Tim Hawkins comments on youth ministries that seek to meet everybody’s expectations – the perceived needs of parents, of other pastors, the elders, deacons, councillors, and the neighbourhood – it can get extremely tiring and discouraging trying to keep everyone happy; in fact it’s probably impossible!
Instead, following a Biblical plan should involve discovering what the real needs of your youth are. Time in the word of God can make them pretty clear: to be saved, filled with the Spirit, discipled, equipped, led to worship, develop character, serve, use their gifts, etc… These are part of God’s plan for all believers.
The benefit of this attitude is that instead of just ‘hanging around’ church for the fun, young people can actually experience God’s desire for them: transformation and life-change. Eradicating the ‘pure entertainment’ or ‘please everyone’ mentalities may result in less students attending, but the spiritual soil will be better cultivated for healthy, lasting fruit.
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