A few weeks ago I noticed a spike in general search engines for my name. That’s why I love reporting features. But to keep me honest, I make sure that it’s public and people can see it for themselves. This is not a vastly popular blog, although i know a few lurkers that hang around.
But I figured out a possible reason when I was in Sydney. My friend Adam asked me to write a very short piece for a new ministry book that was being published by Relevant. I sent it off, not that happy with it – frustrated by word count and timeframe! And then I heard nothing else. So I kinda figured it probably didn’t make the cut.
Whoops. Actually, when I arrived at Mark & Vickie’s place, I saw the latest edition on the counter and picked it up. The only previous copy I’ve seen was Issue #1, online edition only.
It was pretty funny to see my name in print there, and to re-read the article. It’s in Issue #2 of Neue Quarterly. I’m going to have to go subscribe now.
All that being said, whilst I’m working on book material consistently (still trying to find something original to say), and I’ve seen my byline in newsprint for work several times – to have even an article published in the Christian sector is actually cool for me.
And it makes entertaining fun for my friends and I, as I wait for celebrity to overtake. (Total humour, just joking. I promise.) Like here. Stu’s having a laugh – but actually, he probably has more right to write (sic) than I do. But hey… I’m cute.
In Other Details.. I make stuff for people – clients and myself. Usually there are other people involved ‘on the tools’ but for your perusement .. here are some recent works..
Humanity made by brendan smith, concept tash mcgill, photos & words tash mcgill, for eastercamp08
There aren’t many stories that surprise me – but this one, from my friend in Wellington (who shall remain nameless for now) takes the cake of the strangest-to-date.
They work in an area of town well-populated with gang members and various criminal activity. One member of a local gang has been involved with the church via the youth pastor for a few years now – helping out with Christmas decorating and other activities, generally associated because of the nature of this youthworker to connect with people of all sorts. In fact, because of this gangmember’s associations and connection with the church – he’s been introduced to the senior pastor a couple of times over the past ten years or so.
However, a short time ago, when our local friend was in fact, dodging the police.. he thought hiding out in the sanctuary of his church would be a good option. He hid, the police sprung him and the senior pastor happened to be there. Terrible time for the SP to have a memory lapse.. but.. when the local said this was his church.. the SP didn’t recall having seen him before.
Long story short – local ends up before the courts to answer a few charges etc. The police summon the pastor of the church (serving notice etc), to testify according to the affadavit he signed at the time of the arrest.
Small issue. The summons was delivered to the youth pastor who then ended up spending three days at court as a police witness, thoroughly debunking the senior pastor’s affadavit that said the local wasn’t associated with their church at all.
The end result? She thought she was appearing as a witness for the defence, the police got highly confused about exactly which witness they were questioning and the strangest days in her youth ministry career occur … spent in the docks testifying against the senior pastor’s sworn statement in regards to knowing the defendant.
Oh golly. Thankfully the SP managed to have a good laugh about it. Sheesh. Awkward timesheets at staff meeting though.
I am a fan of this simplistic yet strong artistic style. The mix of silhouette and papercut is really appealing to me.
Searching for an image like this was inspired by a song I am currently writing. I think it is probably one of my best pieces to date. I am even hopeful that it will make it to the demo recorded stage – a lyric and a melody for a moment in time that I want to remember.
The Story The group of people I share my life with on a daily basis is eclectic. Fascinating – of different ages and faiths and stories. But I have one, who has been with me since they were young who I have mentored and journeyed with. We have become friends as well as colleagues and comrades. He is still young, I am still older – but we grow together. Lately though, with all the changes that have gone on in our community – I am concerned that I’ve not been able to walk him through these days. The hardest lesson is the one that comes last – the smallest step sometimes the largest.
