Young men and women alike, old and young together, let them praise the name of the Lord. Psalm 148: 12-13 (NRSV)
Introduction
The people of God have been on a faith journey to care for generations to come. Our knowledge and awareness of young people in the world, their gifts and graces, their struggles and challenges, has increased over the past several decades. With the proliferation of communication technology in all forms, the needs of young people are reported daily. Because some of these reports are alarming, there has been growing concern within The United Methodist Church about emerging generations. The church is seeking ways to address these concerns and to also affirm and celebrate the many contributions of young people today.
The Book of Discipline gives the General Council on Ministries the discretion, as well as the duty, to recommend to General Conference that one single issue, because of its critical importance, be made a priority for all United Methodists. Furthermore, it is expected that, after serious reflection, the General Council on Ministries will also recommend ways for United Methodists to re-focus its mission to address that issue. A shared mission focus for young people is such a priority and is a response as well.
At the 1992 General Conference in Louisville, it was declared that "the church"must do more to address the needs of young people, The terminology of "young people" is being adopted in this proposal as opposed to "children," "youth," or "young adults" which typically imply specific age or school categories. This proposal utilizes an experiential age definition that allows for flexibility and is based upon the knowledge that the onset of issues facing young people comes at an earlier age than in past generations and can endure longer, specifically, the spiritual, social, and emotional needs that are so critical to the achievement of wholeness. That declaration was predicated on the fact that participation of young people in The United Methodist Church is declining while the needs of young people are increasing.
According to John W. Santrock from the University of Texas at Dallas, "today's adolescents face demands and expectations, as well as risks and temptations, that appear to be more numerous and complex than those adolescents faced only a generation ago....High divorce rates, high adolescent pregnancy rates, and increased geographic mobility of families contribute to this lack of stability in adolescents' lives. The rate of adolescent drug use in the United States is the highest of any country in the industrialized Western world. (Adolescence, Brown and Benchmark, 1996) The rate of murders by 14 to 17 year olds increased 165% between 1983 and 1993. (James Allen Fox, Homicide Offending Patterns, Northeastern University, Boston, 1995) Other concerns such as increasing gang violence, identity issues, hate groups, suicide and secularization have thrust youth into a search for meaning and purpose in their lives.
"A young person from the leadership of the World Council of Churches speaks of his peers under 30 as the `expendable generation,' a reality giving many children and youth a `no-future'Brock, Peter, "The No-Future Generation?", The Ecumenical Review, 44, no. 2 (April, 1992). mentality." "There is an equally rapid turnover as young people reach the limits of opportunity and world view, often rejecting faith altogether. The mainline churches' retreat from youth education and ministry as a priority, and their failure to make youth partners in this ministry, have contributed to this phenomenon." Ibid., p. 186.
Therefore, the General Council on Ministries presents this document to the church as an opportunity to bring the good news of God's unconditional love to young people, to celebrate the lives and faith of young people throughout the world and to better respond to the critical needs and struggles faced by more than 50 percent of the world's population.
The Listening Process
The General Council on Ministries engaged in a process of listening and discernment as it set about fulfilling its Disciplinary responsibility of selecting a missional focus for the church. Many and varied listening opportunities were presented each helping to shape the proposed direction for this emphasis. Both factual and narrative information was gleaned all focusing on the realities faced by young people today.
Stories of individual journeys were shared. Pleas asking to be recognized as people of value having abilities and gifts to contribute to the church and society were heard. The pain of racial discrimination through exclusion on committees throughout the church were heard. Testimonies to the need for God in their lives and the importance of a sustaining faith were heard. And, greater sensitivity to young people living in other cultural settings outside the U.S. was affirmed as needed.
Through several recent studies, issues focusing on young people have been in the forefront. Respondents to a 1994 study, performed by the General Council on Ministries, rated needs of youth as second highest in the listing of critical issues requiring special emphasis. From the Connectional Issues Study Survey, responses from members of local churches included: concerns of aging leadership, concerns of aging members, and hopes for young adult growth in membership and responsibility.
And opinions from annual conferences were shared. One study performed by GCOM indicated that annual conferences believe that the mission of the local church encompasses both a) making disciples, reaching the unchurched especially in "boomer, buster and x generations" and b) responding to crisis, poverty, and other social ills first within the local community and then in the larger world.
Listening occurred through youth gatherings such as Youth `95--a conference for youth from around the world focusing on spiritual growth and celebrating and witnessing to their Christian faith. Other contributing voices have been the National Youth Ministry Organization (NYMO), which for the past ten years has called on the church to address such issues as youth leadership development; youth at risk and vocational issues; United Methodist Women through its Campaign for Children and long-time commitment to youth and young adults; The rural chaplains; and conference, district, and local youth groups and organizations. Other listening forums included the Forum of Adults in Youth Ministry; Youth Initiatives team of the General Board of Discipleship; the youth and young adults on the General Council on Ministries; the East Ohio Youth Annual Conference resolution supporting GCOM's emphasis on young people including a letter of support from the Mt. Vernon District Youth, East Ohio Conference.
