My Part of the Conversation

A few weeks ago, I learned a new word that greatly challenged how I view ministry.  I was sitting in a class on “Bridging the Suburban-Urban Gap”, when Chris Brooks, the presenter, made a reference to “gentrification“.  Everyone in the class looked at each other like “was I supposed to know what that means? “  One brave soul asked for an explanation, and the immediate ministry implications overwhelmed me.

In a nutshell,  gentrification is a conscious effort by a city to replace low-income inner city areas with more expensive real estate.   In large areas, since many people work in downtown city centers and drive from the suburbs to work, the idea is to create more “desirable” housing closer to the downtown area.  When rent goes up in the area, many people are displaced.  Government housing projects are “relocated” to suburban areas.  (Consequently, Chris Brooks says that many view the first sign of gentrification is when a Starbucks moves into the neighborhood).

Both of these scenarios creates a situation where different church cultures are suddenly thrust together.  This is particularly a challenge in suburban communities where they didn’t have to interact much with urban families.  Urban families change the face of the congregation, from the socio-economic differences to increased racial diversity.  Many churches are just ignoring it, either hoping it will go away, or everyone will adapt to”the way things have always been”.  Either way, many spiritual needs are not being met.  And virtually no one is talking about it.

Recently, I’ve been asking the question of how to better “bridge that gap” my youth ministry.  It’s a challenge when several very different cultures are called into one room.  Notice, I mention “cultures” not races.   This issue is not necessarily white/black/hispanic.  It is more related to education, income, and family structure.

In my assessment, here are some challenges churches need to be prepared to handle when faced with the effects of gentrification:

1.  Are we prepared to offer transportation to ALL our events or activities?  People with low-income often do not have vehicles or regular access to vehicles (because of long or difficult work hours and the price of gas).

2.  How expensive is it to be part of our community?  The church ski trip has to go.  But, are we excluding people because they don’t have money?

3.  Are we prepared to meet people where they are at, whatever baggage they are bringing?  Crime, drugs, parental abandonment, teen pregnancy are very common problems the church needs to be prepared to walk people through, on top of communicating the theological truths of Scripture.

4.  Will our church be accepting of new people different than themselves?  Or did they move to this part of town to get away from “those” people?

5.  What kind of language do we use?  Are we so bogged down by our college educations and church lingo that we fail to communicate the truths we hold so dear?

6.  Are we prepared to take an increased role in social justice?

The scary thing about this issue is nobody is really talking about it.  I’m sure some churches out there are doing a good job integrating their communities, but they are not openly sharing their journeys.

Just a few of the things as I see it now.  Are there other questions churches need to ask that you see?

Each year, youth ministers from all Christian denominations and from around the country get together in 3 different cities to discuss youth culture and how to best reach teenagers with the message of Christ.  Put on by Youth Specialties (now owned by Zondervan), the National Youth Workers Conference hosts thousands of youth workers.

I’ve attended three of these events- one with a youth minister friend, one with my wife,  and one alone.  I enjoyed each of these events, but also found them overwhelming.  Since it’s put on by a publisher, there are some huge marketing pushes.  It can be a bit frustrating.  The main stage presentations can be a bit loud for my tastes.  Anyway, I’m not sure who reads this blog anymore, but I thought to write down some notes on making it a better experience next year for myself and anyone else who might be interested.

1.  Don’t bother trying to do everything.  There is stuff going on from 7 Am to 1 AM.  You can’t come close to doing it all.  Get lots of rest.

2.  Meet some people.  Casual conversations quickly turn to working with teens, and can be very insightful.

3.  Spend some time talking to the presenters after a class about topics that directly affect your ministry.  This year, I spent about 15 minutes after a class on “Bridging the Urban-Suburban Gap” talking with Chris Brooks, the presenter.   It was cool.  None of the teachers come with all the answers.  They just help you think through the questions.  And they are often happy to hear your thoughts, as well.

4.  As part of your convention fee, set aside a big chunk of money for lecture recordings.  I bought about 10 lectures, and often get more out of listening to the audio than being in the class.  Don’t let the fact that you can only be in one class at a time stop you from missing out on the others you were interested in.

5.  Avoid the Convention Hall until Sunday afternoon.  Many of them do their drawings Sunday afternoon.  It’s best to avoid this market-happy, consumeristic room until most of the convention is over.  You’ll be happier, and you won’t have to come back for any drawings you got sucked into drawing for.

6.  Spend some time alone after each class processing what you learned.

7.  Wait on buying books.  You’ll get those same deals later.  Don’t let the advertisers win.  I have purchased books and later wondered why I ever thought I’d be willing to read them. Besides, the book authors often teach classes, and almost always give out some copies of what they’ve written.  Sitting near the front helps get these.  (I always sit near the back, so I get nothin’)

Anyway, I hope this was interesting for someone.

In the future, I have 2 topics rolling around in my head:  Urban Ministry and Teen Marketing.  I’ll post on those soon.

I think Thanksgiving is one of the greatest holidays.  I think I say it every year.  It’s very American, and is simply about people getting together to be thankful for the blessings in their lives.

This year, I reflected on thanksgiving from a different angle.  In my understanding of American history, the Puritans who celebrated the first Thanksgiving were not only thanking God for a bountiful harvest, but also for bringing them through such a difficult year.  They had come to a new place with a new climate, indigenous people, and new wildlife.  They needed to fend completely for themselves with little help from outsiders.  The Native Americans stepped up and filled that need of help and educating, and the pilgrims survived.  On Thanksgiving, they celebrated that God had brought them through.

On thinking of this, I have reflected on the things God has brought  me through.  At times He seemed so far away, but in retrospect, it seems He has never been more near.  As I thank God for His faithfulness, I’m reminded that He’s with me in the things I go through now, and can have confidence He will bring me through tough times that come in the future.

What are things that God has brought you through?

What are things you are now going through?

What are things that you could face in the future?

Give thanks that God has, did, and will bring you through.

If you were thinking I had given up on this blog, you were probably right. For much longer than my last post I’ve wondered why I still keep this thing.

For the longest time, I think my posts were the logical output for the title I stuck on the page. “Hopefully Meaningful Ramblings” is a prime example of something you name in a split second and are stuck with indefinately. Truth is, the blog became a lot of rambling.

But rather than bail on the whole idea, I’m drawn to the incredible opportunity having a blog offers. We live in an era where even the smallest people have a voice, and our voices can be heard on a world-wide scale. Technology, politics, religion, humor- no subject is off-limits. With this freedom comes responsibility, but the positives are worth finding the balance.

I don’t keep this because I need to be heard. Whether or not my thoughts are being read is not important to me. I just find myself on a journey hope that sharing my thoughts along the way helps someone with their own.

And I don’t keep this because I have found all the answers. I just tune you in to my part of the conversation, and hope that my words add to our understanding of this world and our place in it.

So welcome to my part of the conversation. I look forward to hearing yours.

Sincerely,

Blaine