Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Spiritual value is more than a number

As Christ followers, there are some basic biblical principles regarding the worth of individual lives (and souls) that we have come to accept, fight for, and that shapes our entire outlook on the world. We have come to understand that every human life has meaning, because our life is not an accidental occurrence orchestrated by chances, but a prized gift given by a loving gracious God. Thus, as our depraved soul drives us to hate and wish harm on others, it is the gospel and God's word that reminds us that love and respect is what all people deserve in the world; not because of anything they have done, but for the simple fact that they are a created being of God. 

I was reading "group" magazine a few days ago, and came across a remarkable article challenging the objectification mentality that has been developed in the culture of the U.S. Steven Bonner explains, "Objectification happens when human beings are treated as less than human-- their personhood is depersonalized. The effect? They are reduced to a thing, diminishing the image of God they were created to reflect.[1]" Bonner goes on to suggest that this is what has happened in our society today concerning the assessment of teenagers. He links this unfortunate reality to three major categories, education, youth sports and youth ministry.

Regarding education, Bonner notes how teachers quickly fall into the habit of labeling the good and bad students; putting all their hope in the good students to help them meet their state standardized testing quota. This is not to overlook the fact that some students are better behaved than others, but to challenge the attitude that forces students into a category of what then can, or cannot do for the teacher. Only seeing students in these terms, devalues them as valued human beings and thus goes against the biblical principles we have come to accept as truth. Booner continues along the same line when it comes to Youth Sports and acknowledges how at a very young age kids are learning to find their value in how well they perform, not in the fact that they are a creation of God. 

The category that Booner touches on that really communicates to me is the objectification in youth ministry. Before I get to his discovery I'd like to explain an evaluation I've made at Trinity. It didn't take long for me to receive the question, "how many came last night?". In fact, it happened the day after our first group meeting and a few times the Sunday after our first meeting. To be honest, for a Youth Pastor just beginning, and trying to develop a system, and raise up disciplines, it is extremely frustrating to receive this question numerous times a week. At this point, I am seeking to build a firm base of gospel truths in the few students that God has provided us with, and I feel the students who are here may be being overlooked by the congregation, because of students that have yet to join the group.

I believe Booner explains the danger of this mindset perfectly when he writes, "[As youth pastors] Our promotions are performance- driven—tied to the number of bodies that show up for our events. Our leaders (and our peers) christen us successful if our strategies boost our numbers. So we default to techniques that are beholden to numerical growth more than spiritual growth—and we objectify our students in the process.[2]" I want the ministry that God has blessed me with to value every person in the group. Similar to the Parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, I believe if we are faithful with little God will bless us with however as much as He sees fit in the future. As of now, however, these students that are attending the group (Sunday School and/or Youth Group) every week are amazing. I am amazed at how much they already know and am more than happy to walk with them and teach them more as they grow as Christians. So here's my suggestion, instead of asking how many were at group, ask how have I seen in spiritual growth in my students, ask are the students beginning to understand the Bible more etc. Perhaps then we can see our student's value in the fact that they are a person created and loved by God and not just another number in a big Youth Group.

I'd love to connect with you on twitter: https://twitter.com/DamianLBerry

Reference

Bonner, Steven . "I AM MORE THAN YOU THINK I AM." Group, Mar. - Apr. 2014, 32-37.

Footnotes


[1] Bonner, Steven . "I AM MORE THAN YOU THINK I AM." Group, Mar. - Apr. 2014, p.34.
[2] Bonner, Steven . "I AM MORE THAN YOU THINK I AM." Group, Mar. - Apr. 2014, p.35

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