1. Ministry and Youth Subcultures
2. Relating to Youth in Subcultures
3. Learning about Youth Subcultures
4. Ministering to Youth Subcultures
1. Ministry and Youth Subcultures
Mark Senter says: at one time a trickle-down strategy was used where the youth group would seek to reach the leaders of a high school (usually the athlete types) and then the people they influenced would be attracted. But youth culture has changed and there is no longer one group that asserts an influence over all the others. There is a host of subculture groups that are generally accepted and co-exist. Mark Senter sent some of his seminary students to area high schools and told them to ask the students, Who are the groups in your school? The initial response was, There are no groups. But when the seminary students probed further, asking the kids, What about jocks? a virtual floodgate of "groups" spilled forth. There were the bands, blacks, blonds, brains, computer people, cools, crews, dorks, druggies, floaters, fobs (fresh off the boat), friendlies, gangbangers, geeks, "the GROUP," headbangers, hippies, groovies, jocks, losers, nerds, nobodies, normals, overly violent ("regular violence was okay; you just couldn't be overly violent"), partiers, peace freaks, pom-poms, rappers, richies, scumbags, sluts, smokers, snobs, yuppies, stoners, tides, trendies, wanna-bees, wavers, and weirdoes. Things just don’t trickle-down anymore!
Pete Ward said in an email interaction: “In the UK I am aware that dramatic youth subcultures have all but disappeared. I have two ideas on this: (a) Postmodern break down in the large defined 'blocks' e.g. working class, middle class, etc. Much smaller and fluid groups with inter-relationships between social class groupings, race groupings, etc. (b) That dramatic youth subcultures are somehow formed by cultural stress at a macro level in the economy etc. Thatcher years were marked by conflict and unemployment in the UK and the collapse of communism. Your own context of course would replicate this stress thesis, but it might be that youth ministry too closely tied into youth subcultures fails to see the longer term picture.”
The change that I have noticed in terms of subculture group is that there are so many more groups around than before. When I grew up it was common to be classed as either a Nerd or a Jock. You tended to be either one or the other. Nowadays, there are so many more groups within our community that youth can align themselves with. Why? Surely the mass media has played a role in encouraging the formation of subculture groups - as it has helped young people to see and identify with role models representing different groups. But more fundamentally I think youth culture has become more accepting and accommodating of various groupings within the community. While there are subculture groups on the fringes of the community who may be counter-cultural in orientation (such as Punks, Goths, etc), by and large there seems to be a strong sense of tolerance for differences and there is a feeling that this diversity may even be a strength.
In South Africa, this feature of postmodernism (tolerance of diversity) is heightened by our efforts to create an inclusive society. We have eleven official languages, we have culture groups from all over the globe and we have a huge spectrum of religious groups as well. I guess this is fairly common all over the world. Not only are we a global village, but each village in the global village seems to be filled with people from all over the globe. One implication of this new acceptance of different subculture groups, is the greater number of groups that seem to have formed. It is significant to note that there is a difference between the Black and White cultures in South Africa in terms of subculture groups. A huge study done by a marketing house in South Africa at the end of 1995 discovered that within the Black youth culture there are three main subcultures: the Rappers, Pantsulas and the Italians. While within the White youth subculture only thirty percent of youth identify with a subculture and the subcultures are far more numerous: Alternatives, Punks, Goths, Technoids, Metalheads, Homeboys, Yuppies, Hippies and Grunge.
I have noted that at present sport is playing as large a role in the formation of subcultures as music did in the past. One of my email students from a Presbyterian church found that there were sport-orientated subculture groups in his area (Skater Boarders, Roller Bladers and Athletics); music-orientated groups (Ravers, Metal Heads and Home Boys) and class-orientated groups (Trendies and Computer Fundies). This shows something of the great diversity within youth culture.
