As a lousy theologian myself, I currently feel qualified to level such a critique at my colleagues.
The answer is frustratingly simple: there’s no obvious, visible payoff for being a great theologian in youth ministry.
1) Parents do not expect it from you. (You’re probably only half their age anyway)
2) Staff do no expect it from you. (There are pastors and then there are youth pastors, you are the later)
3) Students do not expect it from you. (The average student cares way more about how much you care than how much you know)
4) You don’t expect it from yourself. (On average, the passionate theologian types are not the type who have the patience and disposition for youth ministry. As youth pastors, we are likely to see ourselves as more relational than scholarly)
If you’re in youth ministry and don’t resonate with any of this, then perhaps it’s just me – but from the other youth pastors/directors/ministers/coordinators I have spoken with – this is pretty much the norm. As much as we would all like to think that we are motivated by purely Godly affections; the truth is that pride, recognition, and advancement are often the real underlying reasons beneath our hard work. Then, if you’re anything like me, the work you do becomes purely utilitarian.
For example, if you are ministering to well educated adults, then good theology becomes important to you because it is important to your audience. However, if you are ministering to a group of high school students, then no doubt you will find yourself focusing more on the immediate relevance and applicability of your ministry, and good theology may become just icing on the cake, a mere afterthought.
Unfortunately, the immediate practicality of this attitude has long term consequences. Students who grow up in the church and never learn good, solid theology are sent off to college or the work force without crucial parts of their spiritual foundation. When faced with the complex and often harsh realities of adulthood, often students feel that what they have learned in youth group can’t answer many of the deep, intricate questions they have about their own lives and the world.
Now I’m not suggesting that we give seminary classes to high schoolers. We don’t need to start throwing around heavy theological terminology, or even use the word “theology” itself with students. What I’m proposing is infusing relevant, applicable, fun, interactive teaching with deep Christian thinking. This is the challenge of teaching in youth ministry. Unfortunately, too often youth pastors (including myself) err too much on one side or the other. Either we are guilty of giving entertaining, short messages, or preaching long, information-heavy sermons. Neither are effective and based on my experience, students don’t appreciate either one. Just like the recent Bud Light beer commercials, our teaching should be “not too light, not too heavy.”
I’ll close by offering a few suggestions:
To Youth Pastors: If you have not taken it upon yourself to become theologically educated, then do so. It is relevant to your work with students, even if those around you do not recognize it.
To Parents: Encourage and help the youth workers at your church to teaching deep Christian thinking to your students. You can do this by 1) following the teaching series at the youth group your student attends and then 2) initiating discussion with your teen outside of ministry events. This communicates to your student that what they are learning is real and important.
To Students: If you have questions, ask them! As a youth pastor, I wish my students asked more questions. Question are never annoying or bothersome to us. We care so much about you guys and really want to help in any way we can. If you are hungry to learn, then tell us.
To Church Leaders: Take theological training into account the next time your are searching for a youth pastor. If you already have a youth pastor, encourage and support them to continue their education.
6 Comments
January 7, 2010 at 11:54 am
Amen and amen! One of the best blog posts I’ve read in awhile. Thanks Daniel.
January 7, 2010 at 4:14 pm
“Now I’m not suggesting that we give seminary classes to high schoolers. We don’t need to start throwing around heavy theological terminology, or even use the word “theology” itself with students.”
I suggest it! Let’s educate “kids” about theology! I wish I had had sound theological training as a teenager. I might have had something actually worthwhile to battle the media BS being shoveled down my throat on a daily basis.
I also wish my pastor had looked at me like I was a viable part of the community, worth addressing, worthing wasting time/energy/money discipling. I do wish the terms were explained so in “big” church I could understand what eschatological vision is, or understand what sexual plights ALL adults seem to be experiencing with regularity.
When you ask a teenager what the gospel is and they’ve been in the church for years, they should be able to give an answer. The reality is “kids” know way more about pop-music, the latest clothing trends and who’s having sex at school because that’s the majority of the information they’re getting from people, that’s what people talk about, and what people ask them about. And because – we act like they’re not interested or incapable of understanding anything beyond just remedial church-language.
Perhaps this seems ridiculous; but when I talk with teenagers and they are grappling with what it looks like to integrate Christ and culture – all I can think is – they want so much more than they’re being given. They want meat; good hearty food that stands up to the shallow McDonald’s religious culture of secular humanism.
Obviously I feel strongly about this – and I am stoked you are blogging about theology in Youth Ministry. Go Dan! I would just say – I think it’s ok to suggest that theology and kids can be compatible and while they may not be presently, we ought to strive to figure out how to bring brilliant theological conversation to our kids. After all, Mary, at 13 – knew enough to welcome God’s plan for her life and to usher forth the Messiah. Right?? Right?
January 7, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Yes. Youth ministry is important ministry. Practical theology that pays attention to its audience (i.e., youth) is essential theology. Knowledge that is embodied is one of the ways we show one another the Body of Christ. It is more important to be Godly than hip in reaching people of any age. And remember that the young have much to teach the rest of us about what it means to seek God fervently and honestly.
January 8, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Great post, Dan! The lack of real Biblical training is one thing that greatly saddens me about many models of church youth groups. It’s difficult because, as you say, there is a deeply ingrained sense that only fairly young people should work with young people, and no one expects much theologically of the leaders.
I’m so appreciative that you care enough about Trinity students that it’s not enough to just draw on what you already know.
Students are capable of a lot more than we give them credit for, and I look forward to seeing the ways you help stretch them!
January 26, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Dan- great post on theology in youth ministry. More reasons why we should get coffee. And you should check out ‘Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry; from a strategy of influence to a theology of incarnation’ by Andrew Root. A favorite of mine because it brings up so many good points and explores the origins of youth ministry as well as the theological roots of Young Life/Youth For Christ, and others. It relates much of Bonhoeffer’s theology to youth ministry, and he writes really clearly, honestly, and personally from his experiences as well as his research.
And I am totally in agreement with this: “What I’m proposing is infusing relevant, applicable, fun, interactive teaching with deep Christian thinking.” Right on. I’m sure I err on both of those sides you spoke of also- but I think it is really important for us to consider how we teach and interact regarding more specific theological ideas. Sometimes I end up building a whole lesson that relies on the assumption that the kids know what a certain term means (like ‘incarnation’ or ‘redemption’ for the middle schoolers) only to find that they aren’t clear on the term. So then, the lesson becomes interacting with/engaging the term in more relatable ways (hopefully). Again, coffee, sir.
January 26, 2010 at 3:07 pm
PS- I also think it’s really important for us to have theological sparring partners- or simply an outlet for continued growth/learning/conversation. This is why I am so grateful for the fellows! And also for Ross Byrd (my partner). I know that for myself, I need to be engaged in that way with others so that I don’t end up transferring that need onto stuff involved with the kids (like lessons/teachings/small groups, etc.). But- I also think we should be talking about that stuff with the kids- just prayerfully/carefully