NYWC tidbits to chew on

"Spiritual formation is intentionally paraphrasing a common slogan. Our goal is transformation, not information or recreation."

"I put a big crown over their head, and help them grow into it."

"For Jesus, people always come before program."

"Are we living a life that is adventurously expectant (see Romans 8) or one that is predictably remarkable?"

" I was rebelling against the Christians who were discriminating against my friends."

"Service is giving a thirsty person a glass of water. Justice is asking why that person doesn't have accessible clean water"

"In nurturing teenage disciples, remember that genuine commitment comes, not through giant steps, but through baby steps."

National Youth Workers Conference - part one

Heyyyy!

It's the middle of the day on the third day of this four-day conference and I have found myself in need to collect my thoughts. It's so incredible to be here with so many Spirit-filled, on fire youth workers and I often find myself wishing I could be sharing this experience with you -- my friends and partners in ministry.

This is supposed to be a tiny start to updating you on the things I've been learning, remembering, or being inspired by. Please forgive me for typos and formatting, I'm on my phone. :)

I'll start small with this first post so you're not overwhelmed like I was!

So, from the intensive learning lab I started with on Thursday, I offer you these nuggets: The good news (not to be confused with the Good News) is that even though for the past 20 years the vast majority of youth ministry has been teaching the gospel of "sin management" (doing certain behaviors and avoiding certain other behaviors), the Episcopal Church has done a pretty good job of avoiding that trap. Back pats around the room! :)

More good news is this:
The Gospel can handle doubt.
At our best, we Episcopalians are great with doubt. At our worst, we are so sensitive to doubt and opinions of others that we abandon the Gospel altogether. So, I'll add a caveat to that statement:
The Gospel can handle doubt. But, while doubt alone is not toxic, unexpressed doubt is.

Here's some research:
A recent longitudinal study by the Fuller Youth Institute following 500 teens across the country:
80% of HS seniors intend to stay active in their faith after HS
only 40-50% actually do
70% of teens doubt their faith in high school
only 10% of those felt they had a chance to work through their doubts
The questions that teens had fell into two equally important categories:
apologetics
Does God exist?
Is Christianity true/the only way to God?
personal
Does God love me?
Am I living the life God wants?

Jay Giedd's research at UCLA:
When teen don't practice and wrestle with their doubt, they cognitively lose their faith. Just like all other areas of study (like sciences, social studies and English) teens are capable of and hunger for high levels of synaptic engagement. So, why are we offering baby food when Shakespeare is what's called for?

So, it can't be that we offer teens do and don't lists of behaviors, but it also can't be that we say doubt is okay and leave it well enough alone. We must wrestle the tough stuff, expect the level of excellence our teens are capable of, and have the grace to accept that God alone is who transforms our hearts, minds, and souls -- not us.

I can't wait to celebrate doubt and lift it up to our God together when I get back. Love you all!

xoxo