professionalisation of christian youthwork?

This is something that I have been debating for quite some time now. Where is there a balance between getting the qualification, and proving an understanding of our work, and also realising the claling that God has placed upon a life? Which holds more value, and which shoudl hold more value in Church today? Obviously in society the qualification holds more value, but shoudl this also be the case within the Church as well? I wuld contend, that certainly a person needs to demonstrate an understanding in the field that that they are going to be involved in, and even gain some kind of qualification in it, but demonstrate a desire for ongoing wish to learn, experience and be open to different things within the sphere they are wanting to work in. But I would also contend, that we as Christians need to recognise, calling, gifting, ability, and the plans that God has for people's lives. I think if we go down the root of continually wanting the qualification, without exploring the calling, then we are going to lose something within the Church in the future.

being a pioneer

It is one of those things that has started to strike me more and more, that is the pioneering roll that a youthworker plays in ministry. Youth culture changes so quickly and the youthworker needs to be on top itk, and be able to be relevant to it, and also provide things, suggest ideas that all relate too in a certain way the culture is, but without dampening down the message in any way shape or form. what was relevant 10 years ago is not now, and so things need to be constantly in that developmental process so that they are able to connect with the people f the time. In DR. Who this kind of thing was referred to as a "perspective transformation", and I think this is what the pioneer, the youth worker need to have, a perspective transformation, as how they reach out will be different to so many different people, at different times.

Leona Lewis new song

I was listening tothe radio this monring, and the latest track by leona lewis came on, and I have to admit, I was horrified about some of the stuff in it. I am usually ok, about some songs, but one line in particular really got me about this song. toward the beginnng of the song, she suggested that if the love of the bloke she was with didn't pass the test, then she could find love else where. this does not give out good signals for our young people today, it destroys the idea of commitment, longevity, and many other things. Shame as I did like her bleeding love song, as I thought that might have been good to use with the Jesus of Nazerath film, but how can we expect different elements of our society to hold together, when public songs like this abvocate breakdown.

Progress?

Came across this great sign, whilst out in India recently: "progress is less about speed and much more to do with direction" thought this was very profound, for those of us in leadership in any shape manner or form, inside or outside of church.

Viewing of child protection?

How is it that people see child protection issues these days? there is certainly an argument that things have gone way to far as far as paper work is concerned, but how do organisations and people actually see child protection issues. Do we see them as protecting us as the workers? Do we see child protection as there to protect the young people? do we see child protection as creating a rod for our back? Do we see child protection as something we are prepared to go so far with, but not any further? I am sure there are lots of thoughts, and many other questions, but hopefully this will be a starting point.

Theology of winning

It is interesting listening to people discussing their relationship with their kids, or with the young people they work with, and how they describe that they can't "let young people win". win what you may ask, well win arguments, or win discussions, but it is the issue, of not allowing young people to win, or even the issue of winning itself that interests me. why is it as adults we are reluctant to be corrected, inspired, educated, or just learn from young people, why is it that we always feel that we have to be right, and not allow the openness of valuing the thoughts of our young people. And more to the point, do discussions have to be seen as won? is there not an argument for resolution, which is different that winning. For me winning implies that there is a looser, someone who is put down, and as much as I do agree with compeititon ins port, and thngs, I am not sure that competition and winning are useful elements in relationships in life.

10 commandments of child protection

I have recently come across a very interesting blog, that listed, almost the 10 commandments of blogging, and although it was doen slightly tongue in cheak, there was some sanity, and sobering thoghts behind them, so it got me thinking, could we construct the 10 commandments of Child Protection, or are there just too many to try and fit into the 10 commandments. Any thoughts at all, would be great.