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| I'm trying to get a grasp of a vision that i have related to youth ministry. I don't want a traditional youth ministry, or to be a traditional youth pastor. What i want to do is to build a youth ministry with the focus on developing youth into leaders. The idea is to get the youth to the point where wherever they go instead of being followers they become leaders. When they leave the youth group (after high-school) they have a vision, a passion, and a direction. I want the youth not to be slaves to a failing education system, but able to go out, find a direction & passion, and act. I want to build a youth ministry in which the youth and the adults in the congregation are integrally connected. The adults are mentoring and supporting the youth, and the youth are involved in the development and building of the ministry as a whole.
The idea is that in Jr. High the youth are learning core theology and understanding of who they are in Christ. Learning to understand spiritual giftings, and to begin to discover their own giftings. Then when it is time to transition from Jr. High to Sr. High the youth (the guys especially) go through a rite of passage. A focused time with leaders of the same sex (something like a week long hiking trip exploring God's creation) with a heavy time spent seeking God. When they return, possibly as part of completing the time, having the leaders of the church lay hands on them and pray for them. From then on they are treated much more like adults and are expected to act more like adults, being involved in other aspects of the ministry, doing and helping to lead community ministries, being involved in short term missions, and working with the leaders and taking responsibility within the church.
The idea is that when they leave youth, they are ready to face the world. They have the support and the backing to be effective in the world in whatever they do. With the knowledge and understanding to reach out to others, to reach back to the church for support, and to reach up to God for hope, vision, and direction.
I don't know how realistic this is, or even if it is possible, but i know for a fact that it is something i can't do on my own. It almost seems like a pipe dream that has no connection to reality, but i think that this is what youth ministry is supposed to be. What i'm asking for here is some feedback. This is all in vision stage, and i have very little idea as to how to make it work, and what needs to be done.
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| JCM,
WOW, you have a tremendous passion for youth ministry! Thank you for the time and love you are putting into His kids! I want to pass a couple of thoughts along to you to ponder as you contemplate the reality of your vision.
1. Remember they are His kids so ask Him what direction He would want you to take with them.
2. They are students and need the ability to be their age. Unrealistic expectations can backfire in a major way.
3. Never forget above all of the challenges and expectations, they need to be known and need to be loved. As the old youth ministry saying goes, "they will never care what you know until they know you love them."
Matt
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| Matty21 (3/18/2008)
JCM,
2. They are students and need the ability to be their age. Unrealistic expectations can backfire in a major way.
One of the things that has really fascinated me is this view of what youth's ability is and what is considered unrealistic in todays age. Our culture has changed so much in the last 100-125 years. What was once considered the norm when it came to expectations would now be considered unrealistic and so far beyond our youths ability that our culture would call it unhealthy.
For instance, one example would be that prior to the industrial revolution children would live and work with their families. When they became around 8-10 boys would either learn their parents trade, or they would work as an apprentice in another trade. By the time they hit around the ages of 14-17 (depending on the culture, their level of skill, the environment, etc) they were considered trained and could run their own farm, business, etc.
This was the case because they were trained for this and those expectations were placed on them. They rose to the occasion much better than todays youth ever could. Why? Because the youth of that time were created differently than todays youth? Obviously not.
It is the current western culture that has created the "problem of adolescence". In fact the term adolescent did not even exist prior to the industrial revolution and came about due to youth rebelling in this time of their life due to the changing culture, environment, and other factors.
Part of what i want to get beyond is this view and mentality of what a youth/young adult is and is not capable of. The difficulty is balancing this with the fact that in many ways they still have childlike tendencies and part of their work & adjustment is play. So in a sense i completely agree with you, in another sense what is considered "unrealistic" & beyond their "ability" may simply be a cultural and social bias that is hurting youth more than helping them.
Either way, thank you, i appreciate the comments.
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| I think your vision is very exciting. At my church we have asked the adult leaders to nominate teens who are serious about their walk with Christ to be a part of a teen leadership council. These teens will meet in a small group to learn Christian leadership development. They will also help determine the direction of the youth ministries.
Joyfully,
Barb |
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| JCMasterpiece (3/19/2008)
Matty21 (3/18/2008)
JCM,
2. They are students and need the ability to be their age. Unrealistic expectations can backfire in a major way.
One of the things that has really fascinated me is this view of what youth's ability is and what is considered unrealistic in todays age. Our culture has changed so much in the last 100-125 years. What was once considered the norm when it came to expectations would now be considered unrealistic and so far beyond our youths ability that our culture would call it unhealthy.