Pete Ward’s observation is most helpful: “dramatic youth subcultures are somehow formed by cultural stress at a macro level in the economy, etc.” South Africa is a society under extreme stress!!! We live with the legacies of the past: ie. poverty, unemployment, crime, violence, tribal conflict, etc. Maybe that is why young people are manifesting so many differences. A subculture group is a social-cultural formation that exists as a sort of island or enclave within the larger society and that form when the larger culture fails to meet the needs of a particular group of people. They try to compensate for the failure of the larger culture to provide adequate status, acceptance and identity.
Remembering what Pete Ward said: “Youth ministry too closely tied into youth subcultures fails to see the longer term picture” we could conclude that it is would be wrong for a youth group to orientate their philosophy of youth ministry around ministry to subculture groups. This would tend to fragment ministry among youth in the church community. There should be, however, within a youth ministry philosophy is a place for niche ministries aimed at specific subculture groups in the community while maintaining an emphasis on creating an inclusive youth group in terms of gender, class, culture and subcultures.
2. Relating to Youth in Subcultures
In all subculture groups leaders should look behind what they see, ie. the clothing, styles of music, etc. and identify the reasons why youth are a part of the subculture group, why they act the way they do and then seek to identify with youth in order to share the gospel with them.
3. Learning about Youth Subcultures
In South Africa, youth leaders tend to be out of touch with youth culture generally and from subculture groups specifically. They have grown up in a racially-divided country and have little understanding of subculture groups in other communities. They should learn about youth from other communities, as all communities are in the process of integrating. They should look to young people themselves to gain an understanding of youth subculture groups in their area.
4. Ministering to Youth Subcultures
The following three questions were explored by students studying youth ministry through email.
A. What does it mean to incarnationally minister within a sub-culture?
Minister within the world of teens rather than require them to enter the world of the youthworker (George Barna). Trying to get into the world of a teenager must be about as hard as for a teenager trying to get into the world of a youthworker. I believe that there needs to be a balance here. A lot of people when approaching teens try to speak their language, nothing will put a teen of quicker, add to this the fact that teens are very suspicious of anyone trying to enter their "world"(even their peers - different cultures cannot stand each other) and you face a huge problem. On the other hand you have teens trying to enter our world - I believe that they are constantly striving for this otherwise none of them would ever become adults, however age, education, money , transport are a few of the things that hamper this process. Thank you Lord for that. Thus a balance needs to be reached, a youth leader is a great example, if that nut can make it, I definitely can and at the same time we need to be interested in their "lives" and what they do but not more than that. Therefore unlike George Barna I believe we need to walk that tight rope and do both. So I would minister to a group of kids who enjoy sport, through sport. However I don't need to show them how good I am or that I can beat them at whatever sport they choose. All they want from you at that moment as harsh as it may seem is another player to even up the 2 sides.( Although they would probably chose you before they picked a girl, no offense intended ladies.) nothing like bringing home the point of fairness when you are twice as tall as they are and you are playing basket ball.
B. How can we use a concept within a subculture group to share the gospel?
Provide practical solutions to daily struggles and potential obstacles through reflective and theologically sound dialogue rather than challenging teens to focus solely on theological principles (George Barna). What George Barna is saying here is Biblical - Paul did the same with his Pagan audience at the Areopagus in Athens. Instead of beginning with an Old Testament text, he quoted one of their own poets to get their attention and establish common ground. Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church, says: "We invite the unchurched to come and sit on seventeenth-century chairs (we call them pews), sing eighteenth century songs (which we call hymns), and listen to a nineteenth century instrument (which we call the pipe organ), and then we wonder why they think we are out of date" (Rick Warren). I believe the above question should be re-phrased to "how MUST we use the concept.....", we need to do this, Jesus throughout his ministry used stories and parables, and they all related to the people of that time and we incase of adapting those stories to our time just preach them over and over again - if you want a teen to read a Bible the first thing you got to show him is that "The Book" is as applicable to his time as it ever was. And what better way than to relate it to a sub culture that he is part of. Nothing like bringing home the point of fairness when you are twice as tall as they are and you are playing basket ball with them.
