Embracing the Passion

Nigel Pimlott

Description

A timely and topical resource that looks into the areas of Christian youth work, faith and politics. Nigel Pimlott aims to inform, engage, empower and resource Christian youth workers and those studying youth work, so that they have a better understanding about the relationship between their work, their faith and politics.

Informations

• Publié par: Hymns Ancient & Modern
• Date de parution: 02 mars 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780334053132
• Langue: English

Extrait

Embracing the Passion
Embracing the Passion
Christian Youth Work and Politics
Nigel Pimlott
© Nigel Pimlott 2015
Published in 2015 by SCM Press
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, SCM Press.
The Author has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the Author of this Work.
Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, 2011 edition. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica (formerly International Bible Society). Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, a member of the Hodder Headline Group.
Written and developed in association with Frontier Youth Trust. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Frontier Youth Trust.
This book uses inclusive language, but occasionally gender-specific ­references have been maintained when using quotations. The names of some people referred to have been changed in order to protect their real identities.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
978 0 334 05311 8
Typeset by Manila Typesetting Company
Printed and bound by
CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon
Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword by the Rt Hon. Stephen Timms MP
1  Religion, Politics and Young People?
2  God and Politics
3  Jesus and Politics
4  The Current State of Affairs
5  The Prophetic Youth Worker
6  Barriers to Effective Work
7  A Mandate for Future Work
8  Opportunities to Develop Work
9  Practically Speaking
10  Conclusion
Appendix: My Research
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
It is almost impossible to write a book like this without the help of large numbers of people. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the people who took part in the research, especially the youth workers who gave their time so willingly. I remain in awe of the passion and commitment you show to young people in the work you do.
The journey of this book began in earnest with my PhD studies. I am indebted to Staffordshire University, Institute for Children, Youth and Mission and Oasis College for their generous bursary support that enabled me to embrace a passion. I am very grateful to Pete Twilley, David Webb, Nick Shepherd and Paul Fenton for helping keep my studies on track. Thanks also to those who provided helpful critiques of my early book drafts and made constructive suggestions for improvements: Debbie Garden, James Ballantyne, Janey Barrett, Jodie Watson and Adam Akers.
My colleagues at Frontier Youth Trust (FYT) have been continually supportive and encouraging during my writing. I am biased, but I think the work FYT does is awesome. The people I work with and the work they do serves young people unswervingly, and I am full of admiration for them and it. Sadly, two former colleagues are no longer with us. FYT legends Terry Dunnell and Ian Sparks died recently. They were pioneering and inspirational figures, who championed social justice work with young people – authentic activists who made a difference. You taught me much, and I think you might have quite liked what this book has to say . . .
Thanks also to Stephen Timms MP for writing the Foreword and SCM Press for their commitment to this project, especially from Natalie Watson, who patiently guided and supported me.
And finally, special thanks to my wife Sue for putting up with me when my mind was exclusively focused on political matters and for be ing there and sharing the journey.
Shalom.
Foreword by the Rt Hon. Stephen Timms MP
We Christians have sometimes separated ourselves from politics, confining our interest to a small number of rather narrow moral issues. As a result, the political influence of Christians has been much less than it should have been.
But today, Christians are increasingly stepping-up to meet growing community need. A million people called on church-led foodbanks last year. There is today in Government and among politicians a new recognition of the importance and the value of faith in our society. I want to see Christians taking advantage of that recognition.
Growing disengagement of young people from politics is very troubling. The position has been made worse by the seemingly casual abandonment in the coalition negotiations after the 2010 election of commitments on tuition fees which many young people cared deeply about. The churches now account for most of the youth work undertaken in Britain, and this book seeks to support the next generation of Christians and young people becoming politically engaged.
I have known Nigel, and the Frontier Youth Trust which employs him, for many years. They have always had a deep commitment to young people, especially to those young people who have not always found it easy in life. Their compassion, advocacy and campaigning exemplify the type of ‘stepping-up’ on the part of Christians which is so important.
I chaired the Demos Inquiry into Faith, Community and Society. 1 It found that religious people are more active citizens, and that they are more likely to be politically progressive, placing a greater value on equality than the non-religious. It argued that Local Authorities will benefit both financially and through improved community relations if religious groups are brought into service delivery. It also highlighted the importance for politicians of making common cause with faith groups, whose active participants in Britain far exceed the member ship of all the political parties put together. The early Labour Party had deep roots in the Church. We want to engage today in a proper dialogue with faith groups. We see them instilling, in modern Britain, the values to make politics work.
This book does not offer quick fixes to complex challenges. It estab lishes a clear theological position from which political work with young people can emerge. It is full of practical ideas to enable church-based activism. It asks questions of all of us. I hope you will read and reflect on it, and act upon what it says, in order to help young people engage in and be more passionate about politics.
This book encourages us all to work together so that young people can build a better society and develop the common good. I warmly commend it.
Rt Hon. Stephen Timms,
MP for East Ham;
Shadow Minister for Employment;
Labour Party Faith Envoy



1 Exploring the Role of Faith in British Society and Politics , 2013, edited by Jonathan Birdwell with Stephen Timms MP. London: Demos.
1 Religion, Politics and Young People?
Mission without politics is like dinner without vegetables – easier and quicker, but in a few years you’ll be pretty unhealthy.
Andy Flannagan, singer–songwriter, rouser of rabble
Certainly in the context I work in, I would say the young people are more interested in ‘celebrity gossip’ than politics. I think politics is a subject they feel uninformed about and is somehow distant from them and inaccessible to them.
Youth worker
Introduction
I have a bit of a problem: despite common wisdom advising against it, I am passionate about talking about religion and politics. I think religion and politics are the most interesting things in life to talk about. I am not that interested in the type of shoes you are wearing, the style of my hair (perhaps not surprising given my bald head), which celebrity is sleeping with who, the latest app for the newest phone, whether your handbag is a £250 leather designer piece or a £3 plastic charity shop bargain or the myriad of other trends and vogues that come and go. I am very interested in matters impacting the world, communities, the person and the soul of the individual. Religion and politics are at the heart of these.
My problem is accentuated by the fact that many people do not share my missional passion for religion and politics. When I told a family member I was writing a book about Christian youth work and politics, she – despite being a Christian for many years – completely dismissed the idea asking, ‘What’s politics got to do with it?’ Clearly, some seek to divide the functions and practice of faith and politics into separate entities that should never co-exist, let alone bring influence on one another. Others do not always perceive Jesus as a political figure who, I would argue, almost daily appeared to be politically engaged with societal structures, military powers and religious authorities.
There are times when I am asked to tone down my discussions about faith, politics and justice. In family conversations and professional meetings people think I am being negative and grumpy simply because I have a strong view about something. There have been occasions when every body would prefer I be quiet in the interests of harmony and compliance – this frustrates me. I want people to think about God, Jesus, the world we live in and our responsibilities in that world. Nothing frustrates me more than apathy and lethar