Cerulean Sanctum: 21 steps to 21st Century Church

The Cerulean Sanctum has reposted a great series on 21 steps to a 21st Century Church.  While some are glaringly obvious, others are potent in their insight -- take for instance this quote from post one about encouraging Christian intellectuals:

"One of the most insidious trends within Evangelical and charismatic circles in the last thirty years is the absolute scorn with which most Christian intellectuals are held. The wholesale mental slaughter inflicted on thinkers in your average megachurch is contemptible.Everyone loves the people who will let you cry on their shoulder, crying along with you. But how much value do we place on Christian thinkers? My own experience is that they're treated as carnival sideshows in a lot of churches. Folks who think deep thoughts are somehow inferior to the weeping Wendys and empathic Eddies who get all the attention."

Or how about this quote from post three about youth ministry:

"Fire the youth pastor. Then rehire him for his true purpose: teaching parents of youth how to teach their own kids about the Faith. ....A youth pastor dedicated to teaching parents how to instruct their kids in the faith puts the pieces back in their rightful place. It betters families, improves parent/teen communication, and also saves the youth pastor from the typical two-year burnout and rampant divorce patterns that have plagued youth ministers for the last thirty years."

Its provocative, yet generous in tone.  Certainly worth a read (and application)

SDG

Russell

Comments

[Ed Brenegar]

Youth pastor to parents ... perfect. I'm the scoutmaster for my sons' scout troop. I'm approaching seven years in the position, and what I discovered quickly is that many of the parents thought of us adult volunteers as babysitters or at best activity monitors. So, we began to shift our emphasis to developing partnerships with parents. So, whenever we had awards ceremonies, three or four times a year, the first hour was a parents meeting. Its more than giving them information. Instead it is instruction on parenting in the context of scouting.
Now, I know that a lot of church youth don't want their parents involved with their youth group. However, what we found is that parents needed the personal development just as much if not more than their kids. So, we "sell" participation as a partnership between the scouts, the parents and the adult leadership team. "This isn't an "activity" to amuse and entertain your children." We tell them. Instead it is where you learn to work side by side with your child as partners. Once that relationship is established, then they can deal with all kinds of stuff, and their child can make a more positive transition into adulthood.
I see this as one of the most redemptive things the church can do.