When Youth for Christ appeared dramatically on the religious scene in 1944, some evangelical leaders began to criticize it. Others postponed their criticism with the belief that the new “baby” was basically healthy and in time would grow up to make a large contribution to the cause of Christ. Youth for Christ is now in its fifteenth year, and I believe it is ready for a frank appraisal. Having worked with the organization and its leaders from the early days, but never as an official part of it, I think I have sufficient detachment to be objective, and enough knowledge to be factual.
A Baby Matures
There is no doubt in my mind that Youth for Christ has matured and has “put away childish things.” Some Christians, when they hear the name “Youth for Christ,” still think in terms of the “toys” that characterized the movement in those first years: loud bow ties and suits, spectacular programs of a sideshow nature, and some untrained, almost uncouth “workers” who posed as “youth experts.” If these elements are present in local YFC programs today, it is the exception and not the rule. To me it is a definite strength in YFC that the organization has matured without becoming an evangelical edifice with more past than future. Youth for Christ has not only remained true to the evangelical faith these past 15 years but it has retained its spontaneity and unique approach to evangelism. True to the slogan adopted then, it is “Geared to the times but anchored to the Rock.”
Specialists In Youth
There was a period in Youth for Christ’s history when the main purpose of the organization, namely, to win teen-agers, was temporarily eclipsed. Along with the teen-age ministry there was a program for servicemen, for church revival and evangelism, and for overseas relief. All these were good, but they were alien to the aims of Youth for Christ. The decision to specialize in teen-age evangelism was a turning point and, in my opinion, saved the organization from becoming just another evangelistic outreach. Youth work is demanding; it calls for a constant freshness of manpower and ideas to keep a movement creative and contemporary. The daring, dedicated young men who invade the ranks of YFC each year make for a spiritual renewal that guarantees emphasis on youth.
The caliber of Youth for Christ workers has become higher. “Anyone can work in Youth for Christ!” is no longer an accurate statement. The International Directors’ School, held twice annually, produces from 50 to 75 trained workers, pastors, and businessmen who are channeled into local YFC programs for first-hand experience. The YFC chartering program both develops new programs and helps to remove local organizations that do not meet the standards. This kind of organizational solidarity makes for progress and strength.
Lasting Results
The prophets of doom who announced that Youth for Christ would soon fade from the scene have, in some cases, changed their line to “The results are not lasting!” Undoubtedly in those early years many may have made a decision for Christ who were not properly nourished for Christian growth. But the fact that there are pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers today who were won to Christ in YFC meetings years ago is proof of fruit. More than one evangelical leader today received his early practical training in the Youth for Christ program: Dr. Billy Graham; Dr. Bob Pierce, president of World Vision; Dr. Robert Evans of Greater Europe Mission; and Dr. Robert Finley of International Students. The evangelical world can be grateful for these men.
While phases of the overseas ministry during the first years proved sporadic and more sensational than substantial, good roots were nonetheless planted in many places. YFC leaders are to be commended for concentrating in the 45 nations where the program is well grounded, rather than announcing, as they used to do, that YFC was active in 76 nations. This kind of “retrenchment” is not popular with many evangelicals, but it makes for a more lasting program. That which remains is substantial. The future is as rich “as the promises of God.”
Whatever a local pastor or lay Christian might say against Youth for Christ, there is much that must be said for it: Youth for Christ is composed of leaders who believe unreservedly in the power of the Gospel and the importance of prayer. Any secular organization with so little machinery would have collapsed in a year! Without the imposing structure of denominational prestige or financial support, Youth for Christ has made a phenomenal impact on cities and on entire nations. It is to be commended for maturing without institutionalizing, maintaining its emphasis on youth, putting evangelism and world missions in the foreground, and depending on the power of God.
Progress Without Planning
One gets the impression that Youth for Christ, like Topsy, “just grew.” First came the Saturday night rallies, then high school clubs, Bible quizzes, teen talent contests, a ministry to juvenile delinquents, teen films and literature, and other programs. The total organization does need co-ordination and direction in a long-range plan. And there is still too much “panic programming” as yet. President Ted W. Engstrom and his staff members have made a good beginning in their “Miracle Year” program for 1959, but I think it is time that we chart the course for the next decade.
One must remember, of course, that Youth for Christ is made up of independent local groups, and that the direction taken locally is not always the responsibility of the international office. Each local YFC ministry must be chartered to bear the Youth for Christ name and participate in the program, but the international office has no direct control over what is done on the local level. Some local organizations are an asset, others are a liability; but if there were a long-range program that tied each group closer to the parent organization, much more could be accomplished. I think it is a definite weakness that local YFC organizations can own an official charter, vote on official business at the conventions, and yet ignore the international program.
“I Sought For A Man”
Like many other religious groups, Youth for Christ today faces a manpower shortage. There are scores of major cities in America alone that have no YFC program, and the answer to this problem lies not with the Directors’ School but with each local YFC ministry. Youth for Christ could double its working force in a few years if each local director would adopt a “Timothy” and train him for the work. Furthermore, experienced YFC leaders need to move out into unreached territories and let others move up in the ranks.
There is always the danger of an organization becoming top-heavy by constantly adding new personnel to the headquarters staff. I believe that YFC’s emphasis should be on the development of area programs covering several states, rather than the promoting of one unwieldy staff at the top. A crew of specialists, responsible to the work of a given area, is likely to accomplish more than an international staff member who tries to cover the world. There needs to be a responsible “chain of command” before YFC can enjoy the expansion needed in our day.
For Such A Time
Youth for Christ is an organization that has the program, passion, and potential for world evangelism despite all its weaknesses and past faults. Young people are at the controls of the future. Even the new state of Hawaii boasts that 43 per cent of the population is under the age of 19. Dictators of the past, including Communists of today, have captured nations through the minds and hearts of youth, and the only way they can be fortified against totalitarian doctrine is in the spiritual freedom offered to them in Christ. Christian educators tell us that 80 per cent of our Sunday School pupils leave Sunday School when they reach their teen years. That fact strongly suggests the need for an agency like Youth for Christ to help fill this gap and reach those of this age with the Gospel.
During its 15 years of ministry, Youth for Christ has proven itself worthy of evangelical support. It has made mistakes, but it has also captured a great many young people for Christ. Perhaps Youth for Christ, working in and through churches and missionary agencies, will be the channel for a great spiritual awakening in the decade to come. Remembering that great Christian leaders like Charles Spurgeon, J. Hudson Taylor, John Calvin, D. L. Moody, and Billy Graham were converted in their teen years, I am prone to agree with Youth for Christ leaders that “unless we win teen-agers today, there may be no Church tomorrow!”
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Wisdom And Ignorance
Wisdom goes looking for a light,
And speaks not till that light is glowing.
Ignorance claims by day and night
It has all knowledge worth the knowing.
All things that perish or endure
Give us alike this implication:
Ignorance only is cocksure,
While Wisdom knows its limitation.
CLARENCE EDWIN FLYNN
V. Raymond Edman is President of Wheaton College (Illinois), from which have come many of the leaders in evangelical Protestant effort. On the fifteenth anniversary of the Youth for Christ movement, he writes a candid appraisal.