The message heard from all of the above has come in two parts. First, the people of God must reach out to young persons so young persons may share in the unconditional love of God and Jesus Christ. And, young people must be challenged to become partners in Christ's ministry, both in and outside the church. Second, many believe that the church has been slow to respond and must be about the business of focusing on young people.
Insights From the Listening Process
Although the public receives many messages about the problems of young people, the listening process verified the enormous positive contributions of young people to society--within and outside the church.
At times, young people are alienated by members of the church. The barriers of discomfort and apathy need to be broken down and partnerships established.
Within The United Methodist Church, the local church is where most of the day-to-day ministry with young people occurs; however, most young people are outside of the local church. Therefore, creative, flexible indigenous youth ministry is needed in all communities. We need to "listen to and meet young people where they are." This approach may, in turn, revitalize all young people inside and outside the local church. Resourcing and supporting all efforts is critical.
God has been moving through current initiatives in the UMC that are working in "new ways" to live out and share the Gospel. Three examples are the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry, Native American Comprehensive Plan and the Communities of Shalom. These initiatives have taught us the need for and value of a shared mission focus.
Districts, annual conferences, jurisdictions, central conferences, and general agencies focus, in part, on issues related to young people and staff and financial resources are allocated to support this work. However, coordination and collaboration among these instruments of God's mission need to be enhanced.
God's call to be with and for young people around the world has also been heard by the episcopal leadership of The United Methodist Church. The Council of Bishops, through its Episcopal Initiative on Children and Poverty, will be examining the needs of children worldwide and "can lead The United Methodist Church to a transforming response to the reality of God's presence and ministry with the world's children." The shared mission focus and the Episcopal Initiative are mutually supportive and will serve as contributions to the whole church.
The Vision
The vision for the Focus on Young People is: a shared response to the joys and pains of young people around the world, through the Good News of God's unconditional love in Christ.
Every level of the church, especially the local level, is being called by God to participate in making a difference in the lives of young people around the world through their understanding and response to the Gospel. This shared mission focus will bring God's grace to our creative ministries and programs growing out of the local context. The shared mission focus is about:
the United Methodist Church moving forward as a unified body with a unified vision and commitment toward an agreed upon goal related to young people within and outside the church;
maximizing resources for greater effectiveness in addressing the needs of young people;
celebrating the achievements of young people throughout the world.
The call to The United Methodist Church is to reorder its priorities and focus on the needs of young people and to enable young people to be participants in the life and work of the church. New ways of implementing ministry must be discovered and instituted if we hope to attain a world of wholeness for existing and future generations. "New wine skins" are needed for the new age and for the challenges that are accompanying this age.
A Shared Mission Focus
A shared mission focus is a new way of creatively living into this vision of a "shared response to the joys and pains of young people around the world, through the Good News of God's unconditional love in Christ."
It Is Shared because it comes from and belongs to every part of the church. It is shared because it will take United Methodists working together in task forces, local churches, districts, annual conferences, jurisdictions, central conferences and the general agencies for the response to cause a real difference. No one part of the church can do it alone. It is shared because this work is done together with God.
It Is Mission because, in the spirit of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, it is people to people. We are being sent in response to a critical need in God's world. It is mission because it is action.
It Is Focus, not a "program." This shared mission focus is a way of seeing and focusing on young people in our world. It calls us to turn our heads, open our eyes, feel with the heart, and look deeply into the eyes of young people all around us. It is this focused seeing that then inspires United Methodists to focus the creativity, energy, and resources that can flow from every part of the Body of Christ in this shared mission.
Opportunity for Action
This shared mission focus is a locally-driven concept--here the ideas, energies, and strategic plans are generated by United Methodist Christians in local places. In fact, the first priority is to meet young people with ministry wherever they are, be it inside the church or outside. This shared mission focus must be an outreaching witness dedicated to local ministry for, with and by young people--regardless of church structures. The role of districts, annual conferences, jurisdictions, central conferences, and general agencies, is to share resources for listening, dreaming, and moving into action as a part of God's mission with young people in localities around the world. Local churches will be encouraged to form creative partnerships with all entities in the church, ecumenical, and community organizations in an effort to achieve the goal.
Shared Mission Focus Components
1. Discovery and Theological Grounding
For all United Methodists in local settings, both discovery and theological grounding are simultaneous, interlocking processes and are most effectively accomplished in an environment of flexibility and openness to the movement of the Spirit. These processes are strengthened with a strong commitment to caring for and acceptance of all young people.
