When I surf the Web looking for sites about YWAM, every now and then I come across some "apologetics" site that highlights the negative aspects of YWAM. The concerns expressed about YWAM vary. Some are very legitimate grievances expressed by former students and staff. Others offer insightful theological commentary on some of YWAM's teachings. Still, other criticisms found on these pages are baseless and even frivolous.

For the potential student, pastor or parent who knows little about YWAM, some of the information 'out there' would definitely raise red flags. As a leader in YWAM, I would like to offer some guidance on how to discern what YWAM is, and how it works.

1. Leadership in YWAM

YWAM is an enormous, decentralized organization. We are 17,000 staff in 170 countries, working at over 1100 bases. Think of each YWAM base as a franchise. Every base uses the YWAM name, offers the YWAM courses, and is expected to abide by our statement of faith and foundational values. Each base is connected with its regional and national leadership structure by means of relationship and accountability. But just as a pastor leads his or her own church, so each YWAM base director has freedom to determine the vision, philosophy and methodologies of his or her base. We don't use the word 'autonomy', but we do refer to the liberty that the leadership of each base has to determine its own course.

Every large organization is going to have its 'good apples and its 'bad apples'. YWAM is no exception. Sadly, there have been individual leaders within YWAM who have not abided by our values and principles. Sometimes, these issues have been addressed quickly. At other times they have not. And in the process, people have been hurt.

In response to those of you who have been hurt, my desire as a leader in this organization is to repent of the faults of this body to which I belong, and ask youwho have been wounded for forgiveness.

To those of you who may have concerns about YWAM because of the stories you have heard or read--my request is that you don't write off the whole organization on the basis of what has occurred in one place. If you or a one of your children or a member of your church is interested in joining a YWAM program, my advice is this:

• Talk directly to the Base Director about any questions or concerns you have.
• Ask for the names and addresses of former students and staff who would be willing to give a reference about the base. YWAM Minneapolis will provide ample access to our student data-base to any person who wishes to obtain references about our program.

2. YWAM and Sound Doctrine

I am a leader in YWAM and I am a solid Evangelical. I know what is being is taught in YWAM. There is no question that the teachings and doctrines of YWAM fall clearly within the boundaries of Evangelicalism, as would be defined by the NAE Statement of Faith. The diversity of teachings within YWAM represents the same diversity that is found among conservative, Bible-believing evangelical Christians around the world. The beauty of YWAM is that we celebrate this diversity. The different types of churches we attend numbers in the hundreds. Some of us are Calvinists, some are Armenian, others believe in "open theism". Among our ranks you will find charismatic believers, Protestants, Catholics, pre-millennial dispensationalists, 'realized millennialismts'--and many combinations of the above. Amidst our great diversity, we agree to focus on one task: Making disciples of all nations.

Sometimes the teaching of a particular instructor in YWAM reflects his or her unique perspective. As leaders, we try to teach our students how to discern the 'essentials' from the 'non-essentials'. I can say, as a Base Director, that I don't share every single theological perspective that is represented by the teachers who teach in our courses. We ask each instructor to teach on a particular topic within our curriculum. But that teaching is delivered from his or her own theological perspective. As long as an instructor's theology is within the boundaries of Evangelical doctrine, I think it is healthy for our students to be exposed to diverse perspectives. We teach them how to use their minds, and how to understand the diversity of views that exist in the Body of Christ. We commend them to the teachings of their home churches. Above all, we challenge them to employ their knowledge toward one end: Making disciples of all nations.

Many of the doctrinal criticisms of YWAM come from radical individuals who do not appreciate theological diversity, and condemn YWAM because we do. Thus, hard-core Calvinists decry YWAM because some of our teachers believe in 'open theism'. What these critics fail to realize, is that other teachers in YWAM are Calivinists. We really are that diverse. And as long as we can all agree on the essentials, we in YWAM are trying to find ways to unite the Body of Christ in the world and not divide it.

So my counsel to those who want to know what YWAM teaches believes is this:

• Carefully read our Statement of Faith and our Foundational Values.
• Contact the individual base, and ask who teaches on what topics, and what theological perspectives they represent.

If you have any questions about YWAM in general, feel free to contact me at 763-477-6777 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Blessings!

David Clark