I spent the second half of yesterday with a group of thirty Uniting Church youth leaders from around the South East corner of Queensland.
First up was a trip to the movies to see Starwars Episode III. We went into Southbank to make the most of the cheap prices at Southbank 5, run by Cineplex. Only $7.90 for adults in the weekends. Compare that with $13 dollars in most cinemas around Australia! It was the second time I’d seen the movie. So at times I found myself drifting off to sleep. Not surprising considering this was the end of an exhausting week.
The evening session was a look at popular culture and theology.
We started with the EDS ads, “Cat Herders” and “Plane”. The Cat Herders ad is written up at Duncan’s TV Adland (The Inspiration Room). The Cat herders ad is a great laugh for anyone running programs for young people!
Detweiler and Taylor
We took a look at A Matrix of Meaning: Finding God in Popular Culture, by Craig Detweiler and Barry Taylor. Barry was on the road crew for AC/DC, an Australian heavy metal band. He’s now over in Los Angeles connected up with New Ground, an alternative worship gathering. Craig is associate professor of mass communications at Biola University.
We looked at a few of the ten life maxims according to advertising, as portrayed by Detweiler and Taylor. There are strong connections with youth ministry and advertising – in the way we present Jesus not as a product but as the one who challenges young people to live on the edge, challenge assumptions, live life to the full etc.
The “ten commandments” of advertising…
- Control Your Own Destiny
- Prioritize Your Life
- Get Connected
- Don’t Believe the Hype
- Get Real
- Be Proud of Who You Are
- Reinvent Yourself
- Be Yourself
- Have No Fear
- Break the Rules
Star Wars
And then to Star Wars.
We looked at the relationship between Anakin and Padme. The early stages of love that never grew to genuine maturity. Anakin is concerned for his possession of love, more than in Padme herself.
And then there’s the mentor relationship between Obi Wan and Anakin. Mentoring is big in youth ministry. It works best in an environment of honesty. Obviously Anakin found it difficult to be transparent with Obi Wan. We looked at the realities youth leaders face when those they mentor make decisions that lead to destruction. I told the story of the the local school admin block being burnt down by a member of my youth group. Definitely a low point!
The path toward destruction for Anakin and the Jedi was marked by significant opportunities for redemption. There were many points at which Anakin could have turned back to the way of the Jedi. He was not doomed from the start. We noted that those opportunities would continue right through to the point of his death when he does return as the Jedi.
We considered the weight of responsibility held by the church as it hands over responsibility to young leaders who may make mistakes. It is better to allow for mistakes than to frustrate them with lack of opportunity, sending them inevitably into exile and perhaps the dark side!
See also my posts
Spirituality, Mythology and Star Wars
Never underestimate the power of the dark side
Journey Article: Spirituality and Star Wars