Lydia van Leersum-Bekebrede, Ronelle Sonnenberg, Jos de Kock, M. Barnard
{"title":"Performing God with Children","authors":"Lydia van Leersum-Bekebrede, Ronelle Sonnenberg, Jos de Kock, M. Barnard","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10033","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000In worship with children, participants of all ages pray to God, act in ways that assume God’s presence, play out Biblical stories and speak about God. This raises the question, How is God ‘performed’ with children? In other words, how is God staged through performative acting? The article draws on ethnographic data from Dutch Protestant contexts. The four analysed performances emphasise affective knowledge of God and perform God as a God who accepts children as children, resurrects and helps, but whose existence can be discussed. Like in the other seventeen researched worship practices, God is performed through story, ritual and play. Analysis of interviews with youth work professionals highlights the importance of the sensory experience of stories, the creation of a ritual space, and the creative tension between children’s play and liturgical play. The article concludes that the performance of God is target-group related, contextual and embedded in the interactions between adults and children. Above all, performing God with children is embodied theology.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48367464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unharnessed Potential","authors":"Phoebe Hill, Gry Apeland, Mark Scanlan","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10034","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Theological reflection is a much discussed and written about form of theological practice within youth ministry and is taught as a core component in theological training in the UK. This article discusses research into the practice of theological reflection by Christian youth workers in the UK. It compares and contrasts the understanding and use of theological reflection by those with and without formal training. The research reveals similar attitudes toward and practices of theological reflection by both groups, but more regular usage by those with training. Further, the research showed limited forms of theological reflection were being used and as such this article explores the implications of this and makes several recommendations for developing both training and practice of Christian youth workers.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45298268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Young People’s Embodied Hope in Pandemic Threats: A Theological Reflection on Netflix’s Pandemic Docuseries","authors":"I. Christian, Yohanes Krismantyo Susanta","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10032","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Young people today are both likely to bear the brunt of the long-term problems caused by the covid-19 pandemic and face other kinds of outbreaks or pandemics in the future. In that kind of unprecedented situation, the world offers us hope to recover from today’s pandemic and to prevent other outbreaks or pandemics in the future. This study will focus on a theological reflection on hope concerning pandemic threats offered in popular culture. Specifically, using the revised correlational method, this study will explore how the theological reflection on the concept of hope in Netflix’s Pandemic docuseries could help young people to live with an embodied hope in a pandemic threat. This theological reflection will offer embodied hope as a theological perspective for young people to embody their limitations as embodied beings while enacting their eschatological hope in pandemic threats.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47672078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Holy Disorientation: Innovative Ministry with Young Adults that Takes Risks,Builds Confidence, and Anticipates Failure","authors":"K. Douglass","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10027","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 When leading congregations through a process of innovation to faithfully engage young adults, should leaders prepare congregations for the inevitable experience of failure related to the risks they are taking? This paper provides an overview of the research aims of the Zoe Project, a summary and analysis of the findings related to the participating congregations, as well as, the coaches who were involved in the project. We found that as congregations risked innovative ministries with young adults as leaders, their confidence grew. For some, however, failed projects proved to be an overpowering experience leading them to drop out of the project, despite awareness that innovation includes the possibility of failure. Finally, the parable of the talents shows us that Jesus had similar concerns regarding investment, risk, and failure. This paper concludes with theological reflections on leadership in projects that distribute resources, encourage risk, and anticipate failure.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47818218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Holistic Approach to Youth Ministry Models in Africa","authors":"Kevin Muriithi Ndereba","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10030","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Youth ministry continues to be a salient focus area in theological research and practical ministry. This paper focuses on faith formation of young people in urban African cities, with a specific focus on Nairobi. Within the urban African context, plural worldviews and religious belonging, technological integration in youth culture, youth marginalization and mental health complexities, especially in a post-covid context, are critical factors in any meaningful youth engagement. This paper considers the contemporary youth ministry research in Africa, examining the classical youth ministry models that have been proposed and drawing out themes that should be considered for a holistic approach to faith formation among youth in African cities. This research summarizes research findings of the author from his doctoral research in Practical Theology at the University of South Africa, titled The Influence of Youth Culture on Holistic Faith Formation of Youth in Nairobi City: A Practical Theological Approach.