BROADCASTS.com

Last week, three more high-profile mass shootings rocked the US, once again sparking intense debate about gun control, white supremacy, and the president\u2019s role in inspiring the shootings. In the wake of these attacks, the media also profiled the alleged gunmen, who were dubbed \u201cloners\u201d by those who knew them. They were also all young\u2014the three alleged gunmen\u2019s ages fell between 19 and 24. An LA Times\xa0op-ed by researchers who have analyzed data about the profile of mass shooters since 1966 also noted that nearly all of them were traumatized as children. \nThe American church\u2019s youth ministry model hasn\u2019t done a good job of reaching this demographic, largely because of the middle-class\u2019s desire for safety, said Andrew Root, the author of multiple books on youth ministry and a professor of youth and family ministry at Lutheran Seminary.\u201cSo all of a sudden, a loner kid comes, who either is bullying or has been bullied, and then comes in and is just a negative presence,\u201d he said. \u201cIt can lead young people to say they don't feel safe and lead parents to be very clear to the youth worker that they don't want that kid around because he/she feels unsafe. I think it becomes really difficult that American youth ministry as it classically has been a middle-class phenomenon and that tends to push these young people out. Or not even out, but they just disappear.\u201d\nRoot joined digital media producer Morgan Lee and editorial director Ted Olsen to discuss the complexities of welcoming disaffected young people into church, why lack of interpersonal relationships especially hurts young people, and what Bonhoeffer has to offer our current conversation on youth ministry.\nNote: the date that marked the beginning of the data set in the research published by the LA Times was incorrectly stated on the podcast. It is correct in the show notes and here: 1966.\nThis episode of Quick to Listen is brought to you in part by Things Above Podcast: Heavenly Thinking for Earthly Engagement. \nThis episode of Quick to Listen is also brought to you by Focus on the Family\u2019s Bring Your Bible to School Day powered by students nationwide October 3rd. When you sign up to participate, you\u2019ll also be entered to win a trip to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C..\xa0\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices