Hitting a moving target requires an ever-changing aim. This is as true in youth ministry as
anywhere else. The aim of youth
ministries historically has shifted as the needs in society have changed. It’s hard for us in the 21st
century to imagine a world without adolescence, a world that would not
understand the concept of a full time youth pastor. We only need to turn the clock back a few centuries to find
our role in the church completely irrelevant. Why is that? In
the early days of youth ministry, specifically the 19th century, much of the
efforts toward youth were devoted to children. Most teenagers were in the work force at that point. Later in the century the public high
school emerged and by the early 1900’s the concept of adolescence was first described
by psychologist G. Stanley Hall.
So, it’s not surprising that the aim of youth ministries historically
has changed.
In a blog post for The Gospel Coalition, I looked at the
history of youth ministry from the middle of the 20th century forward
to see significant developments. In
this post we will look at just a few purposes or aims of youth ministries in
the past. For a more comprehensive
look at the history of youth ministry, I would suggest Mark Senter’s book “When God Shows Up: A History of Protestant Youth Ministry in America.” Meanwhile, let’s look at just five
purposes that youth ministries have served or are serving at some point in
history. I am sure you can think
of more.
1.
To keep
kids off the streets. Several
ministries to young people emerged in history for the specific purpose of
keeping kids off the streets. The
YMCA is an example of an organization that formed because rural young people
were moving into the cities to find work and needed support in their new life
in the city. A gospel opportunity
was seen and the YMCA became a place to gather young men and provide Bible
studies, fellowship, and prayer meetings.
Many American youth ministers today would not describe this as their primary
purpose for youth ministry. The typical suburban teen has more activities in
their life than they have time for. Yet as I spoke with an Egyptian pastor
recently I heard of a real need for the church to provide a safe haven from
life on the streets. He described
to me how seven days a week loads of teens show up at his church and they feed
them, help with homework, provide Bible studies, prayer, activities, etc. What might not be viewed as a currently
relevant purpose in one context may be vital in another.
2.
To keep a
vibrant faith in the lives of young people. In the late 1800’s, Christian
Endeavor emerged as an international movement that sought to help young people
grow in their walk with Christ. Several mainline denominations soon formed
their own organizations for similar purpose. The denominational versions could take on a more
catechetical approach as they brought to the table their own particular
theological and ecclesiological emphasis.
3.
To
provide Christian fellowship for teens. Following the formation of denominational organizations that
promoted Christian faith, local churches began fellowship groups for young
people. These in some cases shifted the focus from discipleship to training in
churchmanship. In many denominations over time these fellowship groups became a
holding place for youth to be involved until they would be old enough to
participate in the full life of the church.
4.
To reach
unchurched young people with the gospel. The para-church movements of Youth For Christ and Young Life
took a decidedly more evangelistic approach. The emergence of a distinct youth culture created a context
to reach teens that were not being ministered to in the church. Youth For Christ began with
evangelistic rallies (Billy Graham being one of the main evangelists) and Young
Life took a local club approach where groups met in students’ homes.
5.
To make
disciples of young people. In
some ways reacting to the para-church movements, a number of organizations
emerged that either sought to disciple teens or created resources for the
church to make young disciples. In
some contexts this has meant resourcing or partnering with parents. Most American youth pastors would
likely describe their purpose in youth ministry as primarily making disciples.
Looking at the aims of youth ministry over history helps us
see how context shapes the needs and opportunities for ministry to students. My friends who do urban youth ministry
speak of the need to get students off the streets while those doing suburban
ministry complain that their students are far too busy for youth group
meetings. Most of us however would deplore the idea of simply providing
fellowship for youth because we have seen the need for making disciples and
evangelizing the unchurched. Some would argue that there was a time in recent
history when it appeared as if youth ministries existed merely to attract large
crowds and make the church leadership feel good about the future of the
church. Fortunately things are
changing in the youth ministry landscape both here and further afield.
Dave Wright is the Coordinator for Youth Ministries in the Episcopal
Diocese of South Carolina and blogs at http://fusionmusing.blogspot.com
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