BibleSponge

Well here we are.  In the previous six parts, found here, here, here, here, here and here, I have pointed out several areas of what the church of today calls ‘Youth Ministry’.  Some of the areas are readily agreed upon, others gather responses such as ‘Are you serious?’.  Nevertheless, all points have scripture to stand behind them.

My goal in opening this can of worms, and what a big can it has been, was not to inebriate readers and youth workers.  However, it was to pull off the nice, neat looking bandage that has allowed a sore on the church landscape to fester underneath.  Granted it’s ugly, but after airing it out, repenting and asking God for a direction that tries to conform to His instructions to the best of our ability, it will heal.  It will start to take the shape of His will and not that of our culture or what the leading youth pastor on TV says.

It’s obvious that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to youth ministry.  However, if we can agree on a mission statement that lines up with the Bible, and base all of our efforts on that, then we will be well on our way in a direction that pleases God.  So how’s this…

The mission of [church name] youth ministry is to equip parents to fulfill their Biblical responsibilities of discipling and evangelizing their children and to reach out to youth who are without Christian parents.

This statement has several references to stand on, such as  Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Ephesians 5:15-21, 4:12.

Equipping and Empowering Parents

The first part of this statement strikes the heart of my biggest concern with youth ministry in its common form today.  It’s one thing to run a ministry that’s not specifically outlined in Scripture.  But, you cross the line when you offer a ministry that goes against Scripture.

The idea: If we are doing anything that allows parents a free pass on discipling their kids, that’s bad.  If we are doing anything that is assisting in directly disobeying the 5th Commandment, it’s heresy.  The 5th Commandment is the first of the horizontal commandments and given to the community of faith (Deuteronomy 5:16).  Go back and take Ephesians 6:1-4 in context (see Ephesians 5:15-21).  You will see that children who are obedient and Spirit-filled are ones that are submitted to their parents’ spiritual authority.  If parents can just drop kids off at a weekly gathering, that’s enticing them to pass off their responsibilities of discipleship and evangelism to the church.  If church leadership fails to hold parents responsible, it only continues a trend of the past three decades.

Bottom line: Churches should be utilizing Scripture, today’s technology – anything- to equip parents to disciple and evangelize their children.  Prayer, workshops, Bible studies, books, trips – ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to equip parents.  The future of the church depends on it.

The ‘Orphans’

The second part of the statement addresses a growing concern for churches.  It takes into account youth who may not have parental leadership in the home or church.  Notice that I reference ‘youth without Christian parents’. If their parents are in fact striving to fulfill their responsibilities, they wouldn’t be orphans.

The idea: Youth that do not have parental guidance at home or at church are a vital component and concern for the church family.  Again, why would we toss them into an environment where at best only 10% of their peers in youth ministry have a Biblical worldview?  What does all that have to offer them in the way of discipleship or evangelism?  Considering that some studies show our effectiveness as adults evangelizing at 40+ Christian adults to gaining 1 convert?!  Youth evangelism effectiveness is even less.

Bottom line: Churches should be pairing up these ‘orphans’ with families that are already displaying this model of family discipleship and evangelism.  Or another option would be pairing them up with a couple that has successfully raised kids and are still drawn to them.

Conclusion

While some may or may not agree with any or all of this series, it’s hard to compile a mission statement that will line up with Scripture better than the one I have put forth here.  By lining up our youth ministries with the Bible, we will set in motion a reverse of the perversion of ministry that has plagued our Christian culture over the last 30 years.  Otherwise, we will fall victim to the old cliché ‘those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it…’

By taking a Biblical approach and lining up our youth ministries with Scripture as best we can, everything else from skate days to field trips to youth camps are just candy sprinkles on top.  I like candy sprinkles, don’t you?

JS