Youth ministry in Urban settings carries unique challenges. Some small churches are located in the city and are dealing with the issues that plague many of our major population centers . . . poverty, violence, high drop-out rates, high rates of substance abuse. I don’t mean to stereotype inner-city students. Certainly youth in the country and in suburban settings have their share of challenges. Still, many churches have abandoned the city because of the perceived danger of the city.

Fernando Arzola has just released an interesting book called, Toward a Prophetic Youth Ministry. Arzola contends that some inner city churches have focused solely on discipleship and have neglected the very real human needs of their students. Other churches have focused on meeting the needs for food, education, and affirmation, and have missed calling students to faith in Christ. Other churches have called students to social activism to address the overall problems of the city, but fail to do that in a way that makes a relationship to Christ the center of the ministry. Arzola calls inner-city churches to “prophetic youth ministry,” that is, a ministry that focuses on Christian ministry that addresses human needs and the systems that create that need, but does it with a clear focus on biblical discipleship.

I believe in discipleship. We cannot neglect it, but focusing on social justice is an important call of Scripture and of biblical discipleship. We will never eliminate poverty, but we can address its causes. We will never meet all of the needs students have, but focusing on human needs often opens the door for a walk with Christ. Recently, I heard Arzola say, “A tutoring hour can be every bit as spiritual as another discipleship group.” Interesting perspective.