Behind the times?

Last year I had the privilege of editing a book called FAQs. We did some research at the Big Issue training days we run for children's and youth leaders, where we asked them which youthwork questions they most wanted answers to. We then collected the top ten Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and asked a range of experienced children's and youth leaders to answer them. FAQs is the result.
The book is reviewed in the latest issue of Youthworks magazine. I think it's a helpful and thought-provoking review. There are some quotes you would expect me to like, such as:
'this brilliant book brings many a biblical insight to both children's and youth work'
and
'every chapter is rooted in theology and yet maintains a practical approach'.
My thanks to the reviewer!

However, the quote that really got me thinking was this:
'while the authors convey some significant truths about this work, their perspectives all seem behind the times of today's youth ministry'.

Hmm... Do I agree that the perspectives in FAQs are behind the times? It's certainly true that none of our contributors reflect the newer expressions of church and youth work that are being tried by some youth workers. But is that a lapse? Or a choice? One of the questions that we all have to face, whenever a new approach to youthwork comes along, is whether we will embrace it or stand back from it. The view of 'Bible-centred youthwork' that is explained and encouraged in FAQs may well seem a little old-fashioned. But we believe wholeheartedly that we are first and foremost Bible teachers, and that teaching God's Word and helping young people engage with it for themselves, should be at the heart of what we do. Personally, I don't think that's being behind the times - but if it is, I suspect that I'm going to stay there!