NYWC, Part Deux

Ok, the processing continues.


This year at the National Youth Workers Convention, there seemed to be a slight political overtone. Maybe political isn't the word- but there was a definite overtone.

For the most part (Disclaimer- notice I didn't say ALL) , the general sessions focused on what we are doing wrong as a church or the places where we weren't doing enough. Some of the people giving talks seemed angry almost. I'm not sure where the anger originated or maybe if it was frustration just being played out as anger- but the overall tone translated to me as if I was a disappointment.

Now I know they weren't talking to me personally, or anything. But as they were addressing us as youth ministers and people who are the church, it felt kind of personal.

Most of the anger or the frustration I felt came out when specifically people were speaking of the economy or financial security.

Speakers were talking about giving away our retirements so as not to support the current system, or about how to cancel health insurance and give that money away. Now these are interesting ideas and I'm sure in some situations that individuals do both of these things to glorify God, but I think that maybe that even in the Church world that we've become so focused on money- On who has it and who doesn't, the lack of it and the surplus of it- that maybe we are missing the real point.

I want to clarify and say- YES! I think that there are serious problems with our financial situations, economies, and stewardship of the aforementioned. HOWEVER, I don't think me ignoring the fact that I should actually save for retirement is the answer.

I think that we've become so narrow minded as we focus on the "poor." Every time I've heard the term "poor" used in the past year, its been around what I can do financially to help people. YES this is a good thing, and YES I think Jesus wants us to all live in a world where kids don't die of hunger and people are freezing to death.

But I also think that we've taken the concept of who the "poor" are and gotten tunnel vision where this term is concerned.

I think that there are many ways to be poor.
Poor as in financially, yes.
But there is also, poor in spirit.
Poor in heart. Being poor in emotions. Poor in community. Poor in fellowship.

Money isn't the only thing people are lacking. Food isn't the only thing people are starving for lack of.

And not once during the conference, did I hear people address how we can best help people whose hearts are starving for love, even if their stomachs are full. Not once did I hear how we can help people properly grieve during a time where families are broken everyday. Not once did I hear the importance of encouraging someone who is poor in spirit, at the end of their rope, and ready to give up.

And I think that's where I'm frustrated. Do I hurt at the thought of anyone going to bed hungry and cold? Of course. But it also grieves me to know that there are people who are starving for affection. Hungry for someone simply to care. People who have food and cloths and health insurance, but don't have a clue about what Real Love is....or Who Real Love is.

I think that Jesus would be ashamed at our tunnel vision. Ashamed that we are only reaching out to a section of the poor.

Do I feel called to sell my car and give up health insurance and donate that money to charity? No. Not especially. I feel like I do need to do more for the physically poor, but I am doing something.

But do I feel called to do all that I can for those who are starving for love? those who are starving for a new idea of what family is? Do I feel called to people who may materially have it all, but emotionally and spiritually have nothing?

yes. That is the place I'm called to.

And I think the NYWC convention made me feel belittled or less, because my calling isn't so specifically to address the physical hunger.

But my calling is not less. Its just different.

Each is a vital part of what the CHURCH should look like.

For some are arms, some are legs, some are eyes, others ears.... Each plays a different part, but each is a necessary role for the entire body to work.