Albert Huizing, IV
Hmmmm...What can I say? I'm an American living in Canada....a Camerican?
I grew up in northern NJ in the states in one of the biggest and oldest Reformed communities in the states. I've been working with youths since I and a few friends started a Christian Singles Ministry in 1986, where I met my wife. She radically changed the way I think and do Christianity (I call her "my muse" and she's a Brit/English Lit. educator). Her inspiration and energy over the past 25 years have spurred me on to be involved in a large church youth group setting of 110 kids to a smaller group setting of 25 kids. My biggest advice is that the world keeps changing and so does the way we do Youth Ministry. One of my biggest blessings is that after all that time I still passionately love doing youth ministry (the statistics say only 20% make it past 3-5 years)....So I'm excited on this new journey God has led me into and am waiting for His mighty hand to do great and wonderful things
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
Bernard: You are right on both accounts and I apologize for any remarks that may have caused inappropriate assumptions. I was wrong in making those statements that may have been perceived as critical. I, in no way, was trying to attack you personally and at the same time, I am glad that we can have an open and free discussion without mixing in hurt feelings. By your response, I do understand, now, I think, where you are coming from by offering the article as citation for Bill's comment. I may still not entirely agree with Bill, I do still think we need to be cautious and aware of teaching to the younger generations a watered-down version of theology, just because we/they think/say it's outdated. God bless you and I am relieved that I was wrong about the church issue; we are becoming less in numbers and need to stand firm side-by-side in faith with one another.
Posted in: A Final Post...and an Excitement for What's to Come
Thas for your commitment....many times the catalyst us quiet Dutchmen/women need to stand up and shout out!!!
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
It sure seems historically that youth have been the driving force behind the change to our contemporary style; or like in the majority of the churches....the "blended" style. However, I think you would see, if you did a study, that every generation pushes the worship envelope in a new direction....and the definition of "traditional" is ever shifting. I don't think a church's success or growth is necessarily tied directly the the style of worship. Sure there are disagreements within churches as to what is the most glorifying, but even within youth there is no common denominator as to what is "more" glorifying; there certainly are criteria of what non-glorifying songs would consist of - mostly focusing on which words/meanings are used - , but within the god-glorifying framework there is a universe of diversity. I know many churches that thrive on traditional hymns alone. Granted, they are probably more conservative than the CRC (eg. URC and Dutch Reformed). The bigger question is, "Are these differences splitting the visible and the invisible church". Many times we see splits over this issue which hasn't changed since I was at Calvin in the late 70's. A healthy use of tolerance is allowing for others to express, engage and embrace God's relational presence through music, even if it doesn't "seem" God-glorifying to them (but fits into a god-glorifying framework). It's easy to be stubborn on this issue; I think the hardest thing for a church is to accept that there are other styles of worship in the universal church. If it's a thorn and causing us to stumble there are methods for trying to work together at it. Sometimes, it even leads to a deeper and richer worship experience that you have never felt before. Sometimes it means disagreeing and worshipping somewhere else. It's like a marriage; we don't always agree; in fact many times we disagree. But usually we come together somewhere in the middle, sometimes closer to my side, sometimes closer to hers, but our efforts ALWAYS produce something so much BETTER than we could have produced on our own as individuals. When disagreemnt in worship occurs....throwing up our hands in the air in frustration and quitting NEVER leads to that point where something better can have the opportunity to evolve. I don't believe that youth ministry is inihibited because of the worship styles....it's more because of our inner selfishness and stubborness of what we (youth & elderly and everyone in between) define worship should be.....well, then it is no longer god-glorifying, but Man glorifying. Focusing it inward only enhances man; focusing it outward enhances only God. God gives us that freedom to embrace many styles; let's not trap His glory in a defined, little box. Rather let's lavish Him with all types of styles that enhance His Awesome Nature!
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
JOhn: All good points and we totally agree although we've approached the question differently. Definitely, relationships play the biggest part of what is going to engage the youth. Thanks for pointing that out! Don't totally disqualify the issue of worship styles with those who are "unchurched" or not necessarily steepping into the church except for that one night a week of youth group. The Wosrship style is contagious and so needds to be embraced by all.....even those future believers who don't know they're saved yet... LOL!
On a lighter note, I've been in your church and know people who attend there. I grew up in the Propect Park CRC which is now the Unity CRC (PP & 2nd CRC combined). You've found a good spot to begin your roots.
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
Industrial & Technological/digital revolution has played a huge part in that; Air travel, communication and digital advanced have reduced the size of the planet and reducung the distance barrier and have sped up our daily routines; Whether good or bad, that is the world we live in....one that is always changing. Although God's timeless LAW is never changing, the world will ALWAYS be changing and we need to accept change, not for change itself, but for application and implementation of God's Words, so that others around us can understand it. It's just like the facebook issue. My dad constantly complains that my son doesn't respond to him when he emails my son. My dead doesn't have fb. What my dad is missing is that anyone under the age of 21, is NOT using email anymore. txting & fb are the only modes of communication for young people today - or at least 95% of them. I totally understand that being in youth ministry. Here's a great example....If I call up to my son on the 2nd floor to do something for me, I get a "yeah, dad!" and I wait, and wait, and wait. However, if I txt him to come out and help me, he's outside within minutes. It sounds crazy, but that is how they are connecting.The older generation thinks they are being rude when they are not responding, but really the issue is that they are NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE! We need to make sure they are getting the message before we can accuse them of negative actions. Just a thought....
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
This is an excellent idea. Especially when the pastor - especially in the CRC denomination - is making special efforts to coordinate all aspects of the worship experience to blend as one experience.
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
It's important for both the seniors and the youth to get to know each other better; Although, I know this happens in many churches, I honestly believe it's due to a great disconnect chasm between seniors and youth. In our church we try to do some events together that gets both generations building relationships and bridges to each other. A deeper understanding goes a long way, and spills over into other areas like respect for gtraditiona/ and contemporary styles of worship...
Posted in: Congregational Worship and its Effect on Youth Groups
I was hoping that was being assumed already, but maybe not, in which case it is a good point to insert.
Posted in: Why Theology and Youth Ministry Seldom Mix
Actually you could probably call them the "Myths of Youth Ministry", eh?
We had an end of year evaluation youth meeting (3 weeks ago) to figure what how we could improve how we were interacting/connecting with the kids. You know what we found out to our surprise; They wanted more discussion, more topics specific to high school struggles, more elderly mentor speakers from within the church describing their struggles and successes in overcoming them and more small group interation. Youth don't want to be spoken AT, they want to be spoken WITH....very relational, very counter-cultural (according to today's society). Yeah, if you just throw a Bible at them and quote Scripture verses, they will rebel. If you are honestly being tranparent and engaging them at their level and letting them give feedback, you can easily thread theology into every week meetings.
Posted in: Why Theology and Youth Ministry Seldom Mix
ahh, yes, but youth aren't coming to YP for salvation; Doctrine (theology) is extremely important for the background to a healthy relationship of holy living. It's the grease that makes the engine run....don't discredit it so easily!
Posted in: Why Theology and Youth Ministry Seldom Mix
Huzzah! Eloquently said....cudos!
Posted in: Why Theology and Youth Ministry Seldom Mix
Koen:
Well-thought out....there are more than one in your camp...Being a Vermont skier we may think alike; offering opportunities to explore in God's playground. I like that....Don't give up; embrace the challenges adn see children of God continue to embrace God's free gift....