Recently I spent a day with Mark Yaconelli, in the company of other youth ministers from the diocese, he was a real challenge.
Attending the Adolescent Soul was his heading for the day and he certainly helped us to attend to ours, as well as be challenged about working with young people.
Mark talked about working out of anxiety rather than the freedom of Christ and it rang some bells as we are part of a Church that focuses lots on falling numbers and reacting to rather than taking initiatives for growth.
He said that we "need to know God's love in the marrow of our bones." He challenged us that this is part of our calling, not to have a theology of, but a knowledge of God.
He also talked of taking Sabbath time to help us come to life. He pointed out that this is a commandment because God knew we wouldn't do it otherwise! He emphasised this by saying as a commandment it is as important as not killing people. By taking Sabbath rest we give space to receive God's power and liberation. He also said that to be a Spiritual Guide we need to spend time with the Spirit.
Okay, none of this is new, but it does hit home when you are challenged to how we enable young people to recognise God's presence, to do things out of freedom rather than anxiety.
It is about the challenge to live out our faith day by day. Amongst it all to be still and know God.
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