Disciple: Seeing Heaven on Earth

Today's youth are real and relevant

By Amy Campbell

Imagine with me for a moment that we are looking back over history and the many youth movements that have come of age. Every generation of young people has had a cause and a greater purpose for which they stood. German youth rebelled against National Socialism and became the Swing Kids. Babies born after World War II became social activists and rebelled against the materialistic trappings of a new generation. If you spend much time around my dinner table, you will hear discussions about women’s issues and what pronoun should be used when referring to an individual who chooses not to identify as male or female. Young people are passionate about issues that have current implications.

Maybe it’s because young people’s minds are not constantly swirling with the challenges that come with providing for others. Maybe it is just that when we are born, we are much closer to the holy than at any other time in our lives. Maybe our youth are closer to a heavenly realm than adults, able to understand and comprehend what a holy world — a heaven on earth — would be like.

Young people, especially those in their teenage years, are able to envision that heaven on earth. Who wouldn’t long for such a beautiful and peaceful place? That longing draws them to ponder questions of acceptance, idealism and community. They decide they can make a difference, and they rebel against the powers of this world that corrupt and destroy.

A LITTLE CHILD WILL LEAD THEM

How do we minister with and to those who are questioning society and its values? We know that more and more people today are categorizing themselves as “nones,” refusing to affiliate with a religion or denomination. That categorization should not be mistaken for a lack of caring, though. People are still looking for something more: more spiritual, more fulfilling, more substantive. They long for intimacy, closeness and real relationship.

I recently attended a youth ministry symposium at The Divinity School at Wake Forest University and heard Dr. Evelyn L. Parker, associate professor at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, speak about a new model of youth ministry with which she is playing. She began her session by talking about the sociohistoric and sociocultural context in which she grew up. Parker is an African-American female who was a young teen in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, during the Civil Rights Movement. Hattiesburg and nearby Palmer’s Crossing were important centers for the movement during the 1960s, especially the Freedom Summer of 1964. Hattiesburg was the largest Freedom Summer site in Mississippi and host to many volunteers, participants and students working toward change. Parker spoke about walking from her church to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) office and watching through the windows the action taking place. She remembered the teenagers on the front line during civil rights marches. The young people were up front, the big names in the movement following.

Young people lead the contingent from St. Luke’s, Durham, that marched in the 2013 Durham Pride Parade. Photo by William Gutknecht.

She talked about meeting a young man this past year named Jonathan Pulphus, a college student at Saint Louis University who has been part of peaceful protests in and around Ferguson, Missouri. Her description of Pulphus’s peaceful efforts was unforgettable, as was the stark surprise of seeing members of the Bloods and the Crips in the photos. These young rival gang members came together and risked themselves to provide protection for the peaceful protest, protestors and protectors of one mind to make a difference.

Parker then began to speak about the context of the world in which we live today. Our sociocultural time stamp includes discussions of racial reconciliation, equality for LGBTQ persons, immigration and healthcare debates, increased levels of food insecurity, homelessness, climate change and sexism. The list is long, and it continues to grow, both nationally and globally. But every item on it offers us an opportunity as the Church to engage in conversation. Parker suggests we must rethink the mission of our churches and make sure they are relevant for our context. We must identify the deepest needs of our community and then:

1. Think theologically about the issues and hear what God has to say
2. Imagine what could be and what changes we would make
3. Strategize
4. Reflect
5. Refine

This is why we are called to do ministry with and for young people, for if our young people don’t see the Church at work in the world, fighting for change and social justice, we cannot expect them to become affiliated or remain affiliated with it. This is where the Church must take action and stand as a place where all issues can be discussed, without fear of being ostracized, where questioned are allowed, and open discussion is encouraged.

Who hasn’t seen a young person when he confronts injustice? He immediately wants to make a change. Young people, and some not so young people, can see clear through to the solution when confronted by injustice. Christians are a people who want to make a difference, and they should be striving to correct injustices. Parker said that, “young people have motivation for involvement,” and “idealism in the young is a gift from God.” So what do the German youth, hippies and those active in the Black Lives Matter movement have in common? They all present an opportunity to engage.

THE HEART OF HOPE

It shouldn’t be engagement for engagement’s sake, though. It must be a sincere dialogue that invites participation in matters where young people want to see change happen. For if we as the Church are not engaging in these issues, then the people - young and old - will go elsewhere to discuss them. We must allow young people the permission to ask the questions that are burning on their hearts, to be able to discuss what God is saying about these issues and imagine how the world could be different if the Church were part of the change. We must seek the Holy Spirit in these issues.

We don’t need to create elaborate curricula; we merely need to engage the issues of our time and ask the Holy Spirit to walk with us as we invite young and old to participate together in the action of God. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) In doing this, we open our church doors (and hopefully our hearts) to those who categorize themselves as “nones.” There is no crucifixion and burial of Jesus without hope of the resurrection. Hope for a new day, hope for an end to social injustice, hope for the hungry to be fed and the captives to be released. What our young people bring to us is hope. Hope for a better world and a brighter tomorrow. Hope for forgiveness from the sins that our entire race has committed against each other. I hope we continue to find new ways to embrace our young people and the issues about which they hope.

 Amy Campbell is a youth missioner for the Diocese of North Carolina. Learn more about youth ministry in the Diocese.