“Practical theological reflection- reflection that connects what we believe about God with how we live as disciples of Jesus Christ- is the first task of ministry with young people.”

I have begun re-reading Starting Right: Thinking Theologocally About Youth Ministry a powerful and thought-provoking tome edited by Kenda Creasy Dean, Chap Clark, and Dave Rahn. Hopefully, I will be transitioning into full-time youth ministry at a church in the next few months and I wanted to reconnect with this book that has meant so much to me. Starting Right was one of those books I read before I gradutaed college. It helped me form my philosophy of ministry and helped me look at ministry to students from the perspective of the total mission of the church. I have enjoyed being reminded of how powerful and necessary practical theology is today, not just for my students but for me as well.

In the opening chapter, Kenda Creasy Dean tells us that “adolescents traffic in theology everyday.” However, she says, “most of their theological reflection goes unheard, unnamed, and unclaimed.”

They are unaware that their social studies discussion on freedom is a theological discussion. They don’t realize that the way they treat an unpopular classmate reflects a doctrine of creation.

We all, students and adults alike, engage in theological reflection whether we admit it or not. Just because I have the title of minister doesn’t mean that I have the theological market cornered all for myself. Theology is simply “human reflection on who God is and how God works in the world.” It is as simple as that. The way you veiw your job, the way you treat your coworkers or employees, the way you act toward people of other races, how you treat people of different religions, and the way you live your life all come from at least some sort of theological reflection on your part. You are a theologian.

I’ll continue this thought after the weekend but I want to encourage you to begin to hear, name, and claim the theology that you’ve been living. Be conscious of it.