Book Review: Beyond the Screen

I am part of a group known as IASYM - International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry. It's an interesting group and I have enjoyed learning more about Youth Ministry from around the world - not just from the North American church. When this book popped up on the Facebook page, I was keen to know more. You see, earlier this year I did a workshop on Social Media at a youth camp. It was fun, and I learned some stuff, but I realised that there is a lot going on that I don't know anything about. And maybe most of it really is bad! So it's always good to read someone else's research on the topic.

And I'm so glad I did.

The full title of the book gives a clue to the writer's purpose:

Beyond the Screen. Youth ministry for the connected but alone generation.

Andrew Zirschky (Ph.D. Princeton Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Youth Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary and serves as academic director at the Center for Youth Ministry Training in Brentwood, Tennessee. He has 20 years of youth ministry experience at churches in Idaho, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Tennessee.  (Taken from amazon.com) It's one thing to have 20 years experience. It is another thing to take that experience, put it together with good research and writing, and then to produce a book that is so important right now.

Challenging my view

In eleven chapters, Zirschky has helped to challenge my view of how and why teenagers seem so welded on to their phones and Facebook accounts - and now I have a much better appreciation of why they do. I may not fully comprehend it, but I think I get it. Zirschky has challenged me to see that they are not escaping from friendships, rather they are building friendships; they're not being anti-social, but they are being social in a vastly different way than I was as a teenager.

I know this book will disappoint some people. Those youth ministry teams who are looking for a way to make better use of their social media platforms will not find much guidance here on how to use a better font or a better colour. What you will find, if you take the time to read through it all, is a better reason to use social media at all - to build koinonia, communion; community at its deepest level.

Early in the book, Zirschky introduces some phrases that resonate with me. "Presence-in-absence" is a great phrase that simply describes what is happening for many teenagers - they are 'present' with their friends even though they are physically 'absent' (p14). This isn't a bad thing in a world full of transitory lives and relationships.

Another phrase that I really like is "Disrupting Face-Forward Ministry" (p23). What is 'face-forward ministry'? It's what most of us do every time we meet at church. We all sit down and face-forward. Which means you can be a part of a great group of people, and utterly disconnected from them at the same time. When teenagers are looking for authentic community, they should not be expected to find it staring at the back of someone's head. Nor will they look for it there if they know they can find community with a few taps on their phones.

Why are they always on their phones?

If you want to get your head around why teenagers are on the screens so much, read chapters 1-5. Here you will learn more about why they do this, and importantly you will also learn what they are NOT doing. Turns out our teenagers are doing better than many might first think. Chapter three is a gold mine of information and suggestions on 'why short messages mean more than you think'. Reading these chapters you will also learn about the incredible burden that is placed on teenagers by the society around them. And before you get all high & mighty and say 'they should just be themselves', remember what life was like when you were a teenager, and how much you wanted to fit-in with a crowd. That hasn't changed, but the resources available have. For good and for ill.

For me, there is a turning point in the book at chapter six, "Being Communion". I think this chapter can stand alone, and if you are looking for some good reading on the topic of Communion - Lord's Supper, you will do well to read this chapter. Here Zirschky takes the lead from the Apostle Paul and takes the reader to see Communion as far more than a wafer and a small cup to a shared experience of something deep and sacred - something that is to be treasured together. And the emphasis is on the word together. This chapter also gives a firm theological foundation to the rest of the book as he begins to unpack ways in which the whole church community, not just the teenagers, can begin to see the opportunities that lie before them together.