The discovery process is a continuous one that involves listening to the voices of young people. We must gather information and specifically identify the realities in which young people find themselves and assess their needs. This process requires moving beyond the four walls of the church--out into the neighborhood and larger community.
Issues around which we will listen may be identified by asking such questions as: "What are the assets of young people in our church and in our community?" "What are the needs and challenges facing young people?" "How can our church engage in a more effective and holistic ministry with young people?" "What resources will be needed to undergird this ministry?" "Are there existing models to draw upon for our ministry?" Due to the uniqueness of each local context, an openness to other questions is encouraged.
This process of discovery will be undergirded with a to-be-developed training component and resources.
Discerning God's call for the local church in its ministry with young people comes when we begin to ask: "What is it that God is calling us to do?" Listening, bible study, experience, and prayer among others, will be important in discerning the vision and mission. This shared mission focus is rooted in the belief that we all must have a strong commitment to our respective ministries and give personal witness about what God is doing in our lives. Failure to respond to this call with boldness would be to close our hearts and minds to the new vision God has given our church.
2. Resourcing Ministry Action Plans
Ministry action plans, developed by local churches, will be supported by the following culturally and geographically sensitive resources:
- A comprehensive data bank will be created to provide information on models addressing specific needs of young people. These models will be broad-based, including United Methodist efforts, other denominational and inter-faith efforts, and community efforts. It will be the role of the General Council on Ministries to identify an entity to develop this data bank.
- Print media and electronic resources--These resources will be available to local churches and communities and will be developed by the supporting church structures.
- Dynamic Issue Forums related to ministry action plans--Ten topical forums will be sponsored in various locations on critical topics related to young people. The forums will present information about successful models of ministry--models that are transforming lives. Through a process of listening, sharing, and identifying common elements of ministry, participants will design and generate resources to be utilized in their respective ministries and by the general agencies of the church. The sessions will be creative and motivational and will press the ordinary boundaries of ministry. Strong emphasis will be given to models that address root causes and creative solutions for systemic change. The forums will be designed to take participants to the "cutting edge" of issues and to introduce new concepts of mission.
3. Interpretation
Promotional materials will be designed and distributed to mobilize support for the shared mission focus.
4. Celebration and Jubilee
A mid-quadrennial celebration for lifting up successful ministries with young people will be designed and, if possible, linked with other celebrative mission events occurring within the denomination. Time will be spent assessing progress and identifying continuing needs.
5. Shared Mission Focus Team
Throughout this process, there will be a Shared Mission Focus Team which will meet one or two times during each year of the quadrennium and will serve as:
a coordinating body for the shared mission focus;
a clearinghouse for ideas and for on-going discernment;
a forum for reflection with the church about how the shared mission focus is making a difference and for exploring additional directions;
a forum for determining ways of greater collaboration including the pooling of human and financial resources to maximize effectiveness.
Membership in the Shared Mission Focus Team (voice and vote) will be comprised of persons selected by the General Council on Ministries from a pool of names submitted by the bodies named below. The categories of membership include:
One young person and one adult from each jurisdiction 10 (A pool of names, caring for inclusiveness in race, gender, age and variety of ministry settings, to be submitted by the jurisdictional councils on youth ministry)
One young person or one adult worker with youth from each 3 of the three continents (Africa, Asia, Europe) (Names to be submitted by the central conference Council of Bishops)
One young person from GCOM 1
Five persons at large (for inclusiveness and expertise) 5 (Names to be submitted by the jurisdictional councils on youth ministry in consultationwith National Youth Ministry Organization (NYMO), the racial and ethnic caucuses, the Student Forum, the Campus Ministry Office of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the central conference Council of Bishops) ___
Total 19
Resource Persons for the Shared Mission Focus Team will be:
A bishop, related to the Episcopal Initiative "Children and Poverty," to be named by the Council of Bishops (at their expense)
One staff representative from each of the four program boards, one representative from UMCom and one staff representative from NYMO (at their expense).
Administration and Staffing: Remaining faithful to its Disciplinary mandates, the General Council on Ministries will perform the coordination and administrative functions, including the administration of funds received for the shared mission focus. The General Council on Ministries will also care for the staffing needs of this initiative.
Conclusion
We, as United Methodist people and churches around the world, are being called to hear God's voice--a call that is moving us to a new place, a new ministry, a new "promised land." We have an opportunity to "transform" the world. The question before us is whether we are willing to do so. We must move from apathy to loving concern, from alienation of young people to unconditional acceptance. It is the only kind of movement that will make possible a shared response to the joys and pains of young people around the world, through the Good News of God's unconditional love in Christ.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21678-GJ-NonDis-O$
1996 United Methodist General Conference