Young people

and mission?

Setting the scene – Philosophy

In working with young people do not try to call back to where they were and do

not call them to where you are as beautiful a place as that may seem to you. You must have the courage to go with them to a place that neither you

nor they have ever been before. Vincent Donovan Christianity Rediscovered

• Where are you, are you calling yp to that place?

• What things that may seem beautiful or good that may hinder you from going to a new place?

• What does going WITH them mean?In working with young people do not try to call back to

where they were and do not call them to where you are as beautiful a place as that may seem to you. You must have the courage to go with them to a place that neither you nor they have ever been before.

marginalised

majority

minority

With Jesus in the World, Stutzman

Setting the Scene – Core Values

-Empowerment

-Participation

-Equality of Opportunity

-Education.

-Learner learner in approach

-Good news not “the” good news

-Shalom, restorative kingdom theology

Aims Of Detached Work-To make relationships with young people who have

few positive relationships and avenues for support and help them realise their full potential.

-To help bridge gaps in understanding between the local community and young people.

-To identify the needs and interests of young people and develop appropriate strategies for action either by the detached team or with other agencies.

-To enable young people to take more control over their lives.

-To take Good News to those young people that the Church would not normally come into contact with.

Detached Work – What it isn’t?

- Outreach Work

- Mobile Work

- Street Evangelism

Detached work – How it differs?

• More equal power levels.

• Unattached not semi-attached

• Variety of settings

• Solely based on relationship

• Control is minimal

1. Sex before marriage is wrong 1 2 3 4 5

2. Youth workers should hand out condoms 1 2 3 4 5 3. Soft drugs should be legalised 1 2 3 4 5 4. All drugs are bad 1 2 3 4 5 5. You should allow young people to verbally abuse you 1 2 3 4 56. The Gospel is always good news 1 2 3 4 5 7. Violence can be used in a healthy way 1 2 3 4 5 8. Swearing and offensive language offends you 1 2 3 4 59. It is wrong to be homosexual 1 2 3 4 5

10. I would receive stolen goods as a thank you present 1 2 3 4 5 11.Censorship on films and videos is outdated 1 2 3 4 5 12.All sins are the same in God's eyes 1 2 3 4 5

1 Agree 5 Disagree

Where are the young people in your community?

What are the social groupings in your area and where do these groups spend their time?

How do these groupings link to the aims identified earlier?

Key Stages

1. Reconnaissance, Mapping, Research

2. Making Contact

3. Intervention

4. Closing(from the RHP Companion to working with young people 2001)

SurveillanceCold Contact

AcknowledgementStage

Cold ContactInitial Contact

AreaBasedWork

Peer GroupWork

BasicSmall Group

Work

RiskySmall Group

Work

(M)

Exposure &Exploration

of Spirituality

Action forSocial Change

1 2 34

567

89

(M)

(M)

(M)

(M)

(M)

SurveillanceCold Contact

AcknowledgementStage

Cold ContactInitial Contact

AreaBasedWork

Peer GroupWork

BasicSmall Group

Work

RiskySmall Group

Work

(M)

Exposure &Exploration

of Spirituality

1 2 34

567

810

(M)

(M)

(M)

(M)

(M)

Relational BasedExpressionOf Church

(M) = Mechanism1-3 Introductions, Awareness, Interest, Graffiti,

Presence.3-4 Twists, Local knowledge, Conversation,

Information.4-5 Inclusion in football, Street Basketball,

Targeted times.5-6 Day Trips, Activities, Conversation, Open Self.6-7 Residentials, Open House, Food.7-8 Sunrise watch, Come and Help, Greenbelt.8-9 Militancy, Culture Jamming, Local/Global

Issues, Fast Game, Road, Stained Glass.

SIX MONTH DEVELOPMENT PLANGROUP CURRENT DESIRED MECHANISM

STAGE 1/1/03 STAGE 1/6/03

A 2 4 Initiate conversations and show I.D. Explain role.

B 5 6 Identify small group around ages and plan a trip together.

C 7 8 Take group on residential and do early morning sunrise walk

to provoke discussion.

D 9 9 Use a contemporary ‘soap’ Get group to express views on what church should be like.

E 3 5 Try to move group two stages to join with group G, by ensuring twice weekly contact.

Detached WorkManagement

Issues

The Relationship

Affected by Co-

working

Clarity about the roles and responsiblites

is essential

Responsiblity in the Face to

face work

Supervision

Reviews of

recording

Links to Aims and

Objectives

Other Agency contact

Stage Development

Non managerial

support

UsefulQuestions

Who, What, Why and Where?

How have different situations been handled?

What can be improved?Where next?

What progession can be made?

The challenge of detached work is to bring structures to support

work with young people in an alternative, informal

environment. (Kaufman)

These slides can be found at:

www.sundaypapers.org.uk

More training and info at:

www.fyt.org.uk

Publications:

Meet them where they’re at (SU 2003)

Off the Beaten track (Christian Ed 2004)