So, you’re entitled to know something about the people behind the screen that are going to be responsible for the YAM Jam.
I’ll start and Ryan can weigh in as he wants to. I’m Eric Guy, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church who served churches in the communities of Fairview, Rippey and Perry in the Iowa Conference for seven years. I also put in a stint (or maybe it was a stunt) doing campus ministry at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation in Ames. Since 2001, I’ve been a staff member of the Iowa Conference, working primarily in the area of ministry with young people. The latest version of my job title says that I’m a Leadership Development Minister for Young Adult and Generational Ministries.
I’m passionate about the church being a relevant place for all people to connect with God, connect with each other and connect with the world. One of my favorite quotes – one that I’m both energized by and terrified of – is from Thomas Jefferson who reported said, “Every generation needs a revolution”. I live most days wondering if I'm on the right side of the revolution.
I love good conversations – and good coffee – and look forward to some of each while posting, commenting and reading comments on the YAM Jam blog.
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Hey, I’m Ryan Christenson, and I will be one of the regular contributors to the YAM Jam. I am a young adult, a soon-to-be ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church, and a person excited to be helping the Church connect with new generations of people. I currently live in Sioux City serving St James UMC. I am about to become a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I go on a musical pilgrimage once a year (I love a good jam).
ReplyDeleteOne word in Eric’s description especially caught my attention—“relevant”. I’ve had so many conversations recently with young people who want to change lives and transform the world, yet they avoid the church—including The UMC—because of institutionalism, baggage, and irrelevancy. Still I believe that the heart of Christ and the foundation of the church really is to make disciples and transform the world—that if the Church really is going about doing it’s work, we are infinitely relevant and altogether attractive to people wanting to make a difference.
And so I hope am hopeful that this Jam can be a part of encouraging, inspiring, and informing each other to make a difference in people’s lives, in the world, and in the Church. I look forward to good conversations and seeing real fruit come from our work together.
Here’s a head’s up for next week… We will be talking about Sarah Cunningham’s “Dear Church: Letters From a Disillusioned Generation”. Sarah will be speaking at the Unleashed conference some of us will be attending later in March.
Please introduce yourselves. Who are you? Why are you interested in Young Adult Ministry? Etc...
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm Katie Dawson and I'm a provisional Elder in the UMC serving a small church in a small town here in Iowa. I'm interested in this kind of ministry because I AM a young adult and it bums me out that there are so few of us in my congregation.
ReplyDeleteAs a pastor, but more importantly as a Christian, I have experienced how important the body of Christ that is the church has been to my own journey - it provides support and accountability and the Holy Spirit speaks through the lives of others... and I want so much to share all that is good about the church with others. yah, there are problems - but i'm not ready to jump ship yet.