C. How can we use an activity within a subculture group to share the gospel?
Make ministry participatory rather than a spectator sport (George Barna). We played action cricket last Friday, I told them how it was impossible to play cricket by yourself and that you needed a team and that we are part of Gods Team. 1 Peter 2 : 9,10.
Rob Hupertz
A. What does it mean to incarnationally minister within a subculture?
A few thoughts on recent experiences at Winter Camp, a weekend at Michigan Christian Youth Camp for about 250 teens. Well, here's what happened: All these teens gathered from all over southern Michigan, and basically played all weekend, broken only by five devotional talks interspersed throughout the two and a half days we were there. At the risk of tooting my own horn, let me say that I was the only speaker (each one of us had a half-hour slot to fill) who seemed to care about where the teens were. That is, the other speakers, except one, were all older and out of touch with where the teens were. One speaker talked for a half hour in sermon mode that would have made proud the judging board in a graduate level homiletics class. Is that how one speaks to teens? Talk about what's going on in their lives, I say! Mention their icons –Tupac, Madonna, No Doubt, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. Talk about the shows they watch, inform yourself on their relationships with their parents. For crying out loud, a sermon about walking in the Spirit is all well and good, and needful, but you can't talk about walking in the Spirit in King James or 1901 Revised Standard language, when many of them have trouble even understanding the NIV. Speak their language, use their icons, sing their songs, and talk about the messages they get, and every time, compare those messages to THE MESSAGE of Jesus.
B. How can we use a concept within a subculture group to share the gospel?
It's like this: Preaching for a half hour about walking in the Spirit will net you a lot of Amens, even from the teens who happened to be listening (although if you ask "Amen?" at the end of every statement you want your audience to agree with, you'll merely condition them to repeat the word every time they hear it and they'll miss the rest of it). That's all well and good, but teens are pragmatic. If you don't give them practical steps to begin their walk in the Spirit, your sermon will remain in the Dark Nebula of the Unreachable Goal, where so much of spiritual life is to these seekers. So give the kids hands-on illustrations: I managed to turn a discussion of origami into a spiritual application from 1 Chronicles 21:24 where David says, "I will not make a sacrifice to the Lord that costs me nothing." The girl wanted me to make a complicated 12-pointed star for her out of paper (it's cool, and I recommend you guys find out how to do it), and I wouldn't. I told her I would teach her how to do it, but she didn't want to go to all the trouble – just wanted the finished product without the work. It would have called for a sacrifice of about a half hour for her to finish, and she wasn't willing to do it.
C. How can we use an activity within a subculture group to share the gospel?
"Make ministry participatory rather than a spectator sport" (Barna). Ministry, nothing! Let's make worship participatory! I'm speaking from my own soap box, of course, in the middle of a room full of teens who seem to think worship and faith and service and Bible and memorizing and leading are adult things. They are not asked to participate in worship, nor are they encouraged to volunteer. They are pushed aside until the time they "grow up." That's like tying someone up and saying you'll cut their ropes off them when they learn to untie themselves. How are my kids supposed to grow then the church here won't give them opportunity? And here's the result I see – tell me if I'm way off: My kids won't want to minister (so they won't do it at all) until they see that God is something for them, too, not only for their parents and grandparents.
Darin Martin
A. What does it mean to incarnationally minister within a sub-culture?
It's sometimes strange how God works, but in the last couple of months, a few of the "old timers" of youth ministry in our church have felt the urge to start slowly becoming more involved in youth ministry again. So, on Friday night, in response to some pleas for transport assistance, we dragged our weary bodies off to a youth rally. The conclusion - we are OLD!!! But it did get me thinking....Can I really expect a kid who was being born about the time I was finishing school to relate to my world of bond repayments and car troubles and work stress? They have parents (2 if they are lucky) for that. After a while, I was back in time, not being a teenager, but being able to enjoy what was happening from their perspective as well as mine. I think that this empathy is what is being referred to above, and it is a gift, in the same sense as the ability to lead worship successfully. It is distinct from trying to be "one of them" - I cringe when someone (usually greying) tries to speak "like you know...hey...it was sooo kewwwlll hey...you know, raaad..." thinking this will get through to teenagers. We have all got far more experience of life than any teenager I know, so lets act like it. We must still be able to relate our life experiences to them, on their level, in order to minister successfully. Can I put it this way? We must become (fully) a teenager, in order to minister to teenagers, without forgetting that we are also not a teenager. Confusing hey, but I think the precedent has been set in a slightly different context.