For instance, one example would be that prior to the industrial revolution children would live and work with their families. When they became around 8-10 boys would either learn their parents trade, or they would work as an apprentice in another trade. By the time they hit around the ages of 14-17 (depending on the culture, their level of skill, the environment, etc) they were considered trained and could run their own farm, business, etc.
This was the case because they were trained for this and those expectations were placed on them. They rose to the occasion much better than todays youth ever could. Why? Because the youth of that time were created differently than todays youth? Obviously not.
It is the current western culture that has created the "problem of adolescence". In fact the term adolescent did not even exist prior to the industrial revolution and came about due to youth rebelling in this time of their life due to the changing culture, environment, and other factors.
Part of what i want to get beyond is this view and mentality of what a youth/young adult is and is not capable of. The difficulty is balancing this with the fact that in many ways they still have childlike tendencies and part of their work & adjustment is play. So in a sense i completely agree with you, in another sense what is considered "unrealistic" & beyond their "ability" may simply be a cultural and social bias that is hurting youth more than helping them.
Either way, thank you, i appreciate the comments. |
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| JCM,
If anyone has been in youth ministry for longer than the past five years you have heard the anthropology/history lesson of american culture and today's youth. While it is true that some sociologists and anthropologists are considering adolescents to run up to the age of 25-28, I am not a proponent.
"The idea is that when they leave youth, they are ready to face the world. They have the support and the backing to be effective in the world in whatever they do. With the knowledge and understanding to reach out to others, to reach back to the church for support, and to reach up to God for hope, vision, and direction. " Was your original focus. My feedback would be to work within your context of influence. The cultural issue we have as Americans seems to be a direct result of the influence of the parents. As youth pastors there is only so much we can impact and influence. Some issues are beyond our scope.
Remember successful youth ministry is really family ministry. Think outside of the box on how you can strengthen and develop the actual families you have been entrusted with. If you only address the students you would be treating the symptom and not the illness.
Let me know how it goes!
Matt |
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| Matty21 (5/11/2008)
JCM,
If anyone has been in youth ministry for longer than the past five years you have heard the anthropology/history lesson of american culture and today's youth. While it is true that some sociologists and anthropologists are considering adolescents to run up to the age of 25-28, I am not a proponent.
I do apologize. What i was saying was not meant as an attack on you so much as a frustration with this overbounding view and the profound impact it has.
Matty21 (5/11/2008)
The cultural issue we have as Americans seems to be a direct result of the influence of the parents. As youth pastors there is only so much we can impact and influence. Some issues are beyond our scope.
Unfortunately, as much as i would love to agree with you, too much i think this is no longer the case. The role that most parents hold seems to more and more be being supplanted by the educational system & media. Especially in the post high-school education. And as we all know, with the government education system going more the route of "freedom from religion"... well you get my drift.
Matty21 (5/11/2008)
Remember successful youth ministry is really family ministry. Think outside of the box on how you can strengthen and develop the actual families you have been entrusted with. If you only address the students you would be treating the symptom and not the illness.
Thanks, i forget that sometimes.
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| | I just happened to stumble on to this and I was blown away! My husband and I have been working with youth in a minor role and we are now starting to take on a more major role. I agree with what has been said and I think that parents miss the goal sometimes when they don't start feeding into their kids when they are young. Then they become teens and they just don't understand why johnny or susie act this way or that. We have been trying to show people that youth can come up to a high goal when given the chance. We try to not make it so high that it is unatainable but high enough that they learn to reach out for it and work for it. Teens seem to just want everything handed to them and they don't want to work hard for anything (not all but a majority). We too have been frustrated with this. My father said to me one time that we expect a lot out of the kids we work with, but he also noticed that they all seem to come up to our expectation and they all love us and seem to want to be around us all the time. We spend time with the teens we work with, we let them know we care for them by our words and our actions and we let them know that we believe that they can attain the high goals that we set for them and that they learn to set for themselves. Sorry for rambling on I feel your frustration and not sure that I have the answers. Just let them know how much you care and that you expect a lot but that they are able to do so much in Christ. Point them to God and then pray, pray, pray!! Our most powerful weapon that we have and so many christians don't use it enough! Blessings to you as you strive to reach this generation!
Melissa - NY |
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