A Conversation with Mike King: Part II
In our May feature article, we asked if camp is still critical to the faith formation of young people. In today’s post, we talk with Mike King about why Youthfront embraces classical Christian practices. Do young people respond to the classic Christian practices that have been around for 2,000 years? Mike shares the story of the theological and spiritual rhythms that shape a Youthfront experience.
Q. People are often surprised to learn that elementary school campers gather for morning, midday and evening prayer. What shaped that approach – and how do kids respond to it in a day and age when attention spans are miniscule?
We don’t involve campers in Christian practices, such as prayer, reading and meditating on scripture, silence, service, etc. as a “program curriculum.” We invite young people who come to Youthfront into a way of life that we embrace as a Youthfront staff community of Christian practice. We are a community of followers of God learning to live faithfully in the way of Jesus Christ. The spiritual rhythms of life we embrace form habits that nurture eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to discern the reality that God is present and at work all around us. A life of prayer, scripture engagement, and ministry is what shapes us as human beings who proclaim and live lives that declare Jesus Christ is Lord. In the secular age in which we live, time is accelerated and human beings are constantly under stress trying to keep up. Even young people are overwhelmed by busyness, which often leads to dehumanization. We believe it is essential to understand the need for presence. We strive to be presence-centered and develop practices that enable us to be truly present. Present to God, ourselves, others and God’s creation.
Q. Can you share an example of a prayer that is used in the prayer times that has been around for a long time?
Yes, first let me say that praying the Psalms, like Psalm 23, and praying The Lord’s Prayer are very important. It’s not that we avoid spontaneous prayers but we think it is also vital to introduce young people to the great prayers of the Church, some that have been around for hundreds of years. They are poetically constructed and theologically robust. For example, “Loving God, we offer these prayers, joining our voices to the great chorus of those who sing your praise and depend on you alone. We long for that day when all your children will live in your peace and praise your name. Until that day, give us sturdy patience and enduring hope, rooted only in Jesus, in whose name we pray, Amen.” We find that these classic prayers are easier to memorize and incorporate into the rhythms of prayer for our lives.
Q. Each summer, Youthfront offers a different camp theme curriculum. Many parents assume that curriculum and the camper journals are purchased, but it’s created by Youthfront staff. How does that come together?
It comes out of our own learning and passion for scripture. We focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and what that means for us as a staff of youth workers. We extend this into the ministry we engage with in the life of the campers whom God brings to us. Our staff studies and discerns over these themes and passages in the offseason, working together to develop each day’s focus and activities that will help campers explore the message through situated learning. The final step of our camp curriculum development process is to invite pastors and ministry leaders in partner churches to speak into the overall plans and our camper journal development.
Our theme this summer, Seeking God’s Dream, is a way to open the imagination of young people to the reality of God’s Kingdom and the movement toward God getting God’s way on earth as in heaven which we pray for in The Lord’s Prayer. God’s Dream is for human beings to flourish and live fully into the reality that we are created in God’s image and to truly Love God with all of our hearts, minds and souls and love others as we love ourselves. This is a beautiful life-giving possibility that can emerge in the seemingly impossibilities of our broken world.
Q. What advice do you have for parents or grandparents who want to help their children discover more about God in a meaningful way but don’t know where to start?
Love your kids. Remind them often that they are God’s beloved children. Remind them that nothing can separate them from the love of God. Let them know that you delight in them and are proud of who they are and who they are becoming. The greatest gift you can give to your kids and grandkids is to love and follow Jesus in your own life. Teach them with your life.
About Mike King: As President & CEO of Youthfront, Mike brings more than 40 years of youth ministry experience. A pastor, author and frequent speaker, Mike leads an organization known for its scholarship and practice in bringing youth and families into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. His book, Presence-Centered Youth Ministry, shaped a revisioning of the theological approach to youth ministry and classical Christian practices. Mike earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary.
