Well, the next few days have me attending the Ridley College Theology of Youth Ministry Conference. It's gonna be a good couple of days to think and talk youth ministry with others who are passionate about it. Recapture some of that youth ministry love.
Today was a fairly low key day with a main session given by Ken Moser and an elective. More on the elective later but first to the main session. Moser spoke to his article which in fairness I haven't read. The basic idea as I understood it was youth ministry is driven far too much by pragmatics (thanks to our North American friends) and we instead need to be motivated by being Christian. He used the analogy of a Chess club or Hockey club and said they attract people by doing chess things or hockey things so why shouldn't we as Christians attract people by doing Christian things. Now this sounds like brilliance. Of course. But something about this analogy doesn't quite sit right with me. The analogy gets pushed further by saying, the great thing about this model is we rely and trust in the power of the gospel.
So here's what I think is wrong. First youth groups are not Christian clubs. A Christian is about more than Youth Group. It's about life. A Christian does everything different. A chess player plays chess at his chess club and lives the rest of his life doing other things, like getting a real job. Moser said we needed to be like the chess club, which does chess things to gain new members, so the Christian youth club needs to do only Christian things. My problem. Everything is a Christian thing. I get that studying the bible is a Christian thing, and praying is a Christian thing, and singing etc. But so is being joyful, so is fun, so is music, so is being the fully embodied person God created you to be. I don't believe there are a set of 'christian things' that our clubs can or can't do. Likewise, there are a whole range of reasons a person might join a chess club or hockey club. For example to get to know people, to pass the time, to get fit (more a hockey thing!), to pass time. They're happy to play chess or hockey because it gives them access to other things (like social capital) or freedom from boredom.
So why couldn't a Christian group have random fun? It draws people in, it helps people get to know each other. It's fun. It builds community. It enables us to get to know each other better which in turn enables us to build deeper relationships, gives shared history to talk about. We can have fun and we can do it all in the name of Jesus. Perhaps I'm missing something?
We also had a discussion at my table about whether or not I was doubting the power of the gospel if I thought youth groups might need to do more than just study the bible or pray or sing. I provocatively answered that I did. I do doubt the power of a lazy presentation of the gospel that makes sense in our Christian world to have a powerful impact in a foreign culture. To me, it's like saying I doubt that someone who only understands Japanese will convert to the gospel if I walk up and tell it to them in English. I doubt this will happen. Oh well you say, I must doubt the power of the gospel. That's just stupid. And I think so it is with teenagers. They live in a culture. You speak a language they understand but convey ideas and concepts they can't connect to their reality then you might as well speak another language. The gospel has power if it is understood. God gives understand and asks us to work hard at making it understandable.
So they're some of my thoughts. If you were there, please help me to understand why I'm wrong? If you weren't, but know what Moser thinks about all this, let me know! :)
It was a good day. Looking forward to tomorrow!
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I wasn't there so I can't comment on Moser. :)
ReplyDeleteBut I like where you're going with this Chris. As Christians, we have a greater reason for joy, fun and laughter than any other people. That's both attractive to others and true to who we are in Christ. Because we know the Creator, enjoying his creations is an incredibly 'Christian' thing to do!
I think the question about the power of the gospel assumes that the gospel can be abstracted from culture. Of course we believe in the power of the gospel, but the gospel always comes contextualised, that is, communicated through culture and cultural constructs. The question is whether we will contextualise it well (in a way those we're seeking to reach will understand) or poorly (putting roadblocks in the way of them accepting it).
Chris,
ReplyDeleteAs a youth minister in Sydney I've had a bit to do with Ken (he was my youth ministry lecturer at college). I’m not at the conference (I wish!), so I didn’t hear what Ken said in Melbourne, but I am familiar with the angle of attack Ken usually takes.
First, I think your table was a bit rough on you. We do need to make the way we communicate the life giving gospel of Jesus culturally effective. I think Ken would agree.
If you read Ken’s website at www.effectiveyouthministry.com or any of his books, they will be able to explain what he is about far, far better than I will be able to.
