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Youth Ministries Task Force begins work 15-member group interviews Big Tent participants to gather information
by Bethany Furkin Presbyterian News Service
ATLANTA - At its first round of meetings, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly's Youth Ministries Task Force focused on gathering and discussing information from Presbyterians. And because the meetings were held in here during the first-ever Big Tent event, the group had plenty of sources to survey. At its booth in the Big Tent exhibit hall, task force members interviewed Presbyterians about their feelings and experiences with youth ministry. Participants answered questions about what makes youth unique members of the church; what distances youth from the church, God or Christianity; why youth ministry is important to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A); and what ideas should the church pass on to young people. Selected by the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly, the 15-member task force (five adults and 10 young people between 16 and 21) is charged with seeking input and finding and presenting model programs that focus on the needs and development of youth ministries. Within the task force, there are two teams - one will find examples of successful models for youth ministry, and the other will prepare a vision statement for youth ministry in the church. The group will report to the 219th General Assembly in 2010 with specific recommendations for designing youth ministry under the new vision. From the more than [100] interviews conducted, the task force looked for patterns in the responses. Among the common themes: youth are seen as energetic and inquisitive; that hypocrisy and worship that doesn't speak to youth are distancing them from the church; that youth are important to the future and present of the church; and that social justice and mission work helps youth put faith into action. Many people surveyed said that many young people find worship boring and often connect better to worship services at places like the Montreat Youth Conferences and the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. "The worship and keynotes at those places cater to youth," said Madison Munoz, a task force member. Task force member Hakeem Jefferson said that his church has lost some young members to megachurches that offer more activities and programs for youth. By pointing out that youth bring energy to the church, adults might be implying that they no longer have such energy, said Adrian McMullen, the General Assembly Council's associate for collegiate and young adult ministries. "The church needs young people, but could (those surveyed) really say why young people need the church?" he said, adding that some people are concerned about keeping traditions alive, even if they don't work for youth. "We want the church to exist the way it exists and we want the youth to like it the way it exists." The openness and trusting nature of youth might be something adults miss in themselves, said Gina Yeager-Buckley, associate for youth ministry. Questions and discussions are valuable, and youth seem to be able to engage issues differently than adults. "In an adult class when you do that, you're on sides and you get a banner and a button," she said. There is often a distance between youth and the rest of a congregation, said task force member Jacob Bolton, adding that youth go to youth group and adults go to worship. Youth groups are often more interactive and engaging, whereas in worship, things are often done to and for the congregation. Another pattern in the surveys was that youth need to know they're loved by the church. But knowing you're loved isn't enough, the group said. You also need to know how to pass that love on, especially as it relates to Christianity. "You know you're loved when you know more about the one who loves you," said task force member the Rev. Rex Espiritu. Youth can't just be loved, they also have to be heard, said the Rev. Kelly Wiant-Thralls, chair of the task force and associate pastor at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, PA. "In order to become leaders in the faith," she said, "youth need to know that their opinions have value, and they have to be allowed to ask questions." The task force will meet again in September in Harrisburg, Penn. |
