Introduction After covering the entirety of Lee Vukich and Steve Vandegriff’s book, Timeless Youth Ministry, I arrived to the conclusion that there are timeless principles within the student culture today and that youth workers can successfully minister these students by recognizing these principles. Vukich and Vandegriff provided a window to the life of adolescents. Anyone who reads this book is likely to become familiar with the student culture and what may occur in the future concerning the student ministry. Furthermore, he or she may understand how churches have approached students and how a youth worker should conduct him or herself. In 22 chapters, Vukich and Vandegriff presented an insightful picture of adolescents and their culture, …show more content…
Namely, they intended it to be a “needed resource to examine afresh what it means to be an adolescent in today’s culture and how those who minister to young people can best reach them.” Beginning with the first chapter, they described the contemporary culture of teenagers. For instance, they included how teenagers approached music, institutions, and how they uphold postmodernism. Furthermore, they provided reasons for their approach. When discussing regarding the tension between adults and adolescents, they suggested that adults might be at fault in regards to the tension. Lastly, they listed ways one can approach these adolescents in their culture. In the next chapter, they included methods the church might utilize in approaching adolescents in the future, according to trends and projections, such as being involved in public schools and hosting a youth center. Chapter 3 presented different styles of current youth ministries. Concerning the varieties of models, Vukich and Vandegriff concluded that as youth workers, one must choose the ministry that works best with his or her students. Chapter 4 described adolescence, and chapter 5 recorded specific characteristics adolescents cultivate and, principally, how youth leaders should respectively approach these teenagers. For instance, in the area of physical development, workers should avoid making fun of the adolescent’s physical changes; in the area of mental development, be understanding when the student has his or her spiritual and religious doubts; in the area of emotional development, be a role model by displaying a stable emotional image; and in the area of social development, present what the Bible teaches concerning how people should be socially. In the next three chapters, chapters 6-8, discussed identity in regards to adolescents. First, they defined what self-identity is, and, second, they wrote concerning
Workers who work with adolescents and, especially, parents would enjoy this book since it would bring understanding and the reader could personally relate to the author. As the author evidently strives to effectively raise adults, parents likewise strive. In this endeavor, since this book provided a history of the adolescent’s culture, the current state of the adolescent’s culture, relational qualities to implement while approaching teenagers, and how to practical respond to teenagers’ issues. Overall, this is a beneficial
We are introduced to adolescence in the 5th stage of development. Adolescence begins for boys around the age of 14 and continues up until the age of 21 years of age. At this stage of development, there are many changes that occur emotionally, physically, sexually and spiritually (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia Preto, 2011). At this time, adolescent kids are going through changes in their body. They are dealing with coming into their own sexuality. Skills pertaining to social skills and social relationships are being developed through experience. Adolescents are also increasing their skills of physical and mental coordination, such as learning about the world and working on their own coordination. Adolescence is also characterized by learning their own identity and where they fit in the world, as well as learning their relationship with peers and those around them. Spiritual identity is also developed along with a deeper understanding of life. Independence is something that is also weighing on the mind of an adolescent. Overall changes in the family structure can also occur when a child of this age reaches this
...f adolescence allow development the identity that will serve as a basis for their adult lives. During Erikson's stage of identity versus role confusion, adolescents' description of self expands to include personality traits and attitudes. The emergence of abstract reasoning abilities allows adolescents to think about the future and experiment with different identities. The development of abstract thought in adolescence also impels the exploration of religious and spiritual beliefs. The development of religious identity begins to come into question with further exploration. Even though the adolescent may eventually adopt beliefs that were similar to their childhood beliefs, the process of exploration is important in achieving a religious identity.
Philosophy of Ministry: God's desires come first, I must always live my ministry God's way. I must live as a Christian (1 Corinthians 9:27) I must have a proper relationship of surrender to the Leader. In my personal life or in the Church I must understand that Christ is Head and Chief Shepherd (Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 13:20). The “management” of Church is about relationships with God and Man, not just maintaining a social organization.
Knowles' book focuses on the adolescent period of life. Adolescence is a very confusing time of life, primarily because a person fluctuates from wanting to be a child and being innocent to wanting to be an adult and questioning life. Knowles emphasizes that both worlds of adolescent and adult life share many similarities and overlap often--they are not separate entities. Even in the green, neatly kept paradise of Devon School, there existed some areas of uncontrolled wilderness.
This period is marked by physical, social, moral and emotional development (Davies, Hartdegen, Haxell, Le Geyt & Mercier, 2012). It is a time when the adolescent’s sense of self or identity is becoming much more clear and they are beginning to understand their role in society, starting to question the morals of others and contemplating their own moral and ethical beliefs (Davies et al., 2012). During this time Erik Erikson believed that adolescents are faced with the psychosocial stage of identity versus role confusion (Berk, 2008). Adolescents explore their values and role in society, overcoming this conflict to better understand their own identity, however if they do not fully overcome this conflict, Erikson believed that the adolescent would be confused about their values and future adult roles (Berk, 2008). This conflict was clearly demonstrated in my own development during the late teenage years when I experienced both the results of failing to overcome and then overcoming Erikson’s fifth psychosocial stage. At age eighteen I finished secondary school and began my tertiary studies, I had been accepted into the degree I had wanted to study since middle childhood, however I quickly learnt that I was enjoying neither my studies nor my experience of life in halls of residence. I discontinued my studies after only
It is clear, that if the youth can choose to stop wasting time in a superficial reality, while avoiding displaying extents of their ego, long enough to consider their role in the context of the whole, a community could be achieved, and that youth would mentally benefit from contributing to those around them. While it is hard on bitter days to exchange a smile with a stranger, having in mind, that universal compassion is necessary, to lead a life that is free of lonesomeness.
