Denominationalism
Sam has posted a really interesting post on his blog.
It would appear he takes a very different standpoint from me. But we are in fact very close.
I am not advocating for making young people Anglican, but offering the richness of the Anglican tradition for the ongoing life of faith for young people. Michael Warren, an American Catholic Youth Ministry writer and teacher once said that the purpose of ministry among young people is to offer the tools and foundations they need to continue to grow all their lives. By going for what seems good for now, we risk leaving young people at greater risk of getting into their late 20's and 30's and discovering that the Christianity they have been offered simply fails to deal the issues and questions they are facing. Alan Jamieson has written a lot more about that is him books researching why so many people leave Charismatic, Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches.
But, I don't think many people really know what their tradition is about or how it shapes how they see the world and God's activity in it, so we don't offer it to young people. Sam is right, lets resource young people to live out the faith with integrity in this time, but also with the foundation and tools to continue growing all their lives. And that is what I was trying to say in my more controversial post about. WE are failing young people when we do not resource them well. When I have more time I will write a little more coherently.
Thanks Sam for leaving the comment. Thought provoking!
Peace
John
It would appear he takes a very different standpoint from me. But we are in fact very close.
I am not advocating for making young people Anglican, but offering the richness of the Anglican tradition for the ongoing life of faith for young people. Michael Warren, an American Catholic Youth Ministry writer and teacher once said that the purpose of ministry among young people is to offer the tools and foundations they need to continue to grow all their lives. By going for what seems good for now, we risk leaving young people at greater risk of getting into their late 20's and 30's and discovering that the Christianity they have been offered simply fails to deal the issues and questions they are facing. Alan Jamieson has written a lot more about that is him books researching why so many people leave Charismatic, Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches.
But, I don't think many people really know what their tradition is about or how it shapes how they see the world and God's activity in it, so we don't offer it to young people. Sam is right, lets resource young people to live out the faith with integrity in this time, but also with the foundation and tools to continue growing all their lives. And that is what I was trying to say in my more controversial post about. WE are failing young people when we do not resource them well. When I have more time I will write a little more coherently.
Thanks Sam for leaving the comment. Thought provoking!
Peace
John
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