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Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith Chap Clark Professor of Youth, Family and Culture Fuller Seminary A few preliminary thoughts… Some believe we need a new way of thinking… 3 intersecting crises in YM: 1. We’re losing kids (Sticky Faith) 2. Rise of the “Nones” 3. Kids are Hurt (2.0) It is the trajectory we’ve all been on for years… I. The History and Trajectory of Youth Ministry Where it all started I. The History and Trajectory of Youth Ministry Adults and kids What’s changed? An erosion of the necessary Social Capital from those who are vital in the lives of our kids II. Why ADOPTIVE? “Let the little children come to me…” Mark 10:13-16 II. Why ADOPTIVE? A. Where are kids? Today it starts young… What we learned through Sticky Faith research: Significance of parents “Liked” worship Didn’t know Gospel They were allowed to express doubt • Believed someone cared usually outside of youth ministry • • • • The Background Behind STICKY FAITH Individuation: Individuation and the The process of Adolescence becoming a Three Tasks of unique person • Identity – Who am I? • Autonomy – POWER Do I matter? • Belonging – Does anybody care? Changing Stages Independent 12 14-15 2000-Today mid 19-21 mid-20s early-30s? Dependent Emerging Adulthood J. J. Arnett Sorta Interdependent Independent Youth Ministry 2000-Today mid 12 14-15 19-21 MS ministry Dependent HS ministry mid-20s early-30s? Loss of social capital Sorta Independent How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT More freedoms, more danger Why Adoptive YM? Longings of kids: 1. Longing to be nurtured (Hurt) 2. Longing to be empowered (Nones) 3. Longing to be included (Gones) Why “Adoptive”? A. Where are kids? B. Assimilation The GOAL of Youth Ministry To catechize: - Convince (convert?) - Inform (teach) - (maybe) Acculturate The Church’s Ministry to Families The fragmentation of the church F.M. L.D. Y.M. Church W.M. C.M. W.M. M.M. Why “Adoptive”? A. Where are kids? B. Assimilation? C. Theology of our life together D. We’re one “family” Why Adoptive YM? 1. The inadequacy of assimilation 2. Prominent Biblical metaphor: Family “In Christ”: right to become a child 3. When church in disarray: Adopted • • • Romans 8:15-16, 23-24a; 9:3-4 Galatians 4:4-7 Ephesians 1:4-6 II. Why ADOPTIVE? “ToADOPTIVE those who believed in his name…” MINISTRY: “He gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12 What kids need need:from youth ministry: To live into their Adoption in Christ 12 14-15 19-21 mid-20s Social Capital (5:1) III. The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry Adoptive (Youth) Ministry To encourage students to live into their mutual adoption as siblings in God’s family as agents of the kingdom The Church must become a “family of families” "The church of the first century were called to leave their earthly familial allegiances and to bond to one another as the new family of God. The revolutionary impact of the first-century church was their love for one another as Christ had commanded them. The need for the church in the twentieth century is to respond as they responded. We are the church and we are family. Let us get on with our business." Dennis Guernsey New Design for Family Ministry, 112. Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology “also members of his household…” 1. We proactively nurture kids 2. We proactively empower and give voice to kids 3. We proactively include kids The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry Growing Young Prime character: WARM Why Adoptive YM? A STICKY church: 1 Thessalonians 2 “Like a mother…gentle” 1 Thess 2:7-8 “Like a father…encouraging, comforting and a fan!” 1 Thess 2:11-12 The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry What does adoptive ministry look like? “VICTOR BECOMES A BRAVERMAN” CLIP FROM YOUTUBE III. The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry What adoptive youth ministry is NOT: 1. “Adopting” the young 2. Maintaining traditional separation and generational hierarchy 3. Ignoring the need for unique relational strategy and nurture III. The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry What adoptive youth ministry IS: 1. Living into our MUTUAL adoption in Christ 2. Adults intentionalizing voice, empowerment and inclusion 3. Leadership ROLES are vital while affirming equal status for all The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Adoption recognizes in every church/organization we have insiders and outsiders The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Outsiders and Insiders B. I am adopted into God’s family as a child with other children The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Outsiders and Insiders B. We are siblings C. Jesus has his eye especially on the vulnerable The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Outsiders and Insiders B. We are siblings C. Jesus watches the vulnerable D. Adoption is for all Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology A Practical Theology of Integration and Adoption 1. Biblically, leaders are called to: - Maintain the continuity of the Gospel - Ensure that the body is empowered 2. All are siblings (John 1:12) 3. The vulnerable must know that they matter in the “family of God” (adults called to initiate) IV. Application: MICRO (What do I do?): • • • • Our own attitudes Modeling With leaders, parents, church With kids IV. Application: MACRO (What does Church do): • Sr./key leadership buy-in • Pervasive rhetoric • Narrative highlighting when and where adoptive life is present Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith Chap Clark Professor of Youth, Family and Culture Fuller Seminary