Identity often refers to a sort of desperate quest or a deliberately confused search through both a mental and moral experience. However, Erikson approaches this idea as an experience that will almost be a surprise that sneaks up on one, rather than something that can be found. The process of identity formation is located in the core of an individual, and also in the core of ones communal culture. This process is ever changing and developing, but reaches a crisis during the stage of adolescence. At the earliest stage of the identity crisis there is an important need for trust in oneself and others. Adolescents, at this stage, look passionately for ideas to place faith in, and additionally, ideas, which seem worthwhile to prove trustworthy. Erikson explains, “at the same time the adolescent fears a foolish, all too trusting commitment, and will, paradoxically, express his need for faith in loud and cynical mistrust” (Erikson, p. 252). This stage of identity formation is very confusing to youth because of the pull between childhood and adulthood. The adolescent undergoes and inner struggle of whether they wish to follow certain morals and beliefs, and the fear of committing to a specific identity. The second stage establishes the necessity of being defined by what one can will freely. The adolescent is now looking for an opportunity to decide freely on one of the available or unavoidable duty and service, and is at the same time terrified of being forced to engage in activities, which may expose one to ridicule. This further adds to the confusion of adolescents and identity formation. An adolescent is torn between acting shamelessly in the eyes of his or her elders, out of free choice, than to be forced into activities t...
LaRue, Jr, John C. "A Glimpse at Christian Teens | YourChurch.net." ChristianityToday.com | Magazines, News, Church Leadership & Bible Study. 31 Mar. 2009 .
Adolescence refers to the transition period experienced by children that occur between childhood and adulthood (Shefer, 2011). Identity is first confronted in adolescence between the ages 12 – 19 years old, because of physical and hormonal changes in the body. It is also due to the introduction of formal operations in cognitive development and societal expectation that this contributes to an individual’s identity to be explored and established (McAdams, 2009). The forces within and outside (family, community) the individual that promote identity development usually create a sense of tension. The basic task is, in Erikson’s terms, “fidelity or truthfulness and consistency to one’s core self or faith in one’s ideology” (Fleming, 2004: 9), in a nutshell: "Who am I and where am I
...orliti, John E.. Reverence for life and family II: valuing values : a guide for parents of teens : sexuality education in the Catholic tradition. Dubuque, Iowa: Religious Education Division, Wm. C. Brown Co. Publishers, 1986. Print.
In the summer of 2013, a group of high schoolers gathered to dream up the idea of starting a student-led christian ministry on the campus of Urbandale High School. All of the students involved were regular Urbandale High School students; there were no pastors, there were no theologians, there were not even adults. Despite impossible odds this group of students managed to accomplish their goal and created a student-led ministry called Catalyst that is still at Urbandale today. This movement was created completely by students that the world would say were unqualified to lead a ministry. Somehow they managed to accomplish the impossible through the use of a small student-led group of like-minded individuals. What could it look like if more high school students decided to get together with like-minded individuals and change the status quo? This simple idea has the potential to be implemented in every high school in the United States and impact thousands of
Sonnenberg looks at the various different components that make up the bigger picture in the community aspect in a youth worship setting; these components are looked at systematically. In the article Sonnenberg and her fellow researchers addresses four aspects which are discussed theoretically which are the following: physical presence, empathetic and emotional equality, the opportunity to cross social and ecclesiological boundaries and sharing faith (Sonnenberg, Nel, Kock, & Barnard, 2015). In the quest to address the question the importance of these four aspects the researches firstly presented the importance of each of these aspects individually, by analysing previous research and looking at the background regarding these aspects (Sonnenberg, Nel, Kock, & Barnard, 2015). Additionally the researchers observed these four aspects in a practical manner by using various methods to collect data; the data was collected through pictures, videos, field notes, small group and individual interviews and conversations and through email correspondence (Sonnenberg, Nel, Kock, & Barnard, 2015). The leaders of the different organisations and youth groups were also interviewed (Sonnenberg, Nel, Kock, & Barnard, 2015). A study such as this is of great importance when it comes to a Church context but not only is relevant for the Church but for youth leaders and even how one goes about one’s daily
Our young adults today, are bombarded with numerous challenges. What can you do to help them encounter these obstacles and come up shining on the other side? What factors contribute to efficaciously disabling the ample hurdles that are thrown at our young adults today? Let’s discover together some of these life trials that many young adults meet today. More specifically, we will look into economic challenges, the peril of not having an established support network, and even the potential risks of not following God and how this can adversely affect how out young adults respond when faced with challenges.
Youth ministry originated during the industrial revolution period, in the 19th century. When young men and women started moving into the more central urban areas of cities to start working, the churches started to take notice. They wanted to formally educate the men, women, and adolescence during the urbanization period. The desired effect was not only education, but rather an awakening to teens. The ministers wanted the teens to realize that through the Bible, that they are sinners and need forgiveness.