YWAM Research
During my four years with YWAM Brisbane I came to truly value this mission. One of the main reasons I left YWAM was because I felt God leading me to pursue further training so that in the future I would be able to return to the mission better prepared to train, disciple and equip young people to engage with God in the world.
Recently Tom Bloomer commented that his desire is to see the next generation of YWAMers "Learn what it means to obey the most neglected commandment: to love the Lord with our minds" (International YWAMer, December 2010). I am convinced that, if YWAM's passion for God can be more firmly rooted in a depth of understanding of who God is, our influence in the nations and effectiveness in seeing people transformed will continue to increase. To this end, I have decided to do some academic research into the diversity and unity of YWAM's understanding of who God is and how we are to live in the world. I will be seeking to identify what I'm calling YWAM's "implicit theology," and then offer an assessment of this with the purpose of strengthening both YWAM's understanding and also its practice which flows from that understanding (while allowing for and celebrating its diversity).
As my research unfolds I will periodically post updates of my findings. I hope that this will be able to aid the united yet diverse YWAM as it seeks to be faithful to the God who is both unity and diversity.
In June 1956, Loren Cunningham was resting in his room during a mission trip to the Bahamas.[1] Suddenly he saw before him a map of the world, with waves crashing onto the shores of every continent. These waves, which eventually covered the continents completely, became young people.
Add a commentI am aware that little of the following is particularly groundbreaking. For now, this is merely preliminary observations and questions.
I have found a useful model is provided by Keith Warrington in his attempted synthesization of Pentecostal theology.[1]
Add a commentYouth-With-A-Mission (YWAM) is a large, interdenominational para-church mission. Though not tied to any denominational theological perspective, as such an organization matures it can be expected to assume and further develop particular theological emphases and distinctives.
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