Is YWAM Too Strong on Sin?

A recent article appeared in the Christian Post entitled, “YWAM Responds to Allegations of Spiritual Abuse: ‘Deeply Sorry.'”

It originated in England in the Observer–a British newspaper published on Sundays and sister paper to The Guardian. The article accused some U.K. YWAM leaders of being too “controlling” or involved in “spiritual abuse.”

YWAM quickly responded with an apology and explanation of our leadership values.

Youth With A Mission–one of the world’s largest Christian missionary organizations–has been accused of strong teaching on sin in the past. I know–because I’ve been one of the “accused.”

Is YWAM too strong on sin?

Is YWAM Too Strong on Sin?

I don’t know the specifics of what happened in England. But I know YWAM teaching from 51 years in the mission. I’m a YWAMer. I’ve spoken to scores of Youth With A Mission schools, know many of our leaders, and understand well the content of YWAM training.

It’s biblically-based and transformative.  

The teaching on sin, the Cross, holiness, world evangelism, and many other vital subjects changed my life in 1974. It propelled me into a lifetime of missions in many nations. That included teaching in numerous YWAM schools over four decades–usually on personal and national revival. 

Over six decades Youth With A Mission has trained five million people–mostly youth. Powerful biblical teaching was critical to that success. I was one of many YWAM teachers who called our students to holy living for the sake of the Great Commission.

But recently, some former students brought charges against YWAM. Here’s what the The Christian Post reported:

YWAM has said it is “deeply sorry” after The Observer published a report in which former members alleged being subjected to strict controls and spiritual abuse. Former YWAMers described training sessions as “very shame-driven” and said they had felt shamed for behaviors deemed unacceptable by their leaders, like using a Christian dating app or, in the case of women, wearing certain clothing.

One ex-YWAMer said her experience of leadership training had been “quite controlling.”… Former missionaries described taking part in lengthy public repentance sessions for perceived moral transgressions. There were also accounts of “healing” or “casting out” sessions to banish demons and deal with “deep sin” like homosexual thoughts or sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage. 

While some found the “testimony night” cathartic (emotional relief), others described feeling pressured to confess sinful thoughts. The report is based on the accounts of 21 current and former YWAMers spanning the last 20 years and across 18 countries.

Responding to the report, YWAM said, “We are deeply sorry to anyone who has experienced harm while being part of YWAM. No one should suffer spiritual abuse, coercion, or psychological distress in a faith-based community. We unequivocally condemn any form of coercive or shaming group practices, including public confession sessions that have been reported at some YWAM locations. While personal confession is a part of Christian practice, it should always be voluntary and respectful.”

“Any practice that pressures individuals to disclose trauma or shame them publicly is wrong. We do not condone so-called ‘healing rituals’ that harm or stigmatize, and these have no place in YWAM England…We do not condone any practice that results in humiliation, exclusion, or internalized shame…We are grieved by reports of individuals who felt that their identity was treated as sinful or demonic, and we are reviewing how our teachings are expressed to ensure they reflect compassion, truth, and love.”

I agree completely with the corporate YWAM response. All churches and missionary organizations should be deeply sorry for anyone who experiences harm, shame, or spiritual abuse under them. 

We all sin and make mistakes (and must admit them).

And being largely youth-driven, Youth With A Mission has made plenty. 

But perspective is also important. YWAM hosts hundreds of schools in over 100 nations each year. We’ve trained millions of young people over the last 65 years. In the CP article, 21 people over a twenty-year period say they experienced some harm.

Similar charges would probably be found in many smaller churches or groups over a similar timespan. 

All pastors and Christian leaders fall short in message and methods. Some even fall into sin. When either happens, we need to own up to our errors, ask God’s forgiveness, and grow in wisdom and leadership. 

I don’t think these problems (abuses) are widespread in YWAM.

But I do think there’s a greater issue behind this report. Over the decades some people have accused YWAM of being too strong on repentance, holy living, and speaking out against sin. Is that a biblical or historically true?

I don’t think so–for three reasons.

First, the Bible strongly emphasizes the importance of repentance and godly living. All the Old Testament “obedience” teachings and the words of the prophets ring with clarity on turning away from evil. The New Testament begins with Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, unapologetically calling the nation of Israel to repent (publicly). 

In Jesus’ first sermon, he emphasized repentance and faith as necessary to enter the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15). He said we must be perfect (holy) like our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:48). The entire New Testament is filled with admonitions to forsake sin and live holy lives.

The YWAM leaders I know are simply trying to follow the teachings of Scripture.

Second, Youth With A Mission has its roots in the holiness/prophetic/Pentecostal dimension of the Church. As all parts of the global Body of Christ have different emphases, our mission–though made up of people from many denominations–is motivated by a heritage that values repentance, confession, life transformation, and holy living. 

We stand in the mainstream of great revival movements who taught these truths, whether Pilgrim, Puritan, Holiness, or Spirit-filled. I would argue that most dimensions of the Church highlight holy living in some form. That’s especially true of sodalities (mission groups) as opposed to modalities (local churches). Sodalities often require a “second decision” or commitment to a sanctified life to complete the Great Commission. 

I believe this is the motivation of YWAM training. If it’s warped or abused in any form, we must change (repent).

But never abandon the desire for holiness.

Third, the times we live in greatly downplay the reality of sin, how it destroys people, breaks the heart of God, and how vital it is to forsake. Widespread secular thinking in Western culture even laughs at the concept of sin, especially in sexual areas where “anything goes” and “who are you to judge?”

Because of the worldview battle, “shame” might actually be God’s conviction. “Control” could be just forceful teaching. “Abuse” might include telling students what they don’t want to hear.

Perceptions sometimes trump reality. 

But God is the Judge–and deeply desires us to teach the truth, turn from our sins. and be saved. He uses biblical leaders to expose sin, champion grace, and lead us to salvation and mission. 

I was raised in a “liberal” church that deemphasized sin. When I made my first commitment to Christ, I was taught that sin didn’t matter. But the more I read the Bible, I realized that was false.

In 1974 I experienced a life-changing “spiritual overhaul” through YWAM discipleship training. It centered on repentance, the Cross, confessing sin, and whole-hearted commitment to living for Jesus. I spent the next fifty years passing that on to thousands of people.

I don’t believe YWAM is too strong on sin. 

One day we will fully encounter both God’s holiness and his grace.

And probably wish we’d been more faithful to “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).