B. How can we use a concept within a subculture group to share the gospel?
One of the messages or thoughts within the grunge rock scene is a search for meaning. Basically life sucks, and a few philosophical catch phrases are thrown around to reinforce this. The whole musical experience, the clothes, and even the icons, are introspective and soul searching. So you want to reach these guys - start a band that plays their music. The band at the youth rally on Friday night also played at our church on Sunday night. They are called Mechanical Jones, and one of their songs, Philosopher, is about the hope in Jesus as opposed to the hope that all the worlds philosophers have been searching for. After the Sunday service, one of the youth wanted to know more about this hope. He grew up in a Christian family, knew all about Jesus, heard all the sermons on salvation, and suddenly, in the context of his music, it made sense.
C. How can we use an activity within a subculture group to share the gospel?
One of Mechanical Jones aims is to play in clubs. How more participatory can you get in spreading the gospel. Sarepta Music are working very hard to get Christian artists onto the local and national music stations. Can we do the same? In my case no, I just do not have the talent. But I can do something with my own limited talents that can also influence the lives of other young people. I think that the present generation of youth growing up within any sub-culture are growing away from the traditional "Christian sub-culture" proclaimed from the pulpit every Sunday. We need to find new and inventive ways (or apply some old ones) to make the gospel message real to a generation who see fundamental Christianity as baggage from the past. In particular however, we must strive to make the message real, it must also be a message that we live emphatically as well preach.
Mike Clapperton
A. What does it mean to incarnationally minister within a sub-culture?
I definitely believe that Jesus went to where the people were, He didn't stand back and wait for them to come to Him. Jesus sought out those that needed to be reached for example Zacchaeus, the disciples etc. A good "20th century" example is one of the guys at our youth (I would classify him as one of our 'Independents'). For about two years he has been (just about) soley responsible for any discipline crisis, bad vibe and any other negative "thing" in the meeting. The leaders would continually take him aside and "chat about appropriate behaviour" to no avail. In December he became friendly with three of the leaders (myself included). We spent a lot of time together with him in the coffee shops etc where he would normally have "hung out". The change in him has been phenomenal - his attitude has turned 180 degrees, he's enthusiastic and committed. When we say that his behaviour is inappropriate, he acts - WOW !!!!!
B. How can we use a concept within a subculture group to share the gospel?
My thoughts on sharing the gospel is that it's more than a decision to accept Christ's redemption and "live happily ever after". My feeling is that redemption is a process which starts when we accept Christ's death for ourselves and continues as we allow ourselves to be transformed into His image. Therefore I feel that to reach the ravers with the gospel involves getting them to accept Jesus, but also encouraging them to become more like Jesus. Concepts and trends within the culture should be dealt with in a practical manner to aid them in becoming like Christ. For example we need to give them practical Bible studies/teachings/debates on using drugs etc.
C. How can we use an activity within a subculture group to share the gospel?
My idea is probably the most obvious one. Organise a VERY Christian rave for a youth meeting to attract the ravers. Use key concepts of the rave culture as a parallel to the gospel message, for example rave is a frantic, high energy concept so use a question like "What happens when the energy runs out, where do you get more ?" or "What drug gives the biggest high of all ?" (The Holy Spirit) etc.
