As mentioned earlier this is a blog about the journey to discover what missional youth ministry looks and acts like. I’m on this journey with a few others. Hopefully we can develop a community of folks that desire to see the current models and programs in youth ministry, to put it nicely, discontinue. There is literally a ton of info out there about the Missional Church. I particularly like Michael Frost. Like actually kind of a man-crush on the dude. But, there’s comparatively very little about missional youth ministry. So let me start by giving a more in-depth reason for developing this blog. Then, we’ll go from there.

During the last twenty plus years, the mainstream evangelical church went through what I like to call the 80’s of church history. You remember the 80’s. Neon everything, break dancing, huge hair, “friendship beads”, and Debbie Gibson. It was fun while it was happening (except for Debbie Gibson), but when you see pictures of yourself with spiked hair and a rat tail, you kind of want to puke. Well, the “Seeker Sensitive” movement in recent church history reminds me of the 80’s. God, in His complete greatness was able to use this movement in amazing ways. Certainly thousands, and possibly millions, became followers of Christ during this time. But, the truth is, there’s a lot of us in ministry right now that are still trying to sift through the rubble of what this movement has left in its wake.

Let’s not be such Murky Dismals! There’s reason to be excited. There are many churches spread all across the Western world that have begun to deconstruct the seeker model of church. Pastors aren’t trying to be CEO’s anymore. We’re not worried about being the biggest on the block. Missions, both globally, and locally are taking priority over potlucks and programs. Inward focus is being replaced by a desire to reach outside the box. There’s some really great stuff going on!

Ooops! Wait! Youth Ministry is still rocking away with D-Nows, Christian concerts, food fights, etc. etc. etc. How did everyone else get on board with this “new kind of” everything and leave youth ministry behind? I know there’s some stuff out there about missional youth ministry, but it’s just a blip on the radar screen. Even the big organizations are talking big talk, but still only offering large conferences and spiritual pep-rallies. Been there, done that! Not going back! I hope to tackle some pretty big issues here on this blog and some are sure to be offended. But, I’m wiling to fight this fight for a different kind of youth ministry. So, what is on deck in the coming weeks?

How about topics like:
Women in Youth Ministry as more than just Admins.
Has Modern worship music run its course in youth ministry?
Is speaking the most effective and affective way to communicate to youth?
How often is too often for your students to serve?
Do you have number envy?
Are there alternatives to typical Wednesday and Sunday night programs?

Expect number one sometime later in the week. I’m going to let a close friend “guest blog” about what it’s like to be a woman in full-time youth ministry. If you’ve got a problem with having a full-time pastor that represents 50% of your students better than you ever will, then you might want to skip this one. Just kidding… kind of.

Until then, hang in there and continue to fight the good fight and abandon the show!
Brian

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