Like a fire

Death to Dissent

Creating Passionate Users: Don’t give in to feature demands!

I read this great article over at Creating Passionate Users and it really got me thinking about consumerism and the church. I was already thinking about this from a blog of the Gman’s. What would it have been like if Jesus catered to the masses? We just can’t change our message because it isn’t tailored to each persons desires. On the other hand, we can’t let the idea of theology and correct thinking be an excuse to blow off meeting people where they are. So there is the delimma of church leadership.

This is doubled when it comes to youth ministry. The pressure to grow is prevalent. The xpectations from churches for youth ministries to grow the church is rampant and often debilitating. If numbers start to suffer due to depth, we start scrambling to be more “relevant”. Sadly, the converse isn’t often true. Where does that leave the average youth guy who is probably fresh out of college and sweating his career because he isn’t the church of what’s happening now in the minds of his teens? Probably catering. Maybe literally if he has to start working at McDonalds.

There has to be an answer better than just be faithful, though I admit that I don’t know any better answer. Maybe I’ll become a senior pastor. (never)

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5 Comments

1. 

   Paul, there is some good news. I saved a bunch of money on my car insurance... Seriously, the bright spot is that the youth culture today is concerned about deeper issues on the whole. Generally, pagan, unchurch students are looking for a cause to get behind. So it might be that the very reason we don't see our student ministries grow is because we aren't challenging and allowing them to lead with their heartbeat. Of course, if you're not in a context to allow that happen - it double sucks.

   Grant / 11 May 2006 / 9:48 PM

2. 

   No, I'm in the right church. I feel very supported and free to make some mistakes. My personal issue is the rampant superficiality encouraged by many other feel good minitries in town. When I challenge, they just go hear someone tickle there ears ad feel better about it. I'm working on it though. I think there is a way. I just haven't found it yet. Thanks for the encouragement.

   Paul / 11 May 2006 / 10:17 PM

3. 

   the hard part of the context I currently minister in - the highly churched/religious - there is always door number 2, 3, 4, or 60. you're a stud. I'm sure you'll figure it out...

   Grant / 12 May 2006 / 5:21 AM

4. 

   I just came over to your blog from Covenant Blogs. Great topic, and a hard one. Youth can be fickle. Their attention span is almost zero. They haven't figured out life yet and they don't think adults have a clue about what's important. Big challenges. But they crave things that seem authentic, people who are genuine, relationships that stay true no matter how flakey they themselves are. And they want to feel significant, and to be involved in significant things, lasting things. I was caught by Christ in a youth ministry when I was 17, and it wasn't because I intended to let him catch me. But there was such honesty and love there, such genuine people, that it blew me away. And I listened to what they had to say. The world has changed, but I still think youth respond to those same things, and those same sorts of opportunities to connect with their hearts are there. Hang in there, Paul.

   Charlie / 12 May 2006 / 10:07 AM

5. 

   Grant, thanks for the vote of confidence and the encouragemet. Charlie, I read anotherthink often, great stuff. I am coming to the same conclusion although it really just confirms what I have been thinking. We had growth of almost 300% in the fall. It was crazy and we weren't prepared for it. We didn't have the leadership to sustain it. So now we are back to our original number and I am recruiting like crazy. I'll post in the fall when we see if we are all right.

   Paul / 12 May 2006 / 7:00 PM