It is clear that Ken has no trouble with fun. Jesus had a sense of humour. I’m sure he laughed with His disciples often. Fun is not the enemy!
And you’re right, following Jesus should involve your whole life, not just the few hours of youth group. Again, Ken would agree.
But, and the point which Ken usually makes, is that we need to be authentic in what we do.
Here is where I feel the “chess club” analogy fits in.
They are about chess. They are unashamedly about chess. When you arrive at the chess club they are not presenting themselves as something they’re not nor tacking on their “real” agenda at the end.
While sharing life with the kids, having fun, playing purposeful games, ect we run the risk of playing “bait & switch.” The power of the groups’ effectiveness lays in the proclamation of the gospel, not in flashing lights, a youth minister with a cool hairstyle or the banquet we provide weekly.
It should be clear that we are about following, growing in and sharing Christ. We should be true to that purpose just like the chess club is unapologetically open about being primarily about chess.
This, I suspect, is the point Ken was trying to make and one of the traps he thinks we have inherited from the US.
I don’t think you’re wrong, and further still, I think Ken would be fine with what you said… so long as it unmistakably points people to Jesus.
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts, mate. Working in youth ministry up in NSW, we've also had a bit to do with Ken's approach to youth ministry. I think you're right - being Christian is about our whole lives, and so playing games and having fun is still a part of being Christian.
I think the big thing Ken's reacting to, though, is the old notion that you won't get kids involved unless you try and hide what you're actually doing. So you get a big-name band, or a super-fun adrenaline activity, or an opportunity for kids to flirt with each other, and then you go "Surprise! Here's a five minute talk about Jesus!" or "See? Jesus is actually cool, so follow him, too!"
That approach tends to leave kids jaded, and wondering why you haven't been honest with them, or why you're trying to tack on Jesus to the end of everything. Instead, Ken's suggesting that if our long-term goal is to build followers of Jesus, then we should be upfront and honest about that. He builds fun into learning about God and his word. We know that young people are capable of really deep thinking, so we don't dumb things down for them. It's still important to contextualise the message so it's understandable and accessible to the youth age-group. But you're not presenting mixed messages about the gospel by saying, "Ok, our fun time's over. Now for the serious bit".
I don't think he wants you to stop the bonding stuff, or the community-building stuff. Just be upfront: here, we're all about Jesus.
Just like Graham said. :)
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your statments on "random fun" it does draw people in etc.. like you said. The only concern I have with your statement is maybe its easy to say your doing it all in the name of Jesus but its harder in reality.
The chess club can decide to grow so they promote that its more than a chess club. They can do a great job and get a range of differnt people coming in. But, maybe if this is their focus they'll forget about playing chess. The Chess club needs to do more to grow but if they are a chess clube they still need to play chess. A youth group should do everything they can to grow and reach youth who haven't been saved but they still need to always be all about Jesus, just as you said a Christian should be.
I loved your statement "we can do it all in the name of Jesus".Thats what its all about.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the conference.
Thanks Chris for your observations. You have clarified for me why some of Ken Moser's views and writings on youth ministry have never sat well with me.
ReplyDeleteIt also reminds me of a recent conversation where I was told that unless I explained the gospel in full each and every Friday night, I had failed/ short-changed my youth.
Jesus spent three years with his disciples, teaching them bit by bit. Surely he did not explain the kingdom of God in its entirety every day. Rather he taught a bit here and there, as prompted by the situations that arose, by conversations raised... I try to do the same.
I refuse to feel guilty for not always covering all ?four points of the gospel every week. And I refuse to feel guilty for playing games/doing activities with the young people (among other things) because they need to see a Christian community in action.
Thanks again.
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteall too often we get into the either or discussion in church youth work. it is either christian or its fun. i couldn't agree more that it is not either or but both at the same time.
if as a youth ministry you are "hiding" your christianity then there is an issue. however if you are so unashamed of the gosple that it is flying in the face of the kids you have issues too. generally the young people know they are coming to a christian group... you don't need to slap them in the face with it too!!!
loved your take on it. keep making people think.