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Christianity Today, July, 2009 |

Less Edgy Conferences

Youth Specialties refocuses training events after pushback.

Bobby Ross Jr. | posted 6/23/2009 10:21AM

Even organizations known for pushing the envelope can push only so far.

Youth Specialties, a for-profit company owned by Zondervan, plans what its president Mark Oestreicher described as "dramatic shifts" ...

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Matt	Posted: June 30, 2009 4:59 PM

To be honest, I'm a little dissappointed. I have always enjoyed the keynote speakers and, honestly, have never found them to be all that controversial. The truth is, when I think of Mike Yaconelli, I think of honesty - regardless of whether it landed him in hot water or was a wise "business" move - my sense is he wouldn't have cared. It's too bad that YS is moving away from their roots....especially for cash. In the past I have come to hear something on the cutting edge, to be challenged to think in new ways about Jesus and Youth Ministry, and to leave with new stuff to chew on. Why pay hundreds for the same old? The last post even brought up the fact that mainline denominations are declining; that in itself tells me that we need to think in new ways, try new things, and integrate our faith into the reality of our lives without compromising the gospel. I hope that this years NYWC is more than just articulating what I already know. Why offer the same safe stuff as OC and NYMC?

tghali

Posted: June 29, 2009 10:21 PM

I've been attending YS Conferences for almost each of my 10 years of student ministry and I have been very grateful for their work. Honestly, last year's conference in Pittsburgh was probably my favorite because I did find it interesting and helpful. I am happy to not being able to attend this year but only because my wife is expecting but Lord willing, I would have attended anyway. There's so much to gain from a variety of things like the seminars and there's a lot of solid thought behind YS. While I find agreement in Kendra's comments, this may be a good year to change things up in a non-controversial way. But let's be honest, whenever Christians get together, they always a find a controversy ;-)

mark oestreicher

Posted: June 25, 2009 4:32 PM

just to clarify a bit: andrew marin was not the cause of these changes. we love andy, and he'll be at the conventions again this year (however, as part of our shift to make the convention more helpful to everyone who attends, andy will be presenting "labs", and will likely be a part of some of the "fishbowl" discussions, where discussion and interaction will be centerpieces of what takes place). likewise, the changes we're making were not born primarily out of pressure, or of financial outcomes. these changes are our attempt to have this event continue to change and grow to meet the needs of the real youth workers who attend. no backing off on our part: we see this as a move forward.

Scott

Posted: June 24, 2009 8:29 AM

No offense to Kenda Creasy Dean, but how does she take risks in her ministry? She lives in a huge house on the Princeton Seminary campus, she has tenure, and the stances she takes (i.e. being more "progressive" on the homosexuality issue) carry absolutely zero risk for her professionally. Second, how would YS continuing a more progressive turn be an investment in its future? Mainline denominations are in decline, and as far as I can tell there is no evidence that there has been a resurgence of progressive Christianity, even in the current political climate. It seems to me that YS should promote youth ministry that equips youth pastors to be more faithful witnesses to the gospel and not worry about having panelists who sole purpose is to stir people's pots. An example of such a person is former YS panelist Tony Jones, a man who has a knack for making people upset, and starting more arguments than conversations.

Dale Fincher

Posted: June 23, 2009 10:15 PM

I've lead seminars at two YS conferences and am published with YS. This change/transition will be interesting. I think YS does help stir conversation that a lot of evangelicalism refuses to be open to until it refuses to go away. I've appreciated YS's courage to follow Jesus when some evangelicals would rather not take such risks and then complain about it. Last year's event didn't actually sound risky and that people were offended is somewhat baffling to me. Evangelicals have often been 10 years behind the conversation... YS made them much close to what people are actually talking about outside our subculture. The only thing that remotely bugged me about the YS conference is that so many youth leaders act like teens when they attend... which is kinda ironic really. This new format sounds like it can be just as controversial... evangelicals don't have a good track record with ecumenism, even for the sake of truth and love... I hope I am wrong.

Gary Sweeten

Posted: June 23, 2009 8:54 PM

After serving in church and para-church ministries for forty years I have seen it all. Idealistic chellengers who speak loudly and carry a tiny stick because they have accomplished little if anything at conferences telling people how to radically change their churches. The people return home and blow the ministry sky high. The local congregation is goose that lays all the golden eggs of outreach is killed, and just because the inexperienced and naive want to start a radical and instant outreach to gays and ignore the older wiser heads nothing happens. As an organizational development coach I know how to bring change without killing the patient. Split churches, discouraged members and lack of ministry is the result. These people really do need a plan that means business and to cast aspersions on those who make plans is why we accomplish so little.

K.	Posted: June 23, 2009 7:43 PM


Sorry, not all Methodists are liberal. I attend a very large (over 7000) member Methodist church that is moderate to conservative.

j	Posted: June 23, 2009 7:22 PM

horse and doggy shows do not equal effective youth ministry; never have and never will. if Willow Creek Church finally realized that ministry is not entertainment, maybe there is still hope for YS. There have been changes since the departures of a few old "entertainment" oriented YS leaders, there have been improvement. Yet is difficult to make such a great cultural change from YS' histori the latest fad to a biblical model of introducing kids to Christ and helping them to grow up in him in all ways. Hope YS continues to change for the good.

John	Posted: June 23, 2009 3:45 PM


Having a business plan that depends on pleasing the largest possible group and minimizing offense does not sound like the gospel or the way of Jesus. There is evangelization and missions, then there is marketing. This sounds way too much like the latter.

Gravitas

Posted: June 23, 2009 3:17 PM


"Investing in the future requires risk, all the more so while you're banking your future on the imitation of Christ—who is not exactly known for playing it safe." Sorry, but I'll bank my future on the cross of Christ.

george

Posted: June 23, 2009 1:33 PM


""I don't see a big ideological shift here. I see a business plan in action," Creasy Dean said of Youth Specialties' announced changes. " -------------- Sounds right. Zondervan is just a cog in the NewsCorp machine. The same people who bring you Fox News bring you the NIV. It's about business, not about matters of faith.

Charitas

Posted: June 23, 2009 11:41 AM


Mark Oestreicher says "Youth Specialties' niche has never been to proclaim a certain slant. [It has] simply tried to get the conversation going." ... this is very doubtful.

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