Putting the C Back into the YMCA

The YMCA or Young Men's Christian Association has morphed over the years into more of a fitness/recreational club than a vehicle of Christian outreach. Born in the mid 1800s as an ecumenical outreach it was the original sponsor of Dwight L. Moody's revivalistic ministry. I'm sure Moody would be surprised at what the Y has become.

And yet word comes that a change is underway, at least in some parts of the country. In a Column One commentary in today's LA Times, Jenny Jarvie tells us about an effort underway to put that C back in the YMCA. Now whether that will mean that an effort will be made to put the M back in as well remains to be seen.

Apparently this is quite controversial. Some members of the Y are wondering where all this Christian music, Bible Study, and walls covered in Scripture verses is coming from. They'd signed up for a gym membership and look what's happening. Now the LA area director insists that such changes aren't in the works in LA, but this is California and not Tennessee or North Carolina.

The telling thing about this controversy is the degree to which things change over time. Take for instance Texas Christian University. Now TCU is a church-related university, but it's not a distinctly Christian university, even though it's origins were that of a Christian liberal arts college. Now some would like to see the Christian part of TCU removed, but it's what it is. These institutions that have broadened out beyond their original Christian mission are evidence of the good things that the church has provided the communities at hand. Colleges, universities, hospitals, and even gyms have their origins in a Christian mission of outreach. Their focus may have changed, but not the concern for the whole person that gave birth to these institutions.

I don't know what to make of this remaking of the Y. I doubt it'll go over nationwide and local Y's will have to decide what their purpose is. Still, I will watch with an interested eye.