YouthMinistry.com | One Place. Infinite Ideas.

Heartbreak and Controversy at Young Life

Average User Rating:

By Rick Lawrence
12/17/2007

Eight members of Young Life’s teaching staff in Durham, North Carolina, were terminated or resigned at the end of November after they declined to abide by a new set of “non-negotiable” guidelines for proclaiming the gospel message to teenagers. In the wake of what detractors are calling the Durham Massacre, broader questions about what it means to evangelize a generation of postmodern teenagers have been dragged out of the closet.

In essence, the eight Durham teaching staffers of Young Life—the 66-year-old organization founded by Jim Rayburn and known for popularizing an “incarnational” approach to ministry—fundamentally disagreed with what they perceived as a shift in the ministry’s gospel-sharing strategy from a “rescue first, then repent” approach to a “repent first, then rescue” emphasis

Eight members of Young Life’s teaching staff in Durham, North Carolina, were terminated or resigned at the end of November after they declined to abide by a new set of “non-negotiable” guidelines for proclaiming the gospel message to teenagers. In the wake of what detractors are calling the Durham Massacre, broader questions about what it means to evangelize a generation of postmodern teenagers have been dragged out of the closet.

Young Life’s eight-page internal document, titled “Non-Negotiables of Young Life’s Gospel Proclamation,” essentially outlines what the organization’s leadership calls “key elements of what we will present and what our audiences can expect when they are involved with Young Life.” According to Terry Swenson, VP of Communications for Young Life, the document was crafted by the ministry’s senior leadership (led by President Denny Rydberg) and pruned by the organization’s regional directors and a handful of “friends.” Swenson says it was intended to be used as an internal training document, though detractors point out that the tone and emphasis of the Proclamation make it seem like a litmus test for continued employment by the organization. For example, the document ends with the quasi-ominous promise that “we will hold them [staffers and volunteers] accountable for the content and clarity of our proclamation.” The “six imperatives” fleshed out in the document include:

1. We proclaim the person of Jesus Christ in every message.
2. We proclaim the reality of sin and its consequences—that apart from divine grace, we are estranged from God by our disobedience and incapable of a right relationship with God.
3. We proclaim the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as the ultimate proof of God’s love and the only solution to our problem of sin.
4. We proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
5. We proclaim the risen Christ’s offer of salvation by inviting our middle school, high school, and college friends to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.
6. We proclaim God’s call to discipleship by encouraging all who respond to grow in their faith.

The bulk of the document is not in dispute—the vortex of the controversy is most closely connected to #2. In particular, members of Young Life’s Durham staff objected to the Proclamation’s emphasis on what they call separation theology—that evangelism requires kids to understand and respond to their own depravity before they can receive the salvation won by Jesus. The language used to flesh out that “essential element” of the Proclamation includes: “The condition of humankind in the sight of God [means] that sin is a present reality which renders unbelievers estranged from God and totally incapable of living an abundant, eternal life.” In short, the document’s detractors believe it’s wrong for Young Life to assert that God’s grace is “not effective until the teen repents.”

In a 21-page document that seemed to spark the creation of the Non-Negotiables Proclamation, Jeff McSwain, area director for Young Life in North Carolina, listed 25 ways the so-called separation model of evangelism runs counter to Young Life’s historic mission and the biblical truth that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The separation model, argues McSwain, essentially communicates to kids that Jesus’ work of salvation is incomplete until they accomplish a heartfelt work of repentance. Instead, he says, the truth is that Jesus has already won our salvation, whether or not we receive it through repentance. Repentance, in essence, is what happens after we’re received by the father of the Prodigal Son. In a summary statement at the end of his response, McSwain writes: “Isn’t Young Life modeled after Jesus Christ as particularly illustrated in his relationships with the down and out? Don’t we believe that the fierce love of God is a better catalyst than condemnation and fear?”

Because McSwain and his supporters could not accept what they saw as rigid, fundamentalist parameters around this chicken-or-egg theological dilemma, they were seen as incongruous to the organization’s central mission and representative of a troubling drift toward a de-emphasis on sinful separation in our relationship with God.

According to Swenson, Rydberg led his leadership team to craft the Proclamation because “there has been a felt need for putting on paper what we’ve done for many years—that sense of need has evolved over many years. But I’m not aware of a single event or person [that precipitated the document].”

Swenson disputed the idea that the document will be used as a “litmus test” for employment with Young Life, and asserted that the “Durham Eight” are the only ones among the organization’s 3,000 paid and 27,000 unpaid staffers to publicly object to the Proclamation’s assertions. He called the terminations an “agreement to disagree,” even though the dismissed staffers did not express a desire to leave the organization because of the controversy.

Swenson adds: “We want to be consistent in message but we don’t want staff to stop experimenting in the way they proclaim the gospel. Young Life continues to proclaim the gospel and talk about sin in an overwhelming context of love and forgiveness. We accept kids where they are as they are. When they come to camp or club, the process always begins with God’s love for them and the person of Christ.”

But Christian Smith, professor of sociology at Notre Dame, lead researcher for The National Study of Youth and Religion, and an ardent supporter of the Durham Eight, has taken Young Life leadership to task for essentially creating a problem where none existed. Speaking on behalf of those critical of the Proclamation, Smith says: “…most statements in the non-negotiable document are sound and sensible…and we believe that those who wrote it meant well. But we believe that, if there are real grounds for thinking that some teachings in some Young Life settings are thin or fuzzy, there are more effective ways to deal with those concerns than instituting a one-size-fits-all, non-negotiable set of requirements.”

The Upshot: After diving into the arguments on both sides of this controversy, I’m struck by…

• how unnecessarily formulaic and draconian Young Life’s “Non-Negotiables” document seems,
• how the resulting terminations are distracting to the organization’s mission and signal a yellow flag about its ongoing ability to lead in the spirit of its founder, Jim Rayburn,
• and by the detractors’ theological hair-splitting response to the document. In every sense, this disagreement should never have escalated to mass terminations and superheated finger-pointing. And the response to the Proclamation was likely too alarmist and too quick to assume bad motives on the part of Young Life’s leadership. All in all, the whole mess has diabolic fingerprints all over it. Here’s hoping Young Life’s leadership, staffers, and supporters quickly move past this overblown distraction.

