christian youth work: evangelism or social action?

Here's a great article from infed where Carole Pugh raises questions about evangelical approaches to youth work and argues for informal education practice.

It covers some of the history of youth work and looks at the churches role in it over the years. I am not sure about the conclusions in light of current government developments in bundling youth work into schools. However, i find it helpful in reminding me that we are developing young hearts and minds... which is a spiritual activity!