I'm thinking about my column for the youth news section of the church newsletter. I've been brainstorming it for a few weeks now. My working title has been "The Ten Commandments of Youth Ministry," but now that I'm trying to write it, that doesn't seem to work.
I want to use the column to dispel some myths about youth and challenge some bad behavior on the part of our adults. But I also don't want to come across as too much of a jerk; after all, many of the behaviors are well-meaning. Here are some of the ideas I have so far. Tell me what works, what doesn't, and what I should add.
1) Thou shalt acknowledge that youth are a part of the church. The church is not an adult institution that allows youth to participate under certain rules and conditions. The kingdom of God "belongs," says Jesus, to children. So much more the church! We adults just borrow space.
2) Thou shalt not bemoan "kids these days." "Kids these days" are very much like the kids in other days. Think about what you were like as a teenager. Remember? Teenagers today are just like that, but with different fashions, music, and lingo.
3) Thou shalt not blame everything on the internet, cell phones, and texting. Yes, youth spend a lot of time with those technologies. But they are just that--technologies. They allow youth to communicate with one another, much like telephones with cords and drive-in movies allowed youth to communicate in the past.
4) Thou shalt respect the ability of a youth to teach you something.
5) The church building shall be a place for youth as well as adults. This sometimes means that messes will be made, things will be misplaced, and decor might be awry. This is as it should be. A church building is a house for God's people, and like a house, it is meant to be lived in. Youth live here too.
6) Thou shalt not utter the words "maybe we could get the youth to help." The youth are not a labor force, a cheerleading squad, or a built-in audience. Let your programs and ideas stand on their own terms, and if a youth wants to participate, then you know you're doing something right.
7) Thou shalt not ask a youth's opinion without being prepared to hear it. Youth sometimes say or believe things you might not say or believe.
8) Thou shalt support the youth with your resources. Our youth have lots of energy, ideas, and passion for helping to heal the world. They do not, however, have a lot of money. If a 15-year-old wants to help rebuild a church destroyed in a hurricane in Louisiana, they can't do it without your help.
9) Thou shalt be a presence in the lives of our youth. We need adults to work as mentors to our youth, and to be a presence in their lives. Yes, you can do it. Our youth are not scary, and will not laugh at you. Unless you make a joke.
10) Thou shalt revel in our youth. We have dozens of young people active in this church, many of whom show up week after week, more frequently than many of our adults. They are a creative and passionate bunch, who try to live out the values of the church and of Jesus Christ. Be thankful for their presence, listen to what they have to say, and support them any way you can. The old cliche is true: they are the future.
I want to use the column to dispel some myths about youth and challenge some bad behavior on the part of our adults. But I also don't want to come across as too much of a jerk; after all, many of the behaviors are well-meaning. Here are some of the ideas I have so far. Tell me what works, what doesn't, and what I should add.
1) Thou shalt acknowledge that youth are a part of the church. The church is not an adult institution that allows youth to participate under certain rules and conditions. The kingdom of God "belongs," says Jesus, to children. So much more the church! We adults just borrow space.
2) Thou shalt not bemoan "kids these days." "Kids these days" are very much like the kids in other days. Think about what you were like as a teenager. Remember? Teenagers today are just like that, but with different fashions, music, and lingo.
3) Thou shalt not blame everything on the internet, cell phones, and texting. Yes, youth spend a lot of time with those technologies. But they are just that--technologies. They allow youth to communicate with one another, much like telephones with cords and drive-in movies allowed youth to communicate in the past.
4) Thou shalt respect the ability of a youth to teach you something.
5) The church building shall be a place for youth as well as adults. This sometimes means that messes will be made, things will be misplaced, and decor might be awry. This is as it should be. A church building is a house for God's people, and like a house, it is meant to be lived in. Youth live here too.
6) Thou shalt not utter the words "maybe we could get the youth to help." The youth are not a labor force, a cheerleading squad, or a built-in audience. Let your programs and ideas stand on their own terms, and if a youth wants to participate, then you know you're doing something right.
7) Thou shalt not ask a youth's opinion without being prepared to hear it. Youth sometimes say or believe things you might not say or believe.
8) Thou shalt support the youth with your resources. Our youth have lots of energy, ideas, and passion for helping to heal the world. They do not, however, have a lot of money. If a 15-year-old wants to help rebuild a church destroyed in a hurricane in Louisiana, they can't do it without your help.
9) Thou shalt be a presence in the lives of our youth. We need adults to work as mentors to our youth, and to be a presence in their lives. Yes, you can do it. Our youth are not scary, and will not laugh at you. Unless you make a joke.
10) Thou shalt revel in our youth. We have dozens of young people active in this church, many of whom show up week after week, more frequently than many of our adults. They are a creative and passionate bunch, who try to live out the values of the church and of Jesus Christ. Be thankful for their presence, listen to what they have to say, and support them any way you can. The old cliche is true: they are the future.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI don't know for sure but my first reaction is that the "commandment" form works just fine. It adds a lighter touch to it. I also like that it is from a positive perspective. Will you add something to #4?
Karen
Write these words on your door posts and on your heart- I love it.
ReplyDeleteThis is Great STUFF! I'm working on a book that is going to use this title, which is how I found your blog post. May I use this entry with your permission?
ReplyDeletePastor Rob Casey
www.follow452.com
www.answersintruth.com