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Youth Ministry
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
gigabyte71
Member
I have heard Pastors claim that since it isn't in the Bible, it isn't valid. Generally, those who I have heard claim that have congregants who want to keep their eye on their kids the entire time, often with the claim that they want to know what their children are being taught. Of course I would be concerned if there was a 'youth pastor' who you don't know what they are teaching.
Youth Ministry is unnecessary. It segregates the Body of Christ by age, and encourages the "Generation Gap" (ever heard of that one before?)
Children from about 1-2nd grade or so should be included in the Adult portion of Worship and SS. They are old enough to read and if done correctly, they can have great participation within both ie singing, prayer, reading the scripture etc
A practical consideration is that there is no "peer pressure" from other Youth
Also, I am not against the Youth getting together and doing stuff together at times.
Personal Rant Here: Have you ever really known a Youth Group to be any good? Seriously, just spend some time and think about it. There always seems to be a bunch of drama in Youth Group and a lot which is not glorifying to God. And please, do not get me started on having a 23 yr. old as the "Youth Pastor". Afterall, I am still new here and might get banned!
Children from about 1-2nd grade or so should be included in the Adult portion of Worship and SS. They are old enough to read and if done correctly, they can have great participation within both ie singing, prayer, reading the scripture etc
A practical consideration is that there is no "peer pressure" from other Youth
Also, I am not against the Youth getting together and doing stuff together at times.
Personal Rant Here: Have you ever really known a Youth Group to be any good? Seriously, just spend some time and think about it. There always seems to be a bunch of drama in Youth Group and a lot which is not glorifying to God. And please, do not get me started on having a 23 yr. old as the "Youth Pastor". Afterall, I am still new here and might get banned!
Why start at First Grade? You use the word "segregates" Why even have a nursery? That would have two advantages - first the young child will be hearing messages from day one - and second, adults will not have to be absent from the services to tend to the children.
With you theory - then you would have to believe that children should start secular school in a college classroom.
Personal Rant Here: Have you ever really known a Youth Group to be any good? !
As a former youth director - I can give an enthusiastic YES! Kids of different ages have different needs and abilities.
One thing I have figured out with youth ministry is that it can be very good for numerous kids (my children have loved it, found wonderful friends, been encouraged in their walk with the Lord and have been able to minister to others as well) but it doesn't seem to be good for others. But what I've figured out is that those kids who go through youth group and seem to stray later never were really walking with the Lord but instead found a place where they were loved and accepted and so they "played the game". There was no heart change in them and when they left the safety of youth group, they changed their lifestyle to that of an unbeliever.
Just recently we had our missions conference at church and I saw something that touched my heart. 4 men got together after having not seen each other for 15 years. These were some of the cut-ups we had in youth group and each one is now in ministry!! One just became the senior pastor of his church. Another is an associate pastor. The third is a youth pastor and the final guy is a missionary overseas. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw them together because we never thought anything great was going to happen with these guys! LOL - Not really but man, we did sometimes wonder!! But it was interesting to hear each of them say just how much they learned in youth group alongside a group of men and women who mentored them. I think youth group CAN do some great things if it's managed well.
Just recently we had our missions conference at church and I saw something that touched my heart. 4 men got together after having not seen each other for 15 years. These were some of the cut-ups we had in youth group and each one is now in ministry!! One just became the senior pastor of his church. Another is an associate pastor. The third is a youth pastor and the final guy is a missionary overseas. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw them together because we never thought anything great was going to happen with these guys! LOL - Not really but man, we did sometimes wonder!! But it was interesting to hear each of them say just how much they learned in youth group alongside a group of men and women who mentored them. I think youth group CAN do some great things if it's managed well.
Youth Ministry is unnecessary. It segregates the Body of Christ by age, and encourages the "Generation Gap" (ever heard of that one before?)
Children from about 1-2nd grade or so should be included in the Adult portion of Worship and SS. They are old enough to read and if done correctly, they can have great participation within both ie singing, prayer, reading the scripture etc
A practical consideration is that there is no "peer pressure" from other Youth
Also, I am not against the Youth getting together and doing stuff together at times.
Personal Rant Here: Have you ever really known a Youth Group to be any good? Seriously, just spend some time and think about it. There always seems to be a bunch of drama in Youth Group and a lot which is not glorifying to God. And please, do not get me started on having a 23 yr. old as the "Youth Pastor". Afterall, I am still new here and might get banned!
Youth Groups haven't exactly cornered the market on church drama.
Church Drama is worse than Youth Ministry
I would certainly hope so.
Actually you just highlighted a large issue with young single adults working in youth ministry. It's much too coincidental how many teens that come of age and start dating a youth leader. Sickening actually.Oh and I forgot to mention the marriage potential. I married my youth leader.
UH, NO YOU DI,UNT!! lol:laugh:
It is sickening? Interesting. We started dating, were married 2 years later and have been married for over 30 years. During these 30 years, we've been in ministry together pretty much the entire time. What is sickening about that?
Gib
Active Member
Not the Bat-man "Ka-pow" or "Bam!" I thought you were going to give him. :laugh:
It's sickening to me that young adults use youth groups to find younger dates.
This ridiculous no youth ministry thing is the latest and greatest Calvinist issue. In time, like many others, it will pass.
If you don't mind, may I inquire of the age difference between you and your husband?
Interestingly, Youth ministry is a 19th century phenomenon. There was no such thing until the church went out into the world to teach the Bible to nonbelievers and children who worked in factories, coal mines etc.
This is a NON-Calvinist issue
Thousand Hills
Active Member
