Youth ministry conference addresses youth violence

Tony Campolo was the keynote speaker at the annual youth ministry conference of Columbia Bible College (CBC) March 18–19, which considered the theme, “Youth ministry as sanctuary in a world of violence.” Over 200 youth pastors and sponsors from many denominations attended.

“The idea that you can protect kids if they’re going to live countercultural lives is impossible,” he said. “It’s better to prepare them – ‘get ready, this is what it’s gonna cost you!’ ”

Gareth Brandt (left) with speaker Tony Campolo.

Campolo began Friday evening by addressing the difference between power and authority. Power is maintained by the use of fear, threatening people with violence if they do not comply. Authority is built on loving sacrifice, he continued, using Jesus as the ultimate example.

Campolo challenged youth pastors to earn their authority not by being “cool” but by modelling sacrificial love through work with the poor and needy. He encouraged them to sponsor children in the third world or get involved with street work in Vancouver.

The conference also included several workshops that spoke to various aspects of youth ministry as it relates to addressing violence in our society. One of the most popular sessions was called “Kissers and Killers.” It was described as “a fishbowl discussion on developing a theology of adolescent passion and the passion of Christ” and was led by Gareth Brandt, the conference organizer and director of youth ministries at CBC, Gay Lynn Voth, a professor of theology at CBC, and Scott Young, youth minister at Grace MB Church in Penticton.

The conference ended with a question and answer time with Campolo and his final challenge to his audience – to confront violence with love.

“When we talk about violence, there’s no escape. But Jesus showed us that we can’t control what people do, we can only control how we react,” he said. “There are three ways to confront violence in our world. One, you overcome evil with good. Two, you develop community – if you teach a counterculture value to your youth group you must create a supportive community for them. Three, you must find time for quiet and stillness. Learn to pray.”

The weekend was “spiritually renewing, refreshing and challenging for me,” one youth leader commented. Others agreed.

The next conference is already slated for March 17–18, 2006.

—Angelika Dawson