I don’t think most of us who work with youth really understand how true that statement is. I’ve noticed on most youth ministry blogs there is a lot of chatter and conversation regarding techniques of youth ministry, and even some good conversations about philosophy of youth ministry, but there aren’t a lot of conversations about theology among youth pastors. And this is true not only in the blogosphere, but also in my conversations with other youth pastors I hang out with.
Of course, we’re all theologians, whether we know it or not. What we believe about God and the nature of human beings is foundational to how we “do” ministry. But for some reason, we don’t talk about theological convictions too much as youth workers.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating that we begin quibbling about finer points of theology in such a way that divides us.
I believe that for the most part, youth workers (at least those that I know) set a good example for the Church when it comes to uniting around a common cause—helping students know Jesus—despite other differences, whether those differences are denominational, theological, or otherwise.
One of the ways that I’ve grown a lot in the past few years is by coming to the realization that there really is a connection between what I believe and how I pastor. It seems obvious, but I don't think we as youth workers really understand it. In fact, I think this is one way that most youth workers need to grow: to grasp the connection between theology and youth ministry.
In an effort to help us along this path, over the next couple of weeks a few guest bloggers—Brian Kirk, Paul Martin, and Chris Wesley—will share here at Jesus and Teenagers about how their theological convictions shape what youth ministry looks like in their context. While we can’t cover the whole spectrum of Christian theology in just a few posts, I’m pleased with the variety of theological backgrounds that will be represented. In fact, I was going to name the series, “A Catholic youth worker (Chris), a progressive Disciples of Christ minister (Brian), a conservative Anglican (Paul), and a Baptist pastor (that would be me) walk into a bar…” However, that would be dishonest, as there was no bar, just a few emails. But I have already learned much from these blogosphere friends of mine, and I’m sure you will as well. So, make sure you tune in later this week for the first of four posts from youth workers who come from very different theological backgrounds.
Update: You can check out posts from the whole series here.
6 comments:
Thanks for this Benjer. This is a topic youth guys don't think about too much. If scripture is true then our theology is very important in how we do ministry rather than methods. If "all things are possible with God" then, God can use us no matter who we are or where we are at with students.
Jay:
You hit it on the head. I was convicted this morning of how much more I think about methods rather than theology as a youth pastor. I was chatting with a retired woman who spent most of her adult life with her husband abroad on the mission field. She related how she recently got to spend time with a guy that years ago in Brazil she taught as an 8 or 9 year old. They did a lot of Bible study and Scripture memorization, and years later--though he had not been following God--Scripture he had learned from her came to mind that was instrumental in him coming back to God. So cool.
I agree. Everything we do is and needs to be intentionally representing a theology of what we believe about God.it's the whole faith/deeds idea, really. Theology is our faith, deeds are the strategies that grow from our theology. You can't separate the two. Theology with out strategy is useless, and vic a versa. So, I tend to talk strategy assuming that my theology is obvious. But that's just laziness, not an excuse! I'm looking forward to the posts!
Great point, Nikomas...many times we forget to communicate the reasons behind our strategy.
@Benjer
I love your blog. It is so thoughtful and rich. It is great to find other like minded youth pastors thinking theologically about church, life, and youth ministry. I love how you frame the idea of how we view God, is out our youth ministries are played out.
I sometimes wonder if our view of God is sometimes distorted and we only focus on certain aspects of God, which limits a holistic understanding of who God is.
Thanks, Jeremy! I think you're right, and our distortions of God also become our distortions of ministry.
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