By Christian Harvey

It is obvious that Christmas has gone from celebrating the birth of the prince of peace to a celebration of the victory of consumerism.  But how do we talk about it with our teenagers?  Here are a few resources that I have found helpful in starting up conversation around consumerism and Christmas:

What Would Jesus Buy?

A documentary following Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping as they travel across the U.S. toward the “shopocalypse”!  It is at points hilarious, at times troubling at times incredibly touching.  This film works equally well with adults or with youth, so try something crazy, get parents and youth to watch the film together!

Advent Conspiracy

A movement trying to get Christmas to be less about buying and more about worshiping fully, spending less, giving more, and loving all.  A website full of resources, ideas and stories, this movement to go from buying stuff to solving water issues around the world is something your youth may get excited about.  Check it out here.

Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King

One of my favorite children’s books of all time, this funny, touching and beautiful story can be a great way to ease youth into the conversation.  And seriously, who doesn’t love a kid’s book.

Now I know, it is getting really close to Christmas, and though these may be great ideas, it is a bit to late.  Well friends, it turns out that consumerism is not just an issue at Christmas time, but year round.  Here are some non-Christmas related resources.

The Story of Stuff

Shorter then WWJB, this film looks at the impacts of our consumption on the environment and other people.  Done in a very accessible way, this video is a great starting point for discussing the impact of our stuff on our world.  Check it out here.

Last, music video’s can be a great way to start the conversation with your youth.  Here are two that look at consumerism from very different angles.

Wings by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

One of my youth introduced this video to me.  A song about how the artist was recruited into the movement of consumerism through his shoes.  An amazing song and a powerful video.

I Own You by Wax Tailor ft. Charlie Winston

A really cool video, and an interesting song from the perspective of your stuff.

Consumerism is probably the biggest issue facing our youth and society today.  If we want to help our youth explore the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus, we are going to have to make them aware of the current God of stuff that demands their allegiance.  If you have any resources, please let us know.

christian Books, Creative Arts, For Leaders, Life Issues, Media, Movies, Music, News, Pop Culture, Resources, Social Issues, Stories and Articles Advent, Christian Harvey, Christmas, Consumerism, God, Resources, Youth Ministry

Sister Elizabeth Ann, (yes, there are Anglican nuns!) gives us food for thought to begin Lent in this podcast

judy Life Issues, Media Podcasts, Shake Me Up

The Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary has a large number of free online resources, including podcasts, audio journals and print articles –  all designed to help you develop your skills or take them to the next level in working with youth in the faith community.

Here is the link to the Youth Church and Culture lectures on the Princeton Theological Seminary site.

For each year, there are between 8 and 10 lectures in print form each addressing that year’s theme in some way.  That’s over 100 engaging lectures on the subject of youth, church and culture for you to have access to!  Yes, it’s free.

 All the lectures are in pdf format.

judy Media, Resources Youth Ministry 'How To'

The Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary has a large number of free online resources, including podcasts, audio journals and print articles –  all designed to help you develop your skills or take them to the next level in working with youth in the faith community.

Here is the link for the Podcasts

staff Media, Resources Youth Ministry 'How To'

This is the audio version of the interview I had with Christian Harvey in the fall of 2008.  I hope you have as much fun listening to it as we had in recording it.

Youth Ministry Interview 1

Youth Ministry Interview 2

matthew For Leaders, Media, Youth Ministry - Hot Ideas audio, Christian Harvey, Interview, Justice, Youth Ministry

Geez Magazine

- Holy Mischief in the Age of Fast Faith

Geez magazine has set up camp in the outback of the spiritual commons. A bustling spot for the over-churched, out-churched, un-churched and maybe even the un-churchable. For wannabe contemplatives, front-line world-changers and restless cranks.

AdBusters

Journal of the Mental Environment.  

A critique of consumerist culture and what drives it.

Christianity Today

Christianity Today is an Evangelical Christian periodical.  The founder, Billy Graham, stated that he wanted to “plant the evangelical flag in the middle-of-the-road, taking the conservative theological position but a definite liberal approach to social problems”

Sojourners

Magazine of Faith, Culture and Politics.

Founded in 1971, Sojourners’ mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspire hope and build a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world.

judy Media, On-Line Magazines

Joseph and Mary talk things over in the cafeteria - in a scene from the movie

Full of Grace – The Nativity in 2008 – a film from East London Anglican Ministries (ELAM) in London, Ontario by Frank Booth.

Frank writes:

“Our Youth Group at ELAM had been wanting to do some sort of proper Christmas play for the people of our Church, but we wanted to do something a bit different.
Since I have a hobby for writing/directing/producing films and plays and the like, I thought this would be a fun project for everyone to be involved with.
This was the first film that I had written which actually got onto the screen, which is very exciting for me.
I feel that Christians have a tendancy to over-spiritualize some things in the Bible, and perhaps this could be counter acted by showing Biblical events in a modern context.  I tried to be as close to the Holy Scriptures, while taking a few liberties to show some other sides of the story.  All in all I think everyone really, really enjoyed the project, me especially, and in the future we hope to do bigger and better productions.”

All the money raised went to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign, which you can read more about here : http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/grandmothers.htm

 
Thank you for watching my video 

staff Media Holidays, Stories from Youth

Listen to an interview with Andrew Root,  assistant professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary and the author of Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry: From a Strategy of Influence to a Theology of Incarnation.

Andrew was one of the keynote speakers at the CanLead Forum in January 2009. CanLead is a new Youth Ministry training forum held annually in London, Ontario.  CanLead is an ecumenical gathering (Anglican, United, Presbyterian, Lutheran) of youth ministers for networking, skill-building and professional development.  The next CanLead will be in January 2010 at the Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre in London.  Watch generation.anglican.ca for news and registration information.

Also, have a look at the index and listen to a number of podcasts available on the Princeton Seminary Institute for Youth Ministry website.  Subscribe (it’s free!) download to your ipod and get some new insights on your ministry.

judy Media, Youth Ministry - Hot Ideas

Awesome slide show to back up an amazing song by Lost Dogs – consider playing this at a youth service, prayer or reflection time at a youth event or as a communion video.

Or, just watch and be inspired…

judy Media

This was the largest national gathering of Anglicans in Canada in 2008 – at the National Anglican Youth Ministry Forum at Huron University College in London, Ontario.

Anglican Church of Canada Webteam For Leaders, Media