I just came back from a small gathering of Christians who arranged a meeting with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) to find out more about their organization. Besides the great food, great fellowship and great discussions (including how we Christians in Singapore ought to be treating the migrant workers in our midst), I was so glad to hear a bit more about what YWAM is all about. I’ve encountered YWAM a lot of times in the past year or so (including in Perth last year), but never really had the desire to find out more about the group. I came away from the meeting last night really attracted to this group. I’m definitely going to find out more about them and maybe get more involved with them in future.
Here are some of their values which I love:
- One thing that straightaway attracted me is their focus on hearing God’s voice. This is something that I’ve been looking into and working on in the past half a year or so. To actually make “Hear God’s voice” one of their foundational values is impressive. In fact, it’s third after “Know God” and “Make God Known”. I think a large part of their success is due to them hearing from God and obeying Him. I received a free book written by their founder Loren Cunningham entitled “Is That Really You, God?”, subtitled, “Hearing The Voice Of God”. And I think it’s going to be an exciting and challenging read!
- Another thing that attracted me is its value of decentralization and interdenominationalism, both of which I value highly. I think these two values make sure that authoritarianism and narrow-mindedness are avoided. There have been a lot of criticisms about YWAM being authoritative and abusive and like any group I’m certain it’s not perfect – and there have been a lot of abuses. But the fact that they value decentralization means that at least in some ways they are not all about controlling everybody and making everyone believe and act as they do. There is also a great diversity of doctrines being taught in YWAM which I think is good. The fact that this is allowed (of course, I think within limits) means that they know it’s not all about one’s doctrines, but about one’s relationship with God. We can all have different ideas, different beliefs (within limits) and be from different denominations (they even work with Catholics) because in YWAM’s eyes these are not as important as many other groups and Christians make them out to be. What’s most important is one’s relationship with God and doing His work. It seems that YWAM knows what’s important and knows the importance of majoring on the majors and minoring on the minors.
- YWAM doesn’t pay any of their staff members. Each person has to raise money by himself. I think that’s good because in the first place these people there are not overpaid as most likely it means they’re not going to get a lot of money. But more importantly, it means each person has to be dependent upon God to provide. They need to go by faith. That’s radical. And there are many stories of God’s miraculous provision in response to His people’s radical faith and dependence.
- YWAM also emphasizes a lot on mercy ministry – i.e. helping the poor, needy and marginalized. It’s one of their three main ministries along with Evangelism and Discipleship. I think this is in line with a more balanced and holistic view of what God’s mission in this world is about.
- I’m glad to see “inner healing” as one area that’s touched upon in their foundational DTS (Discipleship Training School) that all YWAMers need to go through. This is one area that has also been on my mind that past year or so because of various people in my life. I think there is a big need for this ministry.
If there’s any concern I have with YWAM, it is that their radicalness can easily result in legalism and abuse. But this has always been the problem when the organizations’ beliefs (churches included) are radical and they seek to promote such radicalism in their members. Any intensive pursuit of God without a strong foundation in grace can turn out badly. Pursuing God wholeheartedly often entails a lot of introspection (i.e. looking inside and searching one’s heart) and too much of that can be legalistic. On the other hand, no introspection at all can lead to stagnation and complacency. And there’s a fine line between the two. But all this is not so much a specific criticism of YWAM as it is a recognition of the danger one needs to be aware of with all organizations.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I would encourage you to research, the good and the bad and the ugly, while checking out YWAM. Just type “spiritual abuse” into a search engine and see where that takes you with regard to the less ‘appealing’ aspects of ‘some’ YWAM bases.
From personnal experience… be very careful.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your sharing. I read up a bit about YWAM before writing this post. I even linked to YWAM’s Wikipedia entry which contains a section on criticisms of YWAM. And in my post I talked about the tendency towards abuse in organizations like YWAM.
