Journal #1 - Christian Formation of Youth (Christian Formation)
Written Journals due September 25 @ Colloquium
Verbal Journals due between September 22-October 3
In his book Book, Bath, Table, and Time, Fred P. Edie states:
"After interviews conducted with thousands of North American teens, sociologists, Christian Smith contends that most churchgoing teens like their congregations and feel welcome and at home in them. Many know almost nothing, however, about Christian theological convictions...As Smith sees it, these students believe that Christian faith exists to help them do what is right and avoid what is wrong (personally, that is, for they would not want to impose their particular morality upon others). In addition, God is to them an emotionally available life coach who sanctions whatever they happen to be feeling at any given moment but otherwise remains uninvolved in the historic, social or public affairs of the world" (3).
The author suggests that our media driven culture has dictated ministry and education in the church. For example, youth groups go on ski trips and thrive on concert-like worship that offer shallow or little elements of Christian education. He contends that this is actually hurting the youth and young adults of the church, because they grow increasingly unfamiliar with Christian theology and scripture.
- What is your first reaction to this statement? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
- Briefly describe the Christian education you have received in the past five years and how it has formed your understanding of God, ethics, and community.
