YMCA Cork


			Christian Action


	"To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience. To work for the development of the whole person." KAMPALA PRINCIPLES (extract)

The YMCA is an organisation based on a Christian vision of society and of people. We do not like to categorise our work into Spiritual & social but inevitably some activities will have more of one emphasis than the other.
One of our aims is to build bridges to and between churches. Another is to offer opportunities to young people to build, recover or discover their Faith.

This is not an easy task most of the time. Ireland is a society that has experienced rapid social change over the last thirty years. It is shifting from being religious to an increasingly secularised society, and, from a modern to a post-modern culture. Alongside these changes, there is a growing concern that we are becoming post-literate and that the book is fast becoming extinct. This is due to a shift away from traditional text based learning to that of image, sound, hypertext, multi media, non-verbal and oral communication methods. It has created a challenge for anyone involved in youth work or education and we need to adapt methodologies appropriately.

Basically promo youth prefer experiential, relational, visual, interactive and participatory learning styles. According to Hjalmarson, postmoderns:

Have a desire for Community and Connection - this generation is more open to relationship than ever before

Desire Experience over knowledge - they want to experience the truth to which the creeds and confessions are pointing

Prefer journey and process over goal - post moderns are very comfortable with process. They are not as concerned about measurable outcomes and results.

The era of literacy began in 1438 when 'Johannes Gutenberg' created a cheaper way to produce hand written Bibles. This ushered in an age of mechanistic, linear, individualistic tendencies. In comparison to this, the electronic era which has developed n recent years, is a culture dominated by multi-media, interactive and free-flowing information and, due to this, a wide range of commentators are suggesting we are becoming a 'post-literate' generation (Kelly 1999 )

This art of communicating with modern youth is something the YMCA is constantly working at. We are sure many other Christian groups are doing the same. In our search we discovered some useful resources. Some of these are listed below. We hope they help, challenge and inspire. Just follow the links.

	Recently we have been trying the KEYSand PEGS approach (see below) to deal with the Post-Modernism challenge. .We are now incorporating much of this into our Heart n Soul programme options in the form of Spiritual Health as spirituality is part of the wider health picture and not a stand-alone need. in our Sexual Health promotion work we always ensure Biblical options are on the table too. In general Health Education it is also important for us to explore issues of Spiritual Health with young people.
	Cork YMCA is keen to support Christians and others who wish to express their Christian commitment in some form of action. We offer some opportunity for this to happen and also training as the needs arise. Most recently we cooperated with YouthWorks, Dublin to train some Christian youth leaders in the Cork area. In addition we both host and send volunteers abroad under the EU programme.
	We organised volunteers and schools to put together shoe boxes filled with Christmas gifts for children in war torn areas or living rough on the streets of countries in turmoil. This project is now being run by volunteers from local churches. Bualadh bos! We see Global Youth Work as past of our Christian work and committment to brothers and sisters in less fortunate circumstances or at a challenging stage of development. Global Youth work actions are built into most of our projects and are also a focus for the life of the organisation as a whole. Closer to home we are now monitoring some of the issues affecting the young people coming to us and responding in whatever way we can: this can involve: Modules to deal with specific concerns viz the negative impacts of the media. Representation to TDs and government departments on specific issue e.g. access to educational grants. Submissions to inform national government policy e.g. the Age of Consent debate. Finally in our Sexual Health promotion work we always ensure Biblical options are on the table too. In general Health Education it is also important for us to explore issues of Spiritual Health with young people. The main Churches all have strong statements on the requirement for social action by the Christian community: (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994. paras. 2442 and 1932). (Council on Social Welfare - Methodist Church in Ireland. 1989). (Church of Ireland General Synod 1988 - Reports). (The Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Social Issues Facing Us Today? Who Cares?).
	Books Dunnell, T., (1997), Keys and Pegs, Connect Spiritual Development Project, Frontier Youth Trust A course book available from the Frontier Youth trust which explores our understanding of youth culture, spirituality, post modernity, post literacy and the non book culture. It contains suggestions and resources for new ways of communicating with young people and is geared towards educating those working with young people. Kelly, G., (1999), Get a Grip on the Future without Losing your Hold on the Past, Monarch Books This book considers current social trends and the impact they have on Christianity. The author describes the changes in society over the next two decades with particular reference to media and technology. The author has a creative way of describing these changes in terms that are easy to understand and gives a real insight into our changing society. Sweet, L., (1999), Soultsunami: Sink or Swim in New Millennium Culture, Zondervan This book explains postmodernism as a tidal wave sweeping our culture. It shows how the church can safely sail the troubled seas and fulfill its mission and calling. SoulTsunami outlines ten cultural changes that are already happening around us and suggests practical ways to communicate God's truth to our changing world. Articles Dunnell, T., (1996) Taking Time - Waiting for Green Shoots - A look at the basic elements of Spirituality and Spiritual Development, Connect SDP, Frontier Youth Trust An introduction to culture, youth sub culture, spirituality and young people, communication and the non-book issue. This article really gives a 'taster' of these issues and is probably best if it is followed up by the Keys and Pegs course by the same author. Web Sites www.fyt.org.uk The Frontier Youth Trust Birmingham with links to FYT Ireland and Scotland. The site is easy to get around and has some very useful free downloads including those from the Spiritual Development Project. This particular project is a fabulous resource for anyone working with disadvantaged young people. www.nyf.ie The National Youth Federation is the co-ordinating and development agency for Local Youth Services in Ireland, it promotes community based youth services which are relevant, accessible and attractive to young people. The site is great for keeping you up to date with current issues for youth workers in Ireland. www.nextreformation.com A brilliant web site for theoretical articles and research purposes. The articles are accessible on line and cover current and relevant issues facing the church Although it is not directly aimed at the youth work sector it is still relevant for anyone working with young people. www.newwway.org 'Media in Missions' - the site concentrates on the use of new communication methods when presenting the gospel. Its articles discuss orality, use of media and visual literacy. Just a note - be aware that some of the articles are not available on line and can take up to six weeks to deliver. www.facingthechallenge.org The purpose of the site is to resource people to 'Teach the Bible in Challenging times'. It offers ideas and articles on the use of films, books and the media. It also has a course book and CD available which explores contemporary culture and how we can embrace the changes and move forward confidently when communicating the gospel.