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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
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A few preliminary thoughts…
Some believe we need a new way of thinking… 3 intersecting crises in YM: We’re losing kids (Sticky Faith) Rise of the “Nones” Kids are Hurt (2.0) It is the trajectory we’ve all been on for years…
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I. The History and Trajectory of Youth Ministry
Where it all started
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I. The History and Trajectory of Youth Ministry
Adults and kids
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What’s changed? An erosion of the necessary Social Capital from those who are vital in the lives of our kids
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“Let the little children come to me…”
II. Why ADOPTIVE? “Let the little children come to me…” Mark 10:13-16
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II. Why ADOPTIVE? A. Where are kids?
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Today it starts young…
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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
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Individuation and the Three Tasks of Adolescence Individuation:
The Background Behind STICKY FAITH Individuation and the Three Tasks of Adolescence Individuation: The process of becoming a unique person Identity – Who am I? Autonomy – POWER Autonomy – Do I matter? Belonging – Does anybody care?
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Changing Stages Independent Emerging Adulthood Dependent
mid2000-Today Independent 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s early-30s? Emerging Adulthood J. J. Arnett Dependent Interdependent Sorta Independent
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Youth Ministry MS ministry Dependent HS ministry Sorta Independent
mid2000-Today 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s MS ministry early-30s? Dependent HS ministry Sorta Independent Loss of social capital
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More freedoms, more danger
How kids have responded to ABANDONMENT More freedoms, more danger
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Longings of kids: Why Adoptive YM? 1. Longing to be nurtured (Hurt)
2. Longing to be empowered (Nones) 3. Longing to be included (Gones)
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Why “Adoptive”? A. Where are kids? B. Assimilation
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To catechize: Convince (convert?) Inform (teach)
The GOAL of Youth Ministry To catechize: Convince (convert?) Inform (teach) (maybe) Acculturate
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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.
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A. Where are kids? B. Assimilation? C. Theology of our life together
Why “Adoptive”? A. Where are kids? B. Assimilation? C. Theology of our life together D. We’re one “family”
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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 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— Romans 8:15-16, 23-24a; 9:3-4 Galatians 4:4-7 Ephesians 1:4-6
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II. Why ADOPTIVE? ADOPTIVE MINISTRY: “To those who believed in his name…” “He gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
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To live into their Adoption in Christ
What kids need: What kids need from youth ministry: To live into their Adoption in Christ 14-15 19-21 12 mid-20s Social Capital (5:1)
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III. The Theological Framework
for Adoptive Ministry
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Adoptive (Youth) 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
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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.
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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
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Growing Young Prime character: WARM
The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry Growing Young 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— Prime character: WARM
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Why Adoptive YM? A STICKY church: “Like a mother…gentle”
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
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What does adoptive ministry look like?
The Biblical GOAL of Youth Ministry What does adoptive ministry look like? “VICTOR BECOMES A BRAVERMAN” CLIP FROM YOUTUBE
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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
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III. The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry
What adoptive youth ministry IS: 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
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The Theological Framework for
Adoptive Ministry Adoption recognizes in every church/organization we have insiders and outsiders
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A. Outsiders and Insiders B. I am adopted into God’s family as a child
The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Outsiders and Insiders B. I am adopted into God’s family as a child with other children
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A. Outsiders and Insiders B. We are siblings C. Jesus has his eye
The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Outsiders and Insiders B. We are siblings C. Jesus has his eye especially on the vulnerable
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A. Outsiders and Insiders B. We are siblings C. Jesus watches the
The Theological Framework for Adoptive Ministry A. Outsiders and Insiders B. We are siblings C. Jesus watches the vulnerable D. Adoption is for all
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Youth Ministry as Ecclesiology
A Practical Theology of Integration and Adoption 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)
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IV. Application: MICRO (What do I do?): Our own attitudes Modeling
With leaders, parents, church With kids
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IV. Application: MACRO (What does Church do):
Sr./key leadership buy-in Pervasive rhetoric Narrative highlighting when and where adoptive life is present
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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
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