Ch 2. Variety in the Expression of Faith

Christian Research Association have released the findings from research done on youth ministry in Australia. The book is titled "A Vision for Effective Youth Ministry".
There is much in this research which all pastors, both youth and senior, should take seriously. In this series of posts, I hope to give a brief summary of each chapter. Of course, you will be much better off if you purchase the book yourself.

Variety in the Expression of Faith

“In the 21 case studies in our research across several denominations, there has been a remarkable similarity in the patterns of youth ministry and the ways faith has been expressed.”

I can’t argue with the research, but knowing that different church tribes have different emphases, it is a little surprising that youth ministry across the churches is much the same. But should it be? CRA use four characters to show different ways people express and grow in faith. How many of these are in your group now? (How many will there be in a few years time?)

The Nerd

This shouldn’t be seen as an unkind title. Rather, they use this to refer to those teenagers who just enjoy exploring the meaning of faith mentally. These people enjoy Bible study and the discussions that go along with that.

The Drama Kid

This teenager is one who enjoys the emotional expression found in music and in drama. They might not easily connect with an in-depth Bible study, but give them the opportunity to express faith in a worship service and they come alive.

The Practical Helper

For these people, their focus is on action: helping other people and doing their part to make the world a better place. CRA comment that these people might not come to church so often, but give them a project to do, and a place to help someone, and they will be there.

The Party Animal

Perhaps not the most helpful of titles, but you probably know this person. This is someone who greatly values church because of the people they meet there. And before we jump too quickly to doubt their faith, consider this: it is within the community that they learn how to live in a Christian way.

So, here are four different kinds of people, and we could describe them as people for whom the mind, the heart, the will, and the interaction are most poignant in their lives (p15). What do we do with such a mixed bag of people in our youth groups and the wider church?

A Vision for Effective Youth Ministry p17

Here I will put my tribal hat on. In my tribe – Presbyterian – the ones who fit best are the nerds. But it seems we are not alone. Most youth leaders surveyed would seem to fit into the nerd category as well. Which then raises some interesting questions about how to connect with the rest of the youth that we have the chance to minister to. How do we help those who enjoy the ‘experience’ to have a firm foundation? How do we lead the practical person to know Jesus well enough that they can help someone in Jesus’ name? How do we help the socialite find their greatest love in Jesus rather than depending just on the people around them? How can I do that if I, as a nerd, have no idea what it is like to actually enjoy worship physically?

CRA are, I think, on to something worrying when they write the following paragraph (p17):

“Perhaps a selection process has been in place over generations. Those who have enjoyed church activities have continued going. Those who have found them less meaningful have drifted away. The youth leaders are, in fact, products of this selection process: people who have not drifted away.”

We want people to read and to understand the Bible. We want to help them to be able to apply the teachings of the Bible to their own lives, and we want our leaders to be well trained and that normally means they will be well educated. That’s all true. But what about those who don’t read much? Do we just abandon them?

I found this comment very uncomfortable (p17):

Implicitly, many churches are saying that to be a good Christian one must be a particular type of person, the sort of person who is highly literate, enjoys a particular style of music and is willing to sing in public.

If that is true, what are we saying to the vast majority of teenagers who do not fit into this mold?