Rick Lawrence has been editor of GROUP Magazine for 20 years.

related articles

Conversation

add to the conversation

My two cents, like anyone really gives a flip...is that it seems the "Durham Massacre" lacked only one item...God. God is not a God of disorder and confusion. It makes me sad to hear fellow "ministers" of the Gospel debate about salvation. Obviously sin recognition and repentance is a major theme of Scripture...verse after verse deal with people repenting of sin and then professing Christ - in that order. For example, Jesus allowed the thief on the cross next to him to be with him in paradise that day only after he turned & first confessed his sin and announced the gravity of his sin to the other theif and to Christ himself. It sounds like repentance before salvation to me. Of course, there are always going to be folks who would like to twist Scripture to fit their own devices...something we were warned about too that would occur. The Durham Massacre needed to occur. YL stood with the teachings of the Bible and I am proud of them for it (And I have never been affiliated with them before). We will know the truth about this in heaven (of course those who don't believe in repentance before salvation won't know the truth because heaven is not in their future...there's a dark, hot place where they will find they should not have toyed with God's Word!). Now, can we get back to sharing truth? Let's stop bickering and arguing with those who want to twist the teaching of Scripture...I wonder how many kids have turned to Christ as a result of this bickering?

Tommy Vowell 8:12:25pm on 12/01/2008

Offensive

I have been a volunteer YL leader for over 20 years. I applaud YL for taking a stand. The organization is responsible for the theology that is being taught in every corner of the country and globe. If you have a fundamental difference in theology with the ministry you work for it is time to move on. If you will not change your position then it their responsibility to ask you to leave. I have original tapes of Jim Rayburn speaking and no one has made it more clear that we are separated from God by our sin and we must accept his provision as the payment of our debt. YL has not seen a change of direction (either sudden and recent or gradual). YL's statement of faith has been very very consistent for decades.

v 10:10:40pm on 10/05/2008

Offensive

Wow-that last post by Brad D.-I find so insulting/infuriating. How do you know the Woman at the Well was at fault for the 5 marriages? Perhaps the men, enjoying more rights and status than women at the time-were actaully to be blamed? She's been tossed aside by 5 disgraceful men--possible?-absolutely. Especially when that passage was written-in her time women were 2nd class citizens. I am a guy btw-just can't stand the narrow vision that the woman must be faulted. Also, in the spirit of a loving god-Jesus was not insinuating that she was "fallen"--but that although she may be fallen (still up for debate), regardless, he doesn't care-instead, he offers acceptance. The Woman rushes back to her village-bursting with excitement because she believes she has met the savior--she believes he is the savior because he "knew everything about me." The excitement is not that he did the god equivalent of a google background search on her beforehand--but that he did know her, and loved her as is despite any transgessions she may be responsible for-perceived or otherwise. It is dogmatic/fundamentalist/extremist narrow interpretations of the bible depicting god first as condemning vs loving that helped me leave "YL" years ago-not that I ever truly submitted to it. To quote 'Saved,' "this (the bible) is not a weapon!" I do agree with concepts repeated in other posts--most kids already know about their "sins" whether they call it so or not. Lets show some acceptance if we want things to get better--I applaud the "8."

Nick 5:05:45pm on 5/22/2008

Offensive

I am saddened that Christian Youth workers would not see the need to proclain the whole gospel. Jesus often pointed out the uncomfortable fact of our sin in the process of calling others to follow him. This is clearly seen in his witness to the Woman at the well. He not only pointed out that She was sinful but he was specific with her; "You have had five husbands..." If we do not point people to the fact that they are fallen we are not pointing them to a Savior. We then turn Jesus into nothing more than a friend whos got my back. I guees in that case we are ready to preach at the Kanye West School of discipleship. All I need Jesus to do is get my back and "Walk with me." (see the song Jesus Walks)

Brad Daubenspeck 3:03:51pm on 3/08/2008

Offensive

biblically, there is a problem with just focusing on the work of the cross and ignoring the life of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, and the ascension of Jesus. it's like trying to balance a table on one leg. doesn't work, and it shouldn't work. without Christ's life, i don't know how to live. without his death, i am not free to live. without his resurrection i am not able to overcome sin. without his ascension, i am not able to overcome the enemy. i would not downplay the work on the cross, just as i would not want to downplay Jesus life, resurrection, and ascension. my question is why does younglife insist on NOT teaching the whole gospel?

bradley grinnen 11:02:03am on 2/21/2008

Offensive

While I understand the last post, I also disagree with the tone and stance of what is said. You imply that the ex-staff and leaders in Durham are somehow less appreciative of Christ's work on the cross. This is false. If you read the paper written by Jeff McSwain, you will not find someone who doesn't appreciate the cross. You will find someone who is greatly indebted to Christ for the work that was done on the cross. Just because his ancillary beliefs may not line up directly with yours, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that his core belief in what Christ did does. I have a question and a statement to conclude: If it was your beliefs that were questioned to the point of dismissal after Young Life asked for your imput, would you be completely OK with that process? And if no one remembers this in 2 years, then Christ must not be at the center of how it is handled. The issue requires prayer, scripture searching, and study to understand. If it is glossed over to the point that it is forgotten in 2 years, leaders and staff in Young Life have been done a great disservice and the organization only weakens. Christ, however, will always be constant in his love.

PCR 4:02:55pm on 2/20/2008

Offensive

For the record... 1. No one on YL staff was "required to sign" this document. 2. While there are some that question the document and the entire process that Durham has been through, very few on YL staff are as concerned as some here make us out to be. A vast majority of us do see that we are hopeless without the cross and that we must recognize our sin before we can appreciate the cross and recognize our need for the cross. 3. Why are a vast majority of staff not as concerned about this as some make us out to be? Because we are committed to Christ and not to the organization of Young Life. 4. My prediction...no one will care about this issue in 2 years.

