Apart from during the FIFA World Cup, ABC 4 KIDS is the number 1 TV channel in our household. Mister Maker is one of our favourite shows. It’s made in England and features a zany host, Mister Maker, who makes all sorts of different crafty items. One of the repeated segments, in an attempt to teach little ones different shapes, is of a few people on screen dancing in circle, triangle, square, and rectangle costumes.
This is what they sing:
“I am a shape… la la la la. I am a shape… la la la la. I am a circle. I am a triangle. I am square. I am a rectangle.” I know this song because it has been repeated countless times by my kids… la la la la!
Now that’s using the word ‘shape’ as a noun. But a definition for ‘shape’ as a verb is “Determine the nature of; have a great influence on” (Oxford).
WHAT’S YOUR SHAPE?
When it comes to your youth ministry:
What determines its nature?
What are the significant influences upon it?
What is its shape?
All youth ministries are shaped by something. It might be the needs of teenagers in your area. It might be the desire to engage in culturally relevant ways with young people. It might be shaped by the expectations of Christian parents.
Of all the different influences on your ministry, what has the greatest influence?