Research into Resources
Do you ever wonder about the personal impact of ministry stress? Do you ever suspect that the risks of your ministry might outweigh the ability you have to survive or be resilient in the midst of them? This report looks at the findings from a recent FYI study of urban youth workers from around the country, with implications for youth workers in every environment.
This article is an excerpt from a chapter in the new book The Gospel Remix: Reaching the Hip Hop Generation, by Fuller Seminary’s Ralph Watkins. Pastor-Professor-DJ Watkins explores ministry implications for reaching out to hip hoppers by facing hard questions church leaders are asking about hip hop culture, and applies these insights to cross-cultural outreach to kids in general.
In part 2 of this series, Dan again tackles some of the questions he most often receives as an expert on Hip Hop culture, and the questions you may be receiving as a youth worker trying to navigate the waters of Hip Hop’s impact on students you know. Pull up a seat and join the dialog, and let us know what questions you would add to this list!
OK, really: What exactly is Hip Hop Culture, anyway? Researcher Dan Hodge offers a user-friendly FAQ approach to Hip Hop in the first of a two-part series. Whether you think you “get it” or you know you don’t, take a look to see if you’ve ever asked the questions on this list!!
Backwoods or central city, your students identify with some kind of community as “their” space. Have you ever considered the levels of meaning attached to those identifications? This article takes a look into the roles of “place & space,” specifically in urban contexts.
Why do Black and Hispanic students who do well in school seem to lose friends? Reviewing recent social science research from Harvard, Dan gives us some interesting thoughts for reflection on race and education.
Why is it that so many white suburban youth are so into hip hop culture? Dan Hodge explores author Bakari Kitwana’s insights into Black popular culture and its powerful influence on non-Black adolescents in his new book, Why White Kids Love Hip Hop.
Could you see Jesus wearing a silver necklace with his initials (J.C.) embedded with diamonds around his neck? Are these styles pride and vanity in the eyes of God, or are they fitting into the culture so we can reach more people?
What does leadership look like in the current cultural conditions? What does indigenous leadership development look like among young people in the midst of our changing culture?
As a youth worker, what do you do with the passion, despair, talent, rage, anger, hostility, love, spiritual connectivity and enthusiasm that encompasses the life of Tu-Pac Shakur? How do you, as a youth worker that cares about both God and culture, deal with the constant contradictions between God and gangsta rap?