JS 10:02:28am on 2/19/2008

Offensive

Three of us Catholics from the same town came on YL staff in the early 70's. I figured since we repented and received, repented and received over and over again since the second grade, we met the criteria to be proclaimers of Christ to kids. However, the leader of our group was questioned late at night by top YL agents, using bright lights and (I think) water boarding, to make sure our Catholocism didn't contaminate the pure presentatio of the Gospel. We coordinated our stories and told YL we all had dramatic road-to-Damascus conversions and we were only remaining Catholics to subvert the Church with the real Gospel. That seemed to work and we were accepted as real YL staffers. Of course, it helped that we were in North Dakota and no one wanted to go there and check on us. So we had a pretty sweet deal talkin' about Jesus with Catholic accents. We had to make some stuff up, too, cause my town was 65% Catholic. I always thought it was Jesus talking to the kids when I hung out at the school or gave a talk - because I wasn't very good at it. Like when Paul, my hero, was knocked of a horse Jesus met him at his heart. Or when Christ healed lepers, he touched them first before healing them. If you want to know about the damage in people's lives/faith caused by exclusionary religious structure, just ask me.

Tom S 11:02:16am on 2/17/2008

Offensive

In case you want to read the paper that has sparked this whole discussion, I found a copy of it on scribd. here is the link... http://www.scribd.com/doc/2073191/An-Invitation-to-Mystery-and-Truth

thetruthshallsetufree 12:02:21am on 2/15/2008

Offensive

Gang, I thought it might be time to dip in on this again and just clarify a couple of things...Some responders have thought I'm diminishing the issues surrounding this controversy. So just to clarify: 1. I called the Young Life document “formulaic and draconian” because that's how the document reads to me—I'm not diminishing the issues the document is trying to address, just the stiff, business-y, slightly ominous tone it takes. All that seems like the wrong way to communicate when you're leading a ministry known for pioneering a relational approach to outreach. 2. I called the detractors' response to the document “theologically hair-splitting” because, halfway through reading it, I realized I was, well, bored by the nuanced arguments in it. For people in an organization fueled by Jim Rayburn's “It's a sin to bore a kid,” it seems ironic that this important response would be so...hair-splitting. I think one reason Jesus told us we couldn't enter the kingdom of God unless we became like children because He was urging us toward simplicity. People came to him via every momentum imaginable, and none was a formula. If you're not bored, as I was, by this response, that just means you're way smarter than me, and I can live with that. So...thanks to all for caring enough to weigh in on this. I've seen a lot of wisdom and passion in these responses. Never forget the beeline...Jesus. Grace, Rick Lawrence GROUP Editor

Rick Lawrence 4:02:51pm on 2/08/2008

Offensive

Chris I read your post and thought of my childhood with the Christian faith, basically my holy communion ended with me getting tossed for not wanting to go to confession and most of my childhood had the same effect on my relations with Christians. To be honest I made Christians sick to their stomachs and that was made extremely clear. I became a "Christian" in College but cant relate to all the discipleship stuff people bring up because if I ever even dreamed of being discipled I would be handed my head. In my brand of Christianity one did not need, ever no matter what. Then I met younglife and their ministry to the disabled, I fell in love with it, a moral falling on my part. One should never apply emotions to such situations. All the discussion aside I was told to leave, it broke my heart another moral and character flaw on my part. All I can say now is I beg the forgiveness of the people I hurt, I really do beg them. YL I am sorry for any pain I caused and I am truly sorry for having leaned on people. Please forgive me. I have never understood what it takes to be forgiven but it is a rather steep climb. We say God forgives and restores, and that may be true in the eternal sense but in the daily rubber meets the road sense it just does not happen. So YL again I am sorry for any pain I caused please forgive me.

seekingpeace 3:01:26am on 1/22/2008

Offensive

I go to the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham, NC. One of our leaders resigned after this controversy (though he was not one of the original eight), because he felt as though the 'required pledge' went against his own beliefs. I respect his decision 100%, and often find myself agreeing with his views. However, I still cannot totally grasp the situation. Young Life has been the high point of my week since I was introduced to it my junior year. It helped to mold and nurture me on my path to becoming a better Christian. We still have the program at our school, but I can't help to feel as if something is missing. I suppose I just wanted to give a first-hand account so that you can understand what we as kids are going through. Please continue to pray for our area as we struggle to get through this situation.

Chris Lane 11:01:55pm on 1/21/2008

Offensive

I think what so many people are forgetting in this whole my side/your side debate is that there are kids in the Durham area right now who don't understand why the leaders and staff that they love, that speak Christ into their lives (by any means), and who have walked beside them to this point are no longer able to do so as staff. Think about the hundreds of kids who were looking forward to YL Fall or Winter Weekends or summer camp. Not they stand left footing the bill for a check no one wants to pay for. How disheartening to hear everyone on this message board continue to ignore these teenagers that Christ loves to promote their agenda. Ask yourself this: Do you think Jeff McSwain or Denny Rydberg or any of the Durham leaders or anyone who was at all-staff conference are less in love with Jesus, or he less in love with them because of this disagreement? Do you all really think that this is a salvation issue? Armenian and Calvanist folks are all loved and redeemed by Christ's work on the cross- they just disagree on the functionality of how it all works. I love that the only answer is that God knows. So continue the debate if that's what you think Jesus would have done, but I'd wager everything I have to say he wouldn't. Put yourself in Peter's shoes: He denied Christ straight up. DENIED that Christ lived, was his Savior, was God. 3 times. Do you think Jesus kicked him out of His ministry? I don't think I ever read about that happening. Here's praying for all of the broken hearts and lives on both sides of the issue. I'm so glad that Christ is in control. Look what happens when we try to walk a mile in His shoes . . .

