On many occasions I have talked about a holistic approach to youth ministry. In the urban context this means there must not only be a focus on evangelism and on spiritual formation or discipleship. There also must exist a justice component, which is able to address and provide advocacy around the crucial issues impacting the urban family. I’m referring to challenges, and barriers our young people face involving, for example, housing, healthcare, employment, or education.
If we want to not only reach out to and develop youth, but also equip and empower their families as well, there must be resources for a holistic youth ministry, as well as training for the youth minister within the local church.
Urban Youth Ministry
I believe the most important staff position within the urban church after senior pastor is the youth ministry leader. Every urban church that is able should hire a youth minister.
For those without resources, there are options. For example, you could partner with a national parachurch organization to hire a youth minister. I’ve seen Young Life work with churches to hire a youth minister who serves a crucial role in a local church, but also has a strong presence in a local school. This youth minister is also able to tap into the national resources of Young Life such as camps, retreats, and outreach “clubs.”
By the way, I believe parachurch organizations should not just hire their own full-time staff and work in isolation from the local urban. The local church in the city remains a historic and anchored institution of hope and liberation. My experience tells me that when an urban family is in need, most of the time they don’t seek out a parachurch group, they seek out the local church.
One model that understands this well is Here’s Life Inner City, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. From its Box of Love outreach to its Say Y.E.S. Centers which focus on education, Here’s Life Inner City realizes the long-term work of faith-based youth and family development must occur within the local church.
Urban Ministry Nonprofits
Another way to develop a youth ministry in an urban church is to start a separate, faith-based 501©(3) organization committed to youth development within the community. This allows you to raise funds for youth ministry outside of what you have available within the local church budget. You also can partner with other churches, schools, and community organizations.
At the Sanctuary Covenant Church where I pastor, we approach urban youth ministry both from within the church and within community development. Within our church we have Mosaic Student Ministries, led by our youth director, Lorie Crandall. We also have created The Sanctuary Community Development Corporation. The corporation is a separate faith-based organization, which has youth development as one of its focuses. Marque Jensen, the Program Director of Youth Development, oversees initiatives such as The Hip Hop Academy, The Beautiful Girls Group, and The Sanctuary in the Schools Mentoring Program.
Urban Ministry Training
Another crucial aspect of youth ministry in the city is training. The urban youth minister has the challenge of needing to be a theologian, preacher, social worker, and broker of access for urban youth to higher education and employment. This takes training then even most seminaries don’t provide.
I highly recommend the Urban Youth Workers Institute’s National Conference and one-day training called Reload. I also highly recommend the Christian Community Development Association, and Fla.vor Fest, a ministry connected to Crossover Church in Tampa, Florida, both of which put on national conferences as well.
To reach urban youth and reclaim the family we must develop professional and resourced youth ministries within the local church and connect to essential training for long-term impact.