Ingrid Brooks
A. What does it mean to incarnationally minister within a sub-culture?
The best example of incarnation is Jesus Himself. To be in the world but not of the world. That means He was dining with people who the religious leaders call sinners. How do you apply this? For me, the ‘lepak’ subculture can be kind of hard to be ‘incarnated’ in. I mean, their modus operandi is to loiter and generally being apathetic about things!! After reading Jim Burn’s book the ‘Youth Builder’ (by the way, I have almost finish the book, couldn’t help it!), he said that the best ‘ministering’ time was done outside of formal settings. I have experience it first hand just the other day. February 7, 8 was the Lunar New Year where we traditionally visit friends home. So I got a group of them, and we walked to a few homes visiting. I was caught off guard when they started asking philosophical and theological questions, real deep spiritual stuffs. Something which I believe would never be uttered in the bigger youth group where we meet each week. It means coming down to their level and be one of them. In this case it’s like - rather than asking them to participate in your activities, you join them in their activities. I wonder whether I’ve succeeded because on several occasions, they have told me that they do not consider me as an adult! WOW! I’m 26 this year. There’s another incident which illustrate this. At the moment, we have a well meaning adult who has been active in the youth scene for over thirty years. You would think he fit right in. Yet the youth said they are scare to say anything controversial, or deep questions that had really bothered them. Why? Perhaps it’s the way he would come up with definitive answers to questions, quoting Bible texts left, right and center. Quoting church policies. It leave no room for questions. Youth don’t want to be judged, they want to be listen to. But this can’t happen if you are a person they cannot relate to. We have to take what is good in their subculture (if there’s one) and point them towards Jesus.
B. How can we use a concept within a subculture group to share the gospel?
The ‘lepaks’ are dominated by school (as is the case with all students). Pressure from parents to perform. Sometime to the extend that parents make them have extra classes in place of church attendance. This is coming from parents who are regular churchgoers. So school is a concept most of the youth can relate to. The big issue is school attendance on Saturday, as some of you might know, we worship on Saturday. Last week saw the most spirited debate yet in youth class. We let them air their views, some quite startling attitudes. But it was good because their views got aired. They felt they were respected because we as the facilitators, let them have their say and listen to them attentively. To answer the question, we must use things they face everyday, provide guidance and show what Christianity has to offer. In another words, make Christianity relevant and real to them. I have entitled this year’s Youth Class as “Make God Real”.
C. How can we use an activity within a subculture group to share the gospel?
This was a particularly tough one with the ‘Lepaks’ also. In fact, I have been scratching my head for a few months on how to involve this groups in our activities. I whole-heartedly agree with Barna that ministry should be participatory. I agree with Darin, it seem worship should be participatory rather than ministry (please correct me if I’m wrong. Which ever term is right, participation should be the key our programs. In fact it has been part of our aim all these years. Unfortunately it has been mainly being spoken about rather than acted upon. Lately, I have discover the particular enthusiasm (the few things they get excited about) the Lepaks imitate local actors and actresses. So I let them do a Valentine’s Day skit written by one of our church children teachers. They did well, the congregation loved it. So I venture to ask them whether they would like to do more, they said yes before I finish asking the questions!! One of the most effective way to make church relevant to them is let create programs. Every Friday fortnight, we have youth night where different youths present their programs. Of course in the process, they learn leadership skills, in their research for a specific topic they may discover questions which they will ask. So starting next month, I plan to organise a simple skit setup to perform regularly. Most of them are music literate too, so in the pipeline is a band for leader song service. It is particularly effective when the activities requested of them is in a group. Most of them view it as fun. Which is half the battle isn’t it?
Micheal Wong
A. What does it mean to incarnationally minister within a sub-culture?
I believe that effective youth ministry is about relationships and in order to build relationship we need to meet people where they are at. I think this principle not only applies to youth but to all people. But in the same breath that does not mean becoming one of them- I think it is crazy to try and act and look like a teenager when you are not one-it is not relationship building. So meeting people where they are at means that me as I am coming into your turf as me meeting you as you are.
