beside the chair, from a small “fancy” bookshelf) so I can re-shelve them in their permanent place on my new shelves! Here is the largest load on my dining room table returning from “circulation.”

It’s is good to have my books in a place where they can be enjoyed and read and handled - and it is good to have perigrinatio back.

My next post will clue you in on some things planned for the blog!

Peace.