Confronted and crying

Reading this was a little confronting in many ways. Not the least of these was the realisation that lessons that I learned as a teenager still need to be heard today. This comment has much more context than I will give it here, but read it anyay:

 . . . and teenagers have a lingering fear that if they reveal their full and unfiltered selves, they will fail to attract an audience, fail to convene a network and, consequently, fail to be anybody at all. (p122)

I confess that as I read this paragraph, building on everything that had come before it, (particularly the story of Daisy, Kari & Savannah) I realised I was crying. What's that all about!?! Why am I crying while reading a book? I think the answer is twofold. One, I can't imagine what a burden this must be for teenagers to carry. Two, this means they are missing the message that God loves them completely, and that should mean they can reveal their full and unfiltered selves. Then I'm confronted with the fear that maybe they don't know that because I haven't been clear enough. Lord, forgive me.

This is a worthy and an important book. There are some things that aren't covered here, and maybe that's because Zirschky wasn't aiming to cover everything. In my tribe we are - or at least I am - battling with how to keep in touch with teenagers on social media in a way that is open and responsible. How can I quietly encourage a teenager in a way they most connect with? I have much more to think about on that one.

I expect that this book will not have the impact that it deserves simply because of the main theme - teenagers and screens. I expect that in the years ahead there will be new and different things for teenagers to deal with and other writes will address those. But the deeper issues that Zirschky builds on - the fact that teenagers are looking for deep relationships and use technology to accomplish that; the need and opportunity for true communion to embrace all ages together - these issues will always be relevant.

Get it. Read it. Share it. You won't be sorry you did.

Maybe snapchat is ok after all.

Ch. 7 Contributors to Vital Youth Ministry

(I know it's been a month since my last blog on chapter 6 of this book. Sorry for the large gap, but we had a chance to visit Chicago for a few weeks to see our son studying there, so we took that opportunity. So here's my thoughts on the final chapter of this important book. Brian.)

The authors here have suggested four contributors to vital youth ministry - Vision, Team, Church, and Special Events. They also make reference to Leadership and Relationships. So let's see what they have to say.

While leadership is important, and we who are leaders should be doing what we can to continue learning to lead, this is not the most vital character. If you've been involved with various groups long enough you will know this, because there are some groups that have what I would call terrible leadership, yet the group flourishes. Maybe it's just a different kind of leadership that works in that setting.

This statement on p43 is important, and one I would suggest you put on your wall somewhere.

The heart of youth ministry lies in relationships:

• youth with each other,
• youth leaders with youth,
• youth leaders with each other,
• youth leaders with parents, and
• youth with older people in the church. 

(A big comment from me here. I think the authors have missed the most essential of relationships -

youth with Jesus. All the other relationships listed are important, but if the youth do not have a relationship with Jesus then we are truly missing the point of ministry to youth.)

The Vision

This is a vision for the youth to be more than they are now. This means recognising that not all youth like the same things, want the same things, or are at the same level of spiritual development. How do you help the youth in your group to develop faith? How do you help those who do not like to read? And how do you help them to live out that faith?

Faith grows as it is applied.

The Team

I know that there are many churches where the thought of having a team working together on youth ministry seems to be the impossible dream. But even in these places there can be a team effort. That team might be made up of some who organise the group, some who cook, others who pray, and some others who drive.

If you are running a youth group on your own, good on you for being brave and willing to do so. But please, please, get some others around you. Even some of those old saints in your church might be willing to help in some way.

The Church

As you consider your church you may not be comforted by this next statement, but let it be a guide for you anyway.

. . . church culture makes a great difference to youth ministry in the long term. The culture also affects how easy it is for people to make the transition for youth group involvement to involvment in the wider church. p44

Some of you will know how important - and urgent - this issue is to me. We have segregated our church communities with the best intentions, but we have undermined our own health by doing so. Here is a sobering statement from the authors. "Most young people say they do now know the people in the wider church and are not known by them. Without those relationships, how does the church expect youth to become contributing members of their community?"

Do you have an answer?

Special Events

This was covered more in chapter six, so you can flick back to that blog post if you like. I acknowledge the tension that such a chapter brings, because inevitably many of these events will be youth only events. How does this work if we are trying to build relationships across the whole church community? Live in the paradox. Do both!

