First Session

The first session with Dr Root was an introductory session. Everybody introduced themselves, and it is a large group so I won't get to know everybody over this week. A big portion of the students are from the Presbyterian church, and one of these is a national director. I'm looking forward to spending some time with him this week. 

With the introductions done, Root gave us some basic definitions and a basic process to work with in practical theology. 

Practical theology - theology in a concrete / lived experience. This is theology in connected to everyday life. 

Practical = human action

how are people reacting to the world they live in

Theological = Divine action

how are young people experiencing the presence or absence of God

Practical theology and Youth ministry

There are two basic conclusions to the sentence: "Youth ministry is for . . ." These are:

"To keep our church going." Churches employ a youth minister because they recognise that without youth their church will cease to exist. And employing a youth minister is the 'best' way to connect with youth. There is, of course, so much wrong with this attitude.

"To keep our kids good." It's a bad world our kids are living in, and people in churches recognise this. So they employ a youth minister to be another voice in teaching the youth to live a moral and clean life.

Both of these answers place enormous pressure and expectation on the youth minister, and doesn't leave room for reflection on either theological or sociological level.

As youth ministers, our care should be much deeper than just 'virgins and conversions'. He offered four reasons why practical theology matters in ministry, particularly in a youth context: (these are my summaries)

1. If we stand between divine and human action, we need to do some thinking about what we are doing and why we are doing it. Think about different models.

2. This thinking can help to keep us from fragmenting the church. Sadly, it is seen that the one who is ordained who knows all and does all. If we see ourselves in the space between divine and human, then we are all involved in the process and in ministry. Everyone is involved in practical theology in this way. 

3. It also forces us to recognise that those who turn up to our ministry are not necessarily always like that - who a person is on Friday night at youth group is not who they are completely. 

4. It holds together theory and practice. Both of these are important. To have a theological experience that lives in their day to day life. 

How Practical Theology works.

Moves from Experience to Reflection to Action. Systematic theology may begin with doctrine, but practical theology begins with action - the human element. General theological studies will often ignore the action and experience question, and youth ministry will often neglect the theological aspect. Practical theology brings them together.

How does this help?

Four questions to ask as we deal with varied situations and conversations within youth ministry. Firstly, "What is going on?" This is the descriptive question. In trying to answer this question, seek to be an anthropologist, not a journalist. This means looking beyond the current situation to see what lies behind it.

Secondly, "Why is this happening?" Taking a shortcut with the first question will impact this one. Our first response may not be the right one. Thirdly, "Where is Jesus Christ in this?" There will be some instances in our ministry where this is easy to answer. But it won't be long before we realise that giving a glib answer won't actually answer the question. This is where the 'absence of God' can confront us.

Finally we ask the pragmatic question, "How should we act?" 

Discussion

From here our class spent quite some time discussing how this fits in a New Zealand context, and most of the conversation would make sense in an Australian context also. I may write more about that later.

But I conclude this section with the value of testimony. I was greatly encouraged to hear Andrew Root talk about the value and importance of testimony, not between teenagers, but to have an adult share a testimony to the youth. Someone who loves Jesus and knows Jesus well, yet has dealt with all kinds of difficult life situations.

Never dismiss the power of testimony.