Tag: Religion

YMCA, Hospitality & Religious Diversity

For Christians in the YMCA, we are called to love one another, our neighbor, strangers and our enemies; they may be of the same faith or not – but we have a responsibility to respect and care in imitation of Christ. This is the heart of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, of inclusion and equity. “Welcome is the will of God” – to quote my college theology professor Dr. Paul Fetters.

John R. Mott, a legendary YMCA leader, inspiring evangelical Christian missionary, and father of the Christian ecumenical movement, was also an instigator of the multi-faith dialogue – an epitome (though not perfect) of diverse and inclusive Christian mission up until his death in 1955.

Since then the YMCA has sought to embody the Christian faith and loyalty to Jesus in its open membership, community-based programs, and leadership development amidst very tumultuous times – there was nothing easy about navigating the societal upheavals of the 60’s and 70’s, the political and economic swings of the 80’s and 90’s, and the stumbling striving for justice in the first two decades of this second millennium.

In all honesty, diversity and inclusion between different kinds of Christians is not easy, and requires gracious hospitality – this is the heart of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21.

Those same skills are what make interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding possible.

It is obvious that the country has become more diverse in almost every way culturally and religiously.

The YMCA is in the middle of it: so, how do we graciously and generously move forward, especially regarding interfaith relationships, including those members who do not consider themselves religious?

Below is a document produced in 2015 that the Y crafted in seeking to understand it’s membership in this regard. 

Here is an excerpt that introduces it: 

The YMCA of the USA recognizes that in a diverse world, we are stronger when we are inclusive and our doors are open for all.

Interfaith engagement provides an opportunity for the Y to foster empathy, understanding, and awareness.

This document is a summary of a collaborative project on interfaith engagement conducted by the Aspen Institute Justice & Society Program (JSP) and the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA).

Religious Diversity of the Y

And: 

The YMCA of the USA, one of the nation’s leading youth development organizations, has participated in IAP (Inclusive America Project) from its inception.

Neil Nicoll, President and CEO of Y-USA, attended both panel meetings and contributed an essay to the Principled Pluralism report.

As an outgrowth of Mr. Nicoll’s involvement in the Inclusive America Project, the Aspen Institute and Y-USA worked together to examine how religious diversity affects Ys across the nation and explore potential strategies for further engagement.

2015, aspeninstitute.org/publications/religious-diversity-y/
Click here or on pic to access PDF document

I appreciate the practical spirit of this document, crafted by YMCA leaders seeking to put Christian principles into practice.

It seems to me that every generation of the YMCA has to do some contextual digging, discerning what are the forces that have been shaping the times they are living and leading in, and then discern how to be wise, creative, and just in moving forward.

For Christians in the YMCA, we are called to love one another, our neighbor, strangers and our enemies; they may be of the same faith or not – but we have a responsibility to respect and care in imitation of Christ.

That is the heart of John 17:21, of religious diversity and inclusion, of hospitality, of the kingdom of God.

The Christian Purpose of the YMCA: Constitution & Goals

Do you know what is the purpose of the YMCA?
“The Young Men’s Christian Association we regard as being in its essential genius a worldwide fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of developing Christian personality and building a Christian society.”
Learn more about the origins of this statement in the Y Constitution, and its stated goals!

Christians in the Y have debated issues of religious diversity and inclusion from Day One 1844, their genius compromise was the famous Paris Basis in 1855.

The American Y’s in 1869 adapted the Paris Basis, a document they struggled with in regard to its inclusive spirit, and established an Evangelical Christian Test for young men’s membership, it became known as the Portland Basis.

A crucial decision was made, due to lived experience of serving members from a diverse Christian heritage; in 1931 at the YMCA Cleveland Conference they abolished the Portland Basis and crafted this statement which is in our YUSA Constitution:

The Young Men’s Christian Association we regard as being in its essential genius a worldwide fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of developing Christian personality and building a Christian society.

Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America

The Constitution goes on to include these statements: 

PREAMBLE:

We, the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America, with the desire of conserving all the values of our past and likewise of unifying and strengthening our work to meet the challenge of our time, hereby establish the following goals for our members and their constituents, and adopt this revised Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America.

 Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America

the GOALS:

To develop self-confidence and self-respect and an appreciation of their own worth as individuals.

To develop a faith for daily living based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ, that they may thereby be helped in achieving their highest potential as children of God.

