Learning from the Streets

In the local area, there is about to be a protest from the far right. There has been some in the UK over the last year, so this is not an american issue. It is a global one.

Young people are more savvy that the media might have them think. Probably more switched on as they could well be in information hyperdrive, trying to grasp at ideas, stories and ideologies to adopt and live by. They are also versed on social media.

So, the far right are coming to town.

The young people in your church want to protest.

What do you do? 

The question is not whether you let them, they will go anyway as a group if they believe in protesting so much.

The question is more about – is protesting against opposing viewpoints part of what discipleship is about, and does that mean that doing this is a valid ‘youth ministry’ activity of the church?

In a way we’re quite ok with taking young people to theme parks, to camps and days out, festivals and events. We may even teach young people about social justice, about forgiveness and about valuing humanity. We might even give young people opportunity to do social action projects as part of youth ministry. But could we take young people to a protest march? or help them make banners so that they contribute? 

Insurance restrictions aside as to whether its something we’re allowed to take them to. maybe the consent form might be a sticking point…

I guess it is how dangerous we view the task of discipleship to be, how switched on the young people are to want to protest themselves – would we suggest it if they’re not interested? How much are we as youthworkers willing to provide opportunities for young people to be active in protesting  – not pawns and used as bait, but active in the political process to protest.

Yes – and why would we?

No- why wouldnt we?

Discussion starts here: