The Future of Youth Ministry Training

I know it feels like the most current blog posts are about one particular theme which is primarily focused on Youth Ministry and specifically about changes that are happening to the world of it.  I apologize if you are getting tired about this but as I'm spending the weekend at a Youth Ministry Training event it's just what you are going to have to read unless you want to hit backspace and get out of here.

A couple years ago I was asked to be a part of a Lilly Grant Think Tank put together by the Center for Youth Ministry Training.  A large part of that experience has been to regularly meet with Youth Ministry Educators and Pastors and talk about what type of education and training would be most helpful to create successful youth workers to run vibrant youth ministries.

This experience has been very good. I've gotten the opportunity to interact with a number of amazing teachers, leaders and pastors.  Out of this Think Tank has come great relationships and friends who I value a ton.

At the heart of the conversation has been this continual dialogue about what we "need to know" in order to be effective.  It's been a great dialogue because it has forced us to be real about what we do know and how well prepared we actually are.

Just like the future of higher education is changing so is Youth Ministry Education.  Today at the National Youth Workers Convention the YS team put on an event they call Open Space.  It's basically a forum that allows for people to present topics that they want to discuss and to have open discussions about issues.

I was a part of a discussion about 20-somethings who work in the church but have a hard time finding a social life.  The just of the discussion was about how difficult it is in many contexts to both be a leader in the church as well as finding friends and being fed by the church.  Great conversation I wish I'd had when I was in my 20's.  It was very helpful for me to think through what they were talking about as I thought about my own staff of 20-somethings who are living that same struggle and life.

I still have a lot to learn and I appreciate the opportunity to do it here at the National Youth Workers Convention.  It's a good place for me and for many to learn, be validated and to know that people care about them.  

I have no idea what the future of youth ministry training will look like. I'm pretty convinced that youth ministry is getting more complex and that the training of youth ministers is a tough task.  Even this conference is crazy. There are about 1500 people here and about 1/3 have never been to this convention before. Just thinking about what type of things these people need to know in order to run successful youth ministries is hard. 

So I'm advocating that we take a long look at this.  With some of the changes happening this is a good time to rethink how we do things.  Let's be honest with ourselves and ask the tough questions.  Have we figured out the right way to do this?  Do we know anymore in this changing culture how to do this thing effectively.  I'm encouraging us to pray like crazy that we might know God's will for youth ministry education and that we could jump on it.

Comments

[Neal Locke]

I think that the way this topic came up -- in OpenSpaces, is indicative of the way youth ministry (and the culture in general) is headed.

The future of youth ministry is a shift from content push: we have the message and we give it to you, while you receive it ---> to content pull: there's a lot of complex information out there, and we, youth workers, create open spaces in which you can explore. We'll serve as guides and mentors to get you started on the journey through the OpenSpaces.

[twitter.com/YMdeech]

Lars, I would love to hear about the conversation from the open space times as well as process what you are thinking. I've been with Kenda, Roger N, and others this weekend and the conversation continues to be fresh.

[Lars Rood]

Deech- It was a very interesting but great time. Picture 600+ people coming up with topics together to talk about. I was blown away and also involved. I'd like to talk to you soon.