reclaiming youth at risk - a book review

The tension that exists between those who practice theory and those who spout theory is a visible tension that is felt every time the two parties interact. The dilemma in the eyes of the writers of “Reclaiming Youth at Risk” is that those who research and write do not understand practice, while those who are gifted practitioners feel they rarely have the time to write. The combination of ever evolving theory birthing from the trenches of practice is rare but this is what the book attempts to merge.

The material offered endeavors to present the growing interest in building theories from successful practice rather than forcing semi highly esteemed theory into practice. Their ideas spring forth from two fountains of thought; “The Seeds of Discouragement” vs “The Circle of Courage.” The presentation seems off center at first because it is the integration of Native-American philosophies and western psychology but maybe it is the thought process of practicing each from different ends of the spectrum that presents them as strange bedfellows.

The writers break their theory into three sections; the alienation of children in modern society, the holistic approach of Native American child development, and a list of principles and strategies that can help in the creation of a reclaiming environment. The result is a book that shows you what child development should look like, why it should look that way, and how to get there - without reading at all like a “how-to” book.

As I interacted with this book I couldn’t help but feel like I was reading about everything that is wrong with church youth ministry. I fear that every “Purpose Driven” youth ministry might be unsuspectingly planting the “seeds of discouragement.” This is a very bold statement, I know. But if writing is not a place to challenge the status quo, then I fear l might never have an outlet for my observations. With that disclaimer out of the way, let me explain my thought process.

The culture of church youth ministry is breeding ground of destructive relationships, climates of futility, learned irresponsibility, and the loss of purpose. Youth group is an exclusive world that only allows those, which look, sound, and perpetuate the part. This exclusivity is fertile ground for relationships that can destroy adolescents who are living to find a place where they fit in, at their very core. This “purpose” which “drives” most Evangelical youth ministries is one that spits out offspring that will “carry on the vision” without honestly working with the youth to produce a vision or a purpose for themselves. The two major themes that prove worthy of effort from this book are Belonging and Generosity.

I wonder what ministry would look like if we focused on helping young people to know that they belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. If we could transmit to them that if there is any place that the misfit fits in is the Kingdom. If there was ever a home for the people who just can’t seem to get their act together, people who have failed to say the right thing, come from the incorrect part of town, attended the incorrect school, or make the incorrect amount of money per year. People who have a past, feel as if they have no future, or are just trying to make it through the present – those are the people that the Kingdom of Heaven was made for. That sense of belonging all by itself would lead all its inhabitants to an altruism way broader than the desperation that once residenced. The focus would lean less to outreach and more to development because everyone would already be considered “in”.

Some might say that my thought process is utopian in its approach but if so called “savages” within the Native American culture can commit themselves to communal and holistic development of their offspring, then just maybe we can work here as a local body to unlearn some of our programs of alienation in favor of Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity.

This all sounds very much like our principles of discipleship , (selection, association, demonstration, and reproduction) that can be found in books like Colemen's "Master Plan of Evengelism" ... just healthier.