Youth Ministry and Divorce (cont.)
3. “This people” can heal “this person.”
Finally, Andy explains that identity is divided in children of divorce. This crisis of identity is created by the brokenness of the primary community of young people. Andy suggests that youth workers and faith communities can provide another “this people” who can be a place where healing can happen to the “this person” in the name of Jesus Christ.
As my conversation with Tim progressed, I asked if he had three to five people who can help him live through the pain and hurt of his parents’ divorce. Tim named five people who were close to him. One was Tim’s youth worker, and three attended that congregation.
Tim described how those people had already spent time with him and talked about the subject. To me it signaled that Tim’s faith community was already a “this people” who could be with him as he faces the pain and suffering of his parents’ divorce in the name of Jesus Christ.
This was my experience of church. When my parents divorced, I met five Christian friends who helped give me the identity of Christian. They gave me a new way of being in the world that included faith practices and acts of compassion and justice. They called me to teach and led me to see it was God’s calling upon my life. That group of Christians saved the “this person” that I am becoming by God’s grace.
Youth Ministry and Divorce: Closing Thoughts
Amid all this esoteric language and theological reflection, the greatest insight I offered Tim? “That sucks, and God hates that this is happening.” Youth workers must recognize that divorce causes an ontological crisis for young people. Our words should acknowledge the pain and remind kids that God is with them amid it all.
The hopeful reality is that we have the opportunity to be with youth in their suffering. God gives us the great gift of being a “this people” who offer the security that young people need to heal their divided identities.