oh don’t forget your voice little songbird you wake for the dawning of the light oh i’ll watch and listen for you as you take flight loose your wings and climb up towards the light
my love for you is as wide as the day is long your love for me is the reason i carry on no need for worry to weigh heavy on your mind cos i don’t worry, you’re there when i close my eyes so i don’t lose hope, we got love on our side
oh and i’ll be alright with your faith so strong and true oh and i’ll be alright with your hands to hold on to oh and i’ll be alright long as you love me til my days are through
storms will come and rain just appears and our hearts they may shatter just like glass but rest easy, cos our souls they were made to last
oh and i’ll be alright with your faith so strong and true oh and i’ll be alright with your hands to hold on to oh and i’ll be alright long as you love me til my days are through
and as long as you’re breathing long as your heart is beating i gonna show the world i’m feeling, i’m feeling oh
oh and i’ll be alright with your faith so strong and true oh and i’ll be alright with your hands to hold on to oh and i’ll be alright long as you love me til my days are through
We can’t talk about changing the youth pastors role and the expectations associated with her/him, without talking about role of the individuals within the community.
A couple thoughts from Peter Block in his book Community that I think will be helpful. (Peter’s a consult for businesses and as far as I know is not a believer. I say this because I’m fascinated by a business guy who writes a book named “community”.)
He’s language is citizen. and the goal or him is citizenship. (If you’d prefer you can exchange it for disciple)
A citizen is one who is willing to do the following: + Hold oneself accountable for the well-being of the larger collective of which we are a part. +Choose to own and excercise power rather than defer or delegate it to others. +Enter into a collective possibility that gives hospitable and restorative community its sense of being. +Acknowledge that community grows out of the possibility of citizens. Community is build not by specialized expertise, or great leadership, or improved services; it is built by citizens. +Attend to the gifts and capacities of all others, and act to bring the gifts of those on the margin into the center. (Peter Block, Community page 65)
This is going to take some time to process frankly, but our goal would be to function as pastor who enables an environment in which citizens (disciples) can happen.
+ Hold oneself accountable for the well-being of the larger collective of which we are a part.”
Here’s my take on what this means.
It means that you and I stop talking about people outside the room and their need for change, and focus more on ourselves and what we can change.
It means that our staff meetings (or DS meetings) are ripe with owning our own contribution to the problem we have identified. By doing so it allows us to actually change things. When we focus on other members of the community and their need to change, so we can do what we need to do, then we begin to play the victim and decision making power leaves our hands. We become stuck, and victims.
This is why I think the future of leadership is about convening conversations, because by doing so we are able to talk about us, and the extend to which we own our stuff. Or to the extend to which we don’t own our stuff. This must be equally important. We must give people permission to say no to things, otherwise when they say yes it means nothing.
So. Talking about ourselves is the starting point. Convening conversations is the next.
First is means that we deglamorize leadership. It means that we stop pretending or playing with perceptions. It means we are who we are and that by doing so we are a gift to our communities. (in more than one way)
Edwin Friedman says it this way. “Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to other in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.”
Second I think it means that we redefine success along the way. Modern leadership defines success as: -a large number of people involved -that large number of people are happy -People fill slots the leader needs filled -that large number of people are filling the slots.
What if success isn’t about how many people are involved, but how many people are engaged. Engagement doesn’t simply come from participation in a leaders program or vision. I can participate, but never be engaged. Too few churches measure this way.
For instance, Parents come to your parents meeting, they listen to you talk about the vision for youth ministry, they ask some questions. They give a few comments. they leave. Are they engaged?
Youth workers come to a youth program and do pretty much what you ask them to do. Week in and week out. Is that engagement?
Engagement is when people begin to become citizens. Engagement is the point.
Why do I post these things? Because Mark Riddle is great – his new book will be great, he’s on the sidebar and you should check him out.
Telling The Truth Requires Courage Some people trade in loyalty. If you decide not to trade in loyalty – you must be courageous. There is no place as lonely as the fringes, as cold or as echoey. Sometimes, citizens who trade in truth instead of loyalty find themselves strangers in their own land. It’s the loneliest place sometimes. It was neither right nor wrong that led you here – it’s the road that forks. A sad road, but not a wrong road.
