A New Kind of Youth Ministry

“Silent Night” has always been my favorite Christmas song/carol.  My favorite version?  That’s easy — Sarah McLachlan’s version [Wintersong].

An Austrian priest named, Father Joseph Mohr, wrote the lyrics to the song “Silent Night”.   Mohr was born in 1792 the son of mercenary soldier and unmarried seamstress.  Mohr, as a result of being born to his unwed mother and father, he needed the Pope’s special permission to even be considered for the priesthood.  Mohr was ordained in 1815.

Mohr is known to have been a very generous man who donated much of his wages to charity.  He also created a fund to allow children from poor families to attend school in Wagrain, Austria.

[You can read up on him at Wikipedia too]

Who knows what goes through a person’s head and heart when they write the lyrics to a song but I have to believe that Father Mohr had one primary reason to write Silent Night – the gospel story.

Mohr, when he wrote the phrase, “Sleep in heavenly peace,” must have been thinking about Shalom.  Shalom is a Hebrew word and it means, peace as you might expect.  It also means, completeness or wholeness.  The word can refer to a harmony or a well being between God and man.  This of course, is the gospel – wholeness between man and God.  When Father Mohr wrote the phrase, “Sleep in heavenly peace” it was not coincidentally linked to the phrase “With the dawn of redeeming grace.”  Jesus is the dawn of redeeming grace that makes it possible to sleep in heavenly peace.  The gospel is about Shalom.  The gospel is personal.  It is about discovering wholeness between God, self and others.  But the gospel is also communal as it is about discovering wholeness for the sake of the world.  Christmas is about God’s Son, love’s pure light.  Christmas is about the gospel.

I can think of few things that are more calm and tender than laying my head on my pillow at night knowing that I will rest in heavenly peace.  I may or may not get a good night sleep, but I will be sleeping in the truth of Shalom or heavenly peace.

But what about those who don’t yet know the radiant beams from God’s Holy face, or the redeeming grace that brings about a Silent Night?  This Christmas I challenge you to be mindful of the Shalom in which you reside.  Also, remember that the gospel isn’t only for you; it is for the sake of the entire world.  Discover or re-discover this Christmas what it means for you to engage in God’s mission to restore the world to its intended wholeness.  Go tell it on the mountain.

Re-post from www.slant33.com: Check out what my friends Steve Argue and Lily Lewin have to say about the same question HERE.

Why is spiritual formation so often referred to as being on a path or journey?

First, I think it may be the healthiest way to view spiritual formation—as though each of us is unfinished, always becoming. So we refer to it as a path or journey to remind us of where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. Not only does it remind us of ourselves, it reminds us of others who have also embarked on the path toward becoming more like Jesus.

Second, to refer to it as a journey or path implicitly suggests movement. We aren’t a static people; we are a pilgrim people in exile, awaiting our future residence with God. A path or journey denotes progress or development.

Third, a journey is unpredictable, isn’t it? When was the last voyage or expedition you took that didn’t have some twist or turn—unwanted, maybe—but nonetheless, an arbitrary happening. Our path to formation is like this. It possesses sometimes an immediate and abrupt change in plans. We are who we are becoming to respond to those changes in plans. Ever been delayed at an airport? Had a flat tire? Lost your passport or had it stolen? All of these things contribute to our journey.

Fourth, a path has undulations. It has smooth and rocky soil. Paths have steep ascents and declines. Paths can be leisurely traveled or require great amounts of exertion. Is not the spiritual journey of becoming like Jesus very similar?

Fifth, a path or journey represents a course of action—a purpose. Spiritual formation isn’t passive; it requires certain practices and disciplines. Formation doesn’t just happen. Change may operate this way (except from a vending machine), but (trans)formation demands that we take up our cross, not simply sit and look at it.

Finally, just as a journey or path can open to other routes or passageways, connecting us to people along the way, so can our formation open us up to new dimensions of our soul, connecting us to people and places we’ve yet to discover.

Photo: paulmayers.blogs.com

Mark Oestricher is doing a series on the future of youth ministry over HERE.  Marko typically has some great thoughts regarding youth ministry past, present and future so I encourage you to stay tuned and engage the conversation as he writes along.