Conclusion

Youth ministry is difficult in Australia. Churches are under suspicion and even those who have grown up in a church community have no qualms in leaving. But youth ministry is also a terrific opportunity to help turn that around. You can help to change the lives of a generation - a generation that impacts the world around them right now.

Take up the challenge. It is a great one.


A Final Offer

If you've been reading my blog you know what I think about this book. But would you like a copy of your own? If you are part of the Presbyterian Church of Victora, send me a message and we will get you a copy of this book. But I need to know by the end of May 2016. This offer is open for the first ten people to respond. So be quick.

 

PYV West Camp 2016 - Day Four

The final day of a camp is always a day of mixed feelings. Leaving a camp and saying goodbye to everyone again is a sad thing. It's sad to leave, but it's good to be heading home after being away from my family for a few days.

We packed up before breakfast today, so it was a very early start for some. But there didn't seem to be much of a delay. That must mean we have a great group of campers and leaders who want to do what they can to help the workers at Norval get ready for the next group.

Emerald City - Winner are Grinners

At the start of our session today prizes were awarded to the winners of our own Olympics. Congratulations to Emerald City for working so well together in all kinds of competitions. Enjoy your prizes. And I want to acknowledge the terrific effort of my team - Isengard - even though we came last. But, as one member of the team commented, Isengard is supposed to lose in the end.


In our worship session we answered some questions that have been asked, we sang songs of praise, and we read from John 4. As Cam spoke about Jesus meeting this woman at the well in Samaria, we were encouraged and challenged as we considered how she reacted to meeting Jesus. If you don't know the story, can I encourage you to find a Bible, open it to John Chapter 4 and read this story for yourself.

Here's a paraphrase of something Cam said that stood out for me:

This woman has built an idol of relationships, but they have all walked away. It will be just the same with anything you allow to be an idol in your life - it will fade away and leave you empty.

Some of our study group

Our final study session looked at John 15 where Jesus uses the analogy of grape vines to describe our relationship with him, and the expected results of that relationship. I always love it when someone in a study group says something that makes sense and that I've never considered before. This happened today as we discussed the topic of 'fruit' and what this signifies.

Thank you.

After lunch we said "Thank You" to all those who have worked hard to make this camp as great as it has been. The Executive team under Chris have been amazing. But the greatest cheer was kept for those who have worked incredibly hard over four days - our cooks.

As one who can't cook (I'm serious there) it is amazing to me that there are people who can cook enough food for this many people and make it taste good as well. That they can also do this with a smile amazes me even more. Thank you ladies for your incredible work and service to PYV.

So, West Camp 2016 has come to an end. But reflecting on what has happened at the camp over the last few days reminds me that a camp is not normal life. It is great to meet together in this way for a little while, but we can't stay here. So everybody has gone now and returned to their homes and study and work.

But as Jesus is our Shepherd in the safety of these gatherings, he is also our shepherd when we go out. In Him we find our safety. 

PYV West Camp 2016 - Day Three

PYV Summer Camp features our own radio show each night. West Camp 2016 has introduced a morning radio show, and it's been a great way to start each day. Tim and Rebecca, supported by the tech skills of Ryan, are providing a fun and informative show with news of the day, weather, (most of which almost resembles reality) and interviews. This has been a good thing to do.

Before Cameron spoke today, we read from John 3 - the visit of Nicodemus to Jesus. Here's an interesting thought - many of us could be like Nicodemus; i.e. we've grown up with the religious life around us and know it all very well, we could even speak well about Jesus, but still need something more. Here in this great chapter we see that the Kingdom of God is open to the world that God loves, and to enter this kingdom you must, and can, be born again. "Don't just set your sight on the new kingdom. We need new people with new hearts." And the Spirit of God provides us with this.

Our studies today brought us to what I think is a confronting chapter of Scripture - John 11. Here we see the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead, which sounds amazing, and it is. But within this story we also see the grief of a family who have been torn apart by death. As we considered this amazing story, and as we discussed the statement of Jesus "I am the resurrection and the life" we were able to see that while death is nothing to be celebrated, it is also nothing to be feared.

