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Christianity Today, February, 2008 |

Gospel Talk

Entire area Young Life staff out after evangelism mandate.

Collin Hansen | posted 1/07/2008 08:49AM

Following a November statement outlining the "Non-Negotiables of Young Life's Gospel Proclamation," Young Life (YL) has fired or accepted resignations from all 10 staff members in the Durham-Chapel Hill ...

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Jeff	Posted: January 20, 2008 7:58 PM

Dennis, I care what Man says regarding "man being a sinner" only in relation to what the Bible says about man. Even a careless skimming of Romans would clearly present the Biblical message that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us", a more thorough examination of the scriptures No Doubt God has used YL to be effective for His ministry,but I applaud the Leadership for being willing to take stock, Biblically, of their non-negotiables. I see a lot of frustration and truly pray that this is not used to divide internally. However, in my reading, I do not see where they are telling how the gospel will be presented, only the clear distinction that man is sinful, seperated from a holy God because of it, in need of salvation through the work of Christ. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor 1:18

Parker

Posted: January 15, 2008 4:18 PM

Repentance is not merely changing your mind, it is really turning from sin - in scripture it is connected with action. Paul summarized his gospel like this: "repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance." (Acts 26:20) Or as John the Baptist put it, one must "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:8) Are we saved by works of repentance? Of course not, but faith leads to repentance, and repentance is turning from sin (falteringly, no doubt, but turning from sin nonetheless).

Brian

Posted: January 15, 2008 12:50 AM

Ron and others I am deeply touched and will admit I am deeply grieved, I understand both sides to some degree. I am a very cynical person and after 25 years of "Christian ministry" that cynicism has deepened. I am ashamed of that and I count it a personal character flaw on my part. I was involved in YL for 10 years and to be honest wanted to spend the rest of my life doing that. Personal illness and Frankly driving my local leadership nuts. The local leadership in my area were and are the finest human beings I have ever worked with. On the other hand I have been a special education teacher or have worked with the disabled for 25 years. I have worked at Convalescent hospitals, psyc hospitals, state facilities, group homes and as a special education teacher. So my view is somewhat focused in that area. So I offer this, no I beg people on my knees with all my heart, do not let cynicism build up in your heart, I did, and I was deeply wrong. God bless all involved.

Ron Ghormley

Posted: January 14, 2008 3:05 PM

If I thought about it I could probably decide which side I was on. But that is really beside the point. My point is that sincere and bright people have made a classic mistake. The genie is out of the bottle and serious damage has been done to a God blessed ministry. I agree with whoever said that these theological fine points will never be a factor when dealing with junior high and high school kids. I suggest that principals in this affair "agree to disagree" and get back to work. I know theologians can't do that, after all "truth" is involved. Right? Wrong! (If you think I'm all wet, just see what happens to this wonderful ministry if it isn't very quickly resolved.) Can we have a little humility here please? Very sincerely, Ron Ghormley

Ronn Huth

Posted: January 14, 2008 1:39 PM

As a former Young Life Area Director and Trainer I am saddened to see a relational ministry organization fire or release men and women who have faithfully lived and declared the Gospel. In my mind it is absurd to dictate how the Gospel must be presented. Are we also mandating the tools and illustrations that must be used? While other Christian organizations have insisted that the Gospel must be reduced to a number of written steps or points, Young Life has always trusted staff and leaders to relate the Gospel. Maybe we should do away with Young Life talks and simply hand out a booklet that outlines what leadership has determined to be the non-negotiables and kids could sign wheter they "accept Jesus" or not. Wasn't it the pharisees who used a "protection model"? I think Jesus would rather have us share the Gospel than try to protect it. I am fearful that such a knee-jerk reaction on the part of leadership could cause great harm to the mission and hurt the cause of Christ.

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: January 14, 2008 3:49 AM

YL's theology-based sequence for Gospel presentations has, in fact, drifted very far and wide from the Biblical and historical roots. To wit, the promise of God's "new covenant" (Jer. 31: 31-34), later sealed by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross (Matt. 26: 26-29) and the actual supernatural cause thereof, is the only way by which people of any generation can know firsthand and personally the LORD in order to continue to believe in Him and grow in His knowledge! On the other hand, it is wholly unbiblical (wishful thinking) to claim and accept Jesus Christ whom one does not know as Savior "by faith". The consequences of such theologically revised version of this divine prescription will be disastrous both in this life and in the hereafter (John 8:24). When do we stop reinventing the Gospel and start studying it seriously?

Kevin

Posted: January 11, 2008 11:46 AM

Ann, Where do you get in the Bible that repentance is just a changing of mind? Repentance is turning from sin and turning to Christ. That is a changing of mind, your mind is changed on how you look at sin and the Savior!, (Matthew 3:8, 2 Corinthians 7:9,10). wow, My question to you would be, is someone's job and financial situation more important than the gospel? The arguments on how poeple come to Christ is the most important argument in the world! You get that wrong and you will create a lot of false converts who think they are going to heaven, when actually they are not. These are the people who will say to Jesus, "did we not prophecy in your name, heal in your name, and Jesus will say to them "depart from me you who practice lawlessness". Getting the gospel right should be our number one priority!

