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Insights from the following panel -listed with their organizations at the time of the panel discussion
On February 3, 2006, a youth worker summit was held at Trinity Church in Copley Square for youth workers and their spouses to gather together in a relaxed environment and hear from experienced youth workers and pastors. “An Evening with Wisdom” featured seven individuals or couples, who shared what they learned from years in youth ministry. In addition to the transcript of the presentations, an MP3 file of the subsequent discussion is available.
by Rudy Mitchell
In this article, Rudy Mitchell, Senior Researcher of the Emmanuel Gospel Center, summarizes his research findings regarding various practical aspects on mentoring youth in an urban context. Rudy’s research draws from both secular and faith-based sources regarding preparation, planning, recruiting, screening, training, matching, support, monitoring, closure, and evaluation of youth mentoring programs. Also included is a selected resource list that provides additional information and examples.
The goal of the Youth Violence Systems Project (YVSP) is to create a system dynamics model of youth violence in Boston which reflects reality, has predictive and analytical value, and incorporates input and feedback from community stakeholders. This computer model is being developed as an effective tool to help community, academic, political, and institutional stakeholders develop more effective strategies to reduce youth violence. The Project is ongoing, but the community effort has begun to bear fruit already, and can be regarded as a resource for those in Boston-area ministry and as a model for other cities.
by Scott J. Larson
Recent violence in the lives of youth across our nation challenges us to seek understanding, gather hope and act in the power and love of Jesus to turn the tide and heal the trauma. These articles will help us to “think Christianly” about fringe kids and violence, and what Jesus would have us to do. In the two articles, A New Emerging Delinquent? and Reaching Fringe Kids, Dr. Scott J. Larson challenges us to look beyond the common categories of youth ministry in order that no youth fall through the cracks. In addition to Scott’s articles we have included national and local statistics, risk factors, protective factors, responses, preventative measures and resources that both outline the significance and contours of youth violence today and begin to identify practical steps to reduce youth violence tomorrow.
by Alice Rouse
This article is based on a survey conducted by Alice Rouse in 2004. It explores homeless and street-involved youth’s histories of homelessness, substance abuse, service utilization, and experience with social service agencies. In addition to the survey results, we have added content from Alice’s academic writings as well as from an informal interview.
by Kalya Hamlett Murray
The Girls’ Initiative Report on High Risk Girls and Gender-Specific Programming “illustrates how girls tend to differ from boys and why gender-specific approaches are important for girls’ success.” Kalya Hamlett Murray, Project Director of The Girls’ Initiative of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, shares, “We hope that the report will be utilized by state, community and faith-based agencies who service high risk and system-involved girls to promote positive outcomes and reduce recidivism rates for this population.”
by Talbert W. Swan, II
This article is a proposal for a ministry called “A Path to Manhood” to assist youth, including at-risk-youth, in making a meaningful transition from adolescence to adulthood. The proposed program will utilize role models and mentors who will serve as guides and “living examples” of responsible adults. The program seeks address the unacceptably low rate of graduation, the increase in delinquent behavior and the lack of role models. The intent of the program is to empower black male youth to identify and access resources that will help them reach their academic and personal goals.
by Manny Daphnis
This article discusses ways to address common challenges of working with the youth in urban churches and youth ministries, particularly in the current context of the Haitian Christian community in Boston. Manny outlines the history and future development of Operation Make A Difference and the Centre for Formation and Development, ministries that have served growing Haitian churches and community in Greater Boston with large annual youth congresses and other services.
by Soong Chan Rah and Curtis Chang
This section analyzes how immigrant churches and youth ministers are addressing second-generation ministry needs, and, particularly, the ways Asian Americans are wrestling with this issue. In the first article, Rev. Soong-Chan Rah discusses the rise of ministries specifically serving second generation, English-speaking Asian Americans in Boston. His insightful models and questions will be helpful for anyone thinking about second-generation ministry. Second, Curtis Chang tells the encouraging story of Boston Chinese Evangelical Church's English-speaking ministry.
by Craig McMullen
“Coming Together, A Christian Youth Leadership Movement” bridged racial boundaries and united urban and suburban youth in Eastern Massachusetts in the 1990s. Now gone from the scene, the legacy of Coming Together continues in many forms as new programs emerge and as the climate of youth ministry in Boston has changed. In this article, Rev. Dr. Craig McMullen considers the rise and fall of Coming Together and discusses its implications for ministry today.
The lives of the non-disabled siblings of children on the autism spectrum are oftentimes dominated and defined
by their brother or sister’s condition. As the rate of autism diagnoses increase the number of siblings affected by
those diagnoses multiply; as the rate of diagnoses increase the church is going to be increasingly confronted with this issue. The following ministry proposal details a ministry devoted to meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of the school aged siblings of children with varying physical and cognitive disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders. Through exposure to the arts, engaging activities, and biblical study, the participants will be given the opportunity to explore a “theology of self” that is rooted in the love of God as shown in the life and redemptive death of Jesus Christ.
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