Today Marko has quoted me regarding the future of youth ministry.  Honestly, I had totally forgotten that I had given Marko that quote.  When I went to his blog thinking I might read about his recent trip to Ireland I was completely surprised to see my ugly mug.

After reading the post I actually went back to my email to refresh my memory as to the context of the quote. Marko asked me and a couple dozen of his other friends to give him our most immediate thoughts on the future of youth ministry — a word, sentence or paragraph — whatever came to the top of our mind.  Here is what I came up with:

The future of youth ministry looks a lot like the past — and enduring search for what we’ll never find — the “right” way to do youth ministry.

Marko characterized my quote as “bleak”.  It is bleak, I suppose — and I hope I am not right about my precieved need for youth workers to be “right” as I have eluded to in the above quotation.

Of course, there is no “right” way to do youth ministry.  Youth ministry is a missional endeavor and that reality means that youth ministry must be contextualized.  Therefore, there will be no “right” way.

I remember when I jotted that quote down for Marko I was feeling a bit peeved.  I’d just come out of a day of facilitating youth workers in some of our Barefoot Training.  I was aggravated by the number of youth workers who had sat with me all day shaking their heads in agreement and with the others who engaged in thoughtful dialogue with the narrative-missional approach that we present.  Yet at the same time, at the end of the day some youth workers were asking for some kind  of plug and play model that would bring them certain success.  C’mon.  Really?  I thought we were passed that.  It seems not.  I think models can be a good thing, but one right model for all contexts?  Nope.

Marko asks in his post, “what if we shift from the scientific language and mindset of “rightness” in our ministry approach to the language and mindset of discernment and experimentation?”  I love this question and I love what implicitly resides with this question — a yielded trust that God’s mission to restore the world to its intended wholeness is active and that our enduring search to find the best ways to participate in it is for the sake of the world.

My friend Aaron Mitchum and I wrote a couple nifty little books on some of the spiritual disciplines.  Currently we have 5 of the books (series of 12) done and we are currently working on the next 5.  We’ve finished Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Study and Journaling. The full series name is Bloom Books:  Everyday Practices For A Flourishing Faith.

These books are short, sweet and to the point.  They are intended to introduce students to a few of the common and classic spiritual disciplines and give the students a set of practices that can shape their ongoing Christian formation.

I’m excited about these books for three reasons.  First, I’ve had this idea in my head and heart for a couple of years and it is great to see the dream come to fruition.  Second, I think these books have the opportunity to help thousands of students to engage the disciplines that have shaped the souls of thousands and thousands of Christians for centuries connecting students to a community far greater and wider than what they might even realize.  Finally, I am excited about the books because each of them comes with and experiential learning guide that leaders can use to help their students (and themselves) more deeply engage in the practice (retreats, classes, trips, pilgrimage, etc.).

The guides have been written by Aaron Mitchum and Paul Sheneman (you might remember Paul.  He is the guy who wrote this book on mentoring and Aaron wrote Bleed Out: Stories of Christ-like Compassion.)

Look for these books to release Spring 2011.  You can pre-order them HERE now.

Story is everything when we share our faith. After all, what is the gospel but the story of God’s will, way, and work of providing salvation and justice for all of humanity through the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ?

Here are 10 ways that story plays into faith sharing:

1. Story makes things personal. It makes a personal God and a personal relationship with God comprehensible.
2. Story provides meaning. What else makes sense of this world and our place in this world but the story of God, self, others, and the world?
3. Story connects to community. It helps people connect to a people, a history, or a greater context.
4. Story connects people with people. While story connects people to a broader people, it also connects individuals to others with like affinities.
5. Story evokes the imagination. While history (in the classic sense) can feel stale to many, story can open up new possibilities. Story can help people visualize how their lives might be different.
6. Story provides purpose. Connection to a people, particularly the people of God, links not-yet believers to a grand mission in which to engage and to live out.
7. Story provides explanation. For many, story helps them make sense of their inner selves in light of the outer world.
8. Story produces forward thinking. Story has a way of making people who engage the story focus in on its ending. Story helps people make sense of the redemptive plan of God.
9. Story imparts compassion. On a personal level, understanding one another in light of others’ experiences and situations builds within each of us compassion to see with new, soft eyes of grace.
10. Story constructs a unique expression. Each of us has our own way of responding to the will, way, and work of God. Story helps not-yet believers find their place in God’s epic story.

