'Space, Permission and Validity'

Ministry and mission with young people [and new forms of church or contextual missional experiments] are given 'oxygen' and the chance to grow when they are given SPACE, PERMISSION and VALIDITY. This thought struck at least one peer this week at our 'Messy Ministry Context' Inservice this week at Nth Parramatta!! Graham suggested I submit a guest post to 'More Than Dodgeball' and I may yet do that... but in my current tired state I'll try a 'rewind' with a wordy reminder to help me sharpen my thoughts...

These three elements became clear to me in the lead up and during my 2008 participation in our Youth Unit 'Greenbelt Festival/UK Fresh Expressions' trip. It was true of a number of 'new experimental faith communities' including some exemplary ministry with young people. Many learnings on that trip echoed the same needs for youth ministry.

SPACE

Any group, event, program or activity involving 'gathering' needs dedicated space in which to happen... not a damp room the size of a box, not the locked crockery cupboard or anywhere you need to borrow keys to access. Shared use is fine if it's marked by generosity, resourcing and a willingness to 'live and let live'.

PERMISSION

With space comes the need for permission to 'be' and to use it. Is it easier to seek 'forgiveness' than permission... it's often said BUT is it true?

Your using the hall, but is it a hassle? Are you always 'copping grief' for tidyness, the power bill, leaving things alone, the 'special' cups or tension over scheduling...

Alternatively, permission means respect, genuine access and shared enthusiasm for your use of the space. You have keys, alarm codes and space to store what you need. Permission is about genuine ACCESS to SPACE.

VALIDITY

Without this the other two are only ideas!! If ministry with young people is genuinely embraced and valued then equal partners will thrive in a shared space. If on the other hand, even space and permission are given begrudgingly and withdrawn at every opportunity... if what's happening is viewed as not 'real' ministry, then lack of being seen as valid will limit the long term possibilities!!

My EXAMPLE is St Laurence, Reading. A regional review, hierarchy and finance were crucial in allowing a heritage church with 9 parishioners to be transformed through the catalyst of a Minister and a Young Adult mission team. Over ten years later its a reinvigorated all age congregation in mission and ministry with young people, building a new form of church and impacting it's local community and the world.

BUT it's not about the millions of pounds as the key factors have still been space, permission & validity. Any congregation willing to dedicate some hall space and a bbq, finance/training/promotion/website and who see what's happening as their call and mission... could do likewise with a coat of paint and an LCD TV...