Thanks so much. That's good to hear. A lot of cult references popped up when I googled and I got nervous. I'm on the east coast and had never heard of young life - but apparently my oldest niece out west is very involved. Thanks again!
ETA: It isn't a church and isn't tied to one. It does sit on the Evangelical Christianity side of things so I can see how someone who thinks that (Evangelical Christianity) is inherently suspect could construe it as a cult, but TBH if I heard someone call it that I'd assume they didn't have any experience with YL.
Post by CallingAllAngels on Jul 22, 2014 19:59:52 GMT -5
It was popular around these parts (Bible belt) when I was in high school. My sister went to YL camp in Colorado and had a great trip. It's evangelical, so it kind of depends on how you feel about that.
Post by lasagnasshole on Jul 22, 2014 20:40:09 GMT -5
It is not a cult. It is an evangelical Christian youth ministry. A lot of kids I grew up with were involved with it although I was not. It definitely skews more evangelical/conservative, and at this point in my life/faith journey, I would probably not encourage my child to participate.
But it is not a cult in the sense of brainwashing, difficult-to-leave, super creepy power dynamics, etc.
I went to college in NY and until then I never realized that it's actually not normal for all the cool kids in high school to be in youth groups. Or that "what church do you go to?" is not a normal question to ask strangers elsewhere in the country.
I went to college in NY and until then I never realized that it's actually not normal for all the cool kids in high school to be in youth groups. Or that "what church do you go to?" is not a normal question to ask strangers elsewhere in the country.
Valid point, I went to college in DC and it was the same thing (not based on church, etc). And it was definitely the 'cool kids' who were involved in YL. I was not one of them, ha.
I went to college in NY and until then I never realized that it's actually not normal for all the cool kids in high school to be in youth groups. Or that "what church do you go to?" is not a normal question to ask strangers elsewhere in the country.
Valid point, I went to college in DC and it was the same thing (not based on church, etc). And it was definitely the 'cool kids' who were involved in YL. I was not one of them, ha.
LOL me neither!
I think it takes getting out of the south to realize what a strange place it really is.
It's totally legit and based locally to me. It's roots are in Evangelical Christianity, like many organizations here in Colorado Springs (Focus on the Family anyone?) I am not churchy at all but it is a great organization for kids and I had several college friends who were involved in leadership for YL in Kansas. I'd much rather my children get involved in YL than a LOT of other things they could do.
Post by borinquen57 on Jul 22, 2014 23:00:44 GMT -5
I was in it in high school as well, and I loved it! The leaders were this really cool and welcoming couple and they organized the best camp and fun after-school activities. It was Christian-based but not at all cultish or weird and they didn't make you feel like an outcast if you weren't a Christian. It was definitely a good experience and a great time.
Thanks for all the info. It's fascinating to me since I NEVER heard of Young Life until this week when I heard about my niece. I guess it's not big in the Northeast? I am curious though that so many of you mention it's for the 'cool' kids - what if you're not 'cool', you can't join?
"This prick is asking for someone here to bring him to task Somebody give me some dirt on this vacuous mass so we can at last unmask him I'll pull the trigger on it, someone load the gun and cock it While we were all watching, he got Washington in his pocket."
Thanks for all the info. It's fascinating to me since I NEVER heard of Young Life until this week when I heard about my niece. I guess it's not big in the Northeast? I am curious though that so many of you mention it's for the 'cool' kids - what if you're not 'cool', you can't join?
Anyone can join, lol. I think every school's YL will vary. There are a couple different aspects of Young Life
Club- which is what most people think of as Young Life. You sing some songs (secular and Christian), play silly game/watch silly skit, and the talk (One leader tells 5ish minute story, involving scripture- towards the end of the semester, one talk is about sin, another about the cross). The talk isn't a sermon, and it's not condemning. I know with my talks, I was relating my personal stories to the kids, while showing how scripture could relate to the story I was telling). It's a comfortable atmosphere, with no pressure.
Campaigners- This is a Bible study. Kids that want to be involved with a Bible study can, again it's not "BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO SAVE THEIR SOULS!!" I'd meet with a small group of girls, and we would read some of the Bible together and talk about it. Most kids aren't interested in this, and that's totally ok.
Camp- the Young Life camps are amazing. They are all over the country, and the main mission here is to make it the best week of your (a camper's) life. There's water sports, zip line, rock wall, ropes course, regular sports (basketball/volleyball). The food is awesome. Coming from someone who worked at camp, our entire goal is to make sure every kid is having an awesome time.
As a leader, we organized club and campaigners, but I mainly was a leader because I wanted high schoolers to know that someone cared for them. I'd go hang out with kids at lunch, go to all of their sporting events, etc. I still keep in touch with some of the kids. Most of the girls I'd hang out with were ones that would never come to club (didn't know/like the main group, came from rough backgrounds). These girls needed someone a little older to care for them, since they had no support at home. If they had faith questions, they could ask them. I would never roll up in the school saying "Hi! I'm Eloise, do you know Jesus?!" Some kids were interested in talking about God, other kids never wanted to. I was there to support them, regardless of their faith.