[Reflections on Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, by Doug Fields]
Chapters 2 & 6 paint evangelism as the toughest of the five purposes of youth ministry, and most-commonly neglected. It's hardest because it can be the most comfort-zone stretching, while often upsetting the unruffled status quo within your youth ministry. Parents grumble about uncultured teens mixing with their children, church members react against the unruly mess created, and your authority gets challenged as the previously well-behaved group of church kids is swamped with the unchurched masses. And while empowering your teens to take it on, you actually need to walk the line yourself. And face the rejection. Stay home if an impeccable courtyard is your vision for the church.
But for those committed to answering the call to reach a hurting world, making disciples will force us to gain a vision for the lost, rest wholly on God's power and step out in ways that the other elements of youth ministry barely expose us to. Uncomfortable situations, an intense focus on relationships and a need to communicate ancient truth in a relevant and powerful way provide a vehicle for both growth and miracles that's rarely matched.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Youth Ministry: Growth Won't Depend on an Evangelistic Program, but on Evangelistic Students
[Reflections from Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, by Doug Fields]
My church could potentially organise an exciting and amazingly professional outreach event that fails dismally if there's an emphasis on the evangelistic program without evangelistic students. A high percentage of students seem to enter a youth ministry because of the invitation of their friends. Few will attend an unknown event without someone they know - someone to 'hang' with.
In my youth ministry, while still aiming to put on events that target unbelievers, I need to inspire my young people to be the evangelists. Dan Lian teaches that above and beyond amazing events and super-hero pastors, individuals are "God's game plan" - the key players in reaching our lost world. When young people secure that belief inside them, not only do we open doors to new people crowding events, but the youth begin to capture a sense of purpose for their own lives, plus are able to impact those in their social spheres that might never come into contact with our ministry.
No longer are a few key leaders responsible for reaching souls, but an entire army is unleashed.
My church could potentially organise an exciting and amazingly professional outreach event that fails dismally if there's an emphasis on the evangelistic program without evangelistic students. A high percentage of students seem to enter a youth ministry because of the invitation of their friends. Few will attend an unknown event without someone they know - someone to 'hang' with.
In my youth ministry, while still aiming to put on events that target unbelievers, I need to inspire my young people to be the evangelists. Dan Lian teaches that above and beyond amazing events and super-hero pastors, individuals are "God's game plan" - the key players in reaching our lost world. When young people secure that belief inside them, not only do we open doors to new people crowding events, but the youth begin to capture a sense of purpose for their own lives, plus are able to impact those in their social spheres that might never come into contact with our ministry.
No longer are a few key leaders responsible for reaching souls, but an entire army is unleashed.
Youth Ministry: Identifying Students' Commitment Levels
[Reflections from Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, by Doug Fields]
What happens when a youth event tries to cater for every type of young person? Ch. 5 reveals the struggles that occur when a single event attempts to cater for both the growing Christians as well as those that are unchurched. When you stretch to meet the needs of every kind of student at the same time, ministry may be thin, and few impacted powerfully. Those encountering God for the first time will have different needs to those well on the journey, yet both need proper attention.
I need to recognize the broad variety of students within my ministry, and attempt to focus particular events on a more specific type of student rather than just 'all of them'. If several different programs can each target a particular segment of spiritual-maturity, the needs of those particular students can be more effectively met - those with a hunger to get deeper into the bible can be fed appropriately, while those who've never read it before can be approached in a different way that won't lose their interest, while possibly meeting other needs such as excitement, belonging, and acceptance.
What happens when a youth event tries to cater for every type of young person? Ch. 5 reveals the struggles that occur when a single event attempts to cater for both the growing Christians as well as those that are unchurched. When you stretch to meet the needs of every kind of student at the same time, ministry may be thin, and few impacted powerfully. Those encountering God for the first time will have different needs to those well on the journey, yet both need proper attention.
I need to recognize the broad variety of students within my ministry, and attempt to focus particular events on a more specific type of student rather than just 'all of them'. If several different programs can each target a particular segment of spiritual-maturity, the needs of those particular students can be more effectively met - those with a hunger to get deeper into the bible can be fed appropriately, while those who've never read it before can be approached in a different way that won't lose their interest, while possibly meeting other needs such as excitement, belonging, and acceptance.
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