A church officer proudly stated that there were no delinquents in his church--but the question is--was he bragging or confessing? The growing mass of teenagers is providing a tremendous challenge to the church in our day which can not be so lightly set aside.

      Teenage evangelism is exercising the minds of churchmen around the world. This teenage population explosion is not confined to Australia. And with the explosion comes the problem what is the church going to do to meet its opportunity and responsibility in this area?

A Request:

      When I commenced with the Department of Home Missions and Evangelism in June, 1961 a request was made to help with a mission to teenagers. Many hours of planning were given to this programme which was to have a different format to that of the standard mission pattern.

The Aim:

      Its aim was to first of all reach teenagers and then confront them with the claims of Christ. Since the first request two others have followed. I will outline what has been done in these programmes and draw some conclusions.

The Preparation:

      The preparation for the first programme was with R. H. Patterson, formerly the minister of Maidstone. We mapped out what we thought would be the ingredients necessary

      to attract young people. He returned to the church to lay out the plans before the Officers and the young people.

The Organisation:

      There were three main areas of organisation:

      1. A very intensive publicity programme.

      2. Arranging for all the artists, testimonies, civic leaders, and special equipment necessary. Something like 40-50 have appeared on the programmes.

      3. Gathering the young people together to commit them to the programme and then assigning them their duties. One of the biggest tasks was drawing up a master list of all young people associated with the church and then asking each of those committed to the programme to be responsible for three or four young people. Personal contact is very important

The Setting:

      The actual setting for each of the three programmes has differed from place to place. We have had these meetings in church halls (one in cabaret style) and the other in a football grandstand.

      It might be said at this point if the church wants to reach out into the community it must be prepared to conduct its programme on neutral ground. It will be remembered that this was one of the underlying principles of tent missions. Alan Walker out of Methodist "Mission to the Nation" experience strongly makes the suggestion in these days of hiring the most attractive public hall in the community for such ventures.

The Programme:

      Here is where the church went

way beyond its normal bounds in making an evangelistic appeal.

Music:

      The kind of music played and sung was the kind that makes its appeal to young people of today. Older people generally speaking don't care for it.

Singing:

      The songs that were sung community style were those known by the young people, e. g. "When the Saints Come Marching In," "Closer Walk with Thee" etc.

Civic Support:

      The civic authorities were very keen to lend their support to such a venture and congratulated the church on the spirit of enterprise. One of these men would be asked to speak for five minutes each night.

Personal Testimonies:

      These would be brought by men or women who have achieved success in their field of endeavour and have a strong sense of Christian commitment. They came from the field of sport, business and entertainment. They spoke of their own Christian experience and made a great impact upon the young people.

The Appeal:

      1. The aim at this point was to present the claims of Christ forcibly and clearly.

      2. To do it all in the compass of 15 to 20 minutes.

      3. To call for decision.

Coke and Coffee Time:

      After the meeting the young people would sit or stand around listening to the various instrumental groups and singers. This was an important time from the point of view of relationships and contact.

      Naturally I haven't exhausted the full scope of the organisation or the programmes. What I have tried to do is present the broad picture, leaving it for you to fill in the details.

The Results:

      As in all work of this nature, we could not evaluate all that has been done, but each programme has registered numerous acts of commitment.

The Costs:

      This is an important matter and from my personal knowledge the final cost has averaged a little over £100.

Personal Reactions:

      Let me say at the outset that I have been thrilled to be associated with these ventures. I count it a privilege to be associated with any plan that moves out into the world for the cause of Christ.

      I will admit that I had doubts when it came to preaching for decision in a cabaret setting, but I learned that God is not bound by tables and chairs, but can bring a response in any situation where He is given the chance.

      In the second place let me say that not for one moment do I regard efforts of this kind as the final word in evangelism. They are only one small expression of this great task.

      The constant week by week association and extension of friendship and fellowship is still the most powerful form of evangelism.