MM	Posted: January 11, 2008 8:37 AM

I see it as a whole different light. It is not that they had difference of opinion. It is not a theological splitting of hairs that makes this case difficult. They went into working with Young Life knowing what they stand for. The issue is going with different doctrine than the organization in which you are working with. There is, I am sure, a procedure to follow in order to enter into a conversation with the leadership on the core values. Either work to change them or leave to an organization that supports your beliefs. To follow your own beliefs, while making a pledge to work for a different organizaiton is not a good testimony, causes divsion in the church and is rebellion. I know it is hard to have difficult conversations about things this personal, but I believe if we want God´s blessings in our lives, we need to pay the high price of holiness and doing the right thing, evn when it is hard. Just my thoughts.

LeeC	Posted: January 10, 2008 12:33 PM

As I child I learned that there was nothing I could do to gain salvation, but that if I didn't accept Jesus into my heart, I would go to hell. Later I factored into my confused mindset the information that I, along with all mankind, was created by God in His image. . .That was good news, but did that mean that we would be His even if we never fully figured out how to "accept" whatever it was that would save us from hell. . .Kids are busy sorting out info. . .Wouldn't it be best to start with the fact that we are children of God. . .blessed by the life and words of Jesus showing us how to live and grow into the persons God intended us to be? We are more likely to understand what it means to be a Christian if we don't have to go thru a process being scared-to-death that we're going to hell because of what we may, or may not "do". Maybe the Durham staff has been trying to think a bit outside-the-traditional box. . .God bless them for their courage.

Brent Vermillion

Posted: January 10, 2008 10:55 AM

This article is somewhat light on the details but it is sufficient to understand what is really at work here -- Calvinism and Arminianism or Reformed versus Remonstrant. Two similar but distinct ways of understanding sovereignty, predestination, etc... It seems that young life is saying (and i beleive rightfully so) that we have a choice to make in order to be saved which is the same thing that most evangelicals believe today. The hiper-calvinist believe that man does nothing to receive his salvation (not even choose to receieve it). I believe along with Young Life that Jesus has already done everything so that all can be saved if they choose to believe in His finished work on the Cross. Reformed-Calvinist believe in limited atonement which goes against many versus of the Bible. I guess we can see through this circumstance that theology matters more than we think because our theology affects our behavior in every way. Where we stand on the Reformed and Remonstrnt issue is vital.

Christian

Posted: January 09, 2008 1:45 PM

As former YL staff myself I know full well the incredible training YL offers. Trust me when I say each staff person has a depth of knowledge of scripture, a love of Christ, and a broken heart for lost kids. I think the non-negotiables are important in restating what ministry leadership believes. It sounds like the area staff left thier jobs over a "splitting hairs" kinda issue. Since day one of the Christian church people have been aruging over minute details. There is room in God's economy for different interpretations...within reason of course. My thouths, YL overreacted in firing the staffer. With an organization that large though I understand the need for uniformity and in belief while allowing movement of the Spirit in indivdual methods.

David

Posted: January 09, 2008 10:34 AM

Please take note that some of the information in the article is incorrect. Chapel Hill-Durham is a separate Young Life area from Raleigh and are thus, separate in terms of staffing and community support. Claiming that the 10 staff members of the Raleigh-Durham area have ALL resigned gives an inaccurate picture of both situations and could cause undue anxiety and questions in the Raleigh area that are unfounded and unwarranted.

AK	Posted: January 09, 2008 10:29 AM

This same story is told in this month's Christian Century (albeit a little differently) at http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=4217. Sooner or later there needed to be a day of reckoning in evangelical hermeneutics. Hopefully, this incident will spur us to ask hard questions about what we believe and why, how do we as Christians participate in the triune life of God, what sort of book is the Bible and what is the proper interpretive context for reading and hearing it, can and should parachurch organizations exist outside the ecclesia, what is their basis of authority for what they do, ect. Young Life especially needs to do this to ensure its future existence. My sense is this critique is not going to go away quietly into the night.

Brian

Posted: January 08, 2008 8:54 PM

First I was a leader at Young Life for 10 years, it was a wonderful yet frustrating experience. I was told to leave and it was a very painful experience even that many years old. So YL is a sour subject with me and I could drone on but wont. I will say I love the people at YL even though the leadership can be frustrating, so can I. I love what YL does, I love and deeply admire all the employees in YL and pray for you daily. All I can say is also, to those I worked with, I am deeply sorry for any pain I caused you it was not intentional. In the Name of Jesus I beg you for your forgiveness. All those involved, you are in my prayers and no matter what happens dont let the bitterness build up in your heart the way I did. God bless.

