Myers, J. (2005, March).

"From Practical to Practicing:

A New Adjective for Youth Ministry

 

." Clergy Journal, Vol. 81 (Issue 5), p6-9

 

 

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“In our striving to make youth ministry more practical and relevant, we have almost stripped youth ministry of it’s authenticity and passion, leaving it bare and not standing for much of anything except the promise of a good time.” Jeremy Myers claims that to revitalize our youth ministries we must rediscover Christian practices.

 

As examples of Christian practices, he offers as examples: “Living our lives as a continuous prayer”, and “Finding companions around food” as Christian practices. These practices must be practiced within a community. The practices also aren’t to be separated from the context and real world in which teenagers live. Why are these practices important? Myers states that “Communities that actively practice their faith will offer hope for teens in future years,” and, “We practice because it is the abundant life that God intends for us, and we invite teens into this abundant life with us because it is exactly this abundance for which they long.”
 
To incorporate the practices into ministry, you must think of new ways to spend time with teens. For example, you could try writing a song together, or you could try a Sabbath retreat where nothing is scheduled except morning and evening meals and worship. The easiest place to start is right where you are. What Christian practices make up our daily lives? How might we live in them to glorify God? At what practices does your ministry currently excel? Most churches practice the Christian story every Sunday.  

 

Many youth ministries are very good at the Christian practice of play. But as a youth leader it’s our responsibility to know the practices.

 

Two resources are available for this:  http://www.practicingourfaith.org and http://www.waytolive.org/

 

It is also our responsibility to lead discussions that interpret a practice experience. For example: “When, during this experience, did we feel like recipients of God’s grace?” As we practice Christianity, we must understand the experience.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. At what particular practices does my church community excel?

2. How may I better practice Christianity in my own life, and which practices are already a big part of my life?

3. How could (or should) I invite or incorporate non-believers into Christian practice?

4. How might my ministry improve or grow closer together by putting Christianity into practice.

5. How might this approach be different than the purely practical approaches advocated by others?

IMPLICATIONS

Christian practice brings the Christian faith into reality within the lives of teenagers. By practicing their faith, Christianity is no longer seen as something that can only solve isolated problems. Parents can bring community into the home by practicing Christianity with their kids. Youth leaders can incorporate Christian practice into study of scripture and other aspects of their ministry. As it promotes holiness, Christian practice also promotes community. In taking a holistic view of Christian practice, the effects of Christ’s grace can be felt in every aspect of life.

Arthur Hanenburg, Copyright 2005  CYS