youth ministry

I have been asked to come up with some answers to questions re the state of youth ministry.....

main issues struggling with are.... lack of understanding of youth work and youth ministry by many people involved in working with young people in the church. not enough long term funding, funding in general, a lack of professionalism in some circles- e.g. volunteers have always done youth work and that is who the chuch expects to do youth work, why is this OK when they wouldn't send their children/young people to teachers, dr's, nurses, etc who aren't trained and were only doing it in thir spare time. Decent supervision for youth leaders. Lack of good English resources both academic and curriculum based, for the wide range of church traditions in this country. Lack of young people engaging with God. main issues responding to are.... some people seeing the need for professionalism in youth ministry/work and making sure it happens not just for the sake of young people but also for the worker. Some good training events being put on, Core Comptencies being written for those working with young people on behalf of the Church of England (I have to say that since I was part of the group that put them together!!) I think it needs to change.... by starting where young people are at instead of where we want them to.... by working with each other across boundaries that churches put in the way, by networking instead of competing, and by going back to basics that God wants us to Love God with every fibre of our being, and to love our neighbours (be they next door, next street, next county,next country, different faith or none) as we love ourselves. And that for some youth workers will mean they need to take time out for them and for their relationship with God to grow and develop. To start thinking outside of their 'church tradition as well is important - in other words not assuming anything....and to challenge each other in our understanding of God, to move, grow and develop in all aspects of our lives....