Being Culturally Relevant to Preteens
Note: I dedicate this post to Mike Branton, who was absolutely floored at my current lack of knowledge of preteen culture. Thank you Mike for inspiring me to launch something new!
Last month I hung out with some fellow preteen leaders, both at the preteen leaders’ conference and the FourFiveSix retreat. One of the things that stuck out to me was how out of date with preteen culture I have become. Up until 7 months ago, I kept a really good pulse on what’s going on in the world of preteens. I was up to speed on movies, celebrities, TV shows, music and what’s going on in the news. But not now…a lot happens in 7 months!
I have always valued being culturally relevant, but lately I am out of touch. However, I am ready to change. I am going to start blogging regularly about observations I see in preteen culture and give you ideas on how to capitalize on them. I plan to give you insights from movies at the box office, music, TV shows, books preteens are into and more. I will write about the pros and cons of what’s out there, helping to inform leaders and parents. I will offer insights that might inspire you to build a weekend lesson around a topic. It’s going to be fun, are you ready?
If you want to reach preteens, you need to know what preteens are in to these days. You need to be up to speed on the movies/TV shows they watch, the music they listen to, the websites they frequent and the current news that affects them.
Why?
You can use those cultural elements in your lessons and maximize your message. The method of communication is ever changing, but the message stays the same. Culture is the heartbeat of the method.
It gives you insight into what language preteens speak – what makes them laugh, cry or motivates them into action.
It gives you common ground when creating conversations with preteens.
Bottom line: If you want to effectively reach preteens, stay up to date on what’s going on in their world.
The funny thing about culture is that it shifts and changes often. What was cool 6 months ago might be out of date today. So, it is our job to stay up to date. I am excited to take this journey with you. Are you ready?
6 Replies to “Being Culturally Relevant to Preteens”
Michael Branton
Love it!!
ndiliberto
Hi Curt, it will be on this blog. Look for the culture category, which is where I will post them in. I just wrote a post about hunger games too. Might want to check that out.
Adam Boyle
Thanks so much for this! I run a pre-teen ministry in Ireland of about 80 kids. My biggest struggle has been to stay up to date with pre-teen culture to make sure my methods are still effective and relevant to the young people I minister too. This is a great resource for helping me stay relevant! Thanks so much!
ndiliberto
Ireland…cool! Glad to be of help! And the fact that you’re in Ireland brings up a really great thought. What’s relevant to your preteens may be much different than what’s relevant to preteens where I live. And since the world has access to this blog, it is important that everyone stay alert to what’s going on in the world of the preteens you work with. And Adam, if there is anything in particular that your preteens are into, let me know. Love to research it and maybe do a write up on it. Thanks for the comment.
Adam Boyle
Im sure you’ve already heard the buzz about them over in the States, but just in case you haven’t…one of the biggest pre-teen crazes for the last year and a half on this side of the Atlantic has been the boy-band ‘One Direction’ (from hit UK TV show X Factor). They’re pretty much the biggest thing over here, and from what I’ve heard they’re currently blowing up in America. Might be good to for some pre-teen ministers to exploit their popularity before they become old news. (Although that doesn’t look likely any time soon.)
Here’s a link to one or two of their songs. (One can understand why they’re a hit with the young teen girls. Lol.)
http://youtu.be/QJO3ROT-A4E
http://youtu.be/Y1xs_xPb46M
ndiliberto
Ahh yes, they are popular here as well!
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