Contemporary Youth Ministry

It seems to me that Youth Ministry should have the same focus as all local church ministry. Youth work should be an extension of the pastor's pulpit ministry. That comes down to evangelism, discipleship and service. I think we err when we come up with the idea that teens need something different then their parents. Activities and fun may be more appropriate for children and teens, but in the final analysis they need to be challenged to be saved and live their lives for God, just like their parents.

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou and example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Paul told Timothy not to do anything that would discredit or destroy his testimony, but rather be a godly and growing believer.

 

I think we need to understand that the teens of today that are not being raised in a Christ serving family are hurt and can only be reached thru relationships.
If we start of by putting a list of standards before them and expecting them to give a sigh of relief that someone cares, we are missing the mark.
While a strong personality can detract from the message of hope in Christ, we have to relate to them in a way they understand. Get the foot in the door, care for them, the relationship will come. Then they will accept what we have to say on the deeper spiritual issues.

 

Hi all, Im not a Pastor but I have worked with youth for 14yrs.
We have found that discipling a core group of kids (guys and girls) training them to reach their peers, and working alongsde them with direction of course has been very effective.
I think personality driven or seeker sensitive youth outreach is simply empty. You'll get numbers, but not lasting results, in their lives or your own

In a large group of kids Ive asked the Lord to send me 2-3 girls that He knows I will click with, and for the past several years, Ive concentrated on developing relationships with those the Lord sends my way, while still keeping in touch with the others (im very organized!)

Being the only female youth worker in a group of 55 kids can suck the life from your brain, but have found that God does supply everything, even being able to sleep with one eye open on winter retreats
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

sorry for the girl moment, but youth ministry is very dear to my heart!
Linda



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"I think we err when we come up with the idea that teens need something different then their parents."

I beeing a teen must say that i would have never been saved if it wernt for all those fun activities that the church put on for youth. I gave my life to Christ at one of the "get away" weekends. I went up their with the intention of playing Risk and staying up all night, but what i got was a strong message from God to turn my life around. I would have never really truly known God if the church i go to treated teens in the same way as adults. Both adults and teens need the same thing (being Christ) but we get it in completely different way.

[ June 20, 2002, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: SorryDude ]

 

Quite frankly, the exhibitionistic styles of modern youth ministry are a sad attempt to do by the power of the flesh what can only be accomplished by the power of Spirit.

 

Im sorry i dont completely follow what you think is being done threw the flesh.

 

Trying to "attract" people to the Gospel.

 

If we believe the gospel is all the power for salvation,then we know that God's Word *works* and is relevant to all of us,all ages. So,we don't need a lot of fluff and worldy techniques to *attract* kids. we need more of God's word to permeate our lives. Esp youth! They are faced with soooo much temptation and a fun time is not going to help them stand firm,but God's Word in them will! So,understanding that God is the one who changes us and makes us more holy,takes the emphasis off of man's ideas and techniques. Which are exactly that,man made. God's ways are not our ways and we need to trust God for saving and growing our youth in Him.

We,also need to understand that most youth are babes in Christ and need strong discipleship and mentoring to learn more about God and His ways. It is okay to have fun and fellowship,but God's Word must be the center of all that is done. And if we believe that God's word is true and does change lives,we will be committed to teaching and focusing on that! *True* christian youth will desire for more of that in their lives.

 

I personally believe that youth need to be taught more things about how they are to obey and honor their parents. Lately,through study,I have wondered if the youth need so many separate activities away from parents....It is the job of the parents to teach them about God,not the church or youth group,God gave that responsibilty to the parents in Deut 6. Now,in the area of youth who do not have christian parents,they church can help train them...I think there should be more equipping for the husbands to be the spiritual head and teachers of their families,and making that more prominent than *youth ministry*. If the parents were doing their job,there might not be as many problems with our young people if Gods ways were taught in the home.

Just my thoughts. What do you all think?

 

OOps I did not realize this was in the pastors corner. I am in the wrong place.

[ June 21, 2002, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: Headcoveredlady ]

 

HCL,what you said made me think....Can women not post in the pastor's corner? I'm sorry if I did something wrong....I just saw a topic of interest and posted on that. I hope I wasn't breaking a BB rule.

 

It used to be about "attracting" teens to Christ, now it's simply about being real with them. Teens see directly thru a shallow intention, they automatically know if someone truly cares or if they are simply saying things or doing things to make it look good....the only way to honestly attract a teen is by being who God created you to be...let God attract them and just provide things for them that would be of thier personal interest.

karen

 

Contemperary youth? umm, I'm from the group of the "Old Time Relegion, it's good enough for me"
You can't attract anyone to Christ. You have to allow people to decide for themselves what to believe.
Fun and games are fine, but there is a time for games, then there is a time for seriousness. {Ecclesiasties ch 2} What teens need is some solid Bible teaching, and some youth pastors dedicated to serving God. They need a good example to be their leader. Differnt people need differnt things. A teenager who has not been saved long is going to need a lot of decipleing and guidence, where a teenager eho has been saved for awhile is going to be more grounded.
Youth get togethers, camps, games, all that is fine. We all need fellowship with other Christians, but whatever you are doing, especialy if you have visiters from other church's, you need to in some way incorperate the gospel into what you do.
Teach this generation's youth to get a firm foundation in the Lord, deciple them, and get them commited to serving God -that's what our youth needs. Then you incorperate the fun and games.
In our Saviour,
Abby

ps, by the way, I hope ya'll it hold against me because I posted in the Pastor's forum!

[ June 22, 2002, 04:55 PM: Message edited by: saved by grace 1999 ]

 

I like the phrase "whatever it takes". I find it similar to "all things to all people."

 

Youth work should be an extension of the pastor's pulpit ministry

That is the problem with many youth ministries, they are not doing anything different then what the pastor is doing on Sunday morning. A few songs, announcements and then a lecture on why the radio is from the devil. STOP IT! The youth minister should be loyal to the pastor, back his vision or leave, but loyal is not doing what he does on Sunday or viewing youth ministry as a stepping stone to "BIG" church that is youth ministry suicide.

Try this for successful youth ministry, actually disciple [spend time with them, listen too some of their music to hear what is being said by those who are weilding the most influence on their lives and allow them to honestly question their faith without being hammered by a 50# KJV Bible] your young people, prepare them to go into one of the greatest mission fields around the high school and turn them loose. I have found that young people like their church and pastor much more when they are made to feel like they something to offer to the congregation that what they do actually matters. Because it does, just look at our colleges and universities today, a result of youth ministry poorly done.

 

They're not the same at all. God is just as picky about the means as He is about the ends, 2 Tim. 2:5.

 

Yes,Aaron...it has to line up with scripture and be a biblical "idea" before it should be allowed in any church *program*.

I feel youth ministry should focus on God's word,not be about fluff and thrills(those things fade),but meaningful to kids trying to walk in God's ways. I believe a great committed youth pastor should teach expositorally,and be committed to that.

I hear people make that statment(whatever it takes) and it really is so untrue and deceiving. In fact,I have heard of whole churches taking on that philosophy....scary! Those churches usually have very little bible depth but alot of frills.