I don’t believe for a moment that Mike is suggesting that youth work provision has declined in quality, that we’ve got worse at connecting relationally with young people. As he goes on to explain, the numbers of youth leaders leaving the specialism to become adult church leaders is frustratingly robbing us of a whole tier of more experienced leaders.
I think Mike’s got a painful point. As a general rule (yes, obviously there are many exceptions), we’ve loosened the expectations on holiness in the modern church; we’ve relaxed the requirements for character development and spiritual discipline. What if instead of being offended by Mike’s statement, we saw it as a challenge from a prophetic voice who has earned the right to say something a little bit outrageous?
Martin Saunders, deputy CEO of Youthscape
At first I thought I had taken Mike’s comments too personally but after a few days I still feel the same, heading in to the office this morning my heart was heavy and outlook glum. As an employed youth worker I find those comments harsh and demoralising, I hope that what he is saying is connected to the numbers of youth leaders leaving to be ordained but even so it doesn’t leave a positive message to those of us still left in youth work (and yes I am feeling left behind).
Andy Chrin, youth ministry leader, Colchester Road Baptist Church
The challenge youth ministry faces is more nuanced than the picture painted by Mike. The average youth worker I encounter is a middle-aged mum. Because lots of blokes (including me) write about youth ministry, I don’t think we have a grasp on what the ‘majority’ of youth workers look like - the average I am seeing is neither a middle aged man who is still doing it (Mike, me) neither is it a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears early twenty somethings waiting for the real “call” to ministry to come along.
Ali Campbell, a youth and children’s ministry consultant
As someone who was a salaried youth leader from 25 years ago, and currently a volunteer leader, it is important that we do not compare the incomparable and we must not look back on those years with rose-tinted spectacles. Some things back then were exceptional, some things not - it is no different today - some things are exceptional, some are not.
Roy Hutchinson, London City Mission
As those involved in training Christian youth workers, we observe that the context for youth work seems to be tougher than it was a generation ago, making a comparison between eras difficult. There are plenty of reasons for this - funding challenges and educational changes for example, alongside vast technological changes, impacting communication and relationships.
But rather than doing down those called to and persevering in youth work by questioning their quality, let’s recognise how tough it is and champion those doing it; advocating and profiling the variety and breadth of ways in which youth work is done, by Christians across our nation, not just in Churches. Let’s stand up for and demonstrate the value of youth work as a calling, providing appropriate pay and conditions for those in employed positions.
Alice Smith and Mark Scanlan, Tutors in theology and youth ministry, St Mellitus College, London
Some clarification and further thoughts from Mike:
When I read the interview I was horrified by what I said! I said a lot of things in shorthand and therefore the way I communicated reflects neither my heart nor meaning. I do have many concerns about the state of Christian youth work in this country just as I have many concerns about the state of the church. However, I in no way want to attack or denigrate the amazing commitment and service of our full time and volunteer youth leaders. Every summer at Soul Survivor we make a point of honouring the army of youth leaders who bring their groups; we see their hard work and how amazingly they serve their young people, often at a great personal sacrifice.
Here’s the reply I wish I had given: I think there has been a drop in the quality of Christian youth work in the last few years for two reasons. Firstly, the church is not investing in youth work and youth workers as it once did. Many full time posts are disappearing and many volunteer youth workers have told me that their churches will no longer contribute to them attending training events. Over the past few years we have seen the Youth Work Conference, Youth Work Summit and SoulNet retreat all cease, partly because a drop in delegates at these events made them financially and practically difficult to sustain.
Secondly, within the Anglican Church, a combination of the push for ordination as well as the fact that there is no clear career path for youth workers has meant that many of our mature youth workers have left their posts in order to be ordained. We need to look at how we can provide more security for youth workers.
We need to invest in our youth workers and provide training opportunities in theology and communication skills for both paid and volunteer leaders. I regularly meet young people who ask basic discipleship questions, often around the area of sex and relationships but also regarding personal spirituality and how they can grow in their relationship with Jesus. I wonder if we could be doing a better job in helping youth workers to address these key discipleship issues.
I think it’s absolutely vital that each of us involved in youth work continually develop and deepen a close personal relationship with Jesus. We should be leading by example, getting out our Bibles with our young people and grappling with what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in today’s culture. We need to be challenging ourselves and our young people to be holy, radical disciples. And now, more than ever, the Church needs to be intentionally investing in and supporting youth workers as they seek to support their young people.
For all the challenges we are facing, there are many heroic youth workers, both paid and voluntary, who are making a huge difference in the lives of countless young people.