Advantages and Possibilities:

      Summing up the advantages and possibilities of such a programme these observations may be made:--

      A point of contact was provided. Especially when we went outdoors more than half the audience looked completely unchurched.

      An opportunity for decision was provided.

      An opportunity was provided for the young people of the church to become actively involved in the work of evangelism.

      An opportunity was provided for young and old to witness in the community. Efforts of this kind become topics of conversation in the schools and at work.

      The programme also provides an opportunity to put into the shop window of the church some of its outstanding personalities in the world of sport, business and entertainment.

      Men of the calibre of Alan Rowe--entertainer; John Birt, Ken Fraser, Doug Beasy and John Halbert of interstate football fame; Robert Coles from the world of big business.

      These men have an opportunity of witnessing to the reality of Christ in their own experience. Another who made a great impression on the young people was Cyril Minns with his "seeing-eye" dog. From his darkened world he has pointed many to the light of Jesus Christ.

      Other youth groups have been inspired to do something to strengthen the outreach programme of their own church.

      I would like to turn your attention now from these experimental programmes to some general considerations related to teenage evangelism. It is obvious that there are many problems associated with bringing the gospel to young people as there is, and always has been in bringing the gospel to people of all ages through many different periods of history. But let us concern ourselves with young people in this period of history.

Communication:

      One real problem in teenage evangelism is undoubtedly that of communication. The history of the church has been a constant struggle to communicate its message to the world. To speak and be understood. This struggle is seen in the many versions we have of the scriptures, the developments within the field of church music, the changing style of church architecture, and the many theories of the atonement which have been used in the different eras of history to proclaim the saving message of Christ. And the evangelist has always to examine what he is going to say to make sure that the language and content are relevant to his day and can be understood by his people.

      Evangelisation of the teenager of today and tomorrow demands a constant revision of methods, techniques and forms of worship so that when contact is made he will understand what we are saying to him and know what response to make. I don't think he expects us to go to extremes in our task of communication, but he must understand in "his own tongue."

No Christian Memories:

      Another difficulty we face is the lack of religious training and background in the young person today. As Alan Walker would say, "so many of these young people have very few Christian memories." With very little, or no Sunday School training, hardly ever hearing God, Christ or the church mentioned in their homes, and certainly no contact with the church in their daily lives, the church has virtually to start from scratch. With many young people we cannot assume a background knowledge of the faith, but like Paul as he travelled from place to place, as a missionary, we are faced with a missionary situation right here in our own country.

The Church Itself:

      A third problem as I see it could be the church itself.

      Will this unchurched young person be made welcome when he comes?

      Will his unconventional dress be looked at questioningly?

      Will he be able to bring his friends or will he be afraid that they will be frozen out?

      Will he receive a challenge big enough for his capacity?

      Will the church be able to provide him with a programme that will put to work the talents he possesses?

      Will he feel that he belongs to a fellowship in the fullest sense of the word?

      We might sum up all these questions by asking ourselves is our church ready to reach out into the uncommitted areas of life? The answer is, of course that if the church is really the church we are ready now. Only you can judge this or yourself.

The World:

      Another problem that thrusts itself forward is the world into which our young people must make their way.

      Harold Loukes makes this quite clear in his book "Teenage Religion." "During the school years we expect our children to develop a love for good books which their parents do not read; to be discriminating when their parents are pushed about by subtle advertising; to be honest and truthful in a world that makes little effort to either; to be unselfish in a world that is proud of its organised greed."

      Loukes also draws upon a section of the Crowther report (para. 268) (a report following a survey conducted in English secondary schools), which states referring to the student; "As he enters the outside world he finds that much that would have been condemned at school or in the family is tolerated and accepted as natural. He discovers that many of the values he has been told he ought to live by seemed to be reckoned to be no more valuable in purchasing power than the currency which Samuel Butler's Erewhonians drew from their Musical Banks." His former world has not prepared him for future days and his ideas seem to topple into a world of unreality. His struggle to find his place in the new world will probably lead him to conform.

