Chapter 9 - Evangelising Youth: A Singapore Story

Rev Kong Hee is popularly known as the evergreen youth pastor of Singapore. Leading a mega church of more than 23,000 at the time of this writing, he is passionate in reaching the youth for Jesus. Just enter his church website, you will discover all form of outreach strategies. Through community services, sports, singing, dancing, studying - you name it they have it. Every domain there is to reach the youth, they are there excelling in almost all of them.

But this is not how the story began in Singapore. Youth work came through different agencies in the 1950s-70s - Youth for Christ, Boys' and Girls' Brigade, Navigators, Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Fellowship, etc. These agencies went for the youth market via the institution route. We saw many fruits through these ministries. In fact many of the church leaders in Singapore today are the fruits of these ministries.

All these work climaxed at the late 80’s . Then came the mega churches which went into these institutions with their own campus and school ministries. Conflicts were real whereby members of the agencies had to take sides, i.e. whether to stay in their local church or leave so as to stay in these agencies.

Things improved with the Love Singapore Movement. Churches and parachurches came together for concerts of prayer and reconciliation. It was indeed a glorious time for youth work too. It was also during this period that churches were reminded to sow among the youth again. Rev Kong took hold of the call and went with it. The rest is history.

Looking forward, I believe more churches must plow more into youth work. We need more mega churches like City Harvest Church. Singapore could be reached in 1 day, if the youth is won!

(Thus, this little attempt of mine in penning down my memory and experiences in this e-book to encourage more youth workers to embrace the call.)

Photo taken from City Harvest Church website.

Chapter 8 - Parents and Youthworkers – Parentsconnnect

The BIGGER Picture.

In working with youth or children or any special people group, it is very likely that we could become very focus in developing our expertise. While this is a strength, it tends to limit us from multiplying the effects of our labour. We failed to see the whole picture.

I found that for change in the lives of the youth to be lasting, we need to consider the bigger environment and the other influences in their lives.

Thus the need to know the families, the parents, the schools.

Especially the family. I noticed the power of subtle conditioning in our family life. While we could vow not to behave like our parents, yet, we may soon discover that we have the very expression we don’t like. Thus, for effective youth ministry, we need to engage the parents of our youth. We see, hear and understand them. We may not be able to change the parents. But with the prior knowledge, it would help us to better influence and disciple our youth.

Chapter 7 - The challenging 20s, the restless 30s, the giving 40s, the covering of the 50/60s.

Working with young people is the same as working with other age group. We need to know their needs and style/culture so that we can be effective in discipling them.

I discovered that in each different age bracket, the person has different aspirations.

Questions asked:-
Can I love? 20-30
Can I make my life count? 30-50
Is it ok to have been me? >50

While these are the questions, the expressions are very different. The 20-30 would be the age group that expresses themselves by challenging the norms. They would express their value to us readily. Do not be fearful of these expressions. It is their way of finding and discovering themselves before they pour themselves into loving the things they question. This is the time to love them and affirm them of their identity in Christ.

30-40 While asking life purpose, they would be rather restless. The sense of restlessness comes from the “anxiety” to define life-meaning and purpose. As such, this is the time to challenge them to exercise faith, in venturing out, and in experimenting new ideas.
This is also known as the second-half for some people.

40-50 As they sailed through the turbulent 30-40, they have more or less sorted out their purpose. As such this is the good age group whereby life coaches appeared. These are the people who would like to give back to the next generation.

50-60 They know the influence they have over others. They do not have to run as fast as before. They would give by leveraging on relationships they have built over the years through their influence.

Chapter 6 - What Really Matters to the Youth & Youth Development?

a. Research on adult leaders who has been impacted by youth ministry

What really impacted you then? Most would cite their teachers, mentors etc. But what would be constant among these people would be their act of belief in the person that resulted in conversion and transformation.

When Peter came before Jesus, Jesus saw beyond “Simon” – a name related to seaweed ie someone unstable or inconsistent. Instead Jesus saw “Cephas” – a name related to stablility ie rock. Jesus knew that Peter would betray Him. But yet He declared Peter as a rock! Jesus saw beyond the humanity …Jesus saw God’s design in Peter.

Similarly, in youth development, it is very key for us to see beyond the present and immediate. We need to see God in the person and what God could do in and through the person. We need to declare that so that spirit of the person could be edified.

What was instrumental in your growth? An environment of trust and thrust. Just like a seed, environmental factors are key to growth.

