"The intent of the paper is not to squelch the creativity of our staff, but to provide a foundation on which their creativity can be expressed," the document reads. "However, these are not suggestions."
According to a letter written by Elizabeth Thompson, former Young Life staffer in Durham, McSwain was fired Nov. 28 because of his disagreements with the proclamation. Thompson, who worked in Young Life's special-ed Capernaum ministry, was fired Nov. 30 after she told Young Life officials that she, too, disagreed with the proclamation.
"I said, 'If the question today is do I agree to implement all the contents of the non-negotiables of proclamation document, then the answer is no, because I won't tell kids they are separated from God,'" Thompson wrote.
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Young Life officials say no one's been forced to officially sign the proclamation, and the organization declines to talk about "employment details regarding staff and former staff."
"I think what has happened in one area has led to misunderstanding about the purpose and use of this document," said ministry spokesman Terry Swenson. "As I said, there has been healthy discussion and debate about the proclamation paper across the mission and, in contrast, there has been limited opposition."
Smith believes the proclamation's tenants are being "implemented unevenly."
"For some staff it's a hard-line commitment, for others it's not an issue," he said.
Theology isn't the only issue at play. According to Smith, the document suggests Young Life may be embracing a more corporate, consumer-driven business model. "Leadership is turning into business management," he said. "A lot of people I talk to question whether a ministry like this should be run this way."
Swenson, though, is a bit baffled by the hubbub. Most staffers have accepted the proclamation, and they're still doing the same great work they always have.
"A caricature of Young Life has emerged that is almost bizarre," Swenson said. "Young life hasn't changed. Young Life is still out there with all kinds of kids, walking with them in love, sharing the Gospel in the context of relationships, acceptance and grace."
To see a copy of Young Life’s “Non-Negotiables,” click here.
What do you think of the Non-Negotiables and the controversy they have caused with some people?