Building Bridges is a three-year research project of the Institute for Youth Ministry and Lilly Endowment Inc., begun in January 2004. The project is designed to provide continuing education, community, and professional support for 18 pastors with a passion for student ministry (6 th grade and higher) who serve in congregational settings. The 18 Building Bridges pastors serve in congregations across the US, and represent 6 Protestant denominations. The Building Bridges Project seeks to learn from the congregations these pastors serve, in order to explore how these congregations support student ministries. The project coordinator has been making site visits to conduct interviews and observe student ministries. These churches are engaging young people in faith, community, and service. Though each congregation is unique, there are common themes emerging from site visits. Thus far the project coordinator has visited the following churches:
- Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church, Louisville KY
- Brainerd/Eastlake United Methodist Churches/St. Andrews Center, Chattanooga TN
- First Presbyterian Church, Rumson NJ
- Asbury United Methodist Church, Greeneville TN
- Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Marietta GA
- The Baptist Temple, Blue Bell, PA
- University Presbyterian Church, Seattle WA
- Ojai Presbyterian Church, Ojai CA
- Cornerstone Church, Lee’s Summit, MO
- First Baptist Church, North Wilkesboro, NC
A site visit typically takes place over a long weekend, in order to hold interviews and participate in church programming and worship. The project coordinator interviews students, parents, volunteers, and church staff about student ministries in their congregation. Interviews are recorded on an Ipod, and later transcribed.
Trends:
- The involvement of committed adults under girds every congregation’s student ministry, whether the adults are staff or volunteers. In several churches parents are actively involved in the ministry, even as small group leaders. Adult motivations vary for their commitment to student ministry. Some had a meaningful experience in their youth, and want to provide that for another generation. Some are “empty nesters” who miss the energy of young people in their lives. Some parents want to actively support their students’ involvement in the life of the church. Many adults talk about their “call” to volunteer in student ministry, both as a way to give to others and to deepen their own faith. Adults appreciate being equipped for ministry with students. Many would welcome training to be able speak theologically with students. They would like to better address students’ questions. In every congregation students name specific adults who “are there” for them, upon whom they depend, and look forward to seeing regularly. Many adults have been volunteering for years. They range in age from the early 20s to 70s.
- Trips with the church are when the deep relationship work takes place among people, and between individuals and God. Trips are when communities are built, whether mission/service trips or fellowship trips. Church group travel is expensive, particularly for families with more than one student participating. For some student ministries it is challenging to keep weekly momentum going without a trip on the near horizon. Students learn so much on these trips-they love mission and service, and they relish being a member of an intentional community traveling together. Their eyes are opened to the world, and they are receptive to new understandings about faith. Their hearts are softened when they encounter poverty and need. In interviews students talk about the first time that they made a connection between serving others and their faith. It is always in the context of traveling with their church. Church travel is a vital part of a student’s faith development, therefore allocations of resources spiritual, human, and capital should be aligned commensurately. Trips change students’ lives.
- Student ministry fellowship is a place of sanctuary for students. “I look forward to this all week, I can come and forget about my stress and have fun.” “Here we all get along, and I can be myself and be with friends.” Students know they are at home there, they belong, they are known and accepted. It’s poignant to watch them arrive talking on their phones, sitting with their friends, yet the moment the game begins they dive into it. They abandon themselves to having fun in the moment. Making space for kids to just have fun is a gracious gift that churches give to students. It should not be undervalued, nor should it be the end purpose of fellowship. Play and games offer students a Sabbath space.
- A language for Christology seems to be lacking in most student ministries. “What do you learn about Jesus here?”, is the question posed in each interview. This question is almost always met with silence. Most students have to struggle to find something to say about Jesus, and they are honest about it. “Gosh, that’s a hard question. I’ve never thought about it that way before!” Adults tend to be embarrassed by their lack of an answer. A few youth speak of Jesus as their Savior. Some older students (16 and older) are able to speak about how faith in Jesus impacts their lives. Younger students do not seem developmentally ready to speak of their faith coherently. Most students speak of Jesus as an archetypical “good guy” who “loves and accepts everybody”. Jesus took care of and served others, and this behavior is worthy of emulation. In a couple of churches it seems that Jesus is someone found in bible stories, bible stories are taught in Sunday school, and people don’t go to Sunday school after 8 th grade. Every student can articulate that Jesus loves and accepts all, however there’s little understanding that Jesus might require anything of a believer. Parents of students are universally flummoxed by this question. Only a couple of parents have said “Jesus is my savior and I want my child to know and serve Jesus.” Most parents appreciate church fellowship groups because they are safe. They want their child to learn “morals and values.” When asked to elaborate, parental responses are vaguely about “doing unto others”. The subtext seems to be a strong desire for the church to do moral teaching about abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and sex. Clearly, students need to have a language for talking about their faith. They should be able to talk about Jesus. In interviews students clearly believe in God, but many aren’t ready developmentally to put all the pieces together. Students speak passionately about what they have experienced in Christian community and in service to others. The person and work of Jesus is implicit in every congregation, but students need explicit teaching. There is not much Christian teaching in the home, in part because parents do not feel as though they know enough to teach their children. In the eyes of parents, that’s the job of the church.
These are preliminary findings of the project, which will continue through early 2007. There are still several churches to visit in the fall of 2006. The project findings will be released in both written and audio formats.
For more information about the Building Bridges Project, please contact:
- The Rev. Leslie Dobbs-Allsopp
Building Bridges Project Coordinator
Institute for Youth Ministry
Princeton Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 821
Princeton, NJ 08542-0803
- Phone: 609-688-1949
- Fax: 609-279-9014
- Email: leslie.dobbs-allsopp@ptsem.edu