YOUTH MINISTRY FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD

APRIL 24 - 25, 2009St. Paul School of Theology

Dr. Peggy KendallBethel University

St. Paul, MN

Things are Changing

Immigrants & Natives

Life of an Immigrant

Nothing is natural

Old ways are better

Life of a Native

It’s second-nature

Hardwired differently

Digital natives – Born 1990

PCs are 15 years old Pong is 18 years old

Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2009

Today: 60% of teens

have a computer

Today:97% of teens play

video games

Racing (NASCAR, Mario Kart, Burnout) 74%

Puzzle (Bejeweled, Tetris, Solitaire) 72

Sports (Madden, FIFA, Tony Hawk) 68

Action (Grand Theft Auto, Devil May Cry) 67

Adventure (Legend of Zelda, Tomb Raider) 66

Rhythm (Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution) 61

Strategy (Civilization IV, Command and Conquer) 59

Simulation (Sims, Rollercoaster Tycoon) 49

Fighting (Tekken, Super Smash Bros., MortalKombat) 49

First-Person Shooters (Halo, Counter-Strike, Half-Life) 47

Role-Playing (Final Fantasy, Blue Dragon Republic) 36

Survival Horror (Resident Evil, Silent Hill,Condemned) 32

MMOGs (World of Warcraft) 21

Virtual Worlds (Second Life, Gaia, Habbo Hotel) 10

Digital Natives – Born 1990

Cell Phones are 15 years old

AIM is 12 years old

Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2009

Today: 75% of teens have a

cell phone

Today:68% of teens use

instant messaging

Digital Natives – Born 1990

Myspace is 6 years old Flickr is 6 years old

Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2009

Today: 70% of teens use

social networking

sites

Today:60% of teens post photos

online

Facebook is 5 years old

Digital Natives – Born 1990

Today:• 40% of teens have

video cameras• 25% have uploaded

videos• 75% view videos on

video-sharing sites

Youtube is 4 years old

Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2009

Cultural Brokers

One foot in each world

Help make choices about what to accept or reject

Challenges

Boundaries

Conflict Skills

Presence

IM Love SongNick Thune

Challenges

Boundaries

Conflict Skills

Presence

Challenges

Challenges

Boundaries

Conflict Skills

Presence

Ministry Opportunities

Making a Connection “What’s new?” “What’s wrong?”

Providing a Gateway Welcome Welcome back Deeper conversation

Proclaiming the Gospel Take a look Make a commitment Speak their language

Ministry Challenges

Time

Boundaries

Association

Noise

I Corinthians 9:19-22

“Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people…I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!”