This past weekend I went on a weekend ski retreat with my old high school youth group. However, instead of being a camper I was a leader. It was really weird being on the other side of things. Not only did I feel like a giant among the tiny 10th graders, but I felt as though I had some really important urge and call to tell them about our class discussions and the ideas of attractional and incarnational church models. But it wasn’t that simple. I realized that coming from a youth group program that was based completely upon the attractional model of church, the kids wouldn’t get it. It isn’t that they are dumb or ignorant, but they just haven’t been raised in a culture of incarnational messages and ideals. Yes they have gone on mission trips, but the idea of constantly going out and being a part of the culture instead of doing more and more “church things” isn’t something that is preached at the youth group.
Needless to say, it was a challenging weekend. At first I tried to figure out subtle ways to slip in different things I have learned throughout these few weeks. Then I tried the “hey, listen to what I’ve been learning at college” trick. Both of these methods seemed well received. Then I finally realized something. In order to get across the idea of missional and incarnational theology and ministry to the students, I needed to live it out myself. I had to put myself in their culture. I had to realize the context I was in and be an example and leader in that situation. To tell a youth group to be missional is one thing, but to be missional to that youth group is completely different. I think that is the first step in creating a youth group that will understand incarnational ministry and hopefully attempt to live it out beyond the walls of the church.
Sean
You definitely describe a significant challenge, that probably permeates and haunts any type of ministry. But I think just being there with your old youth group makes you an incarnational example, whether the kids recognize it or not. Combine that with your intentionality on sharing what we’ve been studying, your boyish good looks, and your killer dance moves – I’m sure you made a great impact in these kids’ lives.
Youth is hard, but I think sometimes it is necessary to do more than just live it in example, but to challenge them to start living the incarnational life.
Nice. The challenge of getting through “missions” and “mission.” One’s an activity, the other is a life/identity.
Nice Sean! I spent this weekend at YD Adventures.. where I worked this summer. It was really cool, I was blessed to realize that YD as a whole (I was only involved with the ‘camp’ part this summer.) is way more missional than I had ever realized. (Which is great for me because I could see myself working with them for a while.)