The Way It Was

As a Minister of Education I work closely with those who have answered the call to youth ministry. Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of persons who each have brought unique gifts to the roles of youth director, teacher and counselor. I will admit there have been tense times when I have found myself caught between supporting these persons in their ministry and appeasing parents and other adult leadership who always have a better idea. These moments usually begin with phrases such as… “When we (or my kids) were teens, we had a strong youth program. We had fundraisers, went on retreats, had a great Sunday school and everyone in town thought our program was the best. So and so was the youth director then and we need someone just like him/her.” And the discontent begins…

Those days probably were wonderful, but I have come to realize we are only hurting our youth when we don’t make the effort to create a program that responds to the needs of this generation.. And, it is the youth and the youth leaders that can often give us the good insights for this. However, we fail to listen and keep on promoting our own thoughts and ideas. Before long youth directors leave in frustration and youth leave the church, because we haven’t provided spiritual fulfillment. All we have provided is lots of activity. Where in the Bible is it written that every youth group must take a ski trip? Our teens do not need more activities for the sake of having something to do. They lead a frantically busy life. But, many want to explore their spiritual life and to have opportunities to practice their faith in relationship with one another. Activities can be a tool for this. However, without a strategy or long term plan that allows teens to know the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ, our youth programs will disappear when “the way it was” becomes the theme for youth ministry. Let’s be open to new possibilities and offer our youth, youth leaders and teachers support in their efforts as they seek to create a youth ministry that nurtures faithful discipleship in today's world.