After lunch we were out enjoying this beautiful setting, with the adventurous ones walking up to the Pinnacle and back to camp, others heading out for some shorter walks, and a few wandering into the town of Halls Gap for a relaxed stroll and probably an ice-cream.

Before dinner, Sarah led a group in a workshop on prayer. It has been good for our teenagers to learn a bit more of what the Bible teaches about prayer.

Dinner was, once again, magnificent and plentiful. We pray for our daily bread, and we have been answered abundantly.

Tonight, many attended a repeat performance of the workshops from last night and then enjoyed some free time to chat, sit around the camp fire, burn marshmallows, drink hot chocolate, or play some games.

Tomorrow, sadly, is our last day. Already. 

PYV West Camp 2016 - Day Two

There's nothing quite like the first night at a camp. Will it be a good night's sleep or not? Will there be people snoring or chatting in the room while you are trying to sleep? Or will everyone in the room be asleep when you are awake and want to chat! Looking at the faces of the youth as we gathered for breakfast today, it looked like most people had a good sleep last night. And with a day ahead packed full, that was good.

Our morning session was very encouraging. We sang some great songs and heard a testimony from Tom. I have no shame in saying how encouraging it is to hear that a PYV camp was a key part of someone coming to faith. For those of us who have the chance to preach to youth, we don't always know what impact we have. So, Bill when you preached at a Winter Camp in 2011, God used you to make a difference.

The message from Cameron helped us all to connect with Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We compared ourselves with John the Baptist - we love to draw a crowd around us (how many friends do you have on Facebook?) - but John, while he did have a crowd around him, turned the questions away from himself. He declared that he was not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet. What then was he? He was just a voice preparing the way for one who was greater. He was just a shadow who would fade when the reality was revealed. He knew that he could not cleanse people from sin - only Jesus can do that.

All those voices!

I came away from this session greatly encouraged in my faith.

After a delicious morning tea, we met in our study groups. Today we read John 10 where Jesus describes himself as a door and as a good shepherd. Our groups began with an example of how difficult it can be to focus on the voice of Jesus when there are so many other voices calling for our attention. How important it is for us all to be able to discern the voice of Jesus!

I confess that I love the chance to open the Bible with a group of people at any time, but when those who meet with me are teenagers and young adults, I'm encouraged to help them have a deeper understanding of the faith they accept. I am really enjoying the chance to do so here.

Blind Volleyball

After lunch we dressed in our fancy dress, and this camp has the theme of "Olympics". Our activities were built around a story of the Olympic Torch being stolen and we needed to work as a team to find out who took it and then to recover it. Clues were given to teams when they were successful in a sporting competition like soccer, softball, etc. Clearly some teams did better than others, and the fact that my activity group didn't win any of these events didn't mean we didn't have some fun on the way. And we did eventually work out who stole the torch, but just missed out on getting it.

Instructions before the game.

Congratulations to the winning team.

Our camp photo is always important. It means that in years to come we can see who attended the camp. But it also means we get to see who really makes an effort with their fancy dress. Have a look at this photo and you'll see what I mean.

West Camp 2016

Over dinner we continued to work in our teams to create and present our team flags. Again, there was some good creativity on show. Each team then chose one well-dressed member to strut their stuff on the catwalk. My team won!!! I can't say I was a good contributor to that, but well done team.

Even the children made a flag

I think we deserved a higher score

After dinner we had our first workshops at West Camp. Topics we covered tonight were: What to do when you're the only Christian; Dealing with anger as a Christian; Making the best of Social Media;  Watching TV & Movies; and Dealing with Loss. If your child was at camp, please talk with them about these workshops. I think they will have something to share with you.

It has been another good day in Halls Gap. Thanks for praying for us. Please keep on praying.

