sitting in the stairwell January 24, 2010
Posted by thehutch in church, personal, ponderings, thoughts.Tags: 'sitting in the stairwell', friendship, marko, mentoring, ministry, support, youth ministry, youthwork
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The phrase “sitting in the stairwell” from Marko’s Youth Ministry 3.0 has sat with me for some time now. It is a challenge to find those places in which we can sit, ready to serve. Looking for those places has led me to think of those people that have ’sat in the stairwell’ on my behalf, those people that have chosen to place themselves in a place of service, those who have given me time and space, those that have been as a friend.
A few years back, I left a job that was special. It was one that had its challenges but the momentum was all forward and there were many positive results. There was the usual politics, but that goes for any role we have, and things were looking good for the future, despite various challenges on the table. However, during a long season where the politics, hurdles and personal things came together in an unnatural way, I chose to leave. My spiritual life was crumbling as the circumstances battered the fragile shell of mine – there was no alternative. No-one questioned my decision (to my face anyway) and I believed that there would be people to help me re-form my spiritual life as these were my friends. Unfortunately, it was not that easy and those I relied upon became too busy.
I entered a wilderness, yet one man whose path crossed my own chose to ’sit in my stairwell’. In the 18 months that followed he spoke few words, he spent little time with me, but he provided me with everything I needed. He welcomed me into his tribe, he engaged my family, let me know he was there, encouraged involvement at my own pace and demonstrated that he understood my struggles. During this time, spiritual life returned and balance of life returned. I owe him a great debt as he was willing to sit in a place that my friends did not – that type of thing cannot be bought.
My friend has since moved on to new pastures but our paths crossed again the other week. It was a privilege to share with him in ministry and over lunch had an opportunity to thank him for sitting in my stairwell.
My friend has mentored me – albeit in an unusual way – and now I am looking for the opportunities to do the same for others.
youth ministry 3.0 January 20, 2010
Posted by thehutch in Uncategorized.Tags: mark oestriecher, marko, mentoring, ym3.0, youth ministry, youth specialties, youthwork
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The last few days I have chosen to revisit Marko’s book Youth Ministry 3.0. It is an easy read but provides great food to fill up on and a challenge to move forward. If you have not read it yet, go buy it and sit in a coffee shop, it will be worthwhile.
The discussions that were quite lively have died down a little and there is less ‘euphoria’ over what was written, maybe because we have settled back into our contentment as we recognise that some of our YM 2.0 ways still work and therefore the cost of moving ahead into new ways is too great a burden to bear.
Here in the UK, the youth ministry scene is slightly dfifferent to the USA and it is my belief that we may be a little ahead of our friends from over the pond, however, the principles still stand. The book continues to deliver for me, even missed my stop on the tube as I was so engrossed again, therefore a second read was essential.
So what reflections after a 2nd reading months later? For me the challenge is the timing. We are in transition between the YM 2.0 and YM 3.0 mindset and the culture we dwell in is also split. Yes, youth culture is ahead of the game, this is not news, but the way the world around us deals with such things is also divided. I believe youth culture adapts to this better than the adults do – but there are some young people who are themselves in the second era. Look at the difference in rural and urban settings, the young people are worlds apart in terms of culture, even in the UK! But that is the beauty of YM 3.0 – it covers both bases, it gives room to work and a freedom to try new things, fail sometimes, laugh and cry, as well as permission to break a mould that some of us may be trapped in.
The challenge of adapting to the changing mindset will require sacrifice and time – my dream is that there will be plenty of us who are prepared to pay the price and give it the time. I, for one, am willing ‘to sit in the stairwell that leads to the youth culture underground‘ and play my part. Am trusting that others will sit with me and that we can support one another through this wonderful time in the history of God’s world.
being followed? January 19, 2010
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There has been a surge in traffic on the blog this last month, through search, with my name being hunted on a significant number of occasions. On 2 Saturdays my blog has been read extensively through each posting. Have the distinct impression that someone is checking me out – wonder who it might be? Maybe I will check their IP address and do a little checking on them.
no more consultants January 18, 2010
Posted by thehutch in Uncategorized.Tags: book, book review, consultation, no more consultants, quotes
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Enjoyed reading this little book. It may be obvious why I chose to read it by the title but the truth is – the title is mis-leading. The subtitle is a more accurate reflection of the book as it underlines the truth that, ‘we know more than we think’.
