10 Recommendations for Local Church Youth Ministries
In many seasons of my life, I have had the joy of being involved in youth ministry in some way. It is the passion of my life to point another generation to the Lord Jesus and His truth. I am more convinced than I have ever been that this is a critical ministry of the local church. It is not just the work of youth pastors and “professionals.” It is the mission of every older man and older woman who desires to impart God’s truth to the next generation (Titus 2).
Youth ministry is not “a light ministry.” There is nothing light about it. This is serious business. It is work and warfare.
Youth ministry is at the front lines of Satanic attack.
We all know we are in a spiritual conflict — a battle of eternal proportions. The war is waging all around us. Where are “the front lines”? Identify the greatest casualties, and you will discover the hottest part of the battle.
Satan has turned his most aggressive weapons on children and teenagers. He knows their potential and hates the God who created them. Sadly, one of Satan’s greatest tools is unwise believers like King Saul who react to young David with a discouraging, “Thou art but a youth.” I’m glad God never said that.
The enemy is advancing. We should be, too. Reinforcements are desperately needed on the front lines.
Youth ministry is at the foundation of civilization.
The basic unit of civilization (and the church) is the family. As the home goes, so goes the nation. Biblical youth ministry is a family ministry. To “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). Young people must be reached and taught if they are to be the children God designed them to be now, and the parents God desires them to be later. Capture a young mind and heart for Christ, and the rest of that life can be lived for God’s glory.
It is easy to complain about the condition of a younger generation, to fuss at the darkness. What will we do about it?
Youth ministry is at the heart of the church.
The local church is tasked with passing on truth to the next generation (2 Timothy 2:2). To neglect young people is to reject God’s plan. Our work is not “youth ministry”; it is “local church youth ministry.” We are not to simply attach teenagers to a youth program. We are to attach them to the greatest thing in the world: the local New Testament Church! Students will outgrow the teen department, but they will never outgrow the local church.
Young people will become the pastors, deacons, teachers, and leaders in local churches. They will guide our children and grandchildren! In the words of Catherine Booth, “To change the future, we must disturb the present.”
This is the day for churches to see their responsibility and seize the opportunity that is before them. There are more young people on earth than ever before and they all need our Christ. We must do more than believe in local church youth ministry…we must be involved in it.
The Blessing of Faithful Youth Workers
Thank God for faithful youth workers. While raising our children, I realized more than ever that no one raises their children alone. My wife and I praise God for every youth pastor, youth pastor’s wife, teacher, coach, administrator, and choir leader who influenced our children…and we prayed for them. We needed them. Our kids needed them.
The role of youth leaders is more indispensable than ever. They cannot take the place of parents or the pastor, but they can extend the influence of both. Youth workers are key in strengthening two God-ordained institutions – the home and the local church.
10 Suggestions for Youth Workers
A number of youth directors have asked me recently what advice I could offer to them. Here are my top ten thoughts for those who are leading young people.
- Make much of Jesus. Young people do not need a steady diet of “hot topics” — they need Christ. Give them the Bible and take them regularly to Calvary. That changes everything.
- Take your kids on a mission trip. Nothing will impact a young person like getting out of their comfort zone and seeing the needs of the world. Help them to see the lost in desperate need of the gospel.
- Teach simple, practical truths. Do not assume they know. Teach them how to share their testimony, how to listen to a sermon, and how to read the Bible effectively. Give attention to the basics.
- Start a prayer meeting. Perhaps the greatest thing you will ever teach a young person is how to talk to God themselves.
- Don’t do all the work for the young people. Design activities so that kids learn to work and to be helpful. Train servants at every opportunity.
- Keep technology in its place as a servant and not the master. Kids get enough media on their own. They do not need another overdose at church.
- Emphasize eternity. You do not have to work very hard to help kids have fun, but you will have to work to help them think seriously about life. “Exhort young men to be sober-minded” (Titus 2:6).
- Take your young people to events where they will be around other youth groups. Fellowship outside of your group. It will do teens good to see other teens who are following Christ.
- Get your young people singing. Start a choir or, at least, a small music group. Enthusiastic singing about Jesus is contagious. Get kids around a piano in an informal way and help them learn to enjoy singing.
- Whatever you do, help dads and moms. Families need help, and your support and prayers can make a difference.
Thank you for laboring to reach and teach young people for Christ. Soon, the battle will end. Jesus is coming. He wins, and we win with Him! Until then, may God help us to be faithful.
*One of Satan’s chief weapons is the use of technology. Find resources for Stewarding Technology HERE.
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