Satire is not a dirty word!

The Summer Student Ministry Season is coming to a close and the Fall is rapidly approaching.  If you are a Student Minister, Volunteer, Parent, Intern, Senior Pastor, Executive Minister...well...if you are anyone presently involved in Fall Ministry planning, I have a video and a few suggestions to share as you go through your planning process.  But first, a definition. 

Satire:  Satire is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government or society itself, into improvement Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit as a weapon and as a tool to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society. -The Wikipedia (My personal "satire" italicized)

I love Satire.  Yes, it can be painful when it hits close to home, but is helpful in exposing and starting discussion on issues that need attention and/or correction.  Get ready, this humorous satirical look at Youth Ministry is a toe stomper.

 The Top 15 Youth Group Cliches

Awesome!

Perhaps OUCH, but awesome!

This satirical look at Youth Ministry can remind us of couple of things as we jump into Fall Ministry Season. 

The Authenticity, Motivation and Theological Purpose of Student Ministry programs are and will continue to be scrutinized by teenagers.  Teenagers are seeking authentic engagement with the adult community of faith.  Yes, they want to have fun and build great relationships in a safe environment, but they need Jesus.  Don't substitute the deep, radical, life changing call of Discipleship to follow Jesus with an invitation to a christian-based social club.  The numbers make us feel good, but they know the difference and so should we.

Teenagers don't want to be "talked down TO" they want to be "Invited to follow WITH."  Student leaders, if not careful, can reduce the radical call of the Gospel into a sin management plan (Dallas Willard had a lot of great things to say about this).  The Gospel is Jesus and Discipleship, at its core, involves a commitment to follow Jesus.  More than a good talking down to about their moral depravity and need for a savior (I am pretty sure they know the need), they desire an invitation to join other believers who know the cost and reward of following Jesus.  

Happy Fall Planning!