A New Kind of Youth Ministry

A few years ago I bumped into a series of books in a collection from The Pilgrim Press called, Youth Ministries Alternatives. Youth Ministry Alternatives provides “resources of theological integrity rooted in real congregations.” It is a good line of books and I have found the books to be just as they suggest they provide.

I have been inspired and challenged by all of the books in the series that I have read. Two books in particular have really made me think more deeply about my role as a youth worker and as one who trains youth workers. One of the books is called, Practicing Discernment with Youth by David White and the second is a most recent read entitled, Lives To Offer: Accompanying Youth on Their Vocational Quests by Baker and Mercer. I have posted on White’s book before so I’ll just confine the excerpts in this post to the book, Lives To Offer.

The following excerpts are from the very beginning of the book. Honestly, the entire book is worth your time but for me, the most influential and thought shaping writing came in the first few chapters.

Excerpt # 1

“…we talk about vocation theologically, as the practice through which people offer their lives in response to God’s call, amid a world in need. This means that vocation is more than a job, more than a career, more than a religious office.” (Page 9)

I confess this made me think a lot about me. I pondered some significant questions about my job, my life and my faith when I read this. Far too often I have a job and that’s not good.

Excerpt # 2

“Vocation refers to theological ways of making sense of everyday actions and experiences, framed in the light of a God who calls people to particular ways of being in the world. Soccer coaches, Sunday school teachers, foster families — even soldiers and war protesters — all may be sorting through their actions in a world in relation to God’s call. This theological view of vocation speaks to both the private or inner discernment of individual gifts, and also to the deeply public quest, fostered within a community of others who also struggle to live lives of meaning in relation to God’s call.” (Page 9)

I love that Baker and Mercer highlighted the communal aspect of determining ones vocation. And in doing so, I also love that they didn’t suggest that a community of people determines your vocation. Rather, a community of people fosters one determining their own vocation. In other words, determining ones vocation(s) is most certainly an individual quest but it is a failed one in isolation, outside of the community’s shared experience.

Excerpt # 3

“We envision churches as communities of practice in which believers accompany one antoher in living out their baptismal callings — callings that take them into pockets of brokenness and need in an at-risk hurting world. We invite readers of this book to imagine with us a church in which adults are companions of young people in their vocational journey’s.” (Page 11)

Ah. Here in lies the challenge. How do we do this? I can see it. I am moved by the image conjured up in my mind after reading this passage but how do we make the vision a reality? Do you and I really believe that we can re-shape youth ministry into a ministry in which our colleagues, team mates and volunteers really are companions of young people? Is anyone doing this?  I don’t mean are we or our adult volunteers helping to shape the spiritual formation of adolescents.  I know that is happening.  But are we really becoming companions –  people who accompany and travel with students on their quests?  Are we providing that community that fosters the ability to determine vocation?

I’d love to hear some stories of where we see this happening. Or … I’d love to hear some theory on how to make it happen.

I think you should read Lives to Offer. You’ll be better for it and so will your adult volunteers who I am sure are consistently looking at those of you who lead the youth ministry for equipping and development. Of course, ultimately your students will be impacted as well and that is what it is all about.