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YouthWorker eJournal -- April 15, 2008
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Youth Work Matters
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We all have those days when we wonder if the work we do with kids makes any difference. Here's proof that it does, from an unusual source! In a new book about Osama Bin Laden, we learn that a high school gym teacher invited a young Bin Laden to an after-school Islamic study group that deepened his faith and introduced him to the concept of "transnational jihad."We all know the results, which include 9/11 and other terrorist acts. But this story, from Steve Coll's book, The Bin Ladens, shows how a young man who had lost his father was befriended and shaped by adults in his life.Are there kids you work with who are fatherless or searching? If so, be of good cheer. The impact of caring adults can have a huge impact on young lives. (Hopefully, your impact will be more positive than that of Bin Laden's gym teacher!)
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iTunes Rules!
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It's official. Earlier this month Apple declared it's iTunes digital store had surpassed Wal-Mart Stores to become America's top seller of music.If you're looking for proof the world is going digital, look no further.
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Stressed Students |
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College can be stressful. Is it any wonder that college kids are stressed out much of the time?Nearly four of every 10 college students say they're frequently stressed, according to a new study, and almost 20 percent say they're stressed almost all the time. All this stress leads some to become depressed or moody, and many fall prey to eating disorders. About 20 percent of the students polled said they've contemplated dropping out of school, and one in six say they've had friends who contemplated suicide.But, while there are problems on the fringes, most college-age students report they're happy, despite all the stress. Nearly two-thirds said they were enjoying life. (Associated Press)
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Jesus for President Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, Zondervan; 2008; 368 pp., $16.99 www.zondervan.com
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The May/June issue of YouthWorker Journal contains recommendations and reviews of 70+ new books, curricula, videos, and CDs. Here's a review of a new book from an author many youth workers love. As a voter in the all-important caucus state of Iowa who has been barraged by advertisements, brochures, buttons, yard signs, and candidate visits, I have heard the messages from the presidential campaign trail firsthand. Yet, in the midst of the many competing voices there is a radical resource challenging readers to consider a different kind of movement. Jesus for President is a prophetic book that seeks to "broaden the definition of political ... to redefine it simply as how we relate to the world."Authors Shane Claiborne (The Irresistible Revolution, 2006) and Chris Haw's proposal of "Jesus for President" may sound a bit crazy, but they approach the topic with sincerity, creativity, and a deep biblical grounding. In doing so, readers are challenged to examine how our lives, country, and world would look if Jesus were the model for our policies and practices.They explain, "We are to be relevant nonconformists. We are to develop countercultural habits and norms (the Sermon on the Mount) and live them in the midst of an insane world. Much of the church, however ... sacrifices holy nonconformity for the sake of cultural relevancy." We are to question the status quo in peaceful, persistent, and hopeful ways in order to move beyond typical political dichotomies to promote the "third way" of Jesus -- an approach that involves alternative economic and power structures, new ways of relating to neighbors near and far, and a defense plan that resembles the peace and forgiveness of the Amish more than the Pentagon.This resource will contest your preconceived notions and political paradigms and turn your thinking and teaching about life and relationships upside-down. Though Jesus will not be on the ballot next November, and enacting all the ideas may seem overwhelming, Jesus for President is surprisingly practical. Action steps are provided to flesh out concepts such as how communities can organize to make streets safer without adding police and how we can better love the Creator and creation. If you are looking to go beyond the normal scope and structures of American politics, pick up this book and follow in the tradition of "a bunch of barefoot ragamuffins sent out in pairs with a vision for changing the world."
Joe Cilek is Academic Advisor at the University of Iowa.
[To subscribe to YouthWorker Journal, click here]
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The YouthWorker eJournal Survey: What do you do about stress?
College students are stressed. So are younger kids. What about youth workers themselves? Do you feel stressed, anxious, or burned out? If so, what you do about it? Let us know, and we'll report back with the results in the next issue.
I don't really have much of a problem with stress, and neither do my kids.
Stress is a factor for us, and I have tried to address the subject in my own life and/or the lives of my kids.
Stress is a big factor for me and/or my kids, but I don't know what to do about it.
Sorry, but I don't have time to answer. I'm too stressed!
Go to youthworker.com to participate in this issue's survey.
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The YouthWorker eJournal Survey Results: How will you spend your summer vacation?Last issue we asked you about your vacation plans. In 2007, Americans failed to take an estimated 438 million vacation days they had coming to them. Meanwhile, many workers in Europe take weeks or even months off.
What gives? Americans seem to be afraid of looking like slackers. Others are afraid that if they're not in the office, other workers will get all the plum assignments and promotions.
What about you? What are your plans for this summer? Here's what you told us:
Vacation? What's vacation? 26%
I will probably take less than a week off this summer. 32%
I am entitled to two weeks, and I am gonna use them. 20%
Due to seniority and good behavior, I am eligible for more than two weeks vacation and will use them all. 20%
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[To subscribe to Youth WorkerJournal, click here]
Thanks for joining us for this issue of the YouthWorker eJournal. See you next time. And I'll be seeing some of you at Group's national conference in Cincinnati. Sincerely, Steve Rabey, YouthWorker Journal editor, and our entire crew
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