What team are you on? This is a question I enjoy asking our youth on a regular basis. As the seasons and the interests of young people change it is fun to find out what sport and what team a they are on. Some youth make the rounds and try everything. Others stick to one sport and play it year round. There are moments of joy and celebration when a team does well. And there are moments of pain and disappointment when a young person is injured from a sport or loses a competition. There is always much to talk about with sports and youth. The church and youth group has something to learn from sports. The commitment and teamwork that a young person invests into a team is a lot like church. So in this article I will explore what youth ministry has to learn from sports.
The team. When a young person joins a team they become connected to that group of people. Everyone on it shares whatever happens to the team. A win is a win for the whole team, and a loss is a loss for every person. When you are a member of a church you have decided to join that team. The wins and the losses that are experienced on this team are shared by everyone. The birth of a healthy baby, a Baptism, a wedding, and a graduation are all wins in life. They are moments of celebration that the community shares. This community helps to increase the celebration and joy at such a victory. Imagine that you score the winning point in a basketball game. Isn’t it the team that carries you on their shoulders and douses you with Gatorade? So it is with the wins of your life. The church is the team that lifts you up, prays for you, hands you a piece of cake, gives you hugs, handshakes, cards, and gifts to increase the joy of your accomplishments.
But just as no team has a totally perfect record, no church lives life without losses. In the game of life we will all experience loss. There is the loss of a job, the loss of life, the loss of a marriage. There are personal failures: poor choices you make that lead to consequences you regret. Sometimes you blow it and lose the game. It’s what the kids call: “epic fail.” When this happens it is the team that stands by you and shares in the bitterness of loss. This why at a funeral the church comes together. We are here to bear a portion of the sadness, to grieve, to hold one another up, and to wait with patient expectation for hope and new possibilities with God.
God is our coach. A good coach knows her players and knows in exactly what areas a player can improve their game. Similarly God works in each of our lives through the Holy Spirit to love and support us. Pastors and youth ministers are like team captains. You’ve called us to help lead as one of you, but we are in the team right next you experiencing the wins and losses just as you are. We are not above the game. And just as the team captain is not necessarily the MVP (most valuable player) neither are we. There are leaders that rise up from within the congregation to take the lead in the game of life. Some have been playing the game a long time and have advice on how to win more and suffer losses less. Some players are younger and full of energy. We need your youth and exuberance. All of us look to God for guidance.
Commitment. A team is successful when its members are committed. Any young person who has gone through confirmation knows that sports and church activities often compete for the time and attention of young people. When a family has to decide whether to skip a church event or a sports game, I will often here the rationale of, “Johnny made a commitment to the team and he cannot skip out on that commitment.” What about the commitment made to church? What is the commitment one makes? At Baptism parents and sponsors commit to the Christian education of their children. That is a commitment. There are no simple or easy answers to these challenges. Each family and each person has to figure out what they will do and how to compromise.
I hope that as you join and play with various sports teams throughout your life, that you would remember that there is a team that lasts for more than one season or even one year. There is a team that has got your back, and is by your side at the highest highs and lowest lows. You don’t have to retire from this team. You don’t have to try out for this team. All are welcome. You are welcome. Should you decide to stop playing for a while, you will be dearly missed, but you are never forsaken. Should you decide to stay on and practice for the long haul, I can guarantee that you won’t regret it, and that the ride will be far wilder and unexpected than you can ever imagine!
Showing posts with label youth ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youth ministry. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tattoos as a Sacrament?
Alanna's understanding of communion focuses on an open table, and connection to Christ. Her tattoo of the elements of communion helps me understand how through communion Chris is connected to the one who receives. Thanks Alanna for this deep reflection!
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Hand of God
Bryan reflects on his journey to Los Angeles, Skid Row, and Pershing Square. There he met a man by the name of Michael who was "wise without trying to be wise." Bryan shares how he thinks the hand of God is at work in the world. Thanks Bryan!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
How to [Not] Talk to Youth
My friend Katie shares where she finds ultimate authority. Advice and opinions can be helpful, but eventually God is the ultimate source. Our youth group watched this, talked about it, and then practiced it with some sweet Lectio Divina. It was super powerful. Thank you Katie!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Empowerment of Youth...a Dangerous Cocktail
I just finished reading "Flickering Pixels" by Shane Hipps. What a compelling exhortation for people of faith to take a sober account of how "technology shapes your faith." I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the confluence of technology and faith, especially folks in the Theology After Google conversation.
Hipps' peace-making Mennonite Christian faith overlaps with his background in marketing/advertising/media. He has a profound respect for community: face to face interactions, and makes their primacy clear for Christian faith. Yet, he engages media and technology head on, with plenty of cautionary tales, but also a realistic conceit as to how they affect theology!
