From the “Mystery of Me” to the “Mission of We”
http://www.thejournalofstudentministries.com/articles/205/1/From-the-aMystery-of-Mea-to-the-aMission-of-Wea/Page1.html
Chris Folmsbee
Chris Folmsbee is president of Sonlife, a youth ministry training organization. He is the author of A New Kind of Youth Ministry and an upcoming book for students called Clear: Bringing God’s Truths into Focus. He’s also an advisory board member for The Journal of Student Ministries.By Chris Folmsbee
Published on 11/28/2009
Faith shaping in the lives of an adolescent is, among other essentials, fundamentally about two key factors: Helping a young person along the path of discovering her identity, and helping her realize her calling in life.
From the “Mystery of Me” to the “Mission of We”
Faith shaping in the lives of an adolescent is, among other essentials, fundamentally about two key factors: Helping a young person along the path of discovering her identity, and helping her realize her calling in life.
Identity
When I refer to identity, I mean the complex, life-long process of answering the “Who am I?” question. The answer to this question isn’t typically found in a one time concrete, unchangeable discovery.
Typically the answer to the question, “Who am I?” comes in small moments. In the words of Jan Chartier, “[Identity formation] is more like an oil painting which gradually takes increasing form and substance, but which requires a lifetime to complete.”
Calling
When I refer to calling, I mean the similarly complex, life-long process of participating in the mission of God to restore the world to its intended wholeness. Generally it’s understood that there are two types of calling:
1. The general calling upon all Christians to be ministers of reconciliation, and
2.The unique, special, individual calling God has placed upon each of us that we might join God in restorative activity inimitable to one’s individual framework.
Shaping Faith
Christian formation—specifically the collective development and practice of one’s identity and calling—poses a challenge to all faith shapers. It isn’t without optimism and expectancy, however, that we shape the faith of our students.
Our hope comes from the life of Christ, who illustrates for each one of us who we are to be and to what we are to be about—devout people of the gospel. That is, we’re to become people committed to finding our identities through the image in which we were created, as well as our calling in the mission of God as seen through the life, voice, and deeds of Jesus.
From “Me-based” to “We-based”
So much of youth ministry, seems to be concerned with the formation of the individual’s spirituality. We push spiritual disciplines. We encourage students to make right decisions, behave justly, and remain holistically devout. Certainly tasks we’re called to and certainly worth all of our effort.
However, if we stop at the individual spiritual maturation process, then we’ve neglected the undergirding essentials of the Scriptures—namely a journey of a people on the way of discovering who they are as a nation, a kingdom, a body. Youth workers who give shape merely to individual students’ spirituality and neglect the entire community’s responsibility to pursue and participate in missional endeavors limits the ministry scope and impact of God’s people. Therefore we must move our youth ministries from “me-based” to “we-based.” Here are five ways that we can begin that process:
Provide a big picture storyline of the Bible.
Although becoming increasingly important to youth workers, there still isn’t enough emphasis placed on the Bible as a unified work that illustrates God’s redemptive arc and mission.
Inspire students toward the person and work of Jesus.
It isn’t enough to speak of Jesus merely in reference to his person. We must also help our students see the work of Jesus and his efforts to heal the spiritual and physical elements of people.
When speaking about the church, speak globally as much as locally.
Don’t neglect giving a voice to the global church. Students will see the church as bigger than the sanctuary across the parking lot.
Create environments that allow students to shape faith and culture. Resist the urge to do it all yourself or feel as though your students aren’t mature enough. Instead, lean into the Spirit of God, trusting that the Holy Spirit’s ministry is more effective than yours.
Paint a living picture of what it means to have a “we-based” faith.
Live it out! If you aren’t an active participant in the mission of God, you can’t expect your students to be. And remember, your employment as a youthworker isn’t your active role in the mission of God. Students need to see you reaching beyond your youth ministry position to live out God’s work in your life.
Let’s collectively call students to participate in the mission of God and lets encourage them in their individual spiritual formation. Be prophetic and call your community to paint a living picture that describes what it means to go beyond a “me-based” faith and live into developing a collective “we-based” faith.
Identity
When I refer to identity, I mean the complex, life-long process of answering the “Who am I?” question. The answer to this question isn’t typically found in a one time concrete, unchangeable discovery.
Typically the answer to the question, “Who am I?” comes in small moments. In the words of Jan Chartier, “[Identity formation] is more like an oil painting which gradually takes increasing form and substance, but which requires a lifetime to complete.”
Calling
When I refer to calling, I mean the similarly complex, life-long process of participating in the mission of God to restore the world to its intended wholeness. Generally it’s understood that there are two types of calling:
1. The general calling upon all Christians to be ministers of reconciliation, and
2.The unique, special, individual calling God has placed upon each of us that we might join God in restorative activity inimitable to one’s individual framework.
Shaping Faith
Christian formation—specifically the collective development and practice of one’s identity and calling—poses a challenge to all faith shapers. It isn’t without optimism and expectancy, however, that we shape the faith of our students.
Our hope comes from the life of Christ, who illustrates for each one of us who we are to be and to what we are to be about—devout people of the gospel. That is, we’re to become people committed to finding our identities through the image in which we were created, as well as our calling in the mission of God as seen through the life, voice, and deeds of Jesus.
From “Me-based” to “We-based”
So much of youth ministry, seems to be concerned with the formation of the individual’s spirituality. We push spiritual disciplines. We encourage students to make right decisions, behave justly, and remain holistically devout. Certainly tasks we’re called to and certainly worth all of our effort.
However, if we stop at the individual spiritual maturation process, then we’ve neglected the undergirding essentials of the Scriptures—namely a journey of a people on the way of discovering who they are as a nation, a kingdom, a body. Youth workers who give shape merely to individual students’ spirituality and neglect the entire community’s responsibility to pursue and participate in missional endeavors limits the ministry scope and impact of God’s people. Therefore we must move our youth ministries from “me-based” to “we-based.” Here are five ways that we can begin that process:
Provide a big picture storyline of the Bible.
Although becoming increasingly important to youth workers, there still isn’t enough emphasis placed on the Bible as a unified work that illustrates God’s redemptive arc and mission.
Inspire students toward the person and work of Jesus.
It isn’t enough to speak of Jesus merely in reference to his person. We must also help our students see the work of Jesus and his efforts to heal the spiritual and physical elements of people.
When speaking about the church, speak globally as much as locally.
Don’t neglect giving a voice to the global church. Students will see the church as bigger than the sanctuary across the parking lot.
Create environments that allow students to shape faith and culture. Resist the urge to do it all yourself or feel as though your students aren’t mature enough. Instead, lean into the Spirit of God, trusting that the Holy Spirit’s ministry is more effective than yours.
Paint a living picture of what it means to have a “we-based” faith.
Live it out! If you aren’t an active participant in the mission of God, you can’t expect your students to be. And remember, your employment as a youthworker isn’t your active role in the mission of God. Students need to see you reaching beyond your youth ministry position to live out God’s work in your life.
Let’s collectively call students to participate in the mission of God and lets encourage them in their individual spiritual formation. Be prophetic and call your community to paint a living picture that describes what it means to go beyond a “me-based” faith and live into developing a collective “we-based” faith.