Environment of trust; people are willing to try when they are assured that failing is ok. Failing is part of total growth. People are willing to believe in themselves when they realized that we are so willing to believe in them.
Environment of thrust; people are like muscles …they need to be stretched. Not too much …not too little…but enough to grow outside our comfort zone. Enough to be more than yesterday…

If you were a youth leader then, what else would you do?
(to be answered)


b. Chronos study – why youth are where they are.

Behind every youth are their parents. Thus what shaped and influenced the parents have direct influence over the youth. Youth (born in the 80s) Parents (born in 50s)

Challenges of the various decades 1940s, 1950s, 1960s. 1970s, 1980s.
40s - children were dispensable due to the war and problems
50s - children were hands to bring in the food. It was a tough life.
60s - children were welcomed but neglected
70s - children were welcomed but neglected
80s - children were welcomed but pampered

Parents born in the era of 50s-70s would want to make up for the poverty and neglect in their lives by pampering their children. Yet, they do not have good role models nor parenting skills. Thus, while they dote on the teens and young adults today, they are not able to express their affection or parenting skills well.

From Chronos study, we can see that parents are influenced by their upbringing thereby affecting their parenting with their youth. Thus it is important for youth workers to see through the youth issue to see the parents and parenting issues confronting us today.



c. Felt needs and real needs

The felt needs of the youth are quite predictable;

Using Erik Erickson’s Model, we can understand these needs better.


Youth are at the stage of “Who am i? What can I be?” stage

And in this stage, the sense of FAMILY is important. See chart below.



Thus in this chapter on “What really matters to the youth & youth development?”, we need to know that:

1. Environments of Trust (I believe in You) and Thrust (You can do it!) are important for youth development.

2. Family System affects youth. We can know more through Chronos study.

3. Identifying needs are vital; both felt and real

With all these in mind, we are ready for the next part of the journey….

Chapter 4 - History of Youth Work (Singapore)

Incidential to Intentional to Integration

During the 1960s, the youth movement started in Singapore through the various youth ministries Youth For Christ, Campus Crusades, Navigators, etc. which were predominantly para-church organisations.

The church then, was not ready for such intense youth work. As such, many released their youth to serve in these para-church groups. Then came the 80s where we saw big churches rise up in our landscape. They were able to organize themselves and began their targeting of the campus and youth (typically Pre U and Sec Sch) ministries. Of course in this turbulent period, parachurches and church groups were caught on each other toes; both trying to figure out what was best for the Kingdom of God.

By the 90s most medium to big size churches are able to establish their own unique bland of youth work in campuses and schools. This trend of church formed groups causes the parachurch to redefine their roles and mission.

I was first converted and followed up in a parachurch organsiation in the 80s. I shifted to serve in a local church in the 90s till today. But I still have fond friendships with many parachurch groups because we “grew” up through the processs of change.

Through my teaching ministry as well as interaction, I saw many wonderful changes and growth in the church youth groups.

I have seen how we have moved from doing youth work incidentially (i.e. because we had to rather than we wanted to) to intentional youth work (i.e. we want to). It was an era of exciting growth in the 80s-90s, seeing churches rising up to own the discipling of their youth. Since then, the churches have matured in their views of youth work, from taking a glorified baby sitting role to intentional discipleship. Many youth leaders and pastors have come forth through this change.

Yet I am sensing and seeing a new trend is arising. I believe we are about to see youth work moving from not just being intentional but to an integrated formation. Integration would be a key word for the next lap. Youth work, in the 21st century, cannot be done apart from the rest of the church ministries. It, together with the rest, must be integrated to the total church.

I will liken this to a normal growth process of a child. When they are younger, they are taught to master one or two skills. But as they mature, they are expected to be able to do it intentionally. Then the day will come when they need to be multi-tasking.

This is not to be misunderstood as from a specialist (like a doctor) to become a general practitioner – that would be regressing. Instead it is like being able to be both a specialists as well as a CEO at the same time. Yes, it would mean more demands on the church as well as church pastors. But we need to be so to ensure that the total body (the church) would harness the full potential of the BODY and not every parts doing their own things.
It is challenging and I have not seen a fully functional type yet. But I know that would be the reality in the near future for any church and church youth group to thrive.

May God grant us wisdom to do so.

Chapter 3 : Youths - Leaders of Today!

Often we hear these slogans, “Youths are the Leaders of Tomorrow!”, “Youths hold the key to tomorrow!” etc.

