The Primal Search

Without getting into a lot of philosophical tangents, we all have basic needs and desires that we seek to be met. These "primal searches" are natural and instinctual and life becomes unhealthy if these pursuits are not fulfilled.

For a "lifer", YM is the same. It's a primal yearning that we must influence students, leaders, and parents with the truth of Jesus Christ. As I walked across campus this morning, a fellow brother and I discussed our primal searches, his for a holistic family approach to ministry and mine to see real biblical community (pardon the phrase biblical community, as in recent passed many "church models" have twisted and sickened most peoples view of community, but still its a primal call for students of Jesus) lived out with students.
AAAnyway........ back to the point, in the local church as we know it here in the good ole U.S. of A, can true biblical community be achieved on a large scale? Let me clarify.... I know Jesus created Christian community with his first followers, it was small scale, they in turn changed the whole world, but through small "cells" of their own. In the church today what would it look like/or take, to achieve this when we have multi-million dollar buildings, budgets, and staff salaries to provide for? What about these great programs we have going, can't let our kids miss something here, they might go to another church on Sunday night! My point is, what will it take for the primal search for authentic community to be the ministry focus of YM again, to look into the eyes of students, listen to their stories, and minister to them like Jesus? What does it take?

Unfortunately too many accolades come for large attendance, great services and programs, a great camp or DNow. How many times does a YM get praise for crying with a student, for walking with a student through a divorce of their parents, for eating that lunchroom food just to spend some time? It is this primal search for authentic, biblical, life changing, relationship that we were all created and will not be satisfied until we enter it!
But can we "make a living" and stay true to this primal search? I just don't know.............