Comments on: ct article on the future of youth ministry http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/ life, faith, youth ministry, emerging church, leadership, whimsy Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:12:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MattCleaver.com » The Next 50 Years of Youth Ministry: Becoming Theologians http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-1181032 MattCleaver.com » The Next 50 Years of Youth Ministry: Becoming Theologians Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:17:19 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-1181032 [...] Marko brought my attention to the latest issue of Christianity Today, which celebrates it’s 50th anniversary issue.  Among other things, there is an article on the next 50 years of youth ministry and what it may bring.  The typical people give their input: Kenda Dean, Walt Mueller, Chap Clark, Marko, and others.  But, as Marko points out in his blog post, the article seems quite lacking in actually addressing what the next 50 years in youth ministry might bring.  As I read the article, I felt as if it was describing where youth ministry as a whole is transitioning now rather than giving a whole lot of prophetic direction.  So, instead of just complaining that the article fell short of its potential (which is quite understandable, given that you only have so many pages in a magazine you can devote to this issue), Marko asked the youth ministry blogosphere to expound and weigh-in on the topic.  So far, quite a few voices have posted their thoughts (and I haven’t read them all yet); you can find a list of people who have responded in Marko’s post.  So, now for my $.02. [...] [...] Marko brought my attention to the latest issue of Christianity Today, which celebrates it’s 50th anniversary issue.  Among other things, there is an article on the next 50 years of youth ministry and what it may bring.  The typical people give their input: Kenda Dean, Walt Mueller, Chap Clark, Marko, and others.  But, as Marko points out in his blog post, the article seems quite lacking in actually addressing what the next 50 years in youth ministry might bring.  As I read the article, I felt as if it was describing where youth ministry as a whole is transitioning now rather than giving a whole lot of prophetic direction.  So, instead of just complaining that the article fell short of its potential (which is quite understandable, given that you only have so many pages in a magazine you can devote to this issue), Marko asked the youth ministry blogosphere to expound and weigh-in on the topic.  So far, quite a few voices have posted their thoughts (and I haven’t read them all yet); you can find a list of people who have responded in Marko’s post.  So, now for my $.02. [...]

]]> By: Joe Ball http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-109767 Joe Ball Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:53:17 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-109767 What will youth ministry be like in 50 years? It will cover a wider age range than we currently do, maybe up to 30, be more about growing disciples, intergenrational, and less connected to a local church building. As society changes and the local church becomes less and less relavant to cultural God will find new ways to reach his people (much like he did when he by passed generation between when the children of Israel left Egypt and actually stepped foot in the promised land). America will not be the county it is, their will be less religious freedoms that will call for a greater commitment to identify with the name "Christian" so those that do use it will be more committed and have a deeper faith. Just some thoughts What will youth ministry be like in 50 years? It will cover a wider age range than we currently do, maybe up to 30, be more about growing disciples, intergenrational, and less connected to a local church building. As society changes and the local church becomes less and less relavant to cultural God will find new ways to reach his people (much like he did when he by passed generation between when the children of Israel left Egypt and actually stepped foot in the promised land). America will not be the county it is, their will be less religious freedoms that will call for a greater commitment to identify with the name “Christian” so those that do use it will be more committed and have a deeper faith. Just some thoughts

]]> By: jeff http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-34568 jeff Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:31:47 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-34568 not that i care that much anyway, but my last name is lukens. the b is my middle initial. not that i care that much anyway, but my last name is lukens. the b is my middle initial.

]]> By: Chris Kidd http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-34160 Chris Kidd Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:57:58 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-34160 Sorry I am new to the blogging thing so not sure how it all quite works. Some thoughts I posted include: It is a really tough question - I struggle to think what things will be like in 2 or 3 years time let alone 50 - I will be 73 by that stage! I think it will be interesting to see how key thoughts and agencies adapt over time - thinking both of the emergent group but also of groups such as Scripture Union, Youth for Christ, and Crusaders. What will their role be, how will they have adapted? We had a strategy day for the local schools work group last weekend and someone there made a really interesting comment. What happens if the government takes all religious content out of the schools how then do we reach young people? If that were to happen - as seems increasingly likely, sad as it is, in this age of political correctness, it puts a big pressure on the church to ensure that it improves the way that it reaches out to young people. That is certainly a huge challenge to mull over. Sorry I am new to the blogging thing so not sure how it all quite works. Some thoughts I posted include:

It is a really tough question – I struggle to think what things will be like in 2 or 3 years time let alone 50 – I will be 73 by that stage! I think it will be interesting to see how key thoughts and agencies adapt over time – thinking both of the emergent group but also of groups such as Scripture Union, Youth for Christ, and Crusaders. What will their role be, how will they have adapted?

We had a strategy day for the local schools work group last weekend and someone there made a really interesting comment. What happens if the government takes all religious content out of the schools how then do we reach young people? If that were to happen – as seems increasingly likely, sad as it is, in this age of political correctness, it puts a big pressure on the church to ensure that it improves the way that it reaches out to young people. That is certainly a huge challenge to mull over.

