So What?: t?: Next t Steps eps for Yout Youth h Mini nistr - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

So What?: t?: Next t Steps eps for Yout Youth h Mini nistr stry y Edu ducati cation

• n in C

n Cultural tural Eng ngageme ement nt

Some material comes from research grant provided by the Wabash Center – For Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion “Youth Ministry Education and a Multicultural Society” Terence Linhart, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Religion & Philosophy Professor of Youth Ministry & Adolescent Studies

“…the moment when something begins a decline in quality, signaled by a particular moment when they attempt to keep interest.”

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

“There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb … and they cried

• ut in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs

to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.“ (Rev. 7)

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

No majority racial or ethnic group in the United States.

Fastest growing racial classification in US: multiracial

Pew Research

• Polarized and partisan.
• Widening economic gap.
• Neighborhoods have become

more integrated by race and more segregated by income.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Models Mission Mirrors

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

QUESTION: What IS that “standard” in America and how is it determined?

• 1. Monoculturalism -

“The Melting Pot” Assimilate everyone into a dominant societal standard.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

• 2. Liberal multiculturalism - Being “Color Blind”

Ignore differences and emphasize our common humanity.

(Reluctant luctant to addres ress s issues es of bias and power er issues s in society.)

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

• Common
• n – like “cultural tourism.”

(often en ignores res issues ues of economic nomic power. r.) )

• 3. Pluralism - “The Salad Bowl”

Focus us on the differ erences ences & celebrat rate e the diver ersi sity. ty.

• 4. Essentialist multiculturalism -

There is a set of unchanging essences that create categories.

Categories have to be “authentic.”

• 5. Critical multiculturalism

“Who can Touch the Thermostat?” Examines Power sources

Biblical Hospitality

“Participating in the relationship between God and his people.”

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

HOSPITALITY

PROVERBS 14:31 – “Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. ROMANS 12:13 – “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” HEBREWS 13:2 – “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” JAMES 2:1 – “How can you claim to have faith [in Jesus Christ] if you favor some people over others?” I PETER 4:9 – “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.”

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

5+ years ago, Six U.S. Christian colleges

• ffered a required course on diversity in the

YMN major. In last 5 years, about that many have added such a course, usually focused on “urban.”

“For what future are we preparing our students?”

• Started with students’

identity.

• Made students aware of the

issues, but NOT as “missionaries.”

• Promoted a learner’s stance
• Taught how to do cultural

exegesis/ethnography

• Focused on urban centers.

School A

• Pastoral, but “gently

forcing.”

• Historical - “We just

grapple and then give them lots of space.”

• Provide Uncoverage –

“remove the blinders.”

(Wiggins & McTighe)

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

School A

• “Appreciate the

differences” - seek to understand other people groups.

• Goal is to be a learner
• f culture.
• Missiological – “I’m

trying to help them cross cultural boundaries.”

School B

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

• Intended curriculum: To

have students: – Develop a missiological philosophy and framework. –Ask the right questions.

• Received curriculum was

undefined.

School B

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

The Received Curriculum

• The Elliot students:

– “I have a hard time seeing myself as having an ethnicity.”

• We assume Whiteness. We didn’t study it.
• In-class student presentation - “I still don’t feel like

I know what multiculturalism is, so I was made it had to do [a final presentation].”

• “My town has 600 people [in Iowa] and they’re all
• White. So, we don’t have multicultural issues.”

And then there was one student who did his presentation wearing this T- shirt:

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

• Focus on Biblical

understanding of reconciliation.

• Race – understand its social

construction.

• Value-oriented – an

“awakening” – they CAN make a difference.

– Students can “buy in” later. School C

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

• Race – understand its

social construction.

• Uncoverage - “This class is
• ne of the rare times that

Christians actually discuss these issues.”

• Historical – let’s get the

issues out in the open.

Seminary D

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

• “There’s going to be some

pain and turmoil that isn’t present in other classes.”

• “You can get angry at the
• professor. Please do. If you

can’t get angry at the prof, then you can’t get angry at each other. And, if you can’t get angry at each other, then there cannot be reconciliation.”

Permission given

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

So, in Christ and for Christ…

we move cross-racially and cross- culturally into others’ territory, into another’s shoes. This is difficult and will take time. (Incarnation) we become lightning rods to ground the hurt and anger of the world, we suffer it all praying, “Forgive them…” (Reconciliation) we continually pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done now, here, as it is in heaven.”

• Start with ourselves in the [curriculum] text.
• Take a pastoral stance.
• Be patient and allow time to wrestle.

– Have students journal.

• Use historical examples.
• Facilitate awareness (awaken).

– Experiential approaches

• Nurture the narrative imagination.

Curricular Essentials

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Philosophically speaking…

Develop Narrative Capacity

– “Think what it might be like to be in the shoes of a person different from oneself … the narrative imagination.” (12) – Know that “people from diverse backgrounds have difficulty recognizing one another as fellow citizens …” (63)

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Our null curriculum?

• Understand and critique our own

identities , ethnicity, and biases.

• Institutional racism
• The social construction/power

issues associated with race.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Youth Ministry Needs New Models Youth Ministry Needs a Renewed Mission Youth Ministry Needs New Mirrors

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Mark Tittley “Diversity Is Possible, Crafted, and Vulnerable.”

• Foster a Culturally Diverse

Personal Lifestyle.

• Write a Culturally Diverse

Mission Statement.

• Build a Culturally Diverse

Leadership Team.

• Design a Culturally Diverse

Ministry Environment.

A RENEWED MISSION

“The theological challenge of hospitality.”

Include the “stranger” and “alien.”

• 1. “Immigration is the engine that makes and

remakes America.”

• 2. Accounts for 67% of the nation’s population

growth and about 90% of its increase in working population (+ US-born children)

• 3. Without immigration, Christianity would be

in decline in the US. [Pew]

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Today’s immigrants:

• Deeper cultural barriers than past waves
• Doing better than previous on SES and

“traditional American values” (i.e. hard work, education, and career success).

• Second generation household income is

higher than the immigrant family.

• Hispanic high school graduates are more likely

to enroll in college.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Include the needy in our community.

Without intention, many church models don’t naturally know what to do with people who can’t “clean themselves up” after 3 months’ time.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

A RENEWED MISSION

“The theological challenge of hospitality.”

Include the seeking in our community.

Without intention, many church models aren’t wired to be a community that helps people progress in discipleship of Jesus Christ.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

NEW MIRRORS

“The theological challenge of hospitality.”

Ebonie Davis’s 2011 Exemplars Study (USA)

• Depend on the Holy Spirit.
• Be intentional about

diversity.

• Pursue cross cultural

competence.

• Promote a spirit of

inclusion.

“New Vistas Church” Failure to Thrive

A Youth Pastor that:

– Did not fully understand intentionality. – Was not culturally intelligent. – Did not model diversity awareness.* – Did not accommodate diverse needs.* – That lacked humility in the area of diversity.

Ebonie Davis:

“Youth ministries that apply the principles of intentionality, cultural intelligence, community, accommodation, reliance upon the Holy Spirit, passion, koinonia, and humility to their ministry context will find themselves well equipped to create an environment that encourages and sustains successful multicultural youth groups.”

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net

Models Mission Mirrors

Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net