Recovering Joy for Young People in the Afterburn of Violence

Abstract

This article addresses a systemic culture of violence as an inhibitor of joy for young people in North America today. We offer a possibility that the church can use its remaining influence in North American society to address joy in the afterburn of violence in a way that is patterned after the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We define joy and flourishing through a liberatory theological lens and offer a framework for faith communities to use in helping create cultures in which more young people can reclaim joy in the afterburn of violence. This framework mirrors the way of Jesus by: naming violence as a primary inhibitor to adolescent joy; connecting isolated individuals and organizations who are addressing this issue through liberative pedagogies; building communities of practice which strengthen one another and share contextually adaptable resources, and finally; illuminating practices that lead to new systems of influence and cultural change.