]]> By: seaninthemiddle.com » Brain Droppings #2 http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-33974 seaninthemiddle.com » Brain Droppings #2 Fri, 06 Oct 2006 19:37:36 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-33974 [...] I’ve been reading a lot about “What youth ministry will look like in 50 years” on Marko, Kurt, Andy and Mike’s blogs (with a ton of other blogs talking about it too). I touched on some thoughts about the future of youth ministry in a post I wrote about a month ago (click here to see it), but honestly I’m just too worn out right now to think too deeply about it. I don’t believe in the whole “4%” nightmare that is being spread around, but I do believe we’re going to have to change…but honestly, isn’t that a given? My only serious hope/fear would be that we truly need to start focusing on middle school ministry. It makes me sick when I hear youth pastors say that it’s just a “holding pen” until the kids get into high school. If that thinking doesn’t change then pack your bags folks, because youth ministry won’t last long if we only teach our high school kids. [...] [...] I’ve been reading a lot about “What youth ministry will look like in 50 years” on Marko, Kurt, Andy and Mike’s blogs (with a ton of other blogs talking about it too). I touched on some thoughts about the future of youth ministry in a post I wrote about a month ago (click here to see it), but honestly I’m just too worn out right now to think too deeply about it. I don’t believe in the whole “4%” nightmare that is being spread around, but I do believe we’re going to have to change…but honestly, isn’t that a given? My only serious hope/fear would be that we truly need to start focusing on middle school ministry. It makes me sick when I hear youth pastors say that it’s just a “holding pen” until the kids get into high school. If that thinking doesn’t change then pack your bags folks, because youth ministry won’t last long if we only teach our high school kids. [...]

]]> By: ysmarko http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-33914 ysmarko Fri, 06 Oct 2006 14:30:13 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-33914 [...] the holly: i agree and have been saying this for a while - i don't think ministry as we know it is sustainable in a... [...] [...] the holly: i agree and have been saying this for a while – i don’t think ministry as we know it is sustainable in a… [...]

]]> By: the holly http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-33887 the holly Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:32:57 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-33887 i agree and have been saying this for a while - i don't think ministry as we know it is sustainable in a post-christian age. while i'm thrilled that people are training youth ministers on a collegiate level, especially as one who still teaches youth ministry, i'm not confident that the current approach will be helpful in 50 years. unfortunately, it doesn't seem that many people really want to acknowlege that this is the path we are on. or perhaps i'm wrong. :) that would be nice. i agree and have been saying this for a while – i don’t think ministry as we know it is sustainable in a post-christian age. while i’m thrilled that people are training youth ministers on a collegiate level, especially as one who still teaches youth ministry, i’m not confident that the current approach will be helpful in 50 years. unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that many people really want to acknowlege that this is the path we are on.

or perhaps i’m wrong. :) that would be nice.

]]> By: FOYM « Revkasedoggy http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-33808 FOYM « Revkasedoggy Fri, 06 Oct 2006 06:38:15 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-33808 [...] Cruising some of the youth ministry blogs of recent and it seems the topic of discussion is regarding the future of youth ministry. Its wonderful that its being talked about. My buddy Andrew has some good thoughts on his blog and others alike are contributing to the discussion. I thought I’d throw in my two cents for what its worth. [...] [...] Cruising some of the youth ministry blogs of recent and it seems the topic of discussion is regarding the future of youth ministry. Its wonderful that its being talked about. My buddy Andrew has some good thoughts on his blog and others alike are contributing to the discussion. I thought I’d throw in my two cents for what its worth. [...]

]]> By: YouthMinistryTV.com » Blog Archive » The Future of Youth Ministry http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-33706 YouthMinistryTV.com » Blog Archive » The Future of Youth Ministry Fri, 06 Oct 2006 00:58:13 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-33706 [...] YSmarko has a post and link about the future of youth ministry. What will it look like in 50 years? I think that it’s interesting to think about the future of youth ministry. Marko makes some interesting observations. Anyway, be sure to check out the discussion over at his blog. [...] [...] YSmarko has a post and link about the future of youth ministry. What will it look like in 50 years? I think that it’s interesting to think about the future of youth ministry. Marko makes some interesting observations. Anyway, be sure to check out the discussion over at his blog. [...]

]]> By: The Poulette Family » The Future of Youth Ministry http://whyismarko.com/2006/ct-article-on-the-future-of-youth-ministry/comment-page-1/#comment-33636 The Poulette Family » The Future of Youth Ministry Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:44:20 +0000 http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=947#comment-33636 [...] Marko has mused on the future of youth ministry, and I thought I’d put in my two cents. Since the practice of youth ministry is only a little over 50 years old, we can expect great changes in the next fifty years. [...] [...] Marko has mused on the future of youth ministry, and I thought I’d put in my two cents. Since the practice of youth ministry is only a little over 50 years old, we can expect great changes in the next fifty years. [...]

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