Comments on: Hit “Pause” On That Youth Ministry Bashing

By: centuri0n

centuri0n — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:17:26 +0000

I’m wondering what language the majority of criticism of Youth Ministry was translated into before iMonk received it and criticized the criticism here — because jmanning has hit the nail on the head even though iMonk tried to hide the tool box.

The point of my criticism — and it is hardly a unique criticism of YM in general — is that the vast majority of it is entertainment and cultural capitulation, and it can be demonstrated factually to be leading kids to apostate faith at best. It is not that some get it right and because those men and women are in YM they should be tarred.

The whole cannard that some kids (even if you say “many”, it cannot be characterized as “most”) get the only family they ever have at church is completely off-point. There’s no question: some churches get it right. And my guess would be that those churches are probably getting (a-hem) “big church” right also. But by a long shot, YM is most often a holy rec center where the things that happen are not even connected to values that even iMonk would say are the domain of the church.

My original challenge is still open: demonstrate that the “missional” work of YM is producing more disciples than not. The data says it is not happening.

By: SusanF

SusanF — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:32:57 +0000

IMonk,
In past posts you’ve recommended Shane Claiborne’s book “The Irresistable Revolution” and Dan Miller’s “Blue Like Jazz.” You’ve also indicated recently that the Acts 29 emergent/church planting movement meets with your approval.
I read both the above-referenced books and was especially moved by Claiborne’s. (I too fear my sons reading it, but I’ll let them anyway- when they’re old enough to get past “The Cat in the Hat” on their own.)
How does this fit into your youth ministry ideas?
Personally, I know I’d never fit into Mars Hill or Imago Dei; I’m 43, and Acts 29-type churches seem to focus on a siginificantly younger demographic.
(My husband and I are presently undertaking RCIA, “instruction” and catechesis, in the Catholic Church. Old church for old folks!)

By: jmanning

jmanning — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 23:41:53 +0000

Discipled, reared, and serving in youth ministries since I was 15, I can give youth ministry the credit with showing me that Christianity wasn’t sitting in a glorified bench and listening to a sermon. It was cleaning up crack houses, painting AIDS shelters, sorting through clothing bins at a thrift store. Jesus wasn’t as vitally as present in the suits and ties on Sun morning during the sermon as He was in the slums, ghettoes, third world, and suffering that I was taught to confront from the sermons in the youth group. I love my mom and wish she had catechized me like a Puritan, but I’m glad that in a wierd twist of Providence she left it up to the youth ministry. She was never one for the bad side of town. Not less YM, better YM. Most of my friends who criticise YM came through it too. You hate what you love sometimes….