Check out what my friends Brooklyn and Mike have to say about this same topic over at Slant33.com.

A few months ago I started working along side of some great people from The House Studio (I am still with Barefoot too!) to find innovative ways to tell God stories.  Stay tuned as we have some wonderful new products in the pipeline for missional churches, small groups, etc.  For instance, right now we are working on a couple of projects (in cooperation with Work of the People) that include Stanley Hauerwas and Walter Brueggemann.

Occasionally I will be posting over at our House Studio blog if you’d like to join me over there.

Originally posted at SLANT33.COM.  My attempt at answering the following question: In what ways are reading Scripture and letting Scripture read us different?

Before I even answer this question, let me say this. If you have not read Eat This Book, by Eugene Peterson, go to Amazon and get it now. You will be blessed by its contribution to your spiritual formation.

Now, to the question at hand… Four thoughts come to my mind when asked the difference between reading Scripture and letting Scripture read us. The best way I know to answer this question is through my own life experience. These thoughts may not be true for you, but then again, they might be very true.

1. Accessibility or Authority. When I read the Scriptures, I go looking for something as if I am the authority on the text/subject. When I let the Scripture read me, I go into it with a soul that is open and accessible, able to be reached (for example, during the practice of lectio divina).

2. Practice or Principle. When I let Scripture read me, I am in search of a forming practice or a faith-shaping discipline that transforms me from the inside out. When I go to Scripture, I am often in search of a particular premise or principle. The former is much more difficult and requires more of my conscious effort.

3. Soak or Surface. When I let Scripture read me, it means that I am permeable, and I absorb the truth into my very being. Letting the truth soak into my soul opens up new dimensions of truth. Sometimes, when I read the Scriptures, I am simply searching for truth on the surface.

4. Mission or Myself. Usually when I read Scripture, I am tempted to read into the passage(s) what I need God to do for me or what God has done for me. A particular blessing, perhaps? On the other hand, when I let Scripture read me, I usually end up finding ways that God can use me for the sake of the world, as opposed to me using God.

Go to SLANT33.COM to check out what my friends Sarah Arthur and Andy Root have to say about this very topic.

My friend and co-worker named Paul Sheneman who blogs HERE, works HERE and leads the youth ministry HERE wrote a nifty little e-book called, The Art of Mentoring: A 14-Day Study of Biblical Experts.  We’ve been giving this e-book out to all of our $5 Training participants.  Recently, we have heard such positive feedback about the book that we wanted to share it all with you too.  Enjoy!  You can download it for FREE HERE or click on the image to the left.

Paul is a gifted thinker and has a huge passion for helping churches explore a transformational approach to youth ministry.  Paul has his Master’s in Christian Education and is committed to helping youth workers guide students into spiritual formation for the mission of God.  Currently, Paul coordinates our live training events throughout North America.  Paul is also a huge part of our A World Unbroken project.

Merge is a week-long gathering of youth workers and students in Grand Rapids, MI held on the campus of Cornerstone University.  The dates are July 11-16.  Merge was founded by Michael Novelli of Echo the Story, author of Shaped by the Story and editor of Credo.  Here are 7(+2) reasons why you should take your students to this event:

1. It is super creative and original.  This event will undoubtedly fire the imagination of your entire youth ministry – adults and youth alike.  It is stimulating in every dimension – visually, emotionally, intellectually, socially and even physically.  When you leave Merge you’ll leave inspired.
2. It is experiential in nature. At the very core of Merge is a learning theory build on experience.  This isn’t something you do for your students– this is something you do with your students.  If you, like me, see yourself as a co-learner with your students, you will love Merge.  When you leave Merge, you will have experienced deeper levels of intimacy with God and others.
3. It is proven. Merge has been around for several years now.  While those who lead Merge are always listening to the participants who attend and engage it to make it a more robust experience, it isn’t as if they are still “working out the kinks”.  Merge delivers.  I continue to hear stories of transformation from students, adults and entire faith communities.  When you leave Merge, expect to hear and be caught up in amazing stories of transformation.
4. It is very organized. I’ve been to Merge on several occasions.  It is always well organized.  From the easy use of the website to the registration to the gathering itself, you won’t feel as though you are not well informed or in the dark.  It won’t feel rigid or exclusive in any way, however.  When you leave Merge, you might just say to yourself, “That is the most organized youth event I have ever been to.”
5. It is rooted in practice. The people who facilitate Merge do what they are suggesting others do in their youth ministry every week with students.  Merge doesn’t divorce theory or theology from practice.  When you leave Merge, you will take away a new or renewed vision for learning and engaging God’s story and mission and plenty of practical tools to go with it.
6. It is biblical. Those who put Merge together are passionate about the entire narrative of God.  They get what it means to provide a theory for learning and growing within the context of the bible.  When you leave Merge, you will not feel as though they left the Bible out of the equation, that is for certain.
7. It is designed for community. Merge is designed for your faith community to be just that – a community.  If this next year of Merge is anything like it was in the past, you will have strategic yet informal times to grow together as a community of faith.

Bonus reason # 1 – They work with an incredibly skilled and artistic group of people called, Imago.  We use Imago for a ton of our new projects at Barefoot and there are three reasons why — (1) they are off the creative charts, (2) they get it, they really understand how to communicate through story, image and metaphor and (3) they are fun to work with.

Bonus reason # 2 – MarkO says to go too! Check it out HERE.

The last several years of my live I have been intensely involved with training youth workers.  I’ve been involved in developing the training (volunteer & paid) and I’ve been equally involved with delivering training all over North America and throughout parts of the world.

Recently, I have noticed a shift in many youth workers thinking about YM training.  Many youth workers are recognizing the immediate need for training that is contextualized.  The specific uniqueness’s of their individual culture and subcultures has compelled them to situate their training (in all forms – inspirational, informational, formational, etc.) directly amidst the needs of their co-laborers.

While I wish companies like Barefoot were called upon more often to develop and deliver training (that’s how we pay our bills), I love that contextualized YM training is finding its way into the core of what youth workers prioritize.

As you develop YM training for your context I suggest the following 5 tips:

1. Know the need. What is the need you are trying to address?  Specifically, what is the area of help you are attempting to provide?  Is it theological, philosophical or both?  Is it a practical matter such as building relationships, facilitating small groups or teaching Sunday school? Whatever the contextual need is you are attempting to address, it must be explicit in the training in order to be effective.
2. Know your objectives. Addressing a specific need or set of needs is one thing, developing a set of objectives for both the presenter/facilitator and the learner are critical.  Effective learning objectives allow the training participant to have a clear understanding of what they can specifically do after the training gathering to implement or apply the concepts and ideas in the training.  Clear objectives also allow for effective evaluation and revision of the material.
3. Know the type of training you are offering. For example, Is the training a workshop or a seminar?  There is a dramatic difference between these two types of training.  Seminars are specialized classes where there is information is presented and seldom acted upon.  Workshops, on the other hand, are typically more collaborative in nature and tend to be more creative in their delivery.  Training workshops, as opposed to training seminars, most often offer actual examples or roleplaying that helps apply the ideas and concepts within the training experience itself.
4. Know what the training’s ultimate purpose is. In my opinion, the most effective training has the learner in mind.  The most helpful YM training is not designed to prop up the abilities of the presenter.  Instead, helpful training is intentional about finding ways to engage the learner at their level of interest, desire and ability.  Is the material you are training designed for inspiration, information, formation, or all three?  Determining the delivery purpose is essential to the laser focus that the training ought to provide for its learners.
5. Know the importance of evaluation and live by it. As a trainer, the tendency after a seminar or workshop is finished is to simply be done with it.  However, to develop the most effective YM training for your context, you must appreciate and engage intentional evaluation.  Develop a structure for evaluation that allows for the training participants to provide honest feedback and and constructive input.  Allowing the training participants to craft quality training will enrich the learning of the entire community.