"A New Kind of Youth Ministry" Introduction

In the 'Introduction' Chris Folmsbee does well at expressing the restlessness many of us feel about youth ministry in models that belong in the 1950s and for which our resistance attracts criticism. 'Restless' has become my normal state in recent months/years... not in an 'I'm over it!!' way but I mean with the state of things and our inability to make strides as the wider church, in reinventing ministry which is missionally and contextually sharp!!

Talk learner centred, non event based, discipleship and people stare at you as if you've just torn pages from a Bible!!

Folmsbee describes one restless experience after another and notes his encounter with the Tony Jones book "Postmodern Youth Ministry" and it's different take on the issues.

What he eventually begins to introduce us to is the notion and task of RE-CULTURING youth ministry. This is "a strategic and intentional process of change that involves concentrade critical assessment, passionate idea generation, implementation of new ideas and practices and the ongoing evalutaion of the changes implemented" and borrowing from 'Leading in a Culture of Change' Michael Fullan we're reminded it's not about one innovation after another but implementation of new ideas. The transformation is ongoing and extensive.

That's all great jargon but it's really saying that instead of entertainment, the latest technique or creative program idea... reculturing is about changing ministry with young people to genuinely reflect the context we're in!! To help earth it a little [this is still just the intro] Chris answers the conference q&a 'what will it look like?' with a few initial images:

- churches will embrace pomo youth ministry with optimism and hope

- churches working with their community towards discipleship regardless of doctrine

- Youth Workers would see themselves primarily as Spiritual Directors not program directors

- youth ministries would think tehologically before methodologically

- students would live out the vision of God's restorative mission, not just talk about it

- Youth Workers serving young people in cooperation with families & churches rather than in conflict with them

- youth ministries teaching for spirtual formation vs information

To name a few.....