May 14, 2009

f i n g e r s   
Author: E. Dale

Posted in Uncatagorical Miscellany | |

I don’t mean to point any fingers, but I grew up with the regular admonition to
“Be in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day with the Lord’s people“
Sometimes going to church on Sunday seems to be little more than an end unto itself. In nearly 30 years of youth ministry, I regularly heard that it was good because “they” (the teenagers) were ”…in church and not somewhere else getting into trouble.” ~Right~ Anyway, I’m almost certain some people show up just because it is the weekly oblation of their “Christian” life. Sad, but true.
Again, I don’t mean to point a finger, but when you find yourself referring to members of the church as “they…” Let’s just say that it doesn’t sound like your on the right side of the eternal equation. The church, regardless of an individual’s age, denomination…or sinful prejudice is “we” if we are born again believers….

On the other hand are a bunch more fingers, so just ask yourself, ‘Is it possible that regular participation in the Sunday church ritual is not the purpose of Christian life, but rather a humble beginning?‘ or perhaps a launching point? …an affirmation/celebration/preparation of having lived, and a commitment to continue living, abundantly… A place to practice our “God loving” by recollecting our motivation, and our plans for ”neighbor loving” and “disciple making? I mean, just for starters…literally.

It can’t really be about the “quality” of the worship service lest we just encourage mere spectatorship at the free, weekly, so-so performances (Okay, so we usually receive a donated offering). And it can’t really be about quality of the speaker….we hired one already and while I think he’s great, I expect he would admit he’s no MacArthur, Swindoll, Campolo, (or substitute your own all-time favorite TV/Radio preacher/speaker)….but I’d bet you’re no silver tongue either. And it’s certainly not about the seating (’P-U’) or the theatrical lighting, the amplification, digital projections, or acoustics…is it? I try not to point to myself as “the” model for Christian faith, even so, the solution is not (or maybe it is the problem) dropping out and hoping that the church will one day suddenly get better…somehow. I constantly promote some serious redefining, re-…or un-structuring, and on some issues even more drastic paradigm shifting; but quitting is without a finger pointless.
And if you still have your finger, “they” can’t possibly be worse if you joined up. In fact, it is more likely to improve both of us…that is if you can personally avoid becoming the hypocrite someone else is pointing at…which might have more to do with forgiveness…and not pulling…um, pointing, yeah, pointing fingers.

Response to Bre   
Author: E. Dale

Posted in Ecclesiology, Uncatagorical Miscellany | |

In a message dated 5/13/2009 12:56:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, b.stevens.48138@unf.edu writes:

Dale,
I am not even sure I am completely on the same thought process you are…

“Conversations are like breathing;
things never come out quite the same as they went in.”
–edn

I think what you are trying to say is that it is time we let go of programs, curriculum, etc. and really get down into things.  To really begin to connect with people on a more personal level…

Programing and generic curricula are fair scaffolding or frameworks…like trying to make your home under the monkey-bars on the playground. It’s a great place to meet someone, but too much dependence there will make a church little more than a school or social club…or playground.

…and in turn, be more effective in how we minister.

Here’s a possible turning point for you: they (the teens and adult leaders working with you) are the primary ministers/missionaries and you are the minister gifted with the role of administration.
Not too long after seminary, I quit referring to myself as the youth minister; I began to see 14 year old Sarah and 16 year old Robert as the youth ministers, and I was their “overseer” or pastor.
Start with a peer ministry concept where the gathered group is a “ministry team.” Keep their primary ministry missional (focused outside the church)–don’t teach them ministry to one another, they will discover it–if you teach it, they hide behind it–instead, train them to identify and share with one another those individuals or groups outside the church into whom they are investing their ministry.
I waited to send this email and I’m glad I did. Virginia shared a quote in our devotion time at LifeWay this morning that immediately spoke to this:
“How wonderful it is that nobody
need wait a single moment before
beginning to improve the world.”
–Anne Frank, age 14.

I have had a couple of classes this semester where this has been the theme.  To get people involved, connect with them on a personal level, and help them gain a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.

I have realized coming into ministry and stepping up as the leader instead of just the intern that I am going to have to start back at the beginning.

Youth ministry never strays far from beginnings–Remind me later and I’ll share another idea in another post…it’s a far more divergent concept than I first imagined–that is if my prayers are answered in the same direction God has been leading–think of the entirety of divine revelation as a unified (massive) conundrum…it may even be where black holes come from…
…anyway, I think my brain is still smoldering.

I started off trying to teach them about Spiritual Gifts and how they work and what they are, how to apply them.  In recent weeks, I’ve come to realize it is time to back up and start with the basics.  This group is simply not ready to share their gifts

Do you have time to read if I give you a book? ~200 pages, it’s guaranteed to flip your “spiritual gifts” universe.

(even though now most of them know what [their gifts] are) because they are not equipped well enough to know what to do with them.  So, I am starting with the basics and salvation, then we are going to move into things such as journaling and daily devotions and what those mean.

I think if we take the time to step back and realize that not everyone is just ready to be plugged in somewhere and they need growth first,

Trust me, they grow better “plugged in,” the hard part is realizing the programs and curricula are always sterile. Also, being plugged in to the administratively controlled side of things is less organic than plugging them into the purpose of creation.

we will be much more effective in communicating what we truly mean and reaching out to people…both within the church and beyond these walls.

Bre

Funny thing I learned from the youth in Gulfport, MS: Drama helps develop clear communication. The key was focusing on improvisation for 15-20 minutes during each rehearsal.
See you soon.
Blessings!
+Dale
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