Comments on: The Radical Christianity of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/ declaring and bringing heaven here on earth Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:31:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: PS http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-144439 PS Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:24:54 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-144439 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. 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.

]]> By: margaret http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-135361 margaret Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:34:56 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-135361 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 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

]]> By: Lora http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-119454 Lora Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:33:09 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-119454 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. 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.

]]> By: cautiouschristian http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-109041 cautiouschristian Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:34:34 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-109041 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. 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.

]]> By: T M http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-84399 T M Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:45:58 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-84399 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. 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.

]]> By: blogpastor http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-37333 blogpastor Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:12:10 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-37333 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. 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.

]]> By: J http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-36647 J Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:02:22 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-36647 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 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

]]> By: stillhaventfound http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-35496 stillhaventfound Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:56:33 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-35496 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. 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.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-35472 Jeff Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:39:14 +0000 http://www.stillhaventfound.org/2008/09/13/the-radical-christianity-of-youth-with-a-mission-ywam/#comment-35472 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. 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.

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