Practical Theology from Practical Experiences

For this section of my portfolio, I have listed below different concepts that form my theology of ministry. For each concept, I have a brief introduction and a link to a written account of a previous or current ministry experience. Each ministry experience illustrates how the named concept has informed my understanding of ministry to children, youth, and families.

CONCEPT #1: EMBODYING GOD'S TRANSFORMING GRACE

There are moments in youth ministry that cause frustration. Sometimes those to whom we minister need to be shown patience, love, and God's grace. When our words and actions reflect the love and grace of God, we are transformed alongside those who receive this act of grace. Click on the button to the right to read about my experience with Harry, a day camper whose life was transformed by experiencing God's grace through a conversation after a rather frustrating moment.

CONCEPT #2: SHARING GOD'S REVELATION

Engaging in ministry with another person means that you are revealing the presence and nature of the kingdom of God to them through your words and actions. These moments when God is revealed become holy moments, both for the person doing the ministry and the person being ministered to. Click on the button to the right to read about my experience engaging in a moment of "holy conversation" with a young person whose heart and mind were opened to experiencing the Word of God through a candid conversation. Through this conversation, God was revealed to me, too.

CONCEPT #3: MINISTRY OF PRESENCE

Participating in children, youth, and family ministry doesn't just mean running programs or hosting events. Sometimes, it is through our interactions with people and simply being present that another person has an encounter with the living God. Simply being present and caring for another person is an example of how we can show others God's radical grace and love, and how we can help young people identify where God is moving in their lives. Click the button to the right to read about a time when ministry of presence led to a moment of great transformation for all who were involved.

CONCEPT #4: GOSPEL-CENTERED MINISTRY

At the heart of our ministry with young people should be the proclamation of the gospel message. Instead of focusing our energy on "hip" or "cool" programs that attract youth into the church, we should be instead focusing our ministries on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Youth ministry isn't about drawing young people in the church; instead, it's sharing with them God's scandalous, powerful, and amazing love. Click the button to the right to read about a time when an article I found in my office led me into deep reflection on Bonhoeffer's "Theses on Youth Work" and how it applies to the ways we engage in youth ministry in the contemporary church.

CONCEPT #5: LIVING INTO BAPTISMAL PROMISES

At the time of a child's (or youth's, or even an adult's) baptism, promises are made to help the baptized person live into the Christian faith. Each time we reaffirm our baptism, we are reminded that we are claimed as children of God, called to use our gifts to share the gospel, and sent to proclaim God's love and peace throughout the world. In our ministry to youth, we should provide opportunities for them to live into their baptismal promises and discern how their gifts can be used to build up the body of Christ. Click the link to the right to read about how building youth leadership in the church helps young people live out their baptismal promises when working with their peers, and beyond.

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