Hipps argues that the advent of the printing press and the proliferation of printed media were as influential to the Reformation as the content of theologians like Luther and Calvin. He also argues that the ubiquity of images today with TV/internet changes the way persons think and theology too. Here is a priceless quote: "The Internet makes a flat stone of the mind and skips it across the surface of the world's information ocean. A book, by contrast, is a sturdy submarine, diving the mind deep into the sea" (pg 146).
Most fascinating of all was Hipps' insight into the “empowerment of youth.” Because they learn and adapt to technology faster, argues Hipps, they become the ones in control--the adults, and adults become the marginalized—the young; thus a reversal of power. He then goes on to highlight some forms of encrypted language people use for drug use and other illicit behavior. Another quote: “This unprecedented empowerment of youth, along with our image-fueled obsession with beauty, is a dangerous cocktail. In a culture that worships youth, what incentive do our kids have to ever grow up?” (139)
What’s wrong with empowering youth? I would argue that the problem exposed is not empowerment of youth; the problem/danger is the exploitation of youth. If young people are given the chance to be full participants in the body of Christ, they will. Youth are human beings. They are not deranged beings with insatiable appetites for drugs, sex, and rock and roll (ok maybe rock and roll). They have insatiable appetites for community! If kids invent language for drug use, this is in large part because they are being exploited by a network of drug dealers (probably with influential adults at the top), and not given proper oversight and boundaries. I agree with Hipps whole-heartedly that boundaries are essential for youth, just as they are essential for adults. I think that an emerging theology of the 21st century that openly recognizes the influence of media is one where young people are empowered to be full members of the body of Christ. The gospel for youth is that Jesus at 12 years old was in the temple teaching the adults.* Youth, who are empowered by technology have an opportunity to teach adults something about God, just as Jesus did, and Mary, David, Samuel, Ruth, Abel, Hagar, Ishmael…
Hipps’ cautionary notes are still perfectly valid. Technology can liberate, but can also be used to enslave. The task of the church is to take the advice of McLuhan seriously, “There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening” (182).
*Thank you Angelina, for reminding me of the story of 12-year-old Jesus.
Hipps' peace-making Mennonite Christian faith overlaps with his background in marketing/advertising/media. He has a profound respect for community: face to face interactions, and makes their primacy clear for Christian faith. Yet, he engages media and technology head on, with plenty of cautionary tales, but also a realistic conceit as to how they affect theology!
Hipps argues that the advent of the printing press and the proliferation of printed media were as influential to the Reformation as the content of theologians like Luther and Calvin. He also argues that the ubiquity of images today with TV/internet changes the way persons think and theology too. Here is a priceless quote: "The Internet makes a flat stone of the mind and skips it across the surface of the world's information ocean. A book, by contrast, is a sturdy submarine, diving the mind deep into the sea" (pg 146).
Most fascinating of all was Hipps' insight into the “empowerment of youth.” Because they learn and adapt to technology faster, argues Hipps, they become the ones in control--the adults, and adults become the marginalized—the young; thus a reversal of power. He then goes on to highlight some forms of encrypted language people use for drug use and other illicit behavior. Another quote: “This unprecedented empowerment of youth, along with our image-fueled obsession with beauty, is a dangerous cocktail. In a culture that worships youth, what incentive do our kids have to ever grow up?” (139)
What’s wrong with empowering youth? I would argue that the problem exposed is not empowerment of youth; the problem/danger is the exploitation of youth. If young people are given the chance to be full participants in the body of Christ, they will. Youth are human beings. They are not deranged beings with insatiable appetites for drugs, sex, and rock and roll (ok maybe rock and roll). They have insatiable appetites for community! If kids invent language for drug use, this is in large part because they are being exploited by a network of drug dealers (probably with influential adults at the top), and not given proper oversight and boundaries. I agree with Hipps whole-heartedly that boundaries are essential for youth, just as they are essential for adults. I think that an emerging theology of the 21st century that openly recognizes the influence of media is one where young people are empowered to be full members of the body of Christ. The gospel for youth is that Jesus at 12 years old was in the temple teaching the adults.* Youth, who are empowered by technology have an opportunity to teach adults something about God, just as Jesus did, and Mary, David, Samuel, Ruth, Abel, Hagar, Ishmael…
Hipps’ cautionary notes are still perfectly valid. Technology can liberate, but can also be used to enslave. The task of the church is to take the advice of McLuhan seriously, “There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening” (182).
