Ch. 7 Contributors to Vital Youth Ministry

(I know it's been a month since my last blog on chapter 6 of this book. Sorry for the large gap, but we had a chance to visit Chicago for a few weeks to see our son studying there, so we took that opportunity. So here's my thoughts on the final chapter of this important book. Brian.)

The authors here have suggested four contributors to vital youth ministry - Vision, Team, Church, and Special Events. They also make reference to Leadership and Relationships. So let's see what they have to say.

While leadership is important, and we who are leaders should be doing what we can to continue learning to lead, this is not the most vital character. If you've been involved with various groups long enough you will know this, because there are some groups that have what I would call terrible leadership, yet the group flourishes. Maybe it's just a different kind of leadership that works in that setting.

This statement on p43 is important, and one I would suggest you put on your wall somewhere.

The heart of youth ministry lies in relationships:

• youth with each other,
• youth leaders with youth,
• youth leaders with each other,
• youth leaders with parents, and
• youth with older people in the church. 

(A big comment from me here. I think the authors have missed the most essential of relationships -

youth with Jesus. All the other relationships listed are important, but if the youth do not have a relationship with Jesus then we are truly missing the point of ministry to youth.)

The Vision

This is a vision for the youth to be more than they are now. This means recognising that not all youth like the same things, want the same things, or are at the same level of spiritual development. How do you help the youth in your group to develop faith? How do you help those who do not like to read? And how do you help them to live out that faith?

Faith grows as it is applied.

The Team

I know that there are many churches where the thought of having a team working together on youth ministry seems to be the impossible dream. But even in these places there can be a team effort. That team might be made up of some who organise the group, some who cook, others who pray, and some others who drive.

If you are running a youth group on your own, good on you for being brave and willing to do so. But please, please, get some others around you. Even some of those old saints in your church might be willing to help in some way.

The Church

As you consider your church you may not be comforted by this next statement, but let it be a guide for you anyway.

. . . church culture makes a great difference to youth ministry in the long term. The culture also affects how easy it is for people to make the transition for youth group involvement to involvment in the wider church. p44

Some of you will know how important - and urgent - this issue is to me. We have segregated our church communities with the best intentions, but we have undermined our own health by doing so. Here is a sobering statement from the authors. "Most young people say they do now know the people in the wider church and are not known by them. Without those relationships, how does the church expect youth to become contributing members of their community?"

Do you have an answer?

Special Events

This was covered more in chapter six, so you can flick back to that blog post if you like. I acknowledge the tension that such a chapter brings, because inevitably many of these events will be youth only events. How does this work if we are trying to build relationships across the whole church community? Live in the paradox. Do both!

Conclusion

Youth ministry is difficult in Australia. Churches are under suspicion and even those who have grown up in a church community have no qualms in leaving. But youth ministry is also a terrific opportunity to help turn that around. You can help to change the lives of a generation - a generation that impacts the world around them right now.

Take up the challenge. It is a great one.


A Final Offer

If you've been reading my blog you know what I think about this book. But would you like a copy of your own? If you are part of the Presbyterian Church of Victora, send me a message and we will get you a copy of this book. But I need to know by the end of May 2016. This offer is open for the first ten people to respond. So be quick.

 

PYV West Camp 2016 - Day Four

The final day of a camp is always a day of mixed feelings. Leaving a camp and saying goodbye to everyone again is a sad thing. It's sad to leave, but it's good to be heading home after being away from my family for a few days.

We packed up before breakfast today, so it was a very early start for some. But there didn't seem to be much of a delay. That must mean we have a great group of campers and leaders who want to do what they can to help the workers at Norval get ready for the next group.

Emerald City - Winner are Grinners

At the start of our session today prizes were awarded to the winners of our own Olympics. Congratulations to Emerald City for working so well together in all kinds of competitions. Enjoy your prizes. And I want to acknowledge the terrific effort of my team - Isengard - even though we came last. But, as one member of the team commented, Isengard is supposed to lose in the end.


In our worship session we answered some questions that have been asked, we sang songs of praise, and we read from John 4. As Cam spoke about Jesus meeting this woman at the well in Samaria, we were encouraged and challenged as we considered how she reacted to meeting Jesus. If you don't know the story, can I encourage you to find a Bible, open it to John Chapter 4 and read this story for yourself.

Here's a paraphrase of something Cam said that stood out for me:

This woman has built an idol of relationships, but they have all walked away. It will be just the same with anything you allow to be an idol in your life - it will fade away and leave you empty.

Some of our study group

Our final study session looked at John 15 where Jesus uses the analogy of grape vines to describe our relationship with him, and the expected results of that relationship. I always love it when someone in a study group says something that makes sense and that I've never considered before. This happened today as we discussed the topic of 'fruit' and what this signifies.

Thank you.

After lunch we said "Thank You" to all those who have worked hard to make this camp as great as it has been. The Executive team under Chris have been amazing. But the greatest cheer was kept for those who have worked incredibly hard over four days - our cooks.

As one who can't cook (I'm serious there) it is amazing to me that there are people who can cook enough food for this many people and make it taste good as well. That they can also do this with a smile amazes me even more. Thank you ladies for your incredible work and service to PYV.

So, West Camp 2016 has come to an end. But reflecting on what has happened at the camp over the last few days reminds me that a camp is not normal life. It is great to meet together in this way for a little while, but we can't stay here. So everybody has gone now and returned to their homes and study and work.

But as Jesus is our Shepherd in the safety of these gatherings, he is also our shepherd when we go out. In Him we find our safety.