Kassiquan

 

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOUTH

 

I spent my weekend, at my Aunt’s from Friday night to Sunday afternoon (January 24-26).  The goal was to install a program that would enable me to connect to my Aunt’s computer from home on those occasions when her computer would “act funny.”  I did not plan to be at my Aunt’s; not my regularly scheduled visits but thank God I did.  While at my Aunt’s I was able to participate in Grace Community Church’s worship service at which the Pastor’s son, Steve Weygand was to speak and be formally introduced to the congregation as their new Associate Pastor of Youth Ministry. The message on Sunday was from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 where Paul (Saul of Tarsus) writes about the “misconceptions” the believers, the Church in Corinth had about their relationship with Christ.  Paul states that the believers were no longer who they were before Christ but are now “renewed” persons; having been reconciled to God through Christ.  Steve mentioned that believers should stand out; he mentioned the word, “crazy.”  This is what Paul alluded to when he wrote, “If we are out of mind, as some say, it is for God;” (2 Corinthians 5: 13 NIV).  No misconception here; I am crazy!

 

Steve will be working with youth.  I happened to go over to him during the reception luncheon because his desire to work with you really tugged at my heart strings.  I started our brief conversation by asking Steve the following question, “What is your perception of today’s youth?”  His answer, which I will sum up in one word is this, resilient.  I shared with Steve that I am Social Worker overseeing a program working with youth, middle and high school students.  When I interview candidates, I always ask, “What is your perception of today’s youth?”  In church that Sunday, the youth had their own challenging questions; they knew what they were looking for in a “youth pastor.”  No misconception here!

 

My involvement in youth work started in my freshman year at Bible College (Philadelphia College of Bible).  I started out teaching Sunday school for high school youth at a local church.  That summer, I was initiated to be a youth counselor at Four Brooks, a weekend retreat led by Professor Pritchard of PCB.  For winter weekend retreats it was Kirkwood.  Soon, I was a youth group leader leading youth in music at retreats and speaking at worship (preaching?)  Throughout the late 70’s and 80’s, most of my activities involved working with youth.  I witnessed the challenges that youth faced “in the hood;” the inner city youth.  I saw firsthand their resilience to stand out and make a difference; saw their strength and will to survive in communities where many lived in single parent homes, lived with family violence and substance abuse; raised concerns about the injustices they saw; questioned inconsistencies in politicians and government leaders and wondered why society continued to allow injustices to prevail.  It was these youth that prompted me to go back to school in the late 80’s to earn my Social Work and Bible degrees.  I understood these youth, I was one of them who grew up “in the hood.”  No misconception here!

 

I love to read about the achievements of youth; especially in the Old Testament.  There was Joseph, a teenager who lived in a family of four mothers, ten half-brothers and sister and one natural brother.  Joseph was the favorite of his father, Jacob who caused a rift between Joseph’s relationships with his brothers, grew up to become the hero of his family.  There was Josiah, who became the King of Judah at eight years old, who initiated religious reform at age sixteen, renovated the Temple and motivated the people of his kingdom to return to worshipping God.  And one of my favorites about youth in the Old Testament is David, who as a teenager was able to defeat one of the biggest threats to Israel, Goliath.  Let me briefly highlight three points that have stuck with me to this day; misconceptions we have about youth.

1.     David was willing to take the challenge.  David’s brothers believed he was being “nosy” about what was happening in battle.  David heard Goliath’s challenge and wanted to know what would be the reward for accepting the challenge.  David had courage and was ready to do something about this threat to his people.

 

2.     David met the challenge using his own method.  When King Saul heard about David’s willingness, like most of us adults Saul states, you are only “a boy.”  In a sense, you need to be man with experience.  David shared his experiences with “battles” that led to victories.  Saul accepted David’s proposal and assumed that David would be using Saul’s method, his suit of armor.  David told Saul, “Are you kidding? I can’t use your “method.”  Let me use my own method; a sling shot and one stone…that’s all it took for victory.

 

3.     David’s was recognized and supported by an adult.  Jonathan, the son of Saul recognized David’s courage, skill and devotion to God that he took David under his wing.  Jonathan saw himself in David and believed in him; David had a great future ahead of him.  It was not until later that we read in 1 Samuel chapters 17-19 that Jonathan recognized and believed David would be the next King; Jonathan humbly accepted this knowing God was leading.

 

Yes, Steve Weygand sees the potential in youth.  I saw this in my brief conversation with him.  I see the potential in youth, even in the world in which we live today… a lot of violence, family abuse, fatherless youth and motherless youth.  Youth are a gift; they need to be heard, encouraged and believed in, accepted for who they are and for what they contribute.  Western culture added a stage in human development, “adolescence.”  I am not sure that I totally agree with what this stage generally represents; a troubled stage, struggling with self-identity, not a child neither an adult.  I have read the Bible a few times through and not once do I see hints of an adolescent stage; only what King Saul says…”you are only a youth.”  Wow, was this a misconception about youth.   David, accomplished a feat that no adult could do that day.  What is your perception of youth, today?  No misconception here!