PCR 4:01:36pm on 1/21/2008

Offensive

I was at YL's all-staff conference in Orlando, as a staff veteran of 23 years. I would differ with the statement that we all were united in beautiful unity and that this controversy is overblown. I know there was a decent bit of tears and anguish through the week. At the same time, there WERE moments of at least a hint of reconciliation. In an organization of over 3000, yes, many are unaware or unconcerned and to them all may well seem fine. Still, there are large portions of our mission that are heartbroken over this. On both sides. I doubt if any of YL's senior leadership intend to be harsh or narrow. I believe they see themselves as being faithful to God. That said, there are a large number of wounded and frightened staff due to events of the fall. God's healing grace is needed for all involved.

steve 10:01:45pm on 1/19/2008

Offensive

JD, man i am really confused why you would write what you wrote. I am one of the two members of your church that you reference. i am also a life long friend of jeff mcswain. i know for a fact that you and jeff have only met for conversation less than a handful of times and those times where mostly in group situations, which honestly gives you not much of a friendship that you claim to have. It surprises me that you would guess at what jeff believes and project on him false accusations. I am tired of people putting words in to his mouth and his staff. Jeff will give you 5 reasons of why he is not a universalist to start out with. I dont even know what you thought you would gain in commenting on this article. To me i think you should try to be more protective of our community and keep it within our community just like a true family should. I really hope people stop guessing, if people really want to know then go straight to the source. it just seems like you are taking an unfair stab at jeff when you truly dont know him. i hope to see you soon and i will be in contact and i know we will have good conversations about this. love you brother.

tony 6:01:30pm on 1/15/2008

Offensive

Hey Big Dog O. Sorry you were home sick. And I love coffee.I don't know if they were disgruntled, I said it sounded like they were disgruntled. Hope you're feeling better and that your fellow staff brought you free stuff from Orlando.

sw 4:01:12pm on 1/15/2008

Offensive

The proof is in the pudding as Jeff would always say when I was discipled by him. Might want to investigate the lives of those who are madly in love with Jesus and serving Him as a result of the sound practices of Jeff McSwain.

David 1:01:16pm on 1/15/2008

Offensive

J.D. I'm disappointed in your opinions expressed in this article. You falsely quote Jeff and use your role as a "friend" and pastor to a "number" (2) of staff to gain credibility. As a Durham resident, I'm both disheartened and surprised that you would make such a public response being in the senior leadership role you are in. I would have respected your post had you contributed what you thought (Theologically speaking) rather then posting what you think Jeff thinks. ( Although you state it as fact.) Please be more careful as our community is already confused and hurt by all that has gone on.

Saddened 9:01:51am on 1/15/2008

Offensive

Steve W. wake up and smell the coffee... just because someone had a differnt experience than yours in YL and expresses that experience doesn't mean they are a "disgruntled employee." I agree with Zollo, so Zollo is not alone. And by the way Steve not all 3500 staff memebers were in Orlando... THE BIG DOG O. Gonzales was home sick...

007 7:01:39am on 1/15/2008

Offensive

ylkkid759 I can understand your confusion but this happens, do me a favor just serve your kids with all your heart. These issues need to be discussed. When I was a YL Leader it was all I ever wanted to do, but I failed when I got sick etc I leaned to hard. That was wrong and, trust me, I have literally begged for forgiveness for doing this. I grieve for my loss of my YL friends. This is an aside, I have begged on several occasions to be forgiven, not restored as I know that cant happen but just forgiven and all there has been is an empty echo.

seeking peace 1:01:23am on 1/14/2008

Offensive

I have just returned from YL All Staff Conference and was surprised about how this document was addressed (or more accurately "wasn't addressed") Over the last couple of months YL has made it clear that this is a VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT yet the only time it was even mentioned was in passing during a funny top ten list. I imagined going into the conference that this would be a HUGE part of our time together. I wished that the senior leadership would present the document to us and explain why they were led to put it together. I was at the very least sure that they would address it. But that didn't happen. For such an important and new document to be left out of our week's program seems odd...it doesn't make any sense.

ylkkid759 7:01:04pm on 1/13/2008

Offensive

I offer this with great humility and I am somewhat anonymous as to not cause any pain what so ever to others involved and to keep confidential information of others involved. I have been working with people with disabilities for over 26 years. When I was a child I was in a special education program as a student due to severe learning and sight disabilities. These “disabilities” were found after I returned to school after being burned over 40% of my body with 3rd degree burns. I spent most of my childhood recovering from this injury both physically and psychological. I recall my first night in the burn unit they “debree” (sp) the burn which is basically where they cut the dead skin away, I can still remember looking back when they did this some 40 years later. When I cried out to God and the only answer was an evil wind that came through the window and overwhelmed me. There was no window in the burn unit. Much of this was emotion because in the hard core reality God was working, three great doctors, parents that loved me, an insurance lady that hedged the forms to help pay etc. In the emotions we/I often miss God, but in the reality, God is always faithful. The students I have worked with vary from the elderly with Alzheimer's to infants born with very little brains or child drowning victims etc. Such stories make one question God’s love or Sovereignty but God has always shown Himself faithful. This situation touches me much closer then I can relate here mainly because I would not wish to give those whom I have served with any frustration. You see the YL folks I worked with I love more than my own life, something I would give gladly if it would move YL ministry to the disabled forward even an inch. That would be an honor. But your insight into these issues is valid, when you work on the fringe as in my experience with the disabled, the elderly, some work with suicide and crisis and a very small bit with vanished children, something I could not really keep going on with because of the heart ache, though I still try to financially support it. My main thrust has been with those with developmental disabilities. I think you offer an insight that we need to seek. I think on His deep love for us, the eternal God became man that I might find God. That literally makes me shudder with fear and reverence. All I can say is I love Young Life, though I do not agree with these present issues, but they try, I respect that deeply. I hope people will not allow bitterness to build in their hearts like I did my heart, for that I repent and beg God to forgive me. I wish all involved the very best. I hope you will all join me in prayer seeking God's grace in all this.

seekinghope 4:01:28am on 1/12/2008

Offensive

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. If you're wondering if I care about them. The short answer is, of course. They are great folks. I also wish my wife could have made it here this week, but she couldn't.

sw 11:01:24pm on 1/11/2008

Offensive

My thoughts are in Orlando right now? Do you as a group think of those 8 who are not with you?

