Foundation Value #8
8. BE INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL:
YWAM is international and interdenominational in its global scope as well as its local constituency. We believe that ethnic, linguistic and denominational diversity, along with redeemed aspects of culture, are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the mission.
While each of the foundational values of YWAM are important, this particular value is important to me- not only for its merit, but also for how we seem to be missing the point as to its deeper meaning. Our foundational values are not static descriptions of what we are as a mission, but dynamic ideals that, while rooting us in our history and current identity, call us to imbody them in deeper ways. This is especially true of this value.
In many respects, YWAM is known best for this value. YWAM has been a leader in championing the shift in missions to celebrate the diversity that has made us so distinct. The mission has even drawn strong criticism for working along sides denominations or releasing leaders who the critics saw as inappropriate (at best). This legacy is one of the reasons I love YWAM and have commited myself to it for more than 10 years.
That being said, we can be satisfied as an organization to evaluate ourselves in light our history nor in light of the alternatives. Rather, we must measure ourselves against the value itself, expressed in its fullest ideal. So, while the value states that we are "interdenominational" that sees the diversity as "positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the mission", we have not always practiced it.
As a mission, YWAM is largely an evangelical organization with charismatic leanings, and a heritage in the holiness tradition. This is part of our heritage, our DNA, and for the most part, it will never change. Nor should it. Too often, though, this value has come to mean that all denominations are welcome, as long as they don't mind doing things "our" way- meaning evangelical/charismatic/holiness tradition. However, another aspect of YWAM's DNA is its commitment to include, celebrate and learn from other cultures, traditions and experiences. This means that we need to learn the sacred practice of "making space".
"Making space" is not simply about allow physical space, such as allowing individuals or groups to develop their own expression according to their culture or traditions. This is an important aspect, but it cannot be the whole process. Let me give an example, drawing from a wonderful expression of YWAM called Kerygma Teams.
Kerygma Teams (KT) is an expression of YWAM with ministries in 11 countries worldwide. Their commitment is to be a blessing to all the churches, but has a primary call to train and mobilize Catholic young people for active service. As their website states: "Our teams are ecumenical, but with a 'Catholic ethos'". I have been both very excited and deeply impressed with their ministries. For them to be where they are, they required a degree of "physical" space to create their unique Catholic identity outside of a largely Protestant organization.
However, I have been equally disappointed by how few grass-roots YWAMers have heard of KT at all. I have even sadly heard mild to "standard" anti-Catholic rhetoric within a (very) small number people, though that is another topic. According to foundational value #8, a ministry such a KT has a significant investment to make to our health and growth. They represent an expression of faith in Christ that hold a powerfully rich history. Like all cultures, traditions and even individuals, they bring an aspect of God character that no one else brings.
In that way, we need to "make space", not only within the structures of the organization, but also in our very theology and methodolgy. We need to be willing- pursuing how their traditions can bless our models for worship, evangelism, discipleship and everything. And we do this, not out of a paternalistic attempt to placate the "minorities", but out of an understanding that their contribution is essential to us. But make no mistake, while this commit will bring great blessing to the mission, it does not come without great challenge and cost. We must count the cost, but then know it is worth paying.
Kerygma Teams represent only one aspect of how YWAM needs to step out and embrace this value intentionally. Many more aspects of this value are there to be explored, with rich cultures and traditions, nationalities and languages, all full of the potential available to us all. This will not just happen to us. It will require that we respond to Gods guidance to us as a mission, given to us through the values that make up our foundation.
