So What?: t?: Next t Steps eps for Yout Youth h Mini nistr stry y Edu ducati cation on in C n Cultural tural Eng ngageme ement nt Some material comes from research grant provided by the Wabash Center – For Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion “ Youth Ministry Education and a Multicultural Society” Terence Linhart, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Religion & Philosophy Professor of Youth Ministry & Adolescent Studies
“…the moment when something begins a decline in quality, signaled by a particular moment when they attempt to keep interest.” Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
“There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb … and they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.“ (Rev. 7)
Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
No majority racial or ethnic group in the United States.
Fastest growing racial classification in US: multiracial
Pew Research • Polarized and partisan. • Widening economic gap. • Neighborhoods have become more integrated by race and more segregated by income.
Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Models Mission Mirrors Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
1. Monoculturalism - “The Melting Pot” Assimilate everyone into a dominant societal standard. QUESTION: What IS that “standard” in America and how is it determined? Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net http://www.amazon.com/Changing-Multiculturalism-Curriculum-Education-Series/dp/0335194834
2. Liberal multiculturalism - Being “Color Blind” Ignore differences and emphasize our common humanity. (Reluctant luctant to addres ress s issues es of bias and power er issues s in society.) Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
3. Pluralism - “The Salad Bowl” Focus us on the differ erences ences & celebrat rate e the diver ersi sity. ty. • Common on – like “cultural tourism.” (often en ignores res issues ues of economic nomic power. r.) ) Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
4. Essentialist multiculturalism - There is a set of unchanging essences that create categories. Categories have to be “authentic.”
5. Critical multiculturalism “Who can Touch the Thermostat?” Examines Power sources
Biblical Hospitality “Participating in the relationship between God and his people.” Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
HOSPITALITY PROVERBS 14:31 – “Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. ROMANS 12:13 – “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” HEBREWS 13:2 – “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” JAMES 2:1 – “How can you claim to have faith [in Jesus Christ] if you favor some people over others?” I PETER 4:9 – “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.”
“For what future are we preparing our students?” 5+ years ago, Six U.S. Christian colleges offered a required course on diversity in the YMN major. In last 5 years, about that many have added such a course, usually focused on “urban.” Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
School A • Started with students’ identity. • Made students aware of the issues, but NOT as “missionaries.” • Promoted a learner’s stance • Taught how to do cultural exegesis/ethnography • Focused on urban centers.
School A • Pastoral, but “gently forcing.” • Historical - “We just grapple and then give them lots of space.” • Provide Uncoverage – “remove the blinders.” (Wiggins & McTighe) Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
School B • “Appreciate the differences” - seek to understand other people groups. • Goal is to be a learner of culture. • Missiological – “I’m trying to help them cross cultural boundaries.” Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
School B • Intended curriculum: To have students: – Develop a missiological philosophy and framework. – Ask the right questions. • Received curriculum was undefined. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
The Received Curriculum And then there • The Elliot students: was one student – “I have a hard time seeing myself as having an ethnicity.” who did his • We assume Whiteness. We didn’t study it. presentation • In-class student presentation - “I still don’t feel like I know what multiculturalism is, so I was made it wearing this T- had to do [a final presentation].” shirt: • “My town has 600 people [in Iowa] and they’re all White. So, we don’t have multicultural issues.” Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
School C • Focus on Biblical understanding of reconciliation. • Race – understand its social construction. • Value-oriented – an “awakening” – they CAN make a difference. – Students can “buy in” later. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Seminary D • Race – understand its social construction. • Uncoverage - “This class is one of the rare times that Christians actually discuss these issues.” • Historical – let’s get the issues out in the open. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Permission given • “There’s going to be some pain and turmoil that isn’t present in other classes.” • “You can get angry at the professor. Please do. If you can’t get angry at the prof, then you can’t get angry at each other. And, if you can’t get angry at each other, then there cannot be reconciliation.” Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
So, in Christ and for Christ… we move cross-racially and cross- culturally into others’ territory, into another’s shoes. This is difficult and will take time. (Incarnation) we become lightning rods to ground the hurt and anger of the world, we suffer it all praying, “Forgive them…” (Reconciliation) we continually pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done now, here, as it is in heaven.”
Curricular Essentials • Start with ourselves in the [curriculum] text. • Take a pastoral stance. • Be patient and allow time to wrestle. – Have students journal. • Use historical examples. • Facilitate awareness (awaken). – Experiential approaches • Nurture the narrative imagination. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Philosophically speaking… Develop Narrative Capacity – “Think what it might be like to be in the shoes of a person different from oneself … the narrative imagination .” (12) – Know that “people from diverse backgrounds have difficulty recognizing one another as fellow citizens …” (63) Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Our null curriculum? • Understand and critique our own identities , ethnicity, and biases. • Institutional racism • The social construction/power issues associated with race. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Youth Ministry Needs New Models Youth Ministry Needs a Renewed Mission Youth Ministry Needs New Mirrors Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Mark Tittley “ Diversity Is Possible, Crafted, and Vulnerable .” • Foster a Culturally Diverse Personal Lifestyle. • Write a Culturally Diverse Mission Statement. • Build a Culturally Diverse Leadership Team. • Design a Culturally Diverse Ministry Environment.
A RENEWED MISSION “The theological challenge of hospitality.” Include the “stranger” and “alien.” 1. “Immigration is the engine that makes and remakes America.” 2. Accounts for 67% of the nation’s population growth and about 90% of its increase in working population (+ US-born children) 3. Without immigration, Christianity would be in decline in the US. [Pew] Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Today’s immigrants: • Deeper cultural barriers than past waves • Doing better than previous on SES and “traditional American values” (i.e. hard work, education, and career success). • Second generation household income is higher than the immigrant family. • Hispanic high school graduates are more likely to enroll in college. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
A RENEWED MISSION “The theological challenge of hospitality.” Include the needy in our community. Without intention, many church models don’t naturally know what to do with people who can’t “clean themselves up” after 3 months’ time. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
NEW MIRRORS “The theological challenge of hospitality.” Include the seeking in our community. Without intention, many church models aren’t wired to be a community that helps people progress in discipleship of Jesus Christ. Terry Linhart, Ph.D. - TerryLinhart.net
Ebonie Davis’s 2011 Exemplars Study (USA) • Depend on the Holy Spirit. • Be intentional about diversity. • Pursue cross cultural competence. • Promote a spirit of inclusion.
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