When I was at the recent MacArthur Foundation event at Stanford (btw you can watch some video from the event here and here), I crashed the dinner reception and was chatting with danah boyd and a few others about youth ministers. They make up a sizable portion of Ypulse readers and also follow danah's work in large numbers as well. Over the past four years (yes, Ypulse turned four this month!), I have been surprised by who is actually the most steeped in youth culture, media and marketing. Apart from execs at MTV or agencies that specialize in reaching youth, it's YA librarians and youth ministers. In a way, it makes sense -- both of these groups are driven by something greater than the almighty dollar -- in one case, they are driven by "the almighty" period. They both genuinely care about teenagers and are selling something bigger (literacy, salvation) than a sneaker or a candy bar.
I think that many of us who see ourselves as liberal are fearful of youth ministry or at least a flavor of it tinged with more judgmental fundamentalist thinking that tends to focus on the afterlife vs. this life (i.e. Battlecry and Livin' It see my past posts here and here). The reality is that youth ministry spans many denominations, and that there are even some evangelicals who lean towards more pro-social ministries engaged in trying to change the here and now.
I was pleasantly surprised to get word of this event called "Movement" in my inbox this morning. The focus is on social change and the key players include To Write Love On Her Arms (focuses on addiction), The Glue Network (social networking for social change), Walking on Water (surf community), Invisible Children (former Ypulse Mashup speakers) and Refuge (an OC youth ministry).
What I am always amazed at is how well these ministries are able to replicate very sophisticated design, marketing and technology in their efforts as well as create their own music and subculture within the hard to crack action sports subcultures. Whether they are more fundamentalist or more tolerant, all of these organizations attract thousands of teens to these events. It's worth checking out these sites as case studies in design and messaging.
Posted by anastasia
Christian Teen Media
Comments
as one of your youth minister readers I want you to know that I value this website immensely. While I do work in an evangelical setting, I see the immense value in engaging teens in their drive to do social justice. I just want to say thanks for not lumping all youth ministers in the same category. There are some of us that do "get it".
Posted by: Kevin | May 6, 2008 11:35 AM
Your post amuses me, mostly because I am a youth minister myself. Your quote about those with 'a flavor of [youth ministry] tinged with more judgmental fundamentalist thinking that tends to focus on the afterlife vs. this life' especially made me laugh because I share the same fear (or distaste at least). Thanks for your nod toward those who love kids and want the best for them in life!
Posted by: Dan | May 11, 2008 8:35 AM
Yay for the youth workers!
I've got to say "thank you" to you, too, Anastasia (great name, btw). Your blog is on my must-read list. Great stuff.
I look forward to seeing you at the Youth Specialties conference later this year.
Posted by: Shawn Michael Shoup | May 11, 2008 3:19 PM
Thanks for putting it out there that there are youth ministers that genuinely care about the youth we come in contact with. Part of my passion with youth is to get them to make a difference now. I view a kingdom that Christ talks about not only one that is coming later on, but we are in it. The youth are encouraged, at least from me, to make a difference in people's lives, in the village or city they live in (community), and to find a way to focus in on making a global difference. Thank you so much for allowing others to see there is more to church that what happens after death.
BTW I also work with the teen program at my local library. It's kind of kewl to be linked in both aspects.
Posted by: Jason Toller | May 13, 2008 10:34 AM