emerging church and the youth work 4 key aspects

I started writing my dissertation today, well not actually started as I did that a while ago, but trying to get my head round what I need to put in and how I need to put it together.

I am hoping to look at Sanctus1 in Manchester and Somewhere else in Liverpool and how they are doing church but also linking in how the key aspects of youth work are also about the same things and how the two - emerging church and the key aspects - might have something to say to those people involved in working with young people in the church and also outwith the church.

Education (informal), empowerment, equality of opportunity and participation are the key aspects and from what I have seen and done in the two 'churches' this is what is happening there. There are many young people who want to follow Christ and some might want to if they coudl see the Christ of the Gospels and not the Christ who makes people feel guilty, unloved and unforgiven, which is often what christians portray as their understanding of Christ.

I was in a meeting yesterday evening where there were approx 15 adults, only one or two younger than me, and the lack of understanding of the gospel was apalling. What I read in the gospel is of the Son of God getting stuck into life in Israel at that time, being with the poor and marginalised and not really taking much notice of the institutional temple rites and rituals except when it mattered. The people in the room yesterday hardly mentioned God in any context except when using the name of God as a swear word and this was in a church meeting.

is this the sort of christianity that I want to introduce young people to? I think not and this is why I personally think the emerging church has a lot to offer young people. Those involved in these churches are at least committed to trying to follow Christ in todays society and trying to understand what it actually means to be a disciple in the 21st century, rather than simply going to church because it is what has always been done.

trees

these trees were amazing!! there were quite a few of them around the place, but these were so cool, I just had to take a photo of them. This is how they grow!! 

east sooke provincial park

view from east sooke Provincial park looking over to America 

view

what a view to wake up to every morning.... well I did for 4 days last week while in Canada....staying with a friend and former student of mine 

Canadian Rockies via plane. Was so wowed by the sight from the plane window!!!