I just finished reading Contemplative Youth Ministry by Mark Yaconelli. I cried at least three times. I'm not sure what that means. In some ways it was like reading about all my hopes and dreams of what youth ministry could look like. I spent a lot of time wondering about how different my previous youth ministry experiences may have looked had I approached the task with a spirit of presence. Looking back I am reminded me of how far I drifted from the real point of youth ministry. I've tried to do differently here, though I still sense that plague of urgency nipping at my heels, always trying to shift my focus from what is in front of me to what may lie ahead. Reading this has reminded me to see the students. It's reminded me to hold loosly to programs and curriculums and to focus more on listening to the Spirits guidance. I've already made some changes. Any youth pastor (or person considering working with youth) who hasn't read this book needs to buy it today and read it. Furthermore, I'd recommend that anyone (regardless of your career or ministry) read at least the first eight chapters. This one gets five stars on my list.
3 comments:
That's so awesome man. I cried reading your review. I'm really praying that this might be the answers to some of your deeper questions.
I hear the passion calling you back...and I'm loving it!
After reading your post, I dug around and found this quote. You've probably heard it...
"Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go to next." -Frederick Buechner
you two are just cry babies... that's all there is to it!
looking forward to the read.
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