JPR	Posted: January 08, 2008 8:46 PM

Craigb "uniformity of belief is an enemy of christianity" What are you thinking with this comment? It is the unchanging gospel that connects all beleivers. I hope I misunderstodd what you said. McSwain is not talking style he is talking essentials. On data - I guess and 3000 were added that day needs to be withdrawn from scripture since it is sort of a chart on the progress of the church...hmmmm? IF WE DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT SIN THEN WE DO NOT REALLY KNOW THE GOSPEL. If sin isn't the issue, then why did Jesus have to die. Tim Keller says if you have a wrong view of sin you will never truly understand the love of God.

baconlove

Posted: January 08, 2008 8:11 PM


Seek the Lord Your thoughts are scrambled and mostly off topic "When a church is formed"? YL is not a church, it is a tool of the church It seems you have a chip on your shoulder

trev	Posted: January 08, 2008 4:52 PM

McSwain ignores how what Jesus did (becoming sin) was done for us, just as what the Father did was for us too. There was a reason why Jesus became a curse for us: Because we have sinned and need to be reconciled with God. Jesus never sinned to become sin and a curse, but was made sin for our sake so our sin could be healed. The Father and Son were of one mind in their purpose and we need to be more grateful for this. We are certainly not grateful. If we and McSwain were grateful we would be more likely to repent. It is one thing to see the humanity of Jesus and have him as our model, but that must not detract from our need for a sin offering to look up to. Looking in that way, school students will be encouraged to think more deeply about sins that have kept us from the Father just as the sins of the prodigal son kept him away from his home. We can return via Jesus and his way. Then they would keep celibate and chaste and pure. Gratitude helps us keep pure as well as kind. c.f.Augustin

wow	Posted: January 08, 2008 3:41 PM

I understand that theology can get messy and an organization should draw the lines somewhere but this is crazy. The way this whole thing went down(because i was a part of it) is the real sad thing. 10 people lost there job and some of them was but in a rough spot financial. And all people want to do is argue there points on how one comes to know Christ. Who has all the answers to these things. 10 peoples lives have been shook up side down and a whole area is under tremendous stress. Its just crazy some people commenting are saying good job YoungLife, and praising them. this is really insensitive to those that lost their jobs and is really not compassionate at all.

Dave	Posted: January 08, 2008 10:59 AM


What is the most upsetting to me is that there is yet another division in the Body of Christ. It is sad that this man formed his own organization rather than working with Young Life to resolve the conflict.

Moses Oyebola

Posted: January 08, 2008 5:48 AM

A man of God was once qouted as saying (I paraphrase) men are always looking for methods while God is looking for men. The Bible says it is not good to have zeal without knowledge. I beg to say that many of our attempts to bring people to the Lord smack of zeal without knowledge. We cannot win the world with their own method. We need something higher, more potent and more effective- and there is no other way that fits this other than the way of the Holy Spirit. Lets return to the Helper and Counsellor whom the Father has sent to help us do His work on earth.

hmmm	Posted: January 07, 2008 9:44 PM

Jeff McSwain was fired from his position, not resigned, in November. Why is this just now hitting the news? I have some suspicions that the timing of all these articles is on purpose. Young Life's All Staff Conference, which is held every 4 years starts tomorrow, Jan. 8, in Orlando. By making this topic fresh and controversial the day before the conference, it makes a much more sensational talking point amongst all the staff and leaves the senior leadership with less time to plan for appropriate discussions and guidance on the issue. The All Staff Conference is designed to be a unifying and celebratory event for YL's staff from all over the world, this is designed to dampen the event. If someone wanted to make this as big a deal as possible, then having all these articles come out the day before the conference would be a great way to do just that... FTR, there are around 3500 people on the staff of YL and only 8 lost their jobs - those are pretty telling numbers.

Alan	Posted: January 07, 2008 7:47 PM


Generally speaking, it seems that anyone not from a Reformed point of view is guilty of promoting works righteousness when attempting to win the lost. Additionally, if these kids are already children of God, why would they need to be the subject of any evangelistic efforts at all?

Norman Luke

Posted: January 07, 2008 7:28 PM

This is typical American salesmanship. Any formulization of evangelism severely restricts the Holy Spirit in the process and smacks of the thoroughly secularized Church Growth movement. I read an article in CT about how a pastor in a dying inner-city church in the US (where else?) turned the church around, starting with a $50,000 advertising budget. I guess that $50,000 in advertising beats the Holy Spirit any day? It would be interesting to find out how many of YL's top leadership came to the Lord -- through their little formula? I don't think. As with Campus Crusade, it's dead easy to get a person to vote for Jesus on page four of the 4 spiritual laws. But you don't MAKE Christ king; He IS King, and we need to submit to His Kingship including the executive of Young Life. The formula may engineer lots"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 --

dennis

Posted: January 07, 2008 5:58 PM


I also am troubled when so many statements of faith say "man is a sinner" without mentioning the prior fact that "man is created in the image of God." The Greek fathers got that balance better than many in the Reformed camp.

Gloria

Posted: January 07, 2008 5:44 PM

I don't believe there'a a certain sequence or formula we need to follow when presenting the gospel, but I do believe we need to make the contrast between our sin and God's holiness. We cannot appreciate God's grace unless we comprehend the chasm between these two realities. Until we recognize our sin and how we deserve God's wrath, we cannot see our desperate need for a Savior. This is the message of the scriptures, from beginning to end. Genesis 2:17, Psalm 14, Romans 3, Revelation 4 and everything in between proclaims our lost state, the holiness of God and salvation by grace. If this is what YL is standing for, then I believe they are right.

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