"To change spiritual formation from an individual emphasis to an ecclesial emphasis will mean that we have to broaden our sense of the gospel so that Church is vital to the gospel."
--Scot McKnight, Spiritual Formation Forum, June 11, 2007 http://www.jesuscreed.org/
What would this mean for specialized ministries within the local church, for example, youth ministry? Instead of working out of the parachurch model, youth ministry would embrace and live out this ecclesial model. Instead of being "clubs," collections of individuals united according to their age/station in life/common interests and functioning relatively independently with input from a charismatic few, ministries would be organic: unable to stand apart from the Body, and unable to function without involving everyone. Instead of focusing on ourselves and relating to those like us, we would focus on the whole, and learn to also relate to those different from us.
This would be revolutionary for VCC. Scot has articulated one of the great philosophical/theological problems we are facing. Steve has been trying to push for Scot's vision, but we have folks who are heavily invested in the parachurch model. I fear that the resolution will be a matter of plate tectonics unless the Lord offers us another way.
3 comments:
This is a great philosophical debate in American evangelicalism as a whole. Are we going to focus on formation or on providing programs? They don't have to be mutually exclusive but the issue is that of focus.
Marva Dawn does a good job discussing the issue in relation to children with her book Is It a Lost Cause?
I think that if we want to shift the focus that's the place to start doing it -- with the younger children.
One of the greatest challenges in youth ministry today is that we as parents are trying to replicate our own youth group experiences. But the landscape has so radically changed. On top of that, with a little reflection we realize that the programming we did in the 60s, 70s, and 80s with kids didn't really have much impact. However, the formational relationships that developed in spite of our propensity to over-program are still bearing fruit.
very interesting thoughts. i would have more to say in my own opinion, but am too tapped out for now.
I agree that youth need to be drawn into the larger Body of Christ. I am wondering how you define that, and if it is based solely on Sunday morning attendance. Most youth are making their own choices, as to attendance on Sunday mornings. I do believe a little respect for their thoughts and ideas regarding the "worship service" would do more to encourage participation and inclusion, than a "be there just because I said so" approach. Or even, "because it is the Body of Christ, and tradition in services is important". I agree with that statement for the most part, but it has taken me some time to get there. It is ultimately the fact that I want to worship God, and do that with others who care about me, that brings me to church on Sunday morning. From other posts, I sense your fear of consumerism in churches, but I think there is a balance. I do not recall that Christ dictated an order of worship for Sunday services. My understanding is that Sunday worship services are pretty set, and youth have felt disrespected in their ideas for change.
As a matter of fact, youth have been involved in larger body events at VCC. It is very true that there was, proportionally, a good representation of youth at Encounter services for awhile. They were encouraged to go. We tried combining HS in the adult Sunday School classes, but very few youth felt welcomed, and they stopped coming.
But, if you look at the Body of Christ as existing throughout the week, then it can be argued that multi-age involvement in youth activities is facilitating incorporation into the larger body. Why do youth need to "come to adults" rather than the other way around. As Chap Clark stresses in his book, Hurt, youth are drawn to adults who care about them. How many adults have actively attended youth functions--and actually really care for youth? How many adults go into the world of youth--attend their performances, school events, sporting events. These all form those bonds which then bring them into the larger body of Christ. For scheduled youth events, adults were always encouraged to come-- I believe there were more people at the snow trip than not this year. I believe that it is through those relationships that we can make the difference in encouraging spiritual formation in those youth. And this is probably the point that could use some refining. But, overall, I believe that VCC is making better progress than you think, but because the definition you and Steve use to determine inclusion in the body is limited, it appears not. If this is how you feel, then I have little motivation to continue...
I am wondering how your women's group that met regularly, but was not open to all, fits with your ideas.
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