"Bring the boy to me." - Jesus

Churches have worked hard at engaging adolescents for as long as there has been adolescence….which may not be as long as you think. "Adolescence" as a theory does not appear until the late nineteenth century and is defined as a period of "storm and stress" between the ages of 12 and 24.  While "youth ministry" appears in the form of Sunday school and the YMCA before 1900, it is not until the post war boom during the 1950's that "adolescence" moves from idea to fact. Rock music also arrives in the '50's. 

The unprecedented number of adolescents combined with post-war economic prosperity creates, for the first time, a youth or adolescent culture.  Teens would soon become the demographic with the largest amount of disposable income.  As adolescence grows as a cultural phenomenon, so does the anxiety of adults.  Fueled largely by anxiety, "youth ministry" closes the 20th century as a small industry with millions of dollars spent on programs, training, staff, camps, and trips designed to help adolescents.

Despite the development of youth ministry as a field, defining the outcomes of youth ministry has been a question of debate.  When is a youth ministry effective?  Churches with busy youth ministries attract people, especially anxious parents of early adolescents.  However, people and programs driven by the busy-ness of subterranean anxiety can undermine an adolescents opportunity to enjoy a rich life of faith.  Additionally, acknowledging that participation in youth ministry as an adolescent does not translate to church participation as an adult is important for churches to consider.

How would you measure the anxiety level of your family or primary community?
How would you know if your family or primary community was "anxiety driven"?

A distraught father had moved from anxiety to despair and describes his son's condition to Jesus. Jesus replies, "Bring the boy to me," and his son is healed.

If it were only that easy. One note of encouragement, though.  Apparently, the boy's healing is not based on behavior, alignent with his parents doctrine, of even "faith" at all.  What this passage offers is a glimpse into a way of approaching "youth ministry" which releases communities from anxiety causing expectations and an entry point into a life of "spiritual hospitality".

First Baptist can be very pleased and proud about being at the center of this special program marking the anniversary of the 1963 march on Washington.

We were the destination for a group of marchers who set out from a commemoration at the Peace Garden in downtown Boston, and walked the 7 miles to Newton Centre, led by a group of mothers who had lost children to violence in the city. On the lawn of our church the marchers were met with music and food, and some speakers (including Greg Barrett who spoke at FBCN last year). Not to mention the surprise appearance of Pete Seeger, who mingled with the crowd. This was followed by a program at 7:00 in our sanctuary, featuring a series of powerful speakers, including Susanah Heschel, and outstanding music, with the Love Tones and Pete Seeger. 

This event marked a new level of connection for us with City Missionary Society and Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries (co-sponsors whose leaders were prominent participants all day, and were deeply appreciative of our participation), as well as the establishment and deepening of new relations (as with the Love Tones, the Boston mothers of violence victims, new Newton resident Susannah Heschel....) which can be part of future initiatives.

        I'm so grateful to those inside and outside our congregation who made this happen. Sarah Mausner, who has become a wonderful part of our community, was the guiding genius who labored long and diligently to bring this all together. Eunice Wilson, Amy Feldman and Rachel Carpentier made enormous contributions. I can't adequately list all the others,from our congregation who marched, helped out with logistics or helped host all or part of the afternoon and evening events at FBCN---but the list includes Chris and Linda Duncombe, Dick Ransom, Anita Roberts, Amberle and Andy Edwards, Jeffrey Lian, Isaac Seelam, Delinse Jean, Donna Vello, Greg Mobley, Lynn Witty, Bob Close, David Ryley, Sylvia Passley Harris, Maria Mak, Melissa Heim, Sze-kar Wan, Ann Grantham, Meta Moy and Martha Wright (these last three were part of a League of Women Voters group who contributed to the outstanding food for the event). 

         Contributions ranged from Linda Duncombe and Anita Roberts singing on the lawn with the Boston Minstrel Company, to  Donna' Vello providing sheets for Pete Seeger to nap on in in the Everts Room, to Bob Close's heroic shepherding of the building through such heavy use! And I particularly thank Sean for his leadership as host of the evening program, his energy through the long day, and his special connection with our musical guests (above all his great hosting of Pete Seeger). The Baptist Social Union is also deserved of a hearty thank you for generously providing the necessary seed funding to make it happen.

         The whole thing was quite a day for First Baptist and gives us a great boost heading into this fall.

S. Mark Heim

Moderator, FBC in Newton
Samuel Abbot Professor of Christian Theology
Andover Newton Theological School

A reminder that our final lunchtime concert will take place Wednesday 8/13, at 12:30 in the Chapel. Come by for some great tunes, great snacks, and great company.

Tomorrow's program will include arias by local soprano Sarah Orlovsky, as well as selections by the Boston String Quartet!

See you tomorrow,
Rachel

"I am convinced that the same God that might call me to sing of God at one time might call me at another to sing of godlessness...I think it may be the case that God calls some people to unbelief in order that faith can take new forms." Christian Wiman, from an interview with Krista Tippet

Celebrating the the life and work of Judson with Burmese community this morning. 300 people expected.

Second of the Summer Lunchtime Concert Series.

This excerpt is from an article the Council has been discussing.  Perhaps no other church has applied "best practices" more extensively than Willow.  I contend that Hybels was deconstructing church before all the cool kids were doing it.  Like them or not, Willow Creek offers much to learn from and Hybel's public confession that they have been "wrong" is pretty stunning. 

Full article: http://www.outofur.com/archives/2007/10/willow_creek_re.html