It was a little over nine years ago but I can still remember how I felt right before my oldest daughter’s birth. It is the curse of being a first-time parent. The feelings of anxiety, fear, excitement and an array of other emotions as you await the arrival of your new baby. But this was different.
Some months prior, our doctor called us into his office and began to explain that our baby girl only had one functioning kidney. Her other one was not working properly. But more than that, there was also serious concern that her bodily waste was moving backwards into the healthy kidney causing serious harm to her life.
I don’t remember much of what was explained during those doctor’s visits. However, I do remember conversations about necessary surgery as soon as she was born, and the possibility that her quality of life would be greatly diminished. Had I known then what I know now about kidneys and my daughter’s particular situation, I may not have been as concerned. But eight years ago, as a new husband and a first-time parent, I was scared.
Looking back at that situation I realize I was having a normal response to the information I was receiving. Any parent would be concerned upon hearing their child’s body was not developing the way it should. Especially if it kept them from living a full and unimpeded life. Some situations are more serious than others. Yet, anytime a baby is born underdeveloped in any way, there is cause for deep concern. If I may, there is a very disturbing trend developing among urban youth workers that is producing underdeveloped disciples. And we should all be greatly concerned.
I’ve had the great privilege of doing youth ministry while serving as the Student Ministries Pastor at a church in the heart of North Philadelphia for almost a decade. I could share countless stories of the incredible, frustrating, joyously tiresome yet all around encouraging work I’ve been blessed to do. I have laughed to the point of tears and cried myself to sleep. I have taken kids into my home and cheered while attending high school graduations. I’ve wept bitterly at funerals and have witnessed the transforming power of salvation.
I say this to illustrate the fact that being in the lives of youth requires an understanding that there are some unbelievable highs and some heartbreaking lows. Still, when you see just one youth changed by the power of the risen Christ it makes it all worth it.
So, what is this great cause for concern that is hampering the long-term growth of urban youth? It’s the ever-growing tide of youth ministry being done apart from and away from the local church. The church used to be one of the central locations where youth could receive respite from what seemed like an unforgiving environment. Church youth groups that met weekly and provided fun activities, food, community, and encouragement from God’s word were not an anomaly. However, this is no longer the case.
Over the years, there has been a decline in youth attendance at church which has resulted in the traditional “youth group” being rendered obsolete. I must stop here to say that the disappearance of youth in the church is an issue that must be addressed. But I will withhold from addressing that presently.
My foremost concern is concentrated on answering a few fundamental questions regarding our topic:
- “If the church is not on the frontlines of engaging youth with the gospel and walking with them in discipleship relationships, then who is?”
- “How did we get to the place where the church is no longer spearheading the charge in discipleship among young people in the community?”
- “Why should the church be the central place where discipleship happens?”
- And lastly, “What can we do to ensure that our youth are best positioned in sustainable long-term discipleship relationships?”
Let’s dive in. If the church is not the primary agent engaging youth, then who is? Answering this question is tricky. So here is the simple answer: individuals and organizations. There have always been individuals who have taken it upon themselves to reach the youth in their communities and you can still find them today.
Unless you reside in these neighborhoods, you may never know they exist. But I can guarantee you most kids and their parents know exactly who they are. They are highly trusted individuals who carry the burden of mentoring more kids than they can count. These are the people who typically work a regular 9-5, but can’t help themselves from pouring out all their resources to make sure the youth they engage have a fighting chance.
There has also been a rise in individuals creating their own non-profit organizations for the direct purpose of mentoring and discipling kids. I was recently on a panel at a local high school for an event addressing the lack of male engagement in our city. Of the 10 men participating on the panel 7 of them had started their own organization built upon mentoring youth.
This has become the new normal. What makes this interesting is that many of these individuals are professing believers who belong to a church in proximity to where they’re working.
They are not the only ones doing urban youth work. There are also plenty of Para-Church ministries as well as other organizations (founded upon Christian principles) dedicated to the work of ministering to our youth. I have worked closely with one of the larger ones here in Philadelphia called Young Life.
They have a great reputation as they’ve gone into numerous middle schools and high schools throughout the city. Young Life has done some incredible work mentoring the young men and women of our city. Whether through weekly clubs or an overnight camp in the summer, their work with youth is but a picture of what we see happening on a larger scale across many urban cities.
Nevertheless, with all of the great work being done to engage youth in urban cities, the purpose for much of these organizations’ efforts is being shortchanged. “Why is that?” you may ask, it’s because many of their methods of discipleship are extremely “right now” focused, rarely preparing youth for after they leave their programs.
Time after time, I’ve witnessed kids who are thriving emotionally, spiritually, and physically while a participant in one of these many types of youth based programs. However, they eventually move on, going off to college or simply age out. I recently met up with one such youth and asked how he was doing. His response only confirmed what I already knew.
Since graduating high school there was no one really reaching out to him like before. He felt lost and unsure about how to move forward because he no longer had those supporting relationships. Here is the question I often ask youth workers whose work never results in their kids becoming a part of a church: “What happens to these kids once you’re no longer around?”
If you, as a youth worker, only draw kids to yourself or your organization, then you are failing that child. You’re robbing them from reaching their fullest potential. Discipleship is so much bigger than you or me!
It is about helping our kids see themselves in relation to who God is and who they are as a part of His collective people. The goal of our discipleship has to be so much bigger than just our kid’s personal relationship with God. It has to include being in relationship with His people too.
In my opinion, there are two primary reasons why so many are doing youth work outside of the local church:
And tomorrow I’ll address what those reasons are and how we can begin to position our ministries to promote long-term health in the lives of our youth.
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