They are true and right. But often inherent to these slogans, we assume that youth could only make meaningful contribution to the society when they grow up! i.e. they can only start to lead when they are older, wiser, more mature etc.

No wonder we see youths not being challenged to rise up at all; especially those in churches!

In schools, a 15-yr-old is expected to lead a uniform group (eg Co-Curriculum Activities), run projects, execute plans. They are not treated as a liability! They are treated as an individual who is able to contribute. They are expected to model, lead the way, be trustworthy and demonstrate responsibility.

Yet, in churches, they are meant to be seen not heard. They are expected only to receive and learn. In most situations there is nothing structured or intentionally designed to engage them with their PRESENT abilities. What a pity!

Youths are often looked down in churches.

However, 1 Tim 4:12 says, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

Even in the days of Timothy, the “habit” of belittling youth existed. Paul challenged Tim NOT to allow such perceptions to limit him. Rather, Tim must, through his life, model as an example to all who believed.

Youths are the leaders TODAY! We should not wait till they are older to engage them in meaningful contribution or service. We need to learn how to tap into the potential and energy within them and stretch them towards maturity.

Yes. They are youthful, immature and easily influenced. There is a limit to how much they can do. Hence there is a need to give to them age-appropriate means to disciple and deploy them.

Youths are the leaders TODAY! We need to allow God to show us how best to engage the 13-16, 16-20, 20-25….

Personally I have seen many youths being “discipled and deployed”. And they delivered what were expected of them. I mentioned that was done in Schools Co-Curriculum activities. I have also seen such examples in Community Service as well.

What could we learn from these examples of engaging youths as leaders today?
I believe there are several principles that we can learn and adapt into our church discipling programs for the youths.

Principle of Environmental Factors - Authority and Discipline (Guidance)
I choose the start with authority and discipline because young people need to know that there is a clear boundary. Unfortunately many grow up without a proper boundary system in their lives. They are used to do what they want, when they want. Apart from existing family systems which are cracking in many homes (Christian families included), schools are also failing in setting good boundary system due to workload, etc.

Thus, there is a great and urgent need to establish such environments from the start. An environment where boundaries are set up to respect authority and instill discipline is necessary for proper learning and growing to take place.

Principle of Affirming Culture - Award and Recognition (Motivation)
Environmental factor (external) and culture (internal).
We need to develop a healthy affirming culture. Notice the word “healthy”. We need to be affirming but our affirmation MUST be healthy lest it becomes mere flattery.
In many circles where affirmation is commonly practiced, I have found them to be human flattery (too much usage of superlative) more than affirmation.

What then is healthy affirming culture?
Firstly we need to know the purpose of Affirmation. It is to endorse, highlight, confirm the positive. Thus there is a need to define what is the positive action, gesture, attitude, etc. A mere statement ie “you are great” means nothing! You need to describe the part which makes you think that the person is great ie “Your selfless giving to the poor is great! I am touched.”

Secondly, we need to promote such affirming action. Youths need to know what is acceptable and what is not. Thus, promoting affirming action done by them is in itself an affirming act. In the process, we are also communicating our values as demonstrated in their actions. Common activities would be “end of camp appreciation” for the youth leaders. We use such moments to highlight what they have done well.

Thirdly, we need to redefine our culture. As in all things good, even good affirmation can erode due to neglect or overuse. Thus the need to revisit and reshape our culture. Culture is defined as the way we do things as a result of our values.

Principle of Meaning and Passion (Motivation)
How do we get the youths to stay connected and committed?
We need to help them to draw meaning from their actions. All of humanity is looking for meaning in life. We are such because God has created us for meaningful passion. We are created for Him. Thus, showing them how the outcome of their action contributes to LOVE (God is love) would spur them on.

Principle of Youth Development (Knowledge, Skills and Values)
For effective discipleship and deployment, we need to ensure that our youths are given the right knowledge and skills (through exciting means). It is important to note that there must be relevance and use (this reinforces the principle of meaning and passion) for the knowledge and skills taught. The lesser the amount we use, immediately, the least the motivation to learn.

Recently, I was reminded that in some under developed countries, how youths were called upon to lead. Eg. a 15-yr-old daughter of a senior pastor preached powerfully to more than a 15,000 -strong crowd; an 18-yr-old lady in China could be leading more than 10,000 members in an underground churches.

What is my point?
Youths are the Leaders TODAY!
Engage THEM!

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Cheers!
CSL