Christian youth work: teaching faith, filling churches or response to social need?

Stanton, Naomi. 2012. Christian youth work: teaching faith, filling churches or response to social need? Journal of Beliefs and Values, 33(3), pp. 385-403. ISSN 1361-7672 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

This essay explores the purposes of Christian youth work. It responds to Collins-Mayo et al.’s contention that youth work is an ineffective medium for faith transmission and building faith communities and to their affirmation of the church’s role in this. The analysis is based on research with young people aged between early teens and early 20s, who are engaging with Christian activities in Birmingham. The discussion highlights young people’s experiences of rejection by their churches, demonstrating that community membership is not always on offer. A model is presented that illustrates how youth work can be, but is not exclusively, a connecting influence between young people and church.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2012.732818

Keywords:

Christian youth work, young people, engagement, church

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Social, Therapeutic & Community Engagement (STaCS)

Dates:

DateEvent
13 December 2012Published

Item ID:

20998

Date Deposited:

19 Sep 2017 10:09

Last Modified:

19 Sep 2017 10:09

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/20998

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