Andrew Root's relational youth ministry as a means of fostering authenticity in youth

Abstract

In my experience as a youth worker, I notice youths struggling to discover their identity and 鈥榓uthentic鈥� self. This quest seems to have become augmented in the age of social media. Philosopher Charles Taylor describes this phenomenon as grounded in our cultural experience that seeks to create a self through an 鈥渆thic of authenticity.鈥� However, Taylor argues that this quest for authenticity becomes problematic when it is individualistic and does not consider our relational nature, since the authentic self is a person and therefore relational. This implies that youth ministry, that seeks the true flourishing of youths, should assist youths鈥� quest for authenticity through building relationships. This is pastoral theologian Andrew Root鈥檚 approach to youth ministry as 鈥渞elational ministry.鈥� Root focuses on building authentic relationships in the light of humanity鈥檚 transcendental desire. In this dissertation, will present Andrew Root鈥檚 relational approach to youth ministry as a possible practical approach to help youth become more authentic selves in today鈥檚 culture. Dedication