Polly 7:01:01pm on 1/11/2008

Offensive

I would also add that as a Young Life area director for 28 years, I totally disagree with the comments of Zollo (see below). I don't know what his personal experiences were, or what caused him to leave staff, but his caricature of the motives of Young Life's senior leadership are totally unfair, and smack of a "disgruntled employee." While I don't like some things, over-all Young Life continues on the path it was on 40 years ago when I first discovered it as a high school student. Christ centered, loving kids of all kinds. He does not represent the vast majority of staff.

sw 10:01:43pm on 1/10/2008

Offensive

I am currently attending Young Life's All Staff Conference in Orlando. All 3500 paid staff are here RIGHT THIS MINUTE. There is a pervasive sense of unity and celebration. While we are all aware of the document and have read it, there is no finger pointing here at all. All of this attention is over-blown and exaggerated.

steve Woods 10:01:47pm on 1/10/2008

Offensive

Both sides need to relax and understand that God is bigger than all of this. It is not like God has not seen a dispute like this before. Although understanding good Christian theology is important...we cannot allow our views to control us and ultimately harm the church.

gr 2:01:17am on 1/10/2008

Offensive

This whole incident simply breaks my heart. Philippians 1:18 says that if Christ is preached in ANY circumstance, we should rejoice! Paul even says that he would rejoice if the gospel were proclaimed "in pretense"! The fact that fellow Christians are willing to take time out of their lives to point fingers at one another is disgusting...it seems that we all need a Hebrews 10:24-25 reminder in encouragement and fellowship.

Jon Drake 11:01:44pm on 1/09/2008

Offensive

JD is quite correct - Trinitarian Universalism, Jeff's brand of theology - may sound Evangelical and Reformed, but it requires a massive re-definition of the terms commonly used by Reformed folks and the greater Evangelical community. Using common terms allows them to avoid the charge of blatant Universalism - the belief that all will be saved, either now, or eventually. They allow that there are/will be people in hell who reject the reality of their already accomplished redemption. Trinitarian Universalism thus has "forgiven" people in "hell". Now, would the traditional use of the word "forgiven" lead one to expect to find such people in hell? How "forgiven" can you be if you end up in perdition? So, for the Trinitarian Universalist, "forgiven" is not really "forgiven" in the traditional way we use the term, is it? Further, if these "forgiven" people are in "hell", what must this hell be like? It would certainly be unjust for God to punish a forgiven person, would it not? So, these folks who end up in "hell" find themselves in a kind of "hell of their own choosing", devoid of any positive punishment. Rather like eating oatmeal for eternity rather than ice cream. Or perhaps a kind of purgatory until they figure out what they are missing? My point is, don't be misled by the use of traditional terms. Neither the wider Reformed community or the Evangelical community has embraced Torrance's novel universal atonement. It may sell to today's crowd, but other than borrowing some common language, it is fraught with error and inconsistency.

JC 11:01:36pm on 1/09/2008

Offensive

J.D., Jeff's error is only an error if one subscribes to a certain hermeneutic, a certain way of reading and a certain way of interpreting. What is universalism to some is not universalism to others. Maybe hell has forgiven people in it who nevertheless have opted to totally dehumanize themselves. Maybe justice and punishment are two different things. Maybe the six imperatives tell a different gospel than that the apostles proclaimed in the book of Acts. Maybe Peter, who denied his Lord, was nevertheless upheld in prayer by Jesus and eventually restored. Maybe the Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words, and brings us before God when we are unable to ourselves. Maybe what counts with God is not our faith, but what God has done in Christ by the Spirit. Maybe this is the story the New Testament tells.

K 4:01:43pm on 1/09/2008

Offensive

Rick, I am from Durham and good friends with Jeff. A number of the terminated staff go to my church. However, I think you skip over some crucial background in your piece. While not commenting on YL's procedures or how they handled it, the theological error Jeff espsouses is a serious one. It is, as Jeff acknowledges, from Barth, who said that all men were saved. Jeff says he is not a universalist but says he also doesn't know why. He acknowledges that his understanding of the atonement means that there's nothing God could send us to hell for (God can't punish the same since twice, after all). Jeff has also died the instrumentality of faith in salvation--he says that our faith is not counted as righteousness, as we are already fully righteous at the moment Jesus died. "By faith" (even acknowledging that faith to be a gift of God) is a principle dear to evangelicals going back to the REformation. Is insisting on justification by faith alone really "Draconian?" IS THIS THE OFFICAL OPINION OF GROUP MAGAZINE?

J.D. 2:01:05pm on 1/09/2008

Offensive

the debate rages on... ...meanwhile, high school kids in Raleigh / Durham are going about their lives with a lot less hope of hearing the Gospel from and adult that loves them. [sigh] I'm not trying, at all, to say who is to blame ...other than maybe everyone. All is I am doing is just being sad. [re-sigh] Now is a good time to pray for the heart of every Christian leader and how we handle all of our theological differences.

John 11:01:26am on 1/09/2008

Offensive

The issue in view is not a disagreement over whether one must receive Jesus to share in God's grace (everyone agrees this is so), nor whether one must repent of their own sin when the HS leads the unregenerate heart to Christ (everyone agrees with this also). The controversy is whether it's OK to suggest that sin & death were in fact overcome for all of creation throughout time and space on the Cross, that God's love for us is constant and unlimited, but that our abiding unbelief has the potential to blind us to God's grace all the way to Hell (much the same way as CS Lewis so vividly portrays in "The Great Divorce"). It's worth noting Jeff McSwain was fully prepared to sign the "Non-Negotiables" document as written before he was informed that he'd have to recant certain convictions to do so (draw your own conclusions about the document and the way it's been used), and that he continues to encourage cooperation & brotherly love towards his lifelong friends in YL.

memp 3:01:17pm on 1/08/2008

Offensive

Zollo totally nails the YL growth goal as there has been a "quota" and growth plan mandated for Area Directors since 2000. That is up to God, not YL leadership.