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47775756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Finding Relevant Research in Youth Studies: Case Study on Christian Faith-Based Youth Work","authors":"Mark McFeeters, Mark Hammond, J. Knox, B. Taylor","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10026","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000As youth studies develops as an academic discipline, identifying relevant research publications becomes important. This paper describes the method and results of an exercise to identify published research on Christian faith-based youth work. A search structure of terminology for (youth work) and (Christian faith) was created and applied to five bibliographic databases, complemented by citation searching and colleague recommendations. Eight research articles were identified. Scopus proved to have the greatest sensitivity (ability to retrieve relevant articles) followed by ProQuest and Web of Science. Web of Science had the greatest precision (ability to avoid retrieving irrelevant articles) followed by Scopus and then ProQuest. jstor database retrieved one relevant article (retrieved on Web of Science anyway) and Psyc info none. For this topic, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest proved the most effective databases. For researchers and academics in youth studies, this paper provides a resource on methodology and published papers.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49446284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Practicing Theology in Youth Ministry","authors":"C. Talbot","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10024","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Though youth ministry has benefited from an increase in theological inquiry over the past decade, there remains disagreement as to how to conceptualize and implement modern understandings of practical theology. The issue of practical theology methodology, especially within youth ministry, raises questions concerning its own epistemic and theological foundations. Rejecting an application-driven process, many practical theologians seek to offer a process that is distinctive as its own discipline. This paper seeks to evaluate modern youth ministry conceptions of practical theology, as well as their influences, and provide a critical assessment of their viability. Further this paper seeks to then trace the influence of related current trends and the subsequent implications those trends have for practicing youth ministry.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45342619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shame, Sin and the Seminary","authors":"Paul Folland","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10023","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000The intention of this paper, through a literature based reflective methodology, is to consider the role and implications of shame within the Christian community of a theological college, and suggest mitigating factors that could support the development of a mutually accountable community that would facilitate discipleship growth. Within Regents Theological College in the UK, the aim is to educate students – the majority of whom are 18–30 years old – to go on to serve Jesus in a variety of roles both inside and outside the Church. Our aspiration then, is not just to teach theological and practical skills, but also to raise up disciples of Jesus, willing to serve Him with their heads, hands and hearts. The outcomes suggested by this paper have implications not only for seminary environments, but also for churches and youth groups.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47920211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fictive Kinship, Participation and Belief","authors":"John H. Marion, T. Corney","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10031","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Belonging is connected to young people’s wellbeing, and understanding how youth workers perceive belonging can assist youth work practice. Belonging in youth work is promoted through fictive kinship, in the context of Christian faith-based youth work practice, it is also connected to how young people construct belief. This research was conducted as an instrumental case study to explore Christian faith-based youth workers’ biographies, experiences and perceptions of belonging, and relationship to their youth work practice. Themes emerging from the findings suggest that participants connected belonging to fictive kinship notions of ‘family’, and as a result sought to create a sense of family-like kinship relationships in their practice. Christian faith-based youth workers (cfbyw) also connected kinship and a sense of belonging to participation, including having a role, a voice, and a right to be part of a community, which can be seen in the setting as pointing to the potential presence of belonging. This article contributes to a conceptual understanding of faith-based work with young people and the implications for youth work practice through investigating the place of belonging in Christian faith-based youth work, its relationship to belief and the role of fictive kinship in youth work.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45614068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Youth Ministry Wars and the Formation of Youthworks College","authors":"Ruth Lukabyo","doi":"10.1163/24055093-bja10028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10028","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Anglican Youthworks College was established in 2000, as the first college in Australia with a specialist focus on youth and children’s ministry. In this article I will discuss the factors that led to the formation of the college in Sydney and the character of the theological training that it offered. I will examine how the college was established in the context of politics in the Diocese of Sydney and debates over the best way to do youth ministry (the “youth ministry wars”). Those involved in youth ministry were concerned about poor retention of young people in the church and as a result turned against what was called attractional ministry for (what was seen as) a more biblical and theological model. I will argue that the college used a distinctive method of youth ministry education which prioritised: the Bible, critical reflection on ministry and life, and the concept of temporary community for student formation. It reflected a concern to professionalise and think critically about spiritual formation amongst children as well as youth. I will finish with some observations that maybe helpful for youth and children’s ministry today.","PeriodicalId":37375,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Youth and Theology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47641836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}