Immerse | A Journal of Faith, Life, and Youth Ministry

Collaborating Over What Makes Faith Stick

by Steve Argue on November 22nd, 2011 -- filed under

“It’s no surprise we’ve walked away from traditional institutions in droves; we feel we owe them precisely what they’ve given us.” [1]

Those of us who work with or research adolescents and emerging adults won’t find this statement from this self-identified emerging adult surprising. Nowadays, more of the youth ministry world is realizing that our real work isn’t about fixing young people with nuanced tactics as much as it is about reforming youth ministry to better serve young people. Our own self-reflection, even the way we respond to this emerging adult’s statement above, will tell us much about ourselves. A traditional interpretation might suggest that young people are leaving the church. More of us are recognizing that, more likely, the church has left young people.

I’m convinced that the way we frame the problem will inform our practices, and some groups are leading the way for youth ministry’s critical self-reflection. One in particular is the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI). FYI has been tracking students from high school youth groups through their college experiences, asking the question: What makes students’ faith stick beyond high school youth group? Their findings, in concert with others, are helping youth ministry re-visit ministry assumptions and practices. Did you know:

That students need intergenerational connection?

That 45% of youth group students struggle with their faith post high school?

That Christian behaviors in high school don’t guarantee students stick with their faith?

That the first two weeks of college often make or break their college experience?

Nice, scary statistics—But what do we do about it? Beyond their longitudinal research, FYI has done a really smart thing. Instead of drawing conclusions from their research on their own, they invited our church to join a cohort of a dozen churches to wrestle with and challenge their findings with the purpose of thinking through the implications for ministry. In my mind, this is a perfect picture of intersecting research and praxis through the collaboration of researchers and practitioners. This has created well-informed and accessible material that FYI is rolling out for the benefit of students, youth workers and parents.

As for our community, the work that we have done to develop a conceptual framework for our youth ministry practices has, in part, drawn from FYI’s work. We have appreciated the relational and professional connection FYI has had with Mars Hill, and we’ve learned so much from each other through the research, implications and application. It has inspired our thinking about post-high-school ministry strategies, curriculum for parent-adolescent dialogue and training for volunteers and parents.

Another practical outcome of the work of FYI and Mars Hill is inviting FYI Director Dr. Kara Powell to present at our annual collaborative for youth workers this coming February. The collaborative is framed by three guiding principles: 1) presenting topics we believe are essential for the future of youth ministry; 2) exploring the practical practices Mars Hill student ministry has incorporated into its own ministry practices from this new research; and 3) creating a venue that fosters collaboration among all participants by inviting ideas and questions and offering ways in which conversations may continue beyond a one-day gathering.

As youth ministry is challenged through the voices of emerging adults to critically reflect on its practices, I hope you will seek out the great work of research organizations such as FYI, connect with other youth ministries that you can dialogue with and consider participating in the Mars Hill Students Collaborative on February 11, 2012.

For more information on the collaborative, and to register, go to marshill.org/collaborative.

Steve Argue is the life development director at Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has been involved in youth ministry for the past 17 years as a youth pastor, instructor, speaker and writer. In addition to his role at Mars Hill, he teaches seminary courses on youth ministry and is a doctoral student at Michigan State University, studying emerging adulthood, teaching/learning and spirituality.