A 3:01:29pm on 1/08/2008

Offensive

In response to Jim, the logical consequence of requiring a conscious decision and deliberate act of repentance to make salvation effective for sinners is to exclude all persons with limited cognition from salvation. That would therefore include virtually all persons with mental retardation and autism. Such a thought is immediately inconsistent with the triune God's preference for the poor, weak, and excluded. To make this a black and white distinction is tempting, however, difficult to execute while staying in touch with the simple, yet massive, message of the Gospel.

Harold 2:01:33pm on 1/08/2008

Offensive

Both sides quote Jim Rayburn. Why don't you ask Jim Rayburn Jr. his opinion? Jim has said that his dad use to say if the mission is still going after 50 years then they need to blow it up so it will not become distorted. The current leadership of YL does not even acknowledge Rayburn, Jr. What a shame he has not been invited to the All Staff Conference that is going on in Orlando as we speak. What a shame that the area directors that love kids and Christ so much take the hit for service fees to pay for the salaries and office expansion of Rydberg and Co. Denny has surrounded himself by a board of yes men and until this changes YL will continue to morph in to something other than what it was given to be. What matters is Reality Ministries and Young Life soldiers reach kids for Christ. Why not spend as much effort on love and grace as the time and committees of non-negotiables. And by the way, if these "non-negotiables" had to go throuh so many drafts and reviews, what makes you think they have reached their perfect place now? P.S. - there really IS a litmus test happening.

Susan 12:01:36pm on 1/08/2008

Offensive

It is troubling to see that James Torrance and Karl Barth can be so quickly reduced to being liberals and Universalists in the comments of many readers. If ever there were theologians in the 20th century who affirmed the centrality of Christ in the Gospel and called for human obedience to them it was these two. We must take seriously the biblical affirmation that God demonstrates his love in Christ while we are sinners and that God loves unconditionally. Many posts in this conversation appear to undermine the very proclamation of the atoning work of Christ as an act of love for ignorant humanity that actually has completed "the greater gift" in Christ which already dealt with the loss in the first Adam (Rom. 5) for us. We must always give priority to Gods act and Gods love and see the human response as an acceptance of that reality that allows us to live within the actuality of the atonement. This is what the preaching of the gospel does: it proclaims the love of God, this exposes our sin and alienation, consequently we respond to God's self-sacrificing love, not to our sinful condition. Grace must precede repentence or God's love becomes conditional and we collapse into legalism. Who did Jesus have a more difficult time with: the legalists or the liberals? If YL is to go forward it must continue to focus on Christ and let the Spirit convict of sin because Christ is made so clear, not because kids are focused on their own internal struggles. This discussion is not hair-splitting, it is addressing the center of the gospel. Even Calvin conceived of sin as the "shadow" that is created because of the light of the gospel-it has no real substance itself and can only be seen because of the light. YL follows the best of the reformed tradition when it presents the light of Christ in gospel proclamation about Jesus who shows us the Father and invites us home. I affirm Rick for writing this article and would like to suggest that this article does show a higher level of theological engagement than some acknowledge in their posts. I understand some disagree on the "necessity of repentance," meaning that repentance is required to receive grace, but some of us believe that God's kindness leads to repentance (Rom 2:4)and do not believe that the gospel is offered without first knowing the God of the Gospel made known in Christ. I have many years of involvement with YL and have preached Christ first and that repentance is the turn to him which leaves the sin behind. Any attempt to first leave or turn from the sin by ourselves is an act of sin itself; the human attempt to do what only God can do. Guilt is never the biblical way to convert. Preaching Christ and him crucified is a message of love and forgiveness that may raise questions of guilt, but we must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. I am concerned if YL moves away from this even one step.

Marty Folsom 11:01:46am on 1/08/2008

Offensive

I seem to recall reading somewhere that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That sounds like a universal truth to me. Matt B writes of a people feeling their brokenness and hurt but simply haven't called it sin. Isn't there a huge difference between brokenness/hurt and the sin that so easily entangles us and separates us from God? Also, as I understand it, both groups are still recognizing Jesus as their savior. Well, if they don't recognize that all have sin, why would someone need a savior. Lifeguards don't rescue sunbathers. They rescue those who are drowning. I do not know but I'd like to ask this group WHY they would not. Are they avoiding calling people "lost"?

EF 9:01:36am on 1/08/2008

Offensive

Isn't one of the key issues here that of the place of gospel formulae, eg the Four Spiritual Laws? Such things may be helpful summaries of biblical truth, but as we look around it's clear that they don't necessarily reflect the way in which God works in the lives of individuals. There are many genuine, theologically sound evangelical believers who responded to an overwhelming awareness of God's love for them long before they recognized the depth of their sin. Theological summaries, whether creeds, confessions, statements of faith or whatever, must constantly be checked against the bar of Scripture otherwise they become mere theological short cuts. Richard V Peace's book 'Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the Twelve' is a very helpful study that might rescue us from equating evangelical tradition with biblical truth. He looks at Paul's conversion and in the light of that asks the important question, 'So when were the Twelve converted?'. Things are not always as obvious as they seem. so, my word to all involved in this sad issue is please don't become martyrs for tradition - let's save that for obedience to Scripture!

Em 5:01:14am on 1/08/2008

Offensive

Read with caution: Seriously, I hope no one actually reads this article. If they do, I hope they realize that it's poorly thought out, poorly written, inflammatory, inaccurate, false, and slanderous. Here are just a few of the errors in either fact or judgement: "teaching staff", "Durham Massacre", "chicken-or-egg theological dilemma", and the entire "Upshot".

