thank you

thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts. no worries on the review — seriously! i can appreciate any review — people have opinions. that’s totally cool. i have them too. it was nice of you to “re-edit” some of your words.

i was pizzled about the fact that someone (who most likely appreciated your review and may not have even read my book) felt it necessary to bombard my mind and heart with the negativity that came from your review without a thought as to what kind of an annoyance it might be to the receiver…

i was hoping to hear from the culprit — but so appreciate you taking the time stop by and add your thoughts.

blessings friend,

chris

I am the author of the review. Not the email. I promise. I am not so lame to do something like that. I’m sorry they keep sending it to you and that I might come off like a hater in the review. Retrospective editing is a lot easier.

I didn’t hate your book (or you). My reviews are based on usefulness to a very certain segment of youth ministry and clearly aren’t intended for every youth minister everywhere.

I am all for reculturing our churches, but I didn’t feel like this was the book to guide the intended readership (historical Lutheran churches and all their quirks) through that process. The reality is many of our congregations aren’t ready to change at the drop of a hat and need patient teaching, coaxing, and training in the ideas of missional living and learner centric eduction. I was frustrated in my read of the book because I felt that most of the reculturing was things that I was already working towards, things I already felt passionate about. You said it well, but didn’t explain to me how exactly I was to inact change without falling into the same traps of frustration you experienced in your congregational ministry. I am a big picture person, but as you rightly point out in your book–communication is key. But you didn’t give us the communication.

I didn’t say that well enough in the article and retrospectively wrote things that are easily misread. And I apologize.

As Jeremy came to know yesterday, I love good dialogue. Though it sometimes takes me more than 800 words to spit it out.

Peace on your Tuesday,
Alaina

I know exactly how Chris Folmsbee feels. Chris is Chief Ministry officer at YouthFront and President of Sonlife. He’s a class act guy and is an excellent leader.
Part of being a leader is sticking your neck out. And Chris has done that. He put th…

i think your summary of my book is a good one and very helpful for folks interested in reading it … thanks for recommending it too!

I think you should read Chris’ book. He is actually not advocating selling-out for the sake of relevance; as in an abandonment of tradition. This relevance vs. tradition dichotomy is, as you say, overplayed and unhelpful. Chris’ book rather suggests a move towards a more holistic youth ministry, rooted in the narrative of God’s mission of restoration of the world, centralized in Jesus Christ (that’d be my summary Chris…I hope you’d find it accurate). This is much more substantive than a mere calling for relevance. He challenges some long-time youth practices, but admits that a process of reculturing is not what every youth ministry context calls for. I recommend taking a look at his book. You’ll see that its much more than just a blanket call for relevance.

Wow, two long posts in one day. Must be something I’m avoiding.

thanks for stumbling by
i agree with you. it is a fine line between the two — culture and relevance. email me your address and i’ll send you a copy of my book.

i was totally thinking the same thing — a break dance off. nice.

thanks for looking out for me!

chris

Well anyway there’s my two cents worth. May God continually bless you and your ministry,

Aaron Brant