      J. E. Gough's strikingly clear statement on the "Church, Delinquent and Society"--Provocative Pamphlet No. 59--outlines very definitely the world into which our teenager will eventually move. It is a world, he says, in which success has become a god, power is a premium and novelty is an implicit value in our society. All this adds up to the fact that the fundamental error of our society is sheer materialism. He goes on to point out that unfortunately the church is also guilty at this point of taking over many of these implicit values and the church itself tends to worship success, power and novelty.

      It is quite obvious from these statements and our own experience that the world in which these young people live and move becomes a further problem in the work to which we are called.

      Young people offer great potential, great possibilities, but with these opportunities there is also the possibility of great disappointment and the lack of response.

Encouraging Signs:

      One is a report from a recent survey conducted by the London Daily Mirror. The reporter sought to discover just what the young people of London thought of the church. We know what we think about the young people in our communities, but what they think of us and our message is really more important,

for after all what they think about us will determine what they will do with the Lord of the church.

      The reporter, Tony Miles said that the young people he interviewed did not dismiss the church's message as "square." Far from it he says, they believe that the church has something to say and something to offer.

      Seven out of ten think that the teaching of the churches has meaning for the young people of today.

      Six out of ten feel that the churches understand young people.

      Five out of ten believe that the sermons are relevant to everyday life.

      The report went on to say that most of today's youngsters believe in God, in the Bible, and consider themselves to belong to some church. BUT very few actually attend church.

      And the report issued this stern challenge: Middle aged critics who are fond of decrying youth for "aimlessness," "lack of serious beliefs," had better alter their tune. The challenge to the church is this. Youngsters do have serious religious beliefs, but church going does not attract them. And then this final sentence in bold type:

      "Instead of blaming youth for cold-shouldering the church, maybe parsons ought to give more thought to this--they are plainly failing to capture the imagination of far too many young men and women of today."

Teenage Religion:

      An enquiry conducted among Sunday School children in England and reported in Harold Loukes' book "Teenage Religion" would support the findings here, that these young people display a high degree of interest in religious problems. The report went on to say that teachers of poetry or history would be envious of the amount of interest shown by these students of religion.

      A lot of what is said here could probably apply to Australian youth and what is more to the point, to the Australian church scene. I believe that within this report there is room for encouragement.

Christ the Highest and the Best:

      Another factor that encourages me is that there are always young people who are willing to give themselves to something that is worthwhile. We believe that Jesus Christ is not only the Saviour of the world, but that He is at the same time them highest object of worship and offers to mankind the greatest work in the world, that of establishing His Kingdom on earth.

      Our task is to so present Christ and His claims upon our life, plus the life that He offers, that these young people and the enthusiasm they have to offer will be captured and harnessed for the Kingdom of Christ.

      It is surely true that this is what Fascism did with the youth of Germany and what Communism is doing with young people all around the world.

      I am not prepared to say at this stage that anyone has found the answer to the evangelisation of the growing population of young people, but in some areas a start has been made.

Secondary School Chaplaincy:

      One of the really ambitious moves made in recent years has been the establishment of chaplains in High and Technical Schools. This is a very forward, progressive and adventurous move. These men have no easy task and any results of their work might not be seen for many years. This is meeting young people on their own ground and the least we can do is to pray that these men will have the spiritual

resources to meet the tremendous demands of this situation.

Experiment in Locklease:

      Ernest Marvin, an English minister writing in the "British Weekly" tells of his after church dance for teens. He has some doubts about the worthwhileness of the programme. He wonders whether or not he is just "propping up the wall." They come in with their sideboards colliding under their chins, smoking their cigarettes, and with a girl friend alongside. They don't call them by that name.