I believe abuses are real in YWAM. But they are true also in many Christian organizations and church associations. No organization is perfect simply because humans are imperfect.
Of course we need to pay extra attention to some organizations because abuses seem to be systematic in nature. From what I know of YWAM (admittedly not a lot), this is not the case. But I may be wrong.
Anyway, the way I see it, things are probably too decentralized for any abuse to be systematic in nature. As you mentioned, it’s about ‘some’ YWAM bases, not all.
I don’t doubt your own experience of abuse. And I don’t doubt many people have been hurt by YWAM. On the other hand, my experience of some of the leaders I’ve met from the YWAM base in Singapore has only been positive.
hey, thanks for looking into Youth With A Mission… yes, it is a radical movement. The criticisms leveled against us have been (and will continue to be) addressed in many different ways–as you’ve noted. We had some people with misguided interpretations of holiness when the “shepherding” movement was big in the 80′s. That’s the tricky part of working with such a diverse group from all different walks of Christendom, some people bring in bad ideas. But we pick ourselves up, and walk more carefully each time. I’ve been to 31 countries with YWAM–seen some serious mistakes, and made some of my own…but I’ve also seen countless selfless heroes who are laying their lives down to serve Jesus and the multitudes that He loves. It’s an incredible phenomenon to see tens of thousands of believers from all different ages, cultures and denominations spontaneously journeying across the planet and asking God how to help the people they meet. That’s my 2 cents anyway. Thanks for yours! -J
I am very positive about YWAM and their great strength is their constant endeavours to keep it a movement and to prevent debilitating institutionalization from creeping in.
YWAM got into the Shepherding-like submission and legalism in 1975 after focusing on Bill Gothard’s teachings. As far as I know they have not denounced it or acknowledged that they were wrong.
Will the ripple effects of Bill Gothard and other shepherding ministries never end? Lord Jesus, come and save your people from bending to false leaders, and trying to find our identity in anything apart from Jesus’ Blood and Righteousness! And Let your healing come, Amen, Come Lord Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A former taken-in wounded warrior determined to own Jesus in all things and not anyone else. And, healing has come only through renouncing the false leaders, teachers, teachings, and submission to authority that is not Jesus. MB
As a parent who has had personal experience with YWAM I would NEVER recommend this organization to my children. If you have any kind of training that would be beneficial on the mission field find another missions organization. If you have no training and want to go short-term find a church group. YWAM outreaches are much more expensive than they need to be.
YWAM is not a safe place. The leaders did not make me feel included in their “community” I felt like I was in Alice in Wonderland. I had to please the queen or leaders and follow their orders and rules. Luckily I didn’t conform to their obsessiveness. I was treated unfairly and called “spiritually rebellious.” This royal house keeps everyone under terror of being excuted at the slightest offense. I was cast out because I was not spiritual enough for them.
My husband was in YWAM over 20 years ago and is still recovering from his experiences. I’m not going to go into detail but their treatment of him was appalling and ranks right up there with cultic behavior. In fact I’d go so far as to say they ARE a cult.
I in good conscience could never recommend them as an organization through which someone should do mission or charity work. There are many others that do so and do not commit the atrocities and abuses YWAM does, especially at such a pervasive level. To declare that all Christian denominations/organizations are guilty of their own abuses as a reason why you will not condemn YWAM, while true, only serves to codone and excuse the un-condonable and inexcusable.
This kind of maltreatment will only end when everyone is willing to say it’s unacceptable and act accordingly. In YWAM’s case, this would be refusing to contribute or volunteer with them, and letting the cash flow dry up to nothing so they can no longer exploit countless men, women and children who go in believing with all their hearts that they are doing something good for God. Instead they walk out disillusioned and broke while the “leaders” build more marble fountains for their mansions and have gourmet meals off the backs of those who work for them as they’re forced to dig in dumpsters for food and beg for the bare minimum after funds for them to go on mission trips and DTS get mysteriously yanked.