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I didn’t get any feedback on my question, which got me thinking, “Why?”

  1. I might assume the silence is an affirmative because it is too elementary to answer.
  2. I might assume the silence is a no and out of fear of being ousted all the youth workers stayed silent.
  3. I might assume that my three subscribers (thanks mom, dad and Felipe) didn’t have time to respond.
  4. Or I might assume that the question needs guidance.  A little unpacking if you will.

I am going to go with the last assumption for two reason.  One it helps me continue to process through my original gut reaction to the thought of such a question.  Two it is more comforting to believe the 4th assumption then the prior 3:)

Youth Ministry Activity

Youth Ministry Activity

If I am correct in my analysis (and I will just go with that assumption because it would ruin the rest of the post if I didn’t) then this diagram depicts what most youth workers think about when planning a youth ministry activity.  You may not use the same language but here is a brief description of each of these elements.

Content – the lesson, sermon, games, music, curriculum, etc.

Youth – This may include their family system, stressors, life issues, culture, learning ability, learning style, language, belief system, etc.

Youth Worker – We think of ourselves and ministry team. This could include our schedules, skills, gifts, knowledge, preferences, etc.

Environment – Youth workers think of the place.  Church, camping, inside, outside, Local community, foreign location, etc.  And the way we structure the place matters.  We may decide that it needs to be contemplative or energetic depending the circumstance.

So now let me refine my question, “Do you think theologically about these elements?”

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An interesting question came up at Slant33: “What are the necessary aspects of creating environments where God can be experienced?

As I was reading the responses I thought the question was confusing.  I thought all of the bloggers where going to depict elements of a formational and transformational environment in youth ministry.  What I found was some incredulity to the idea that youth workers could create environments that promote a God-human encounter.  All of the answers pointed in slightly different directions which seemed to indicate to me that they had as much trouble with the question as I did.

As I reflected on their answers, a haunting question crept into my head.  “Do youth workers even think about God when planning youth ministry?” I mean there is a lot of stuff to think about when planning youth ministry.

  • The needs of students.
  • The needs of the church
  • The needs of the community
  • The needs of parents.
  • The particulars of programs.
  • The curriculum.
  • The volunteers that need to be brought up to speed.
  • The budget items.
  • The relationships with youth.
  • The transportation of students to and from the program.
  • And I could keep going with the list.

So I wonder, youth worker, “Do you think about God when planning youth ministry?”  If so then when and how?  Is it a passing thought at the end?  Do you have a continual conversation as you plan?  When do you reflect on what God wants, where God is at, and what God is doing?

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The only guy who makes YoYo-ing look like an extreme sport!  Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knYCilujrFM

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Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Too funny!

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