Faith Lab: AWESOME SAUCE

When I watch TV (and it isn’t Disney Channel) I like light hearted comedy.  One of the the very few shows I look forward to watching now is Parks and Recreation.  It has a draw that I can’t explain and every season has gotten better I think.  The most recent episode was centered around a harvest festival that the people of Pawnee were having.   As they were setting things up there was a scene where April (the former inter turned secretary to the parks director) makes a confession to her boyfriend Andy (who is a shoe shine guy and is a bit dim). April says, “I love you!” To which Andy replies, “Dude, Shut up!  That is Awesome Sauce!”

April was not at all receptive to the response and shunned him for the rest of the episode until he explains that his love for her is way the “sauce is awesome” and that he shared her feelings.

When I saw this I thought about the way that youth workers connect with teens.  If we are not speaking in language that is accessible to them there will be frustration and poor bridges of communication made.  Notice I didn’t say that you workers have to talk like our students.  This can come off as fake, inauthentic and just plain lame to our youth.

I know that I select a different vocabulary when talking with students as opposed to when I am talking to our whole congregation.  My illustrations, use and kind of humor, word choice, and even speaking pace will change depending on audience.  When you are loving students make sure that you bring your AWESOME SAUCE when you connet with them.  Stay true to who you are, but be sensitive to who they are.