B. How can we use a concept within a subculture group to share the gospel?
This past week a friend shared with me how he had been at a work meeting and one of the guys came up to him and asked ' If I am a Hindu am I going to hell?" I think this is a dreaded question but I thought the answer given was a good one: she replied" not necessarily, it all depends on a relationship with God" Of course this then lead to a discussion on what is a relationship with God and how that is only really possible through acceptance of Jesus, we can't earn it. This is a good example of handling a question on someone's turf- as it opened up the discussion and allowed opportunity for further discussion. I think we need to understand the crux for ourselves and share with teenagers how to live in relationship with God. I see in the ethonobongo culture a need to achieve harmony with the world and with others- yet we know that this is never obtainable, because of our inherent nature that does things to destroy harmony in some way. So share Christ as the one who restores our harmony with God as we live in relationship with Him and allow that to influence our daily lives.
C. How can we use an activity within a subculture group to share the gospel?
The subculture may be very community and peace focussed for example the green peace or what we have at UCT the earth life society which is at the moment campaigning to save table mountain. Use the wonder and beauty of God's creation and the horror of destruction to share with them. Many of these folk have some very strange ideas about God and worship nature and her gods, and so one would need to be specific. But there are always opportunities to clean up areas as a practical activity. Tony Campolo share how when he takes people on outreach in the ghetto's he gives each participant a black bag and they are to clean the streets for the first two weeks, and when they are asked what they are doing they are to reply that they are cleaning the streets because the king is coming.
Marijke ten Krooden
I asked a few youth specialists to comment on youth ministry among subculture groups. The respondents were: Sharlene Swartz (SS); Steve Mahoney (SM); Artenio A. Martin (AM).
A. How should a youth group seek to reach and minister to the various subculture groups within their community?
* No one way. Choose the cry in your community which disturbs you most. ie. target and focus. Definitely through relationships and through meeting kids on their turf with their agenda in mind. SS.
* First things first - Prayer. Then when you do outreach programming make it fit them. If you want to reach Acid Rockers, then paint things black and play acid rock. If you want kids that are in to country, play country and line dance. Meet them in their culture. Our message can't change, but our style can. Remember if you can't have line dancing then go to the dance place their at. Then you don't have to do the programming or pay for all the stuff and don't even have to worry about getting them there. For Jocks (and want to be's) you can go to their game and not even worry about the programming side of things. SM.
* In my humble opinion, youth should not seek to minister to subcultures, youth should seek to build relationships of integrity with other youth. Leave the subcultural ministries to the demographers and sociologists. Youth have the innate ability to relate to each other if compelled by the Gospel to do so. AM.
B. Should the group target one subculture group (as in niche marketing), or seek to be inclusive of all groups?
* I think targeting is more effective and makes a more lasting impact. "Wide scatter" exhausts youth workers. Also I believe in Networks, each different group should try to cover the whole area, but don't (mustn’t) to do it all themselves. SS.
* For programming you'll often need to target one group. (Hard to play music everyone likes, never even seen a radio station do it!) But you need to be accepting of all groups/subcultures. Jesus is for everyone, never be a barrier between him and someone that wants to meet Him face-to-face. SM.
* Once youth start to approach ministry as marketing, you have lost the purpose of their outreach. Youth who reach out to their peers will find their "niche" in relationship not in target marketing. It would be important for your young people to have a healthy respect of their peers and their respective cultures, but to focus on that as the relational point would be off center. AM.
C. In your experience, do youth groups tend to reach their whole community of youth or effectively only impact a certain kind of young people?
* Certain kind - not necessarily those who are disposed towards "church". SS.
* Mostly a certain kind, or just a few kinds. But something to realize is that someone that gives up their life to Jesus becomes another kind than they were before. They have a whole new set of rules they play by. SM.
* It depends on the vision cast by the ministry they are involved in and what they are compelled by Scriptures to do. Ethnic ministries have seen their relevance but make no efforts to minister to youth outside of a cultural group. Community-based ministry focuses on social proximity and neighbourhoods. Campus ministry takes their own approach into the schools. In my experience, the scope of a youth groups ministry is based on (a) the vision of the group as outlined by scripture and (b) the spiritual gifts of the members. AM.
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