The Bravest Things Leaders Do
+ Hold oneself accountable for the well-being of the larger collective of which we are a part. Here’s my take on what this means.
It means that you and I stop talking about people outside the room and their need for change, and focus more on ourselves and what we can change.
It means that our staff meetings (or DS meetings) are ripe with owning our own contribution to the problem we have identified. By doing so it allows us to actually change things. When we focus on other members of the community and their need to change, so we can do what we need to do, then we begin to play the victim and decision making power leaves our hands. We become stuck, and victims.
This is why I think the future of leadership is about convening conversations, because by doing so we are able to talk about us, and the extend to which we own our stuff. Or to the extend to which we don’t own our stuff. This must be equally important. We must give people permission to say no to things, otherwise when they say yes it means nothing.
The bravest thing is not to blame, but to take responsibility. Proverbs speak about the power of kings to cover over, and to uncover. The discretion and responsibility of leadership is to choose which things to make public and which things to not.
One of the most difficult challenges in professional church staffing, is what to do when staff members aren’t performing the way we would like = or how we need them to. I like what this quote in particular says, because it walks the line.
On one side = we pursue honesty, responsibility, accountability and truthtelling. On another side = we pursue grace, growth, trust, learning, environment and Truthtelling.
The difference between truthtelling and Truthtelling is that one is small t, the other large T. Large T says that the ministry of all is valid in some way. I think most of the time, those who are deemed unsuccessful in ministry are those who denied or were denied professional development. Those who found themselves in the wrong kind of environments, or became toxic for any number of reasons. Or they made genuine mistakes. But within it all, is genuine ministry & value. Genuine God stories. Genuine God Love & Truth at work in a life that is as important as ours. (When it’s not these things.. it’s a different topic).
Truthtelling with small t only works when it’s hand in hand with big T Truthtelling. The truth content of small t is still important and valid – but must be held in isolation. And we must learn (all of us) to take personal responsibility for when we do not argue, do not wrestle, do not resist the action or inaction of those we would blame for the failings of our ministry. Because when we did not take personal resp
onsibility and we place the blame for that on others… how ungraceful is our clanging bell of love, in a hollow voice.
A good friend, mentor and advisor today reminded me, that despite the pain of our experiences, the wise take joy in the goodness that God brings despite the storm, even if we do not see and only perceive of that goodness. It is our bittersweet joy to know that things have not been without redeemption, even if it was not it’s purpose.
At last, I was so excited when this book arrived on my doorstep courtesy of a somewhat begging-type email to Marko. International shipping would’ve cost me $53 US.. which is kinda funny. The wait to see this book hit NZ shores .. well who knows how long, but considering all things.. I wasn’t prepared to wait.
There’s something great about seeing the words printed and the smell of the book. The hardcover and layout is great.
So – although I could’ve posted previously on the book – I wanted to wait until I had my copy, had re-read it just like everyone else. I’ve loved the conversations on the Facebook group as people are reading, thinking, devouring, wrestling.
Opening Statements
1. I’m entirely biased towards the overall goodness of this work. Marko is my friend, fellow youth ministry type person, thinker, wise talker, grounded theologian and passionate exhorter of positive forward movement in youth ministry philosophy and practice. He’s also incredibly humble and has been so openhanded with the creation of this work and subsequent dialogues that he’s really embodied the essence of some of the YM3.0 premises we arrive at in the final chapters.
2. I’m entirely biased because these thoughts reflect both my passion for adolescent development,’cultural anthropology’, sociology, community psychology AND young people, the reformation of youth ministry practice and the future of the world. Many of these words and ideas are threads of my own story and I’m stoked to have had the opportunity for conversations around these ideas with Marko and the many other readers of his blog, YS groupies and the like.
3. This is not a typical youth ministry book because there is no cure prescribed – in fact, more or less, we’re left openended with a brief framework of some diagnostic tools and applications. The conversation is left openended intentionally. It does not answer all the things we instinctively want to be answered, because we have to wrestle with plenty of things ourselves.