B2therock 11:01:21pm on 1/07/2008

Offensive

I have to agree with the G. YL lacks an ecclesiology that would have allowed them to deal with the theological issues involved. YL needed a bishop (or elders) but only had a president and staff. The problem with YL arises when kids have "received Jesus" and then, being kids, go out and sleep around, end up wondering if God still loves them or is active at all in their lives. As parent who has kids that are growing up in the Durham/Chapel Hill area, I firmly believe for YL's sake that this issue should not go quietly into the night because its six imperatives are insufficient. Rather, its leadership needs to have a public conversation regarding what it believes and why and from what interpretive tradition it is operating from. This means YL needs to explain its hermeneutic: why does it see the world in a certain way, why does it interpret scripture in the way that it does, and on the basis of what authority does it do these things. Churches by their very nature have to do this. Parachurch organizations for more than half a century have avoided such accountability. All they needed was donors. YL could lead the way for all such organizations by becoming more theologically and ecclesiologially informed and wedded to the church. If they fail to do this, I don't see how they will survive the fragmentation that has begun with the Durham/Chapel Hill incident.

K 5:01:11pm on 1/07/2008

Offensive

Point 2 smacks of "Total Depravity" which is a man-made doctrine and an affront to John 3:16. It's written as "grace" and so we interpret it as Calvins "Irresistible" kind and not simply the price Jesus paid for the penalty of our sin. Anyway, the error of Calvinism aside, YL is a organization without eldership and they answer to no one and are free to do what they want. And they have. That's why Jesus instituted the church not parachurch!

The G 1:01:20pm on 1/07/2008

Offensive

The real issue is why were Jeff and his staff unable to agree with the document. YL has always been a very broad organization. There are Armenians, Reformed and Catholic men and women in its employ. The non-negotiables document is only being disputed by McSwain and his staff so what is it that they believe? After digging into this it is clear that the theological system that he is promoting is Trinitarian Universalism. Once my eyes were opened to this it all made sense. Of course Jeff cannot agree with the non-negotiables document with his belief system. Does this make him a bad guy – no way! I applaud him for his integrity in feeling the need to resign if he could not agree with the document. YL is a very big tent but I guess the buck stops at Universalism.

mark 10:01:27am on 1/03/2008

Offensive

Although this may sound like hair-splitting, Jeff's theology has been based on the works of the Torrances of Scotland and is dangerous in what it is proclaiming. Although it may sound attractive, the logical implication of his thought is universalism. I don't believe Young Life is trying to add something to what Jim Rayburn taught, or to what has been considered orthodox in the church for centuries. Unfortunately, what Jeff was teaching and proclaiming certainly was straying from any traditional gospel understanding and presentation, and when people are working under your banner, you have to be sure of what they are doing and saying. Are folks estranged from God because of their sin, or are we all already reconciled and some folks just don't know it yet? The latter is what the so-called Durham eight were insisting upon. I think Rick that you should have researched this a little better before writing this article. Certainly the whole matter may have been handled better, but it's not just splitting hairs.

Jim 1:01:35pm on 1/02/2008

Offensive

The "non-negotiables of Young Life" are just one small branch of a larger foundational shift in Young Life. Until this past August, I had been on Young Life staff for 17 years and served as a volunteer leader for three years before that and I can whole-heartedly agree with Matt B's statement that "this is a scary time in Young Life" and that the leadership is seeking "to collect all control...maybe to the point of eliminating divine control." The leadership of Denny Rydberg was started with an unbiblical growth goal likened to those of major secular businesses and has now become a monster that has shaken this wonderful ministry off its moorings and is floating on its own. The hierarchy of Young Life once prided itself with one sole mission—to create opportunities for the field staff (area directors and volunteer leaders) to prosper. Today the roles are reversed, Young Life no longer goes through walls for the grass roots to succeed; it creates walls for them to hurdle only to find that they have built another wall. Today the field staff are to bend over backwards to make Young Life look good (examples range from their financial policy to a state of the art statistic website we call GPS put in place for the sole purpose of tracking numbers of attendees). And dissention from the ranks, by declaring the emperor has no clothes, only results in shunning and discrimination bordering on witch hunts. This most recent example is only one of many, and the only reason “only 8 have been fired” is because no where else were we required to sign something to stay on staff. Here in the Northeast’ and I am pretty convinced most of the West’ would follow the brave soles of Durham/Chapel Hill if we also were required to sign a document saying the Grace of God does not work in a person until they have repented. I weep for this ministry and call all to pray for the repentance of its leadership.

Jack Zollo 9:01:37am on 1/02/2008

Offensive

All of this debate further intensifies my belief that Christianity--like any religion that is based on dogamtic certainities--will always debase and distort the gospel messages of Christ when it comes to their theologies. Everyone should listen to Samir Selmanovic's sermon "Finding God in the Other" available on the emergent village website under podcasts. Also... Pragmatism works. Read C.S. Peirce, William James, G.H. Mead, Dewey--these guys know how to talk about religion smartly and productively.

Will 11:12:51am on 12/29/2007

Offensive

Please, please be careful in your comments. I understand that many of us have very specific convictions over this event, but I really want us to be careful with this subject. There are hundreds of hearts bleeding over the fact that Young Life in Durham/Chapel Hill is broken right now. Thousands of hearts are affected by this situation, both now within YL and outside. Let us please, please be careful because with everyone involved, all hearts are pointing to one thing - Christ's Love. Young Life points clearly to Christ's love. Durham/ Chapel Hill for years and to this day still point to Christ's love. So when we use words like "the Durham Massacre" and "who doesn't know jack about anything" (see above EF), we sometimes forget that in all persons involved, we are commenting on people that love Christ, love high school kids, and are pointing to the Love of Christ. Please be careful.

B 12:12:26pm on 12/22/2007

Offensive

I am surprised that Jeff McSwain is the only one of over 3,000 paid YL staff and over 27,000 volunteers that could have been interviewed for this article. Many of us would be glad to tell you that we applaud Young Life for requiring a base line of theology. Nothing contained in the document is outside the realm of what is considered by the majority of scholars to be essential Christian doctrine. Jim Rayburn asked kids to choose Christ as their substitutiary atonement for their Sin. Most of us still agree and will continue to serve Christ through Young Life.

