I have just bout had it with emails from Youth Ministry gurus who "have it all figured out." I don't have it figured out. Also realizing more and more that I never will. Maybe I'm oversensitive here. I don't know, you tell me what you think.
"For adults, even if a sermon or conversation or worship service is utterly boring, most will politely maintain eye contact and nod their heads from time to time (even if they’ve mentally checked out). Not so with middle schoolers. If what’s happening isn’t engaging them, they’ll find something else that’s more interesting...whether that means making a paper airplane out of the handout, poking the person next to them, or starting a conversation with the guy sitting behind them. We need to regularly ask ourselves, How engaging is our junior high ministry?
In case you're not sure why this bunches me all up. According to this article, now it is my fault if my 7th grade boys can't quit flicking boogers on each other. Dang it! I knew I should have opened with that burning alcohol illustration!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
Husband to 1 wife, daddy to 4 kids, ravenous consumer of peanut butter.
Identities
6 comments:
Their parents need to teach them how to act. Those kids have no respect for others.
That's how our society is starting students off, by telling them if they are not engaged it is someone else's fault. If you don't worship or like the sermon in "big church" it is because the adults (in their unhipness) don't understand you. We have released people from personal accountability.
Sorry to rant on your blog, but AAAHHHHH!!!!!!
Not to say students don't have unique needs and issues. And are ministered to more effectively through different methods and music. I just think we can propagate a very selfish attitude by telling (and somewhat expecting) students to be disengaged by congregation wide activities.
Again sorry to rant.
Your blogs are thought provoking. You rock!
By the way I've got this mailer by this guy who has it all figured out if you want it.
You nailed it dead on Martyr...
If their is a line here between selling out to popularity and dogmatic traditionalism... it is very grey for sure.
You see THEIR? I spelled THEER wrong? What I meant to say was "THAIR"
Robert, you have hit on a very interesting topic. What exactly does engage a middle school boy? Quick story:
At Sunday school, one boy removes his shoe and literally "RAPS" it across another boy's nose. Blood pours. My friend teaches the class and was telling me about it. He basically threw up his hands and said, "Whudda ya do?" He ended up telling both of them to report to each of their parents and to get out of his class.
When you figure it out Robert, I would love to see a post about it. I have my own ideas regarding this issue, but I am afraid some may call the police on me. lol
Basically, middle school boys who behave in this fashion at church have not seen the "Rod" as they should at home. The only medication most of them need is from a nice flat piece of wood. I said "most" because I am aware that some of them DO need medication.
Great post btw.
I once heard 90% of ADD medication comes to the US. 90% of that is given to boys.
That sure is funny how ADD attacks our American young boys isn't it?
I'm just saying.
Post a Comment