Relational and Incarnational Youth Ministry 04
Session 4
Relational ministry of Influence
This is driven by the "how" Question. How do we get kids to the camp? What's the next big model to use. This means we end up becoming the programmer trying to put something together to keep kids coming. It also means we're engaged with cultural conflict, that we are working to revitalise the denomination or to keep kids good.
The relational ministry of place sharing is different. This drives to ask "Who are these young people?" It's not about getting the kids as numbers to boost the program. Bonhoeffer says the 'how' question is the question of the devil. The 'who' question is the question of discipleship. In youth ministry in the States, the aim seems to have been getting kids interested in the idea and values of Christianity rather than connecting them to Jesus himself. I expect this is unintentional, but is it possible that this could also be said of us in Australia? Worse, could it be said of me?
It also turns us from being programmers to being a Theologian, where we start to look for and consider God's involvement in this person's life. And instead of 'cultural conflict', we lean into the narrative of Jesus' action in the world as crucified and resurrected.
Video: The Soloist. "Just be his friend and show up"
Summarize:
In looking at ministry in relationship, we turn from epistemological to ontological; from teaching to being. And this has consequences. One is that we accept that we don't manage the kingdom of God, we point to and experience the kingdom of God.
Be a pastor to the whole church and advocate for the teenagers.
Create spaces for the encounter between God and youth to happen - recognising we cannot make it happen.
Thought: youth ministers need to be theologically savvy enough to be able to justify our position to senior pastors and boards who expect us to be something else.
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