*Thank you Angelina, for reminding me of the story of 12-year-old Jesus.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
youth and interreligious conversation
Last night at hs youth group, a super cool guy, by the name of Rami shared his faith with us. He is a Muslim, which means he practices Islam, or as he describes it: submission to God. Rami was very honest and articulate about his faith, and shared openly about what he believes and why. He was generous and kind, not judgmental in the least, and open to questions as well as eager to learn more about the Christian experience. At the end of our time together, Rami prayed, one of the the five times during the day that he does an intentional form of prayer.
His prayer was at least five minutes long, and in mostly complete silence. Everyone at our youth group was totally silent, respectful, and observant. But what struck me most profoundly was the openness and inquisitiveness of our young people.
This is week four in a multi-week series of inviting people to come and share their faith with our youth group. I have found that the youth are so curious! They really want to know about the religious experiences of these people. Sometimes biases come out, in both directions, but never in a seldom to never in a condescending tone. This is led me to a hypothesis:
Young people are specially equipped to have religious dialogue. Their brains are more plastic than adults. They are not "locked" into one way of looking at the world. They themselves are more likely to be honest about still figuring out their own faith, so the conversation tends to be more candid. As they begin to understand their faith in the context of a wider spectrum of religion, they gain insight and wisdom. This wisdom allows them to observe their own assumptions critically, and critical self-reflection is essential to authentic religious experience. I'm going to go reflect on that for a while.
His prayer was at least five minutes long, and in mostly complete silence. Everyone at our youth group was totally silent, respectful, and observant. But what struck me most profoundly was the openness and inquisitiveness of our young people.
This is week four in a multi-week series of inviting people to come and share their faith with our youth group. I have found that the youth are so curious! They really want to know about the religious experiences of these people. Sometimes biases come out, in both directions, but never in a seldom to never in a condescending tone. This is led me to a hypothesis:
Young people are specially equipped to have religious dialogue. Their brains are more plastic than adults. They are not "locked" into one way of looking at the world. They themselves are more likely to be honest about still figuring out their own faith, so the conversation tends to be more candid. As they begin to understand their faith in the context of a wider spectrum of religion, they gain insight and wisdom. This wisdom allows them to observe their own assumptions critically, and critical self-reflection is essential to authentic religious experience. I'm going to go reflect on that for a while.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tila Tequila & Theology After Google
I read this article in the LA Times today about Tila Tequila. I had never heard of her before, but maybe that's because I live in a salt mine (self snark). She had her own show on MTV, and a cultish following on Twitter. The story was a very provocative follow up to the recent Theology After Google (TAG) conference, also covered by the LA Times - which gives you a taste of the spectrum of life in southern California.
Sex. It's a huge issue on the internet and in the post Google world, but I am just now realizing that the TAG conference mostly avoided it. The Times article highlighted how Tila's sexuality had been exploited from an early age first by the online version of Playboy, then the magazine, Twitter, and MTV. Tila very successfully built a loyal fan base, but seemingly at the cost of her own identity. This is an extreme example of the dangers of becoming absorbed into online social media. Tila said that she would be feeling horrible in the middle of the night, then get on twitter and reveal extremely personal information and images, which was a "temporary high." The next day she would have to answer to the media who were having a heyday, sending her into another depression.
Tila is only 28 years old. She is quite young. I am concerned about how life after Google, can so easily exploit and enable young people to exploit themselves on the internet. Theology After Google should speak prophetically, by that I mean: speak truthfully, honestly, and critically, to the places of power on the internet that enable this kind of exploitation. Theology After Google should also speak words of Gospel to young people who geot caught up in such schemes and offer them an alternative way of living. This means being honest with young people and exhorting them to have boundaries and value their sexuality as a sacred gift, not as a commodity.
Young people have the skills and the desire to make connections on the internet. The church must ask itself if we are inviting the voices of young people to be a part of our conversation. Are we? What can the church do to offer a positive interaction and online community that values young people as children of God and vessels of grace?
Sex. It's a huge issue on the internet and in the post Google world, but I am just now realizing that the TAG conference mostly avoided it. The Times article highlighted how Tila's sexuality had been exploited from an early age first by the online version of Playboy, then the magazine, Twitter, and MTV. Tila very successfully built a loyal fan base, but seemingly at the cost of her own identity. This is an extreme example of the dangers of becoming absorbed into online social media. Tila said that she would be feeling horrible in the middle of the night, then get on twitter and reveal extremely personal information and images, which was a "temporary high." The next day she would have to answer to the media who were having a heyday, sending her into another depression.
Tila is only 28 years old. She is quite young. I am concerned about how life after Google, can so easily exploit and enable young people to exploit themselves on the internet. Theology After Google should speak prophetically, by that I mean: speak truthfully, honestly, and critically, to the places of power on the internet that enable this kind of exploitation. Theology After Google should also speak words of Gospel to young people who geot caught up in such schemes and offer them an alternative way of living. This means being honest with young people and exhorting them to have boundaries and value their sexuality as a sacred gift, not as a commodity.
