The South African word “ubuntu” roughly translates as “I am because we are.”
A few years ago Archbishop Desmond Tutu explained the word this way:
One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.
What does this have to do with preteen ministry?
Everything. To connect the two (ubuntu + preteen ministry), here’s an except from the upcoming book Collaborate: Family + Church:
When we partner with parents, we create a dynamic relationship where success is built upon the work of both parties. It is not simply, “you do your share, and I’ll exploit you along the way,” but rather a covenantal give-and-take where my words and actions build into their words and actions, which build into my words and actions, which build into … well, you get the picture.
Parents + Pastors, Church + Family; this is “ubuntu” in your preteen ministry.
