I mistakenly left out an important word: some. The section that you quoted should have been “where some youth workers are know-it-alls”. Obviously I wasn’t making a “sweeping comment”, I am a youth worker after all and have read the positive feedback about Shane’s talk, from youth workers, as well.

My entry was directed at those [few] attitudes that posted comments on your site or posted entries on their own blogs about wanting to hear what Shane had to say about himself or opinions that he had and these [few] were disappointed in the fact that, instead, Shane read the entire sermon straight from the bible. Some feedback stated that anyone could have done that or that they were already familiar with the section that Shane was speaking on. It still shocks me that those that teach the bible to youth are acting so immature in not being able to get over an expectation that wasn’t met, especially when the alternative to their hope was one of Jesus’ most popular talks.

I agree that the select “few” that had issues were probably because of their “set expectations”. If you notice, my entry title is “Expectations” because of the people that were anticipating a first-hand account from someone and expressed irritation when, instead, the bible was read.

Call it a “semi-manipulative bait-and-switch”, I call it a brilliant way to teach about the bible.

the VAST majority of responses (both at the event, and through blogs and comments) was positive about what shane did. people thought it was amazing, brilliant, profound, etc. only a FEW people have struggled with it — and, in their defense, it’s not scripture they’re having any problem with, but the semi-manipulative bait-and-switch shane did. it’s not about whether youth workers value scripture or not. the question was about set expectations.

please be careful not to make sweeping statements about youth workers based on a few comments.