All NexGen Pro articles – Page 137
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Issues
Youthwork Summit asks tough questions of Youth ministry
The fourth annual Youthwork Summit drew well over 1,000 delegates to the Midlands in May. The event, which is supported by Youthwork, explored the theme of ‘Greater’ through a series of short dynamic presentations in the style of the American TED conferences. The theme raised a controversial question – are we fighting a losing battle? – before unpacking Jesus’ words in John 14 that we would do ‘even greater things’.
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IssuesArtisan youth work
What do you picture when you hear the phrase ‘artisan youth-worker’? Where I live, in sunny Devon, the word artisan is a regular feature of everyday life. Most small businesses seem to have jumped on the phrase to describe something a little bespoke, something that a skilled worker has made or something made by hand with high-quality ingredients. I’ve yet to come across the word in youth work circles, but when my colleague Philip remarked in passing that he finds an idea for a new resource every single time he picks up the i daily newspaper, I started wondering whether this artisan approach was at the heart of our work with young people too.
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IssuesThe Art of Discernment
Contemplative ministry expert Mark Yaconelli explores how we can access the spiritual gift of discernment as we seek to lead young people, and make decisions about our own future.
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Issues
The Art of Connecting: Their Story
To teach how and why to take interest in other people’s stories.
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IssuesYouth Work as Art
Richard James continues his series looking at youth ministry through a range of academic filters, by suggesting that youth workers should think of themselves less as social engineers and more as ‘cultural artists.’ Includes practical suggestions to help young people to explore ‘the art of life.’
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IssuesOpen up your arms: Letting Go
We love to hold onto what’s ‘rightfully’ ours. But what if we are trapped by the things we cling to? Danielle Strickland thinks it’s time to let go.
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IssuesArchie Bishop Fronts New Award Scheme for Primary School-aged Children
The Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust has announced plans to extend their young leaders award to primary school-aged pupils.
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IssuesEditorial - Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
Last month, we celebrated 25 years of Premier Youthwork and reflected on the last quarter-century of youth ministry. So, how better to kick off the next 25 years, than by hearing from Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby on the future of youth work?
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IssuesThe Axis of Good and Evil - Mobile Apps
There’s this constant tension in youth ministry: we want to use culture to talk about big issues and themes with young people, but often the films, TV shows and video games with the best moral messages are the ones made by well-meaning Christians in a shed. To put that another way, often the films, TV shows and video games with the best moral messages are terrible. So, here’s our solution to this problem: a monthly round-up where we rank a whole heap of stuff on whether it’s any good, and whether it’s both suitable and worth showing to your youth group. So stuff in the top right is great for your youth group; the apps in the bottom left are a little more… troublesome
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Issues
Ready-to-use Schoolswork: New Year, New Approach
The start of the new academic year for Christians working in schools means an opportunity to review your strategy, to think about what is working and what could be improved. Above all, it is a reminder to take time to be with God and hear what he is saying about the work. To accompany our back-to-school commissioning event, ‘Imagine’ happening on the 2nd September in the south and 6th September in the north (details at imagineschoolswork.co.uk), here are three ideas for getting involved in schools in different ways this year. Take a moment to read each of the three approaches below, look at the questions and ask God what he wants to show you about your work in schools over this coming year. Does any one of the three approaches stand out to you more than the rest? What ideas do you have of your own, and what are you already doing that others can learn from? Add your ideas to the ongoing conversation over at www.schoolswork.co.uk
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Blog
A fresh approach
So by now you’ve probably had enough of hearing about new years resolutions and fresh starts (or lack of – see Martin’s blog post for that). If you are tackling 2011 with a set of new goals for yourself then I’m happy for you, and good luck. If you’re not then… well, good luck to you too! Here’s a thought - maybe we need to be taking this ‘fresh approach’ idea beyond ourselves and into the realm of our ministry to young people.
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IssuesConversation or monitoring - which is the right approach?
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced new guidelines for mental health professionals with regard to self-harming among children and young people. The most significant changes relate to digital technology. The advice states that, ‘It is important for parents to be interested and engaged in their children’s digital lives as early as possible’, that parents should recognise the benefits of the online world, and that ‘trust and communication are likely to be more helpful to the young person than attempts at surveillance’.
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Blog
The Britpop approach to Youth Work
In the midst of the euphoria of Britpop, the lyric that sticks with me comes in Blur’s ‘Country House’ where Damon Albarn declared that he was ‘A professional cynic but my hearts not in it,’ and somehow that always tends to be my approach to youth work...
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IssuesThe Apprentice
It’s back. The one reality TV show that it’s socially acceptable to talk about: The Apprentice.
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IssuesChildren playing Free Apple Games Rack up huge Bills
Children have accidentally been racking up enormous bills by playing ‘free’ Apple games on their parents’ iPads and iPhones. Games such as Playmobil Pirates and Racing Penguins are amongst these ‘bait apps’; advertising themselves as free, but letting players buy credits and weapons to progress through the game.
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Issues
Ready-to-use Movie: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war.
