Waiting Room
Reconsidering Youth Ministry
In the last issue of our Newsletter, President Cho mentioned on several occasions Andrew Root’s views of youth ministry, saying they were worthy of consideration and serve as a reference to the situation faced by churches in Hong Kong. In his book The End of Youth Ministry? , Root uses a fictitious story to illustrate the youth ministry in the contemporary United States, in which he brings up the concept of the “waiting room.” The “waiting room” in the story functions as a platform where people of all ages, young and old, come to this particular space to tell their life stories honestly, as well as pray for and build up the lives of one another. Based on the true reality of America, Root constructs the story of a young female evangelical worker, J., and uses her experience to diagnose the challenges facing the churches today, which are busy organizing activities to attract young people to church, while ignoring the most important thing in youth ministry – sharing lives and walking together with them. Although Root’s viewpoints are derived from specific circumstances, our teachers think they are relevant to the situation we face in Hong Kong.
Like in America, there are quite a number of Hong Kong churches whose youth ministry only emphasizes holding various kinds of activities to appeal to young people, while overlooking the importance of providing them with an education in faith. Youth ministers easily get worn out by too much activity, leaving them little time to spend or walk with young people. Despite all the physical exertion, the ministry can be disappointing.
How to Walk with Young People
Prof. Ng thinks Andrew Root’s criticism is mainly against churches that hold too many different kinds of events, forfeiting an opportunity to see God’s work in the lives of young people. Prof. Ng considers that the right amount of activity and programs such as discipleship training will not be of concern. Contact outside the church setting, like having meals together and interacting with young people in order to build up relationships with them, is equally important. Churches, therefore, need to balance between having “too few” and “too many” activity programs. Moving toward either extreme is not ideal. He strongly feels that a successful youth minister often spends time with young people, walks with them, and is actively involved in their lives outside of church functions. The most important and effective pastoral care often takes place not in formal fellowship and gatherings, but in engaging in the lives of young people. A hectic activity schedule will hinder efforts to build a true rapport with them.
President Cho points out some misleading ideas about youth ministry, saying some people believe that they must be fully responsive to young people’s aspirations and needs, but avoid lecturing them about right and wrong when walking with them as partners. But to him, it is in fact necessary for them to also get the right guidance along the way. In addition, from talking with youth pastors, he deeply feels the importance of establishing a relationship with young people, which is the key to youth ministry for every generation. Both youth pastors and young people can share their viewpoints on the basis of a healthy relationship, making teaching possible and effective. Some alumni have shared with him that young people do not need adults acting as “teachers” to instruct them. Rather, they need them to walk and establish a bond with them and based on that give them advice and instruction. Indeed, young people are drawn to spiritual things. These insights gave him much food for reflection and inspiration.
Prof. Wong Fook-kong also agrees that relationships are important, adding that every youth pastor has his/her disposition and style. It is necessary to discover and make good use of our gifts when it comes to shepherding young people, and establishing rapport with them according to our character strengths will yield twice the result with half the effort. In his sharing, President Cho speaks of an alumnus who has a very good relationship with young people from his church. The way he goes about forging close ties with them is not by holding all kinds of activities, but primarily by having meals together and chatting with them, as well as enjoying regular Bible studies with them. Prof. Wong also mentions that this alumnus talks humorously, which is his advantage. Pastors should, therefore, recognize how their strengths can be used in their ministry to maximum effect.