Young people have the skills and the desire to make connections on the internet. The church must ask itself if we are inviting the voices of young people to be a part of our conversation. Are we? What can the church do to offer a positive interaction and online community that values young people as children of God and vessels of grace?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Am I My Brother's Keeper?
Many of the youth at the study were older brothers. They shared what it is like to have the responsibility of being the older sibling. One described it as being, "the Guinea Pig." I asked what it felt like to be "shown up" by a younger brother or sister? Response: Depressing, because the older is expected to get things right and show the younger how to do it. But I ask: Why can't the younger sometimes teach the older? Everyone present acknowledged that they had at one point learned something significant from someone younger than themselves (myself included).
Later, God wonders where Abel is and asks Cain. The response is classic: "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" Even though the language is biblical, everyone present at the study knew what it meant, and admitted uttering the very same words about something similar to their parents. I asked: What was your parents' response? The answer was unanimous: Yes, as a matter of fact you are your brother's keeper! So God punishes Cain, but it was so severe that Cain requested mercy, and God showed mercy.
Why is it assumed that the only the old must teach the young about God? God accepts Abel's offering and rejects Cain's because the one is appropriate, not because the person who gave it was older/younger. It is tempting for some to think that age, sex, race, language, etc. entitles favoritism by God. But this is not true. All creatures are precious to God. Youth have just as much worth in the eyes of God as do adults. Young people have a critically important role to play in the world. What we do matters! This is clear from the story of Cain and Abel: the choices and consequences of young people are widely felt.
If you are reading this blog right now, I hope you realize just how important you are. The choices you make affect everyone around you. If you think what you do doesn't matter, you are wrong! It matters a great deal, young or old you are a child of God!
Note: Picture is from "Brick Testament."
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A New Kind of Youth Ministry
Youth ministry must change. Christianity must change too! Why?
Brian D. McLaren argues in his book, A New Kind of Christianity, that the Bible has been co-opted and dominated by one narrow interpretation: the Greco-Roman narrative which forces all of scripture to conform to one philosophical outlook and forsakes the beautiful diversity of voices found speaking in the Bible.
Brian challenges Christians to learn about Jesus in light of the great biblical heroes who precede him like: Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, {Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah}, and John the Baptizer. Who were these people and what do they teach us? Who is Jesus in light of them?
What about the voices of the young?
Cain & Abel, Isaac & Ishmael, Dinah, David the anointed boy, Amos the farm boy, Esther the Queen, John leaping in the womb, Jesus the adolescent alone in the temple?
Up to this point in my tenure as a youth minister most of the resources I have encountered have all been attempts to better teach the Greco-Roman Narrative that McLaren criticizes. I claim that youth ministry should take on the task of empowering young people to read the Bible through their unique perspectives.
I propose that a thorough reading of the Bible be done looking specifically for the experience and voice of young people.
I am calling for a systematic youth theology to be constructed that is essentially concerned about God’s love for young people.
Nothing less but the future of Christianity depends on you(th). Brian McLaren claims that a New Kind of Christianity is emerging. I hope that a new kind of youth ministry is emerging too!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Who Ate This Bible?
Two nights ago at our high school youth group, our adult leader was handed a Bible that was falling apart (even worse than the one in the picture). She asked sarcastically, "Who ate this Bible?" The youth laughed! Indeed most of the Bibles in our youth room are in tatters. For a moment I was a little embarrassed that our Bibles had fallen into such disrepair, but then I felt a warm sense of pride. We have been using our Bibles so much that they have fallen apart! I can think of the dozens and dozens of times that these Bibles have been passed out, opened, read, discussed, and wrestled with. Yes, there have even been more than a few times when perhaps a Bible was tossed or even thrown around the room bordering on irreverence. This is the fine line that all youth ministers must navigate: shoe reverence, but also keep it real. So now our Bibles are falling apart and what are we to do? The next day our pastor recommended that we buy a new set of Bibles for the youth room. Do you have a story of a tattered Bible? Do you have a picture you'd like to share? Post it and link it to this site! What kind of Bible(s) should we get for our Lutheran youth group?
Green Bible
Poverty and Justice Bible
Red Letter Bible
NRSV
TNIV
NIV
CEV (What we've been using)
I don't know about you, but I am not always happy with 'youth' Bibles. It seems as if too often a 'youth Bible' is regular Bible that is jazzed up with few graphics. Does anyone know of a good Bible that actually gives commentary to the text that is applicable to youth? Let me know!
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