To grow as responsible members of their families and citizens of their communities.

To appreciate that health of mind and body is
a sacred gift and that physical fitness and
mental well-being are conditions to be achieved
and maintained.

To recognize the worth of all persons and to work for interracial and intergroup understanding.

To develop a sense of world-mindedness and to work for worldwide understanding.

To develop their capacities for leadership and use them responsibly in their own groups and in community life.

To appreciate the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of all forms of life and all resources which God has provided in this world, and to develop an ethical basis for guiding the relationships of mankind with the rest of God’s
natural community.

Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America

These are powerful statements crafted to embody our values: responsibility to and honesty about our past and present, caring respect for all who are currently members – in ways inspired and instructed by Jesus Christ.

A regular and purposeful review of our YMCA Constitution, it’s purpose and goals, will go a long way in nourishing our roots in our history of extending Christ’s kingdom for all humanity, participating in the struggle and striving to fulfill Jesus’ prayer, “that all may be one.”

YMCA of the USA Constitution: cover page, preamble, purpose

How the “C” Embraced “For All” via Religion and Continents: the YMCA & the World 1855-1955

While the original “C” was thin – 1840’s British Protestant Evangelical White Young Male – these followers of Jesus took to heart his prayer in John 17:21 and embodied it throughout the world; their willingness to expand the depth, diversity and richness of the “C” thickened it, giving it more weight, more room for unity, and more dimensions of reality.

What can this mean for how you embody the “C” in the YMCA?

Our YMCA mission seems to embody a tension between practicing Christian principles and being for all; yet a historical overview shows a progression, an expansion, a richness, of inclusion.

Not perfect, obviously; a struggle for sure – one that we in the Y get to joyfully and humbly participate in for our generation.

This summary paragraph below comes in the middle of an extensive yet readable dissertation exploring the global influence of the YMCA Paris Basis from 1855 to 1955 – a century of stunning innovations, horrific trauma, courageous love.

At one level it lays out how Faith has been a dynamic and crucial Dimension of Diversity.

It highlights significant historical realities regarding the “C” in the YMCA striding forward into new countries and cultures, new generations, new opportunities. 

By remembering our past, our roots, we can more wisely discern what we’ve been nourished with in order to stay engaged as healers and bridge-builders in the way of Christ amidst our present realities.

“The YMCA was a fruit of the Evangelical Revival of the 19th century.

Contrary to several other revival movements, which were separatistic, the YMCA idea was based on a sense of unity among Christians.

This led the YMCA to co-operate – often lead – with the major streams in the Ecumenical Movement of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The YMCA leaders were active in the Evangelical Alliance and Sunday School Movement; they were in the spearhead of the Muscular Christianity and student awakenings; they were inspired by the Social Gospel movement; they led the first meetings of Missionary Movement and the World Council of Churches.

Although the YMCA was Protestant in origin, it also adapted itself to Orthodox and Roman Catholic contexts.

In general, the attitude of Protestant and Orthodox church leaders was positive, while that of Catholics was negative.

In all different religious contexts, the YMCA aimed to lead youth to their respective churches.

Extending out of Europe and North America, the YMCA faced new problems and sought answers to them.

The area that had, along with the two ‘Christian continents’, the most profound effect on the mission view of the YMCA, was Asia.

In the Near East, the YMCA faced Islam and in India, it faced Hinduism and Buddhism.

In both contexts, the movement took the lead in interfaith dialogue with these world religions.

Additionally, in India, the YMCA faced the problems of rural youth – and aimed to adapt itself to their needs.”

Page 213-214 Ecumenism of the Laity: Continuity and Change in the Mission View of the World’s Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Association, 1855-1955, by Martti Muukkonen, 2002

How does this expansionist, diverse, “thick C” inspire you?

While the original “C” was thin – 1840’s British Protestant Evangelical White Male – these followers of Jesus took to heart his prayer in John 17:21 and embodied it throughout the world; their willingness to expand the depth, diversity and richness of the “C” thickened it, giving it more weight, more room for unity, and more dimensions of reality. 

What can this mean for how you embody the “C” in the YMCA?

With a dynamic and inclusive legacy like ours, who can you be building a bridge of friendship with through your faith, hope and love in Jesus?

Readable and thorough overview with brilliant summaries for inspiring reflections. Click pic to download the PDF.