A Faith of Their Own: A Theological Field Guide for Youth Ministry
In my work, I hear about the exodus of the youth, about how churches just cannot get them to come in the doors and stay, and how congregations are stymied when they hear that our youth just do not find church relevant. I have read many resources that discuss how to make faith stick, how to provide the glue that keeps our youth connected to church, and how to modify our ministries so that our practices fall in line with what youth expect so that they are engaged. Conferences and workshops are devoted to these topics as well, and yet, the youth continue to not be as physically present in congregations as they were generations ago. I work with dynamic and insightful youth and I have found that so much of what I have heard and read does not line up with what they teach me. And one day, the resource of A Faith of Their Own: A Theological Field Guide by Nathan Wheeler was provided to me, instantly wrapping me up and leaving me nodding in agreement with the author.
Mr. Wheeler delves into the implicit theology that is in youth ministry, while helping us realize how it influences all that we do with our youth. Mr. Wheeler discusses the implicit theologies versus the explicit theologies and how they play out in our ministries. His discussion on DRAFT (dominant, regional, affluent, folklore, and theology) and how he weaves it into real life examples of what we can do with youth is excellent reading and studying for anyone involved in ministry, anywhere, and in any context. This resource is not just for those in youth ministry- it delves into how conformity and assumptions for assimilation really are causes for the fleeing of our youth from churches.
I truly appreciate how this resource contains detailed and informative methods of examining how our core beliefs (specifically from the process, liberation, femenist, and radical theologies) can affect how we lead in ministry with our youth. Mr. Wheeler spends a great amount of time providing many new ways for us, as ministers with and for youth, to look at our plans with fresh eyes. Who among us could not use some help in seeing how we can better connect with those that God sends into our paths? I have re-read these sections several times in the last month, just because I walked away with something new each time.
Perhaps you and I are in a similar boat, working with an ever-shrinking (or even non-existent) budget for resources. This book is absolutely worth purchasing, not only if you serve in youth ministry, but if you are eager to get to the root of how our undergirding is affecting the making of all disciples. Snag yourself a copy and then share it around.
