Sixth Session

Relational and Incarnational Youth Ministry 06

Session 6

Why the change? Space and time are not the same. All of us today are movers. Some move as winners of globalisation, and some as losers of globalisation. Moving across borders for work, or moving across borders for holiday. Technology causes us to move. Uses the example of a Tivo manipulating time and so we desire to fast forward. 

Consumption and 'intimacy' don't take much time, so we can make a change almost immediately. An example of this change is seen with "Amazon" that does exist in a space, but is not dependant on that space nor on time. So if youth can change their identity with changing their clothes style, they might (will unconsciously) apply this to their faith. 

Consumption and intimacy are great, but they don't last. We get excited about something new, but that doesn't last long. But that's ok, because we can just go and buy something new the next day. But, it will cause you to ask "What is the point of my life?" Consumption and intimacy are created to fail.

What do we do with this?

There's something about the question of identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ when people can drift from faith and change their identity so easily. Particularly when people get to University.

One way we have failed is to turn youth ministry into a consumeristic world. T-shirts, hats, magazines, etc. Are we getting them to "buy for Jesus"? 

The other level is praise and worship music phenomenon which plays on sensation and emotion. Songs which have the "Jesus is my boyfriend" feeling. Sensation feelings of closeness (intimacy) that don't last, and certainly are deeply challenged in university or in settings where Jesus feels absent. 

Helpful to turn to Bible. 

Story of Jacob. He lives up to his name as a 'heel' (deceiver). Comes back to the country and knows Esau will be waiting. Sends his cattle to Esau to pay him off. But Esau continues to come. Next he sends his wives and children to lead the way, to give them to Esau. Then God shows up, and Jacob and God begin to wrestle. (Which is out of context for Jacob who normally flees). Even when he is struck, he won't let go and demands a blessing. The angel asks for his name, "Who are you? What is your identity?" Jacob - the one who lives up to his name. He is renamed. 

Maybe we need to be the people who wrestle with God. Sometimes to bring young people into that wrestling. If you wrestle with God, you'll always leave limping. 

Do our leaders limp? Or do they walk with a swagger? Do they know what it is to wrestle with God? Do we know that others in our congregation are wrestling? Do we care? Can we wrestle together with God - me helping them in their wrestle? 

The best theologians and ministers ask the disturbing questions. Do we give space for people to ask their questions? Do we allow people to ask their questions? Those who ask the questions might actually have a deep faith and are seeking to understand it better. Don't dismiss their questions.

We can allow them to talk through their experience of the absence of God, not just their experiences of the presence of God. We can join in prayer of thanks for those who have experienced the positive presence of God, but never NEVER forget those who, in the same community, have experienced and who continue to experience the absence of God, or the pain of life.

How can we help those who, in times of fear and doubt, rightly say, "I can't see Jesus." Perhaps we can share their place and respond, "Jesus is here. And if you can't see Jesus, you can see me. And I will believe for you."

Bonhoeffer: When one does theology, when one does ministry, there is no room for loose phrases. (Christianese; religious language; cliches; church jargon)

The good news of place sharing is that you already are what you need to be. It also means you need to live your faith out. Allow others to see your wrestle with God. Allow youth to see adults wrestling in faith. (Inviting people to wrestle with God is dangerous, but only if they do it in a vacuum. Wrestling in a community where other have worked through, or are still wrestling, is where this should be done.)

Video: Johnny Cash "Walk the Line" - audition scene where the producer says "You don't believe it." People have heard the 'christian song' over and over again. But have they heard you wrestling with God? Have they heard of the journey of wrestling from other days?

Movie: Pieces of April