Bryan Connor 5:12:10pm on 12/21/2007

Offensive

Matt B - I hear you on "redemption has already happened." But is it not necessary to share with folks the reality of sin (definition & consequences) so that they may know what is it that God has saved them from? I'm no scholar...but didn't Paul share that same message in his ministry? What was Jim saying in that quote? Was he not saying that there is nothing more you & I can do to earn this free gift? Maybe it's just where I'm located, but I'm not aware of YL stating anything to the contrary.

G-Money 10:12:52am on 12/21/2007

Offensive

Rick, as a brother in Christ I would encourage you to pray about writing articles like this before they are written. Has there really been a shift in the focus of YoungLife? Were not these non-negotiables forced to be written after years of prayer and in response to a theology that says no one needs to accept God? Why would there be YoungLife then? Why would people need to hear the gospel? It sounds like "We proclaim the reality of sin and its consequences—that apart from divine grace, we are estranged from God by our disobedience and incapable of a right relationship with God" is being translated by many to "you have to clean up your act before you can be with God." I percieve it to be saying "sin is real, and not everyone has Jesus, so an explanation of sin is necessary in order for one to understand that a Savior is needed." God won't force His forgiveness on us. Does this article give clarity or just confusion to an already under-informed, as well as negatively biasedly(is that a word?)-informed community of believers and non-believers? I deeply care for the community of Durham/Chapel Hill. This article is not helping the community.

G 9:12:35pm on 12/20/2007

Offensive

"how unnecessarily formulaic and draconian Young Life’s “Non-Negotiables” document seems" Rick, ever read the Apostles Creed; Nicean Creed; Westminster Confession; Luther's Catechisms; Heidelberg Catechsims; Leviticus (talk about hair-splitting); the Bible???...every church and every organization puts our a document that is non-negotiable about their statement of faith or what they believe. It's nothing new; would we rather let people just believe what they want? All you have there is liberalism and chaos and nothing absolute or stable...it's building houses on sand.

pef 3:12:06pm on 12/19/2007

Offensive

I hope Rick that your intention to do this article is one to build up the body of Christ and encourage. Also, I hope you got your facts straight and didn't go on what you heard from someone who doesn't know jack about anything. The issue is do we have to repent of our sin...? Well, the Scriptures are clear on this. And if you think is is hairsplitting or 'draconian' (whatever that means)...the Church has always been pruned and have gone through what seems to be 'hairsplitting' which, if you can see if you study any amount of Christian history during the first three centuries. Hence the canon (Marcion), the creeds, etc. It is a heartbreaking process; it is tough; but it is good that YL is going though this; I have seen YL be the only organization who has had a tremendous ability to reach the unreached and really an intense focus on relationships, praying for kids, and showing up in their world (instead of sitting in our offices all day planning bible studies and curriculum to sell). We can pray for them; they are our brothers and sisters in Christ; they are needed; they are fragile; they are broken; they are just like us...passionate about kids knowing Jesus.

EF 3:12:25pm on 12/19/2007

Offensive

It is wrong to believe that a person can be reconciled to God without first confessing and repenting of his or her sins and believing in Jesus as the Son of God and His death and resurrection as the solution for our being separated from God. As a student pastor, I can not present Jesus to my students in any other light. I can't paint Him as some self help guru or moral advisor who simply came to show us a better way. If this were true, he would be just one way among many. Jesus is "the way" and must be presented as such. Anyone who refuses to accept this will not be saved. As one who studies the culture around me, I'm always seeking to effectively communicate the TRUTH of the gospel in a postmodern world. I can not however change my message in an effort to make it more "postmodern" or palatable for those who hear it. The previous comment by Matt is very true. Most "churched" teens today have no understanding of their sin and the wrath of God that will result. Consequently, they've not turned from their sin and experienced transformation through Jesus.

Brian 10:12:38am on 12/19/2007

Offensive

I could not disagree more with Matt. I have worked with kids all over the country for many years and all of them have know VERY well their sin. They simply haven't called it "sin." They understand their brokenness and their hurt and their own ability to cause brokenness and hurt in the world better than I could ever explain it to them. Matt might just be confused because they aren't using they same words as him, but I can assure you that in our world today teenagers understand that this is not the way it was intended to be and that the whole world (themselves included) are in need of a savior. This is a scary time in Young Life, which I have been involved with for he last 10 years. Especially when this was something that has been brewing in the high up places for a long time... With these non-negotiables YL has taken a drastic turn from what it used to be and what it used to aspire to. Please pray for this mission and those that have seemingly sought to collect all control... maybe to the point of eliminating divine control. Looking at this quote from YL founder Jim Rayburn it is easy to see that YL has taken a drastic turn away from its roots in the past month... "Redemption – it has already benefited the whole human race, lost and saved, Christian and non-Christian, everyone, every single one….Everything that can possibly be done about the sin problem has already been done by Jesus. He completely and perfectly cured the sin problem forever. There is never any more going to be done about it. Redemption is something that has happened. Everyone is redeemed! Reconciliation: Every single person in the whole wide world is now reconciled to God….it's been true for nearly two thousand years. I wonder what they [high school kids] would do if they knew it….God has reconciled us, all of us, it's already done." -Jim Rayburn, Young Life Staff Conference 1957

Matt B 11:12:53pm on 12/17/2007

Offensive

While it would seem that there could have been more conversation about the disagreement, I do agree that there was an issue. Most of my students, whom I have been with for less than six months, have no understanding of their sin. That is huge because that leads to students not seeing their need for a savior. To the degree that someone understands the depth of your death and depravity will you love and long for the one who can save you.

Matt 2:12:03pm on 12/17/2007

Offensive

YouthMinistry.com is brought to you by the fine folks at:

Group Magazine Simply Youth Ministry