      He says, "those of us who are used to this chaos of a Sunday evening often grow depressed and wonder if we are getting anywhere at all. Then along comes the outsider to tell us how shattered and excited they are about it all, and we keep the 'hotch potch' going a little longer.

      "In our more optimistic moods we think that a bridge-head has been established linking the church with a section of the community usually outside its influence.

      "It would be a denial of the power of the Holy Spirit," says Mr. Marvin, "to say that nothing can be done with many of these kids today."

      It is true that he has received his encouragements and there are young people who come there who have no where else to turn, but that does not lessen the magnitude of the task.

Success in Sydney:

      When Alan Walker went into the Waverley Mission church in Sydney it is reported that he had a church of fifty members with no youth work. He commenced the Waverley Christian Community Centre to which for years over 600 young people came weekly. As a result many were led to Christ and into the full membership of the church.

      On one Sunday he welcomed one hundred and twenty-six into the membership of the church.

      The Rev. Alan Walker is now Superintendent of the Sydney Central Methodist Mission. One feature of his work is the Saturday night Cabaret. It is a dance for teenagers on the church property, but has as its purpose the reaching of young people for Christ. A Christian message is part of every programme. Once the young people enter they cannot re-enter if they leave during the programme. Over 50 Christian young people serve as ushers, ticket sellers, and sing in the youth choir. The success of the Teenage Cabaret depends on this devoted band of Christian young people and on the prayer that surrounds the venture.

      During the whole evening a group of young people maintain a constant vigilance of prayer.

      Here is one attempt at teenage evangelism in Australia. Many other such attempts are being made patterned on the Central Methodist Mission.

In the Local Church:

      A suggestion concerns the local church. There is no better means of youth evangelism than through committed Christian youth. I can think of nothing stronger than a core of young Christians, a cell group within the church, who would be prepared to come together, to pray, to study the life of Christ, to share their own witnessing experience among their work mates or school friends, to be Christ's representatives on the frontiers of life.

      Indeed this sounds very much like New Testament Christianity. This doesn't do away with the need for a youth programme but gives to it real purpose.

      It is true to say that throughout many of our churches we have hundreds of young people who are witnessing Christians, but how much

stronger they would be if they had within the church a group to which they could report. It goes without saying that this group must never become a "holier than thou" or else they had better leave the idea alone.

      The basis of this venture must inevitably spring from the local C.Y.F. or associated group.

      Before I close there are some things that I would like to make clear.

      I have not been asked to write this article because I am an authority on Teenage Evangelism. The only reason is that I have been involved in these experimental programmes. It must be realised that there are many people who are giving their whole time and energy such as our own State Departments of Christian Education in coming to grips with these matters. They would each welcome enquiries.

      Neither do I regard these programmes as the final word on Teenage Evangelism. It is only one attempt, in a particular field, but it is an attempt.

      Alan Walker has said about his: own venture in Sydney: "The first major discovery we made is that today's young people stand further from the church than is realised . . . there is a pathetic emptiness and lostness about them . . . the task facing the whole church to reach this 'lost' generation will be long and hard, It will take long years to learn to speak to them again and win them to Christ and His church. Traditional methods will never do it. But by compassion and prayer, by experiment and effort the way will open,"

      Whatever is done will inevitably come under close scrutiny and criticism. The church will see these ventures in various lights--too modern, lacking good worship values, immature, shallow, and from some--not adventuresome enough.

      But let us be sure, whatever we advocate, that we are evangelising, not just talking, or being busy, being critical or being cautious, but declaring Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit so that young people come to put their trust in Him as Saviour and Lord.

      At Pentecost, the crowd heard the apostles speaking each in his own language and the question is still on the lips of searching youth: "What shall I do, to whom shall I go?", and the sure and certain declaration of the evangelist must ever be--behold the Christ, "in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins."

      A. A. AVERY, Field Officer, Department of Home Missions and Evangelism, commissioned to encourage evangelism and other promotional activities among the churches.