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Discipling for Young People
Rob Clarke, who with his wife Anne, leads Kerygma Teams in Ireland and has 20 years experience of working with young people, reflects on his experience and the changes in culture that have happened over the last few years which mean a different approach is needed to engage young people in the gospel today.
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1 - Engaging the Distracted MP3s, computer games, bebo, mobile phones, TV, flashing advertizing - everyday we process mountains of information and have become quick to hit the delete button. How do we engage the distracted, spammed out, under 25 generation? Peter too was distracted. He’d been up all night, hadn’t caught a thing, he was thinking about his wife, the unpaid bills, his dissatisfied crew, and to add to the frustration he’d been taken captive in his own boat by the ‘next wandering preacher.’ How did Jesus engage Peter? He got alongside him - He did something with him. He went fishing with Peter! Two years ago we ran a mission to secondary school students in an Irish border town. Our school presentations included the usual mix of games, movie clips, music and drama – the students watched politely and seemed to enjoy the programme – but remained largely unmoved – and more critically, didn’t show up for the evening sessions in the parish church. At the same time we ran a temporary radio station in the town and asked some of the students to come and help us – we worked alongside them teaching radio skills and, as opportunity arose, shared our personal stories and the faith that motivates us. It was the students that had worked with us that came back for the follow up Alpha course. “Doing with” creates more opportunities than “talking at.” 2 - The Element of Danger
This summer we are chartering YWAM’s 41 metre sailing ship to voyage along the Southern Irish coast. Young people from a whole bunch of nations are joining for what promises to be an exhilarating 8 days. We will be learning to sail as we crew alongside experienced sailors – and we will share our lives learning, working praying together as one team. (See box for info). Real Faith is going to involve real risk at some point. 3 - The Power of Trust Peter was a big man, a natural leader, he wanted to make an impact and yet he also had a few insecurities, he wasn’t as brave or confidant as he wanted to be. Jesus saw the rough edges but he looked him in the eye and said, “I’ll make you a fisher of men’! He expressed a belief, a confidence in Peter, who in turn, though he stumbled along the way, rose up to become a mighty leader. When someone we respect believes in us – it makes a huge impact Young people blossom when they are trusted. Give them a demanding task and express your confidence in them. This can be risky for us older leaders – we easily become fearful of our reputation. We don’t want to appear half baked. Jesus was prepared to be known as the friend of a bunch of rag tag fishermen. He was ready to pour his life into these men and they went on to change the world!
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‘Put
out into the deep’ – ‘There is the hint of danger in
this statement. Clinging to a cliff, hanging off the rigging, jumping
out of a plane – this is where we come alive. It is when we’re
pushed out of our comfort zones that the mask of complacency comes off!
This is where our encounters with God and each other have a reality
and honesty. Young people know life is meant to be adventure, meant
to involve risk. In Ireland the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are
setting up in Moyross, Limerick’s notorious feud ridden estate.
And it is noticeable tthat it is orders like this and the movements,
leaders & religious orders that challenge people to the frontline
that are growing.