#nymw19

It’d be remiss to have a go at blogging again and not tell you about the National Youth Ministry Weekend, wouldn’t it? A weekend of youth ministers across the UK (and beyond) meeting together under the fluorescent backdrop of Birmingham’s Resorts World. An unusual place of pilgrimage, amidst Cineworlds, Christina Aguilera concerts, Next Outlet stores and Wrap Chic. Whilst my soul was fed great nourishment, my body took in its yearly quota of fast food.

What a wonderful thing this weekend is, and no wonder the tickets sell out quicker than the Spice Girls dolls of my own youth. A modern youth ministry phenomena, put together by the excellent Youthscape bods.

It really is a special place and time. For me, it was particularly wonderful to come in much better health than my more fleeting visit last year (which I barely remember and nearly missed) and to come wearing my new Ridley Hall Youth Ministry hat*. The first day was an excellent gathering of those thinking about youth ministry from an academic perspective and then as Friday evening brought in the main event and the greater flock of practitioners, the energy levels somewhat cranked up!

One of the remarkable things about spending time with such a great gathering of youth ministers is just how much it fills up our hope tanks. Tweets and conversations echo the consensus that when we’re together we’re in our ‘tribe’. Despite it being the best vocation in the world, youth ministry really can be quite a lonely road. Normally you find us scattered on the edges of institutions, working bizarre hours and spending time with people mostly in the generations about and below us. We wrestle with everything: culture, theology, our practices, the pastoral beasts of our time, social media, challenging behaviour, consent forms and PCCs. And here amongst our tribe, we can take a collective deep breath in and out and speak fluently with each other in our strange hybrid language. No longer on the edges and right amongst our people.

For me there is always the joy to gather and catch up with some of the people who’ve shaped me most, been examples to me and cheered me along. People who’ve walked with me for years (I’ve been around so long now some could even claim decades), old colleagues, friends, partners in crime. And this year, like others, I’ve come home with more wonderful people in that circle.

I got to deliver a seminar on my favourite subject: Getting the church to (radically) listen to young people. I spoke about my research, about my ministry, about what I’ve learnt and what I’m still learning. I obviously talked about Paulo Freire and also my hunch that we might see something sacred in the midst of adolescence. I also got to share the platform (though not enough I fear) with Jon Sanders from Romsey Mill whose work I find so exciting and inspiring.

I also got to hear some great talks: both the audacious Natalie Collins and the ever excellent Lucie Shuker stand out for me. Two wonderful women that I get to call friends as well as teachers. And of course all of that other less formal learning you get to do over coffee and conversations.

So naturally, I’ve come home exhausted, yet inspired and encouraged by our motley crew. I’m especially excited by pioneering practitioners such as Jon Sanders and Levi Phillips, or those embarking on research and thinking so well about our practices as we seek to become more than we are.

And as this has become something of a speech, let me give a final thank you to my dreamy colleague, Kayleigh Prince, who chauffeured me so well (despite an extra foray into inner Birmingham on Sunday evening in the rain on my behalf) and ate McDonalds with me on both journeys .