Something Beautiful
renewing and emergingArchive for Youth Ministry
Doug Fields is a genius?
Doug Fields has the quote of the week in the July/August issue of Group Magazine.
“I spent four years in Bible college and three years in seminary, but I don’t remember anyone teaching me the importance of thinking.”
A few nights ago a friend and I were talking about the fact that American youth ministry is almost entirely controlled by conservative evangelical voices. Moderate and mainline youth workers are nearly absent in the conversation about current practices and issues relating to youth ministry. Perhaps we’re just not as organized. Youth Specialties and Emergent are publishing constantly and only the resources and programs of a few white, straight men dominate the landscape of youth ministry.
The problems, as I see them, stem from Fields’ observation. While Fields article in Group magazine is meant to promote thought, it gives evidence to the largely anti-intellectual momentum in youth ministry (and neo-conservatism) as a whole. The fact alone that Fields, arguably the most recognizable figure in youth ministry, has to write whole articles encouraging youth workers just to think seems ridiculous. Mainstream Youth Ministry is intent on building youth programs based on emotionalism, all the while counterfeiting genuine faith and spirituality.
So what can be done? Start thinking! Kenda Creasy Dean’s book, Practicing Passion, is a great example of current work being done in youth ministry that appeals to the genuine 
fervor with which youth tend to experience life, all the while requiring youth ministers to engage hearty theological inquiry. It’s time for youth ministers and those who dominate our scene to take St. Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 13. “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.” Please, Youth Specialties, Emergent, Doug Fields and any other middle-aged white men reading, stop boiling everything down to a flavorless mush! Please, stop telling us what to think and insulting those of us who don’t agree. Please, think!
Youth minister arrested for extorion
The Journal of Student Ministries brought this article to my attention in the most recent issue of their e-journal. I’m often shocked to read about the misgivings of people in ministry, especially those who work with youth.
In this case, the youth minister at Long Valley Presbyterian Church in Washington township, NJ and his wife are accused of sending a letter to a local resident threatening to kill the parent and his child unless $20,000 was left for the couple in a nearby park. When the youth minister and his wife arrived with their two young sons to collect the money they were arrested and charged with theft by extortion, conspiracy and first-degree use of a person 17 years of age or younger to commit theft by extortion.
They were released the next day after each posted a $100,000 bond to cover their bail.
Published… at last!
I just got the e-Journal of Student Ministries, Vol. 2, No. 28 in my inbox and, lo-and-behold, my name was on it! Going to India was such an 
incredible experience that I was really inspired to write an article about my experiences with people and a culture so different than my own. The folks over at The Journal of Student Ministries liked my thoughts and are publishing that article, Refrigerator Art: Reflections From India, on their website for the July/August Issue. This isn’t the first composition I have had published, but it means a lot to be associated with a magazine that includes the work of several people I respect and admire. If you get a minute, check out the article on the front page of The Journal’s website. It’s also available on the “words” page on this blog. If you feel really inspired, let The Journal know you liked the article and want to hear more from me. Happy reading!