Now…From The Beginning I really loved Kenda Creasy Dean’s introduction – she nails the spirit of the book and the author. I’m a sucker for reading the forewards and the acknowledgements. And this section really sets you up for what you’re about to read. She highlights the honesty and potential discomfort of the ideas.
Framing Change in Youth Culture Marko does a great job of reviewing the key tasks of adolescence, the emergence of youth culture and the history of adolescence in a broadsweeping but clear overview for people that get lost in the chaos of what all the science and psychology tells us. I’m a sucker for most of the reference material he refers to – and the recommended reading list at the back of the book provides great material that further unpacks these key ideas. There wasn’t much about actual brain function – but that’s ok, because you don’t want to lose people too soon in!
Marko’s concluding statement addressing where youth ministry as we’ve known it is currently failing highlights the shifting priorities of adolescence and how we’ve been slow to respond.
Implicitly, the question is brought to mind – with this elongated adolescent period, what does this mean for the future of the 20-something youthworker? It’s commented on in the sidebar too.
My lingering question : What happens if you line up generational shifts alongside these adolescent priority shifts and the responding youth ministry changes? What can we learn from mapping the past and present in order to make wise choices for the future?
A Brief History Lesson The story of Youth Ministry 1.0 and 2.0 covered in chapters 3 & 4 highlights a few important things – including that the “first youth ministry missionaries” did it exactly right – they responded to youth culture by “letting it inform the language and topics of youth ministry.”
The charts included are helpful for mapping the drivers, youth culture fixation and key themes. Love those.
My lingering question : How much deconstruction of Youth Ministry 2.0 has to be done in order to have a healthy foundation for YM 3.0? Much, none or some? Is it possible to leap into YM 3.0 from 1 or 2.0 (yes, whispers of 1.0 still exist) or must there be a 2.8 process? What is the role of leadership and broader church context? Can a youth ministry grow (this is a better idea than leap or shift) into 3.0 without the active participation of the whole spiritual community?
Chapter five includes some gems.. Like Chris Cummings statement on pg 67
“This generation of teenagers knows there’s something worth living for beyond themselve, but they’re struggling with actually defining it.. and everything else in our culture says it’s all about them.”
This is a classic observation of the Generation Y tension – and what creates such a great melting pot moment for YM 3.0 to hatch in these communities of young people assured of their own value and voice, desperate for a way to make a difference.
Marko leans heavily on some of Tim Keel’s concepts from Intuitive Leadership (another big emphasis on how great both the endnotes and reading list from this little book is .. ) when talking about the role of youth workers shifting to “cultural anthropologists with relational passion”.
Much of the practice ideology here is straight out of a mission context that has been successful forever – Paul started it. “Culture informs contextualisation” is a great phrase that should stick in the mind. Themes of Communion and Mission were wrestled with publicly on the blog and the picture of a Present youth ministry took shape with the voices of dozens of youthworkers.. they translate well into this section. They also form an almost impeccable mesh with Generation Y values of tribe, cause, flexibility.
My lingering question : Ideologically, it’s perhaps the biggest shift the book deals with, something that really impacts the practices of goal-setting, future planning, curriculum development, the very fabric of what spiritual formation in practice looks like. Marko is truthful enough to say what many of us already know deep down – that programming small groups does not build true community. Small groups of young people and volunteers who truly embrace life together on a wider scale do – but that kind of “community curation” (my phrase, not Marko’s) I think requires a different mindset than what the current “ideal youth worker” might be in the minds of those hiring.
So…How do we get there? This has to be the most frustrating but the most liberating section of the book – Marko raised great concepts, ideas and gives lots of permission to experiment, to fail and to invite multiple voices into the process. He offers a few key ideas – like Contextualization and pushes at colonization approach that some have had towards youth culture.