Much of the book reflects on a consultation that the writers did with BP and others and uses a system they developed – it is a useful tool but personally found that the value of the book lay in some old nuggets of gold that were brought back to the attention. The essence is that, people with whom you work have knowledge that can be shared – use it before you get the consultants in.
Some quotes to give a flavour;
“Say to yourself, ’someone out there has already done what I am about to do. I wonder who, and what community, I should ask’“
“All too often we look to problem solve rather than look for a strength to build on and report.“
“The politics in some organisations can generate a culture in which people are reluctant to offer up good practices because they are afraid of the personal cost“
“People spend pennies in mining their own internal knowledge and expertise compared to the multi-millions spent on going outside first.“
A handy little tome but not one that everyone will find useful – it just may be that you have the answers yourself, or in your team.
new season January 10, 2010
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after a couple of weeks thinking through the blog, I have made a few decisions regarding the blog.
I am keeping it and have decided on a focus for the forseeable future. My original blog had a strong youthwork emphasis and I believe that my heart will not let me run away from this. Although my new role/employment is not primarily youth orientated, it is ministry and does engage with youthwork of different guises and so there will be regular links to the world that I have known for the last 20 years and more. The next few months will be a little experimental for me ( like those early days in 2004 when I first started) so feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you for those who have remained patient with me these last 18months as the consistency disappeared – you are true friends.
Looking forward to 2010
review of my blog December 21, 2009
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am going to spend the next couple of weeks reviewing a few things. One is my blog.
A couple of years back it had a purpose, served people well and had an element of partnership with others. The last year/18 months it has lost its way, albeit for good reason, but now is as good a time as any to work out what my blog will be in the days and months ahead.
I do not want to recapture former glories but it would be good to develop some consistency again. WTS
gotta love this city December 7, 2009
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It was just over 10 years ago that London became my permanent home. It was not my first call – that would have been east coast USA. However, 10 years on and things are different. I love this City.
It is a great place to live, work and chill – my hope is that my work makes a difference to those that are poor and marginalised, to the young and old, to all sectors of society.
I have big dreams……..many may go unrealised…..but one thing is for sure, I will keep chipping away, one day at a time. Why?, because I love this City.
redundancy – time for change November 26, 2009
Posted by thehutch in church, youthwork.Tags: change, finance, redundancy, youth, youth ministry, youthwork
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Seems as if news of redundancy is everywhere at the moment, both known and those about to hit – taking various forms and done in different ways – yet the result remains the same, pain, hurt, mixed emotions, hope, promise and change. In the world of youthwork and ministry we are seeing significant losses as a result of finance, restructuring and new circumstances. We should not be surprised as there are limits to the financial pots that remain, cuts have to be made somewhere and although we care passionately and will shout for our friends there are often the forgotten people….the friends and colleagues who remain. They also have emotions to deal with and have to develop new ways of working, new systems and strategies – let’s not forget them.
However, there is another thing on my mind…..change. In my 20 years in youth related activity, the ones who usually shout the loudest for change have been the youth bods, they deal with it everyday and have to respond quickly and efficiently. Yet, our responses to the redundancies, and proposed redundancies, seek to maintain the status quo. Why is that? What if we looked at the changes thrown at us in a different light? What if the changes being thrown at many in the youthwork world were the beginnings of a new way of working? What if the redundancies, that we are becoming aware of, are just the start of something stronger, something more able to accommodate the needs, aspirations and dreams of young people? We have ridden a wave these last years, maybe the bubble has burst, just maybe something better is around the corner. I may just be dreaming but there has to be hope, there has to be something we can cling to. Surely? Please?
Don’t get me wrong, I am hurting for those who have received letters and meetings. I have been on both sides of this fence in these last 12 months and the pain is very real but I am beginning to question whether the systems/models we have created in youthwork and ministry are the appropriate ones. If the current financial meltdown is anything to go by, we have created a way of working that is not altogether sustainable in financial terms for the cycles of boom and bust or, at the very least, a model that the financiers are not seeing as priority when credit is at a premium. I think we need to face some changes in the way we operate and the way we finance youth work and ministry in the coming years – there has to be a better way and in my belief there are no better people than youthworkers to begin to make those changes.
So what is a/the solution? That is something that I am thinking through. We are seeing networks beginning to develop into partnerships more than has happened before, just maybe this is the firstfruits of something special. I hope so.