PYV West Camp 2016 - Day One

Convener Chris Angel begins the camp

West Camp 2016 has started with a magnificent day.

For those travelling from Melbourne, it felt like a very long drive with roadworks taking up most of the stretch between Beaufort and Ararat slowing us down. But, most importantly, we all arrived safely and happily at Norval in Halls Gap. A special shout out to the team from North Geelong, Warrnambool and Canterbury who arrived very early to get everything set up.

Our first session was an introductory session where our Convener, Chris Angel, was able to introduce the key leaders to the campers. It also gave Cam Griffiths, our speaker, the chance to give a brief overview of his talks. Then we divided into our study groups, which again gave the chance to meet together and ‘break the ice’ before we really started our studies. 

Starting camp in this way meant that when we did have a worship session and a study time we were able to really get down to business. This was a very good way to start. 

Setting up. It didn't take long with such a team.

Following afternoon tea, we had our first worship session. It is good to be in a room full of people who are singing together, even on a Tuesday afternoon. In our regional camps this year we are focussing on the Gospel of John, and today we opened our Bibles at John 1:1-18 where we get to meet The Word, we get to meet Jesus. 

The study groups met after dinner, but not to discuss what we heard in the talk. Instead we are looking at some of the “I Am” statements of Jesus and today we read John 6 where Jesus describes himself as the bread of life. There are some difficult statements in this chapter and it was good to be able to sit and discuss these verses together, and also to consider the personal implications from this chapter. 

Then it was time for our night activities, and there is nothing like running around in the dark to get the blood pumping! Playing “Capture the Olympic Rings” across the whole campsite was great fun. Clearly, some people are more competitive than others, and they were rewarded with capturing more Rings (Glow Sticks) than anyone else. For the record, I nearly scored a couple, but some of our teenagers are much faster than me – which is probably as it should be. 

Day One of West Camp 2015 has been a great day.

Ch.6 Special Events

Who doesn't love something special? We have just celebrated Easter, and for me, this is always a high point of the year. In my mind Easter Sunday should be the greatest, most joyful, and most exciting worship service you ever attend. It is special.

The youth of Australian churches feel the same way about special events - particularly camps.

In every case young people spoke of these events warmly and as giving them opportunities to think about their lives and focus on faith. (p39)

PYV Summer Camp 2015-16

 The Experience

We naturally like to do the things that make us feel good. Special events, like camps or concert events, are places that can offer experiences that are beyond the abilities of the normal weekly youth group gathering. So we should seek to do what we can to make these camps and events memorable and exciting.

There will, no doubt, be some who might read this who will be terrified that we are hoping to make the experience the great aim of our camps or youth ministry. To think this would be to miss the point entirely. Surely we want people to associate the teaching of the gospel with good memories. It is in creating positive experiences at Christian camps that we can create those memories. This may not mean everyone who has 'fun' at camp will be converted, though that is our prayer. But I hope it will mean no one goes home from a camp convinced that Christianity is for boring people only.

The authors also, rightly, make comment that these camps and events are excellent training grounds for new leaders. 

The Social

Relationships are vitally important to youth. That won't surprise anyone because it is true regardless of age. Relationships are important to anyone. Camps are a place where the social element of faith can be experienced at a greater depth.

Connecting with other teenagers means that the youth of the church are able to talk about their experiences together. Some of us can remember how wonderful it is a few months after a camp to meet up with someone and talk about the camp together. Social connections matter. There are some good things to say about Social Media in this context too. 

The authors make the comment that these relationships are made more important by the fact that most young people are no longer born into communities. As such, communities that youth can be a part of are really important. I would add that one of the key points of PYV Camps is the connection made with people from across the state. This means that when a young adult moves to a different region of the state to attend a university, they already know someone in that area.

Finally . . .

The authors also write briefly about the value of mission trips. These are times where there is a memorable experience, and where the lives of those who attend can be deeply changed.

Helping and supporting youth is a wonderful thing to do.

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.