My favourite part of this chapter throws open the question of what real life-long learning in a youth ministry context can look like when YM3.0 will also require so much unique cultural anthropology. The priority of incarnational life with real young people becomes so particular. The stories and lives of the young people we are actually with (Present).. are the best blueprint to the youth ministry we are doing (Mission in current context). To me, it feels like a welcome spring clean of the boardroom whiteboard where we’ve drawn endless visions of what we’d like our youth ministry to be in 5 years time. (I’m not convinced that there isn’t a place somewhere for t
his thinking, but probably not in the priority line it has been in.)
Points of Note: Discernment features strongly in this chapter – and my friend Jill recently commented that “discernment and intuition have a lot in common – discernment is perhaps educated intuition?” I think there is merit to the point especially in the context of discussing the communal discernment of a group in regards to youth ministry. So, discernment (being something we more naturally attribute to wisdom and age, experience) is perhaps the maturing spiritual gift of intuition that may be present in many of your young people/leaders/surrounding voices..that intuition may be found in those that naturally ‘feel’ the ebb and flow of the ‘environment’.
Multiple groups have been an issue of contention and whilst not supporting this as THE way forward, Marko presents it as an opportunity. You could argue that the response of people to this possible programming tool demonstrates a high level of 2.0 thinking that still resides. Others ask the question fairly enough, how to do this in the context of small ministries – but it’s an idea for consideration, not a prescription. My reflection is that this kind of approach allows affinity to be one of the key tasks worked out through your ministry.
Experimentation is a strong value here, especially the process by which the young people themselves are the dominant storytellers.
Supra-Culture is the youthworkers dream. “Common affinity found in Christ alone”. My thought would be that having the same philosophy or values at the core of your ministry would enable multiple groups to work out unique expressions of this Supra-Culture.. again, lots more experimentation and reflection required. More of a labratory of youth ministry as many have commented on in discussion. The messiness of this is absolute, guaranteed – but the longterm effectiveness of this approach may be highly rewarding.
My lingering question : Lifelong professional development for youth ministry that doesn’t sit in isolation from broader church leadership, that focuses on developing practical contextualization skills and anthropological thinking/frameworks that youth pastors can use. How? Also – how to encourage and enable youthworkers to hold the desire for effectiveness and the mandate to experiment and exegete locally in tension?
My lingering thoughts from this chapter: Whilst Marko doesn’t cover the brain/biology equations, I think that the role of Feelings & Experience in the faith train diagram are vital. As these experiences and feelings form neuron pathways while cognitive recognition of “God” occurs – they must be valued. Thus the “feeling” and “experiential” components of our ministry may actually help form “faith” foundations while the rest of experience is in chaos?
Youth Ministry 3.0 will acknowledge the humanity and validity of teenagers – they are contributors “in development” and “in practice”.
The role of family-based ministry will need to change – for those places where it’s in practice.
We need to come up with new frameworks for KPIs, goal setting, reassessment and staff management in this area.
And So To End I read this book last night with a drink, a starry night and a cigar.. in honour of such nights in San Diego! There were lots of things I underlined. Lots of things that will continue to be discussions over the coming years. I am excited for multiple copies of the book to arrive onshore so that meaningful conversations can start around so many things…
There are things I wrestle with – mostly to do with how we can appropriately engage in these practices and conversations in a way that sees real change. How quickly can we translate and establish new training and support structures for this new way of thinking and crafting youth ministry? How do we, taking these lessons, begin to also look ahead to what the kids of Gen X and Gen Y will look like and how youth culture may continue to map our response in youth ministry?
Mostly.. I’m glad to be part of the conversation. This reengages my hope and desire to work with young people and for young people – for the sake of attainable belonging or affinity with the person and body of Christ. (I’m not sure how they are both important or expressed, but they both are.)
Tash McGill is a broadcaster, writer and strategist who works with people and organisations to solve problems and create transformation. She believes people are the most important thing and that stories are powerful ways of changing the world. You can find out more at tashmcgill.com or by visiting her LinkedIn profile.
