What’s The YAM jam? The YAM Jam is a blog spot for conversation about ministry as it relates to – and is lived out by – young adults in the United Methodist Church in Iowa.
The YAM part is probably pretty clear. It’s nothing with any more theological depth than the acronym for Young Adult Ministry. The jam part may require a bit more explanation.
If you look in a dictionary – either the bulky kind found on a library shelf or one that may be more accessible online - the word jam has a bunch of meanings. Everything from definitions like “stuck in one place” to “sugary fruit preserves”. While those both might have something to do with the state of Young Adult Ministry, neither are quite what’s intended. If you wind your way through all the definitions for jam you’ll eventually come across a few that get closer to the heart of what The YAM Jam hopes to be.
Try any of these definitions of jam out –
- to play a piece of music in a free, improvised way,
- an informal gathering of musicians playing improvised or unrehearsed music for their own enjoyment,
- an impromptu performance by musicians who don’t regularly play together, or
- an impromptu discussion
– and you’ll be in the right neighborhood of what we want The YAM Jam to be.
What’s the purpose of The YAM Jam? What do we plan to accomplish?
Who knows? When the model is unrehearsed, impromptu, joyful, improvised discussion, it’s tough to come up with a purpose statement and expected outcomes. We’re guessing that there may be some complaining. There might be some expressions of frustration. Quite possibly there will be some words of exasperation with the way things are. But… there might also be some signs of a new way that could become a different way of being. Hopefully there will be some creativity and a lot of conversation.
Who’s invited to be a part of the YAM Jam? You. And anyone you know who is interested in some free-flowing conversations about young adults, young adult ministry, and the United Methodist Church. About once a week – or more often if the mood strikes us – there will be a new posting of something that gets us thinking about young adult ministry in a new way. Hopefully there will be something in what we have to say that provides enough of a spark – either of agreement or argument – that you’ll be inclined to take a look at it and comment on it.
Posts
Joining the Jam
ReplyDeleteYou are an important part of the conversation! Please read and respond to the postings, and together we will have a lively discussion.
If you are unfamiliar with blogging, here are a few notes on how to “join the jam”:
• Read and respond! Eric and I and future guest bloggers will post new conversations, and others will post their comments in response. Read through what other people are saying, and offer your own thoughts into the mix! Simply click on the word “comment” at the bottom of a blog to offer your own thoughts.
• Check back regularly. Each week—typically Wednesdays—we will post a new thread to spark conversation.
• Get an account. To comment on this blog, you will need to register with blogspot, which uses a Google username and password. To get a new account, go to: www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
• Discover your dashboard. Whenever you sign in to blogspot (go to www.blogspot.com and enter your username and password) you will automatically go to a screen that lists all of the blogs you follow. This overview screen is called your dashboard.
• Follow the post. In addition to clicking on “Follow the Post” along the right side of the screen, consider subscribing to the post. When you subscribe, you automatically get sent new postings or comments. In addition to the options listed when you select “Subscribe” on the blog, many email programs have easy ways to subscribe (perhaps listed as an option to “subscribe to an RSS feed”).
I hope this helps you get started. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to email me: ryanc.umc@hotmail.com.
Peace,
rc
I'm excited about this great spot to talk and share! Thanks for all of your work eric and ryan!
ReplyDeleteAs a part of my unending quest to remain young and relevant, I'll follow along. At least this way Eric doesn't have to be the oldest one here...
ReplyDelete