there was no youth ministry
I came to the church that I am now youth pastoring at when I was a freshman in highschool. They did not have a youth pastor or a youth ministry.
And I'm glad.
Well, a thriving ministry might have reached out to other teens in the area. Might have.
I spent most of my time with the pastor and another guy in the church about my dad's age. They were men of God and it did not take too many visits at their houses, meals with their families, or evenings just having fun before I realized that I too wanted to be a man of God. I hesitate to think that I would be where I am today if there was a youth ministry in place. I would have been one in twenty or so teens, probably would have laughed much over people eating salty egg water and the pastor having shaving cream sprayed all over his chic hair. But I probably would not have responded to Christ in the same way, if at all.
So now I'm the youth pastor. Afraid I might be settling for the gimmicks. Well, I'm not content to just be wild. The teens need to connect with other adults in a setting that fosters encouragement, listening, palatable teaching, and plenty of tears of joy and sorrow.
This is so exciting. I'm not sure of all of the implications or ministry applications but the one man circus model is out.
What are your thoughts on effective youth ministry?
posted by JHW | 11:10 PM
4 Comments:
Joe, I think what you said is a very good principle for not only youth ministry, but all ministries.
We shouldn't categorize everyone and stick them in a box by age, gender, or whatever. There is certainly a place for these specialized settings, but churches tend to do this almost exclusively.
Kids need to see adults. Senior citizens need to see teens. Singles need to see couples. New believers need to see mature one's. Etc, etc, etc. And all the vice versas
God bless,
Matthew
Joe! I was so pleasantly surprised to see your comment on my blog (my hopelessly un-updated blog...), even without your name I would have known it was you. I'm so glad to hear things are going well with you. I've thought of you often lately, especially since it's getting clost to the time year for our annual trip to Bow. I'm adding your blog to my list of must reads right now :)
Joseph, well said. To influence, win & discisple or teens it begins with relationship, living the gospel out and with them. They need sincere, genuine loving adults in their lives, not soapbox preachers, not games and gimmicks. Check out 1Thessalonians 2:8. That's my scriptural model. Press on. You're starting out on a great foudation.
This is great stuff, Joseph! Real youth ministry, real mentoring, real communication of worth and investment happens in small, one-on-one, 2's & 3's. Sincere, consistent adults building into the lives of our young people. Jesus did it with his disciples and with everyone he came into contact with, Zaccheus, the Rich young ruler, the woman at the well, etc.
Continue on my friend!
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