The Future of Youth Ministry (Part 3)
What will youth ministry look like in 5, 10, or 20 years? Can we even know? 20 years ago, I got my first computer which was a Tandy 90 from Radio Shack, and it was essentially a typewritter on the TV. Today we’re a computerized society. What will things be like in the future? Who could have predicted the rise of iPods, Myspace, cell phones, and the like? Technology will continue to change culture, society, and life. Add to that the uncertainty of the economy, continued danger from terrorism, and any number of other life changing events, and we can’t even begin to guess how things will be like.
Yet, I really believe that these things will force changes in the “frosting” of ministry, not the actual “cake” (if you’ll forgive my analogy). People remain the same. People still will need Jesus.
Here are a few highlights of what we need to do –
1. Rely on God – No duh, right? Unfortunately, too many youth ministers rely on their own power, their own charisma, their own skills…and God is left entirely out of his own church! I am guilty of this sometimes as well. I’ve seen it way too much, as youth groups are built around the dynamic personality of a youth leader, and when the youth leader leaves (or has a fall) then the youth group implodes. Instead, we need to call on God’s power to reach the world. Instead of God being something we throw in when we’re supposed to, He needs to be the one we center around.
2. Family Ministry – There have been whisperings of “family ministry” for years, with a book here, newsletter article there, but youth ministry still seems geared around the “seperate them out” philosophy. How has that been working? We need to go farther than just talking about the importance of families, even beyond just having parents “involved” as volunteers in ministry. We really need to abolish the idea of “Youth Ministry” and instead focus on equipping parents to minister to their children. And instead of having seperate Sunday School classes, we need to integrate adults and teens in the learning environment. We should have small groups that focus on families and building them together towards Christ. We need to teach parents how to parent as a Christian. Instead, we seperate. Thats a problem.
3. Use Technology – The church is not 2 steps behind in using technology – we’re 200 years behind! We’ve still got organs and pews and big wooden pulpits as the centerpiece of our service! The church needs to actively use the “next big thing” in technology and use it quickly. I think the best that the church has used technology is Podcasting. But technology like powerpoint and the internet were slow in the vast majority of churches, with an alarming number of churches without websites, and probably 95% without EFFECTIVE websites. We need to stop being behind on the times, and instead taking advantage of the amazing growth of technology to reach the world.
4. Involve students – Churches are doing this. Most growing churches really do this well. But we need to make sure that we are identifying students needs and talents and getting them serving in the church. Not just playing with kids or in the sound room because thats the safest place to put them. But give them leadership in the church as a whole, give them ownership in the church.
5. Emphasize evangelism – You might say, “But we do emphasize evangelism!” and we do, to a point. Unfortunately, students aren’t getting it. Adults aren’t getting it either, so its not just them. I don’t have the answer, either. Yet I see too many times trying so hard to get students in “the side door” of superbowl parties, retreats, concerts, etc. and not through convicting them of sin, needing to know Jesus. There is nothing wrong with getting them in through the side door, but I wonder if that strategy is not flawed if its the main way to attract kids. They might hear the message of Jesus through the side door, and might even believe it for a time. But if they are not brought into a real relationship with Jesus through witnessing and discipleship, its probably not going to take hold.
Something needs to happen in youth ministry and in the Church as a whole if we want to continue to effectively reach the culture. Its not a “follow these 5 steps to easy youth ministry!” but a complete overhaul of our concept of youth ministry. Its not easy, and probably less fulfilling. After all, getting 100 students at a lockin who could care less if its church or not but who are having a good time looks a lot better than 4 kids who seriously love Jesus and are committed to growing in Him.
I have high hopes for the future of youth ministry. I can see a lot of great things happening, and the potential for great things. I just hope that we as leaders are up to the task.
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