Spirituality in Youth Development

Spirituality in youth development

This aspect of youth development is given little attention by most youth professionals. Not that youth professionals are not spiritual, but the uncertainty of how to discuss spiritual matters, within their working environments, is part and parcel of its low priority (Pittman, Garza, Yohalem, Artman, 2008). But for youth professionals, working within faith-based organizations, their goals and objectives with youth are focused primarily around the spiritual and religious attitudes of a faith community. It is within such a community that practices are developed that challenge and sustain one’s faith identity. Such practices can also find value and merit within secular youth programs and organizations.

What is spirituality?

A definitive description of the term spirituality is difficult, if not, impossible. But there are a number of individuals throughout the span of history that have alluded to its essence. For example, the well-renowned, abstract expressionist painter of the twentieth century, Mark Rothko described the moorings of the soul in the following manner:

When I was a younger man, art was a lonely thing: no galleries, no collectors, no critics, no money…Today it is not quite the same. It is a time of tons of verbiage, activity, and consumption…But I do know that many who are driven to this life are desparately [sic] searching for those pockets of silence where they can root and grow. We must all hope that they find them. (p.157)

Those pockets of silence where one can root and grow resonate with the fact that spirituality has to do with being human. Spirituality first and foremost deals with ontology—the fundamental nature of being. Seminary professors Robin Maas and Gabriel O’Donnell, O.P., acknowledged a similar hungering for rootedness within the Christian context: “For there can be no relevance without rootedness, and only the deepest taproots can anchor and support life under harsh and arid conditions (Maas & O’Donnell, O.P., 12). If spirituality is a core aspect of being human, then it has a place of respect and examination within youth development.

In an attempt to address a working definition of spiritual development, The Search Institute’s Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence created the following: “Spiritual development is, in part, a constant, ongoing, dynamic, and sometimes difficult interplay between three core developmental processes: Awareness or awakening, interconnecting and belonging, and a way of living” (Search Institute, 2008). Thus, the way in which one embodies the complexities of spirituality within youth development is through practices, most of which are easily identified through faith-based organizations.

Faith-based practices

Although not an exhaustive list of faith-based practices, the following takes into account the most basic practices of varying religious faiths: Community worship or gathering, prayer, study of sacred texts, rituals of rites of passage (baptism, confirmation, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.), retreats or pilgrimages, and mission or outreach initiatives/experiences. These practices personify spiritual development among youth and their faith communities.

United Church of Christ minister and scholar, Dorothy C. Bass, makes the following observation, “A practice is borne by stories. Stories shape our deepest convictions about how things are, who we are, and what kind of world we live in—convictions at the heart of all our practices” (Bass, 2000). Such an observation implies that nascent youth spirituality can root and grow through the broad lens of a meta-narrative. Quite possibly such a narrative, which is inclusive of humanity’s strengths and struggles, can help bridge the gap between faith-based and secular youth practices.


References

Rothko, M. (2006). Acceptance of Yale University honorary doctorate, 1969.
In M. Lopez-Remiro (Ed.), Writings on Art (p.157). New Haven & London: Yale University Press.

Mass, R., & Gabriel O’Donnell, O.P. (Eds.). (1990). Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Pittman, K., Garza, P., Yohalem, N., & Artman, S. (2008) Addressing spiritual
development in youth development programs and practices: Opportunities and challenges. New Directions for Youth Development, 118, 34.

Bass, D.C. (2000). Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ: Practicing Life Abundant.
Retrieved February 24, 2009, from Princeton Theological Seminary, Institute for Youth Ministry Web site: http://www.ptsem.edu/iym/content.aspx?id=3890

Search Institute-The Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence
(2008, March). What is Spiritual Development? Retrieved March 1, 2009 from
http://search-institute.org/system/files/What+Is+Spirit+Dev.pdf

Benson, P., & Roehlkepartain, E. (2008) Spiritual development: A Missing Priority in
Youth Development. New Directions for Youth Development, 118, 14-15.

Pittman, K., Garza, P., Yohalem, N., & Artman, S. (2008) Addressing spiritual
development in youth development programs and practices: Opportunities and challenges. New Directions for Youth Development, 118, 32.