September 7, 2004

For many years Stanley Hauerwas has been attempting to return the church to the center of Christian theological and ethical reflection. He argues that “liberal” and “conservative” voices in the church tend to mimic the groups that share those labels in the wider political culture. He also maintains that on ethical issues Christians have too often made the nation, rather than the church, their chief focus of concern.

We are here, we are there, we are everywhere!” Every day the Thai sex workers formed ranks and paraded through the convention center, their signs demanding acceptance, their chants in practiced English reverberating off the giant pharmaceutical company exhibits and booths touting flavored condoms.

The U.S. government is trying to enlist churches and church organizations in a diplomatic assault against Fidel Castro, arguing that churches “can play an indispensable role in the transition to a free Cuba” and can help prevent “the return of totalitarianism.” Religious leaders and observers fear the new policies could undermine church work in and travel to the communist nation, and also hurt the Cuban people themselves.

Discipleship and disciplines: during the past 50 years these two words have expressed for many of us the quintessence of following Christ. We have come especially to associate “discipleship” with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose prophetic voice showed us what it was like to be a Christian under Hitler’s regime. “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die,” we read in Reginald Fuller’s translation—words that challenge us to take up the cross daily, even at the cost of persecution and death.

The important question about youth ministry is not “Where are the kids?” or “What should we do with them when they show up?” but “What is the nature of our community?” What are the discipleship skills appropriate to those who have moved beyond childhood, and how can a community exhibit those skills in a way that attracts the young and draws them to inspiring mentors in faith? By what criteria will people know if they have developed the religious abilities appropriate to their age?

Seventeen-year-old Maria is a pretty Colombian girl frustrated with life in her small town. She has a monotonous job at a rose plantation; family responsibilities that eat up her paycheck; and a boyfriend who is content drinking with the guys and working as a mechanic.