I recently came up with some ideas on what "I believe" in relation to Youth & Young Adult Ministry. I would like to extend an invitation to you to add your own statements as well. Let's start a conversation!
I believe…
In the power of Youth and Young Adults to make a difference.
I believe…
In the responsibility of our communities to give them space to find their voices.
I believe…
In the responsibility of those in power to include a wide array of diversity at the table – ages, opinions, beliefs, abilities, and more.
I believe…
In the power of showing by example.
I believe…
That Youth and Young Adults are our present and that the future belongs to all of us.
I believe…
That the church is a multi-generational community and that every age co-hort can learn from and teach to each other.
I believe…
That we need to put as much time and money and energy into these age groups and those who work most closely with them as they deserve. They cannot flourish without resources.
I believe…
That we have an ever-present and ever-loving God in whom all things are possible.
I believe…
That you must pave the way for a foundation before you build the house. In other words…
they will not come until you build it. And if you don’t build it, they might never come.
I believe…
That many of us in ministry – clergy and lay leaders amongst us – had foundational experiences as young people and that we have left these experiences up to others outside our denomination and outside church as a whole to make the space and time for these formative experiences.
I believe…
That we can change the future by concentrating on the present.
I believe…
That we have failed a generation of Youth & Young Adults by not witnessing with them that experiences in the model of Jesus can change their worldviews and their lives.
I believe…
In an age of online communication and virtual reality that people of all ages are craving face to face community and that the church is perfectly situated to be where they turn.
I believe…
That no one thing is the solution.
3 comments:
I believe -
...youth are not a problem to be studied, but a solution.
...good youth ministry mirrors some of the best aspects of the Emerging Church movement: innovative, creative, and challenging.
I believe:
youth ministry like a one ring circus tent; admission is free, bought and paid for by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are unlimited settings, for all who seek him shall find room at the table. In the center is the ring master (youth minister), who gives a play by play of what is happening. As teens come in they are told they can choose any seat (church) in any section (denomination), and are asked to find a seat as quickly as possible. Those teens who seem lost will be directed to their parents’ seats (church). At some point the youth minister will ask if the teens would like to change their church or denomination. When all teens take their seats again the minister or church leader in that section will ask why the teen chose this section and that seat. The dialogue that follows is confirmation class. For me youth group is about reminding teens about their relationship with God.
I believe................
God is the ringmaster and we are baptized into the tent of the church. Christian Youth Ministers are called by God to be servant leaders. They are to be "John the Baptists" preparing and pointing the way to the Living Christ.
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