Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/89

Contributor - Nellie S. From

Title - Developing a Philosophy for Your Youth Ministry

Topic - Youth

It is important that those involved in youth education base their ministry on a sound, biblically-based philosophy. The development of a philosophy of youth ministry can be both challenging and frustrating and yet it is where one must begin if he/she ever hopes to enjoy a successful ministry.

Goals, Aims and Purposes of Youth Ministries

Youth ministry is a relational ministry that demands a commitment on the part of the leaders. It is a comprehensive ministry that deals with reaching young people and bringing them to a knowledge of Christ, teaching them and training them so that they might go out to reach, teach and train others.

Youth ministry is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ and faith in Him. It is the goal of youth ministries to have young people realize their potential as divinely created beings and grow towards maturity. To do this the leader must lead youth to an understanding of Scripture as the infallible word of God. The leader must establish and maintain a relationship with the believer, modeling for him the process of transformation through Christ. He must show him how his faith encompasses all aspects of life through proper Bible teaching. It is essential that the leader model for the young person the concepts being taught so that he becomes what the teacher is. Even Christ said that when one is fully trained he will be like his teacher. (Luke 6:10).

As the youth responds to the teaching he receives, he should begin to bear fruit thereby showing what he is learning and that he is well on the way to maturity in Christ.

Once the student has been trained and discipled, the student should begin the process of reaching another, teaching him, training him, and so the cycle goes. Through this participation in the mission of the church the youth is able to discover, develop and fulfil responsible roles in the Christian fellowship.

Youth ministry must be person oriented for it is as one person's life flows into another that people are trained. It is important that the leader relate to young people keeping in mind their individual maturity, their physical and social environment, previous experience and training, their ability to learn, as well as their needs. This sensitivity for them comes through the leader's understanding of Christ, his ministry, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Youth Ministry and God's Word

It is the Word of God that provides the foundation for youth ministry. The message of salvation comes from the Bible and it is through the Bible that one gets to know God. Through the reading of the Word, one matures and grows (II Tim. 3:16), obtains guidance for daily Christian living (Ps. 119:4), and experiences a life changing process (Heb. 4:12).

Jesus Christ, our standard, based His teaching on the Word of God (Luke 4.17-20). If we are to be true disciples of Christ we must agree with His view of Scripture. Since He used the scriptures and based His teaching on them, so must the youth leader base his teaching on the Word of God.

If youth ministry is to be valid it must be grounded in the Word of God. It is through the Word of God as applied by the Spirit, that the new life within a person is transformed and the very life of Christ overflows and controls him. It is important then that the youth leader teach his young people to use and apply the Bible, showing them and guiding them into the truth. True Christian growth can only occur when one has a knowledge of the Word of God, for it is through the Word that God speaks.

Teaching

There are several guidelines the leader should follow when communicating the Word of God. He should be sure that his group understands the language he uses. He should never criticize anyone in front of another. The leader should let his group know where they stand, giving praise when appropriate as well as confronting them when necessary.

It is important that the leader understands his group, accepts them and loves them; even those hard to love. For it is the leader that sets the teaching atmosphere - one of love and respect for others. The group soon discovers the attitude of the leader towards them as a whole as well as individually. The leader cannot hope to disciple one at arm's length. It is only as he loves and cares for his class, shows a genuine love for the Lord, and models the Christian lifestyle that he can expect any changes among those whom he is trying to disciple.

Created in the image of God, young people are capable of developing and expressing their personality and emotion., They have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. They have the ability for reflective, analytical creative intelligence and tend to seek fellowship and companionship. An understanding of who and what youth are is a basic essential before the youth leader can effectively present him with biblical truths.

Finally, those who are entrusted with the responsibility of youth education must realize that they are coworkers with God and are dependent on Him and the Spirit for the content and subsequent outcome of their teaching.

Learning

Learning is not really effective until the student responds in some way to what he has been taught. Learning best takes place when the learner has the opportunity to experience for himself and commit himself to the principles being taught. It is a known fact that people retain more of what they discover for themselves. Therefore, if learning is to be effective it should involve the young people, leading them to respond so that a change in behaviour takes place. This will make Christianity something more than pious calisthenics.

Rather, it will become real and tangible as the young people test and prove it for themselves. It is only as they experience it, that they can develop a sound Christian knowledge and view of themselves, the scriptures and the world around them.

The Leader of the Youth Group

Youth leaders must realize and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Often it is the temptation to go beyond what one should, doing the work of the Holy Spirit. One must remember however', that the Holy Spirit guided Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:1). If Christ was lead by the Spirit how much more should the leader be led. The Holy Spirit empowers the leader for his ministry. He indwells and guides him concerning all truth and fills his many inadequacies.

The Spirit is involved in the lite ot the young person too, for it is only through the Spirit that he can respond to God. It is never the place of the leader to force a teen to a decision for Christ. It is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that a creative exchange of experience and insight can take place between the leader and the youth group.

The leadership of the group is all important, for it is the leaders that have the most impact on the young people. Leaders must remember that they are God's instruments and His representatives. The ministry of the leader is to be relational in nature. Relating to the group and one-on-one is vital if needs are to be known and met. The leader must be willing to give himself and his time to others. He should be someone who is sincere in his relationship with Jesus Christ, who is available and willing to sacrifice for the sake of ministry. He should be someone who is well-adjusted, accepting of himself, and understand his own behaviour, so that he might accept others for who and what they are. He should provide a good example and be willing to say "I'm sorry-" The leader should have or develop a listening ear. He should be mature, show love, be teachable, dedicated, patient, enthusiastic, co-operative, efficient, knowledgeable, committed to his job and confident in himself, God and the Holy Spirit.

Leaders should be chosen well in advance of the start of the program and trained for their job. They should be trained in program development and counselling techniques.

The youth worker must ideally allow the young people into every aspect of his life. They should have the chance to see him in his Sunday best, in jeans or in work clothes. A ministry with youth must be relational if it is to have any impact on the young lives.

Orientation to Ministry

It must be remembered that much of what happens in the youth group comes as the result of the home life the teen experiences. Therefore it is important that the leader spends enough time with the young people so as to develop each one to his fullest potential. To do this the leader must live his faith, speak it and share it. The leader must develop a quality ministry that meets the needs of the group and reshapes their personalities into the image of Christ.

There are several things that should be remembered when ministering to youth. First, youth ministry is a ministry that must be based on love. The teaching of the truth isolated from love will produce little in terms of results.

Second, faith - true faith in God must be taught as a way of life. It should be evident in the life of the leader as an example for the entire youth group.

Third, the group should seek to find a balance between the spiritual and fun times in its Christian ministry. A separation of the two is unwelcome by many. It also gives a distorted picture of the freedom one has in Christ to express himself in man varying and creative ways.

Fourth, the leader must teach the group to truly worship God, for it is through response to God that one is revitalized for service. It is also through worship that one gets to know God and learns to effectively communicate with Him, therefore, solidifying even further one's personal relationship with Him.

Fifth, the ministry of the youth group should not be a hindrance to the family unit. The youth program that has the young person constantly away from the home, or divides the family members due to differing views being taught, can only harm the church as a whole.

Sixth, the programs designed for the young people should contribute in some way to their discipleship. Programs that do not aid in the overall growth of the youth are a waste of valuable time, money and effort.

Youth ministries must also be concerned with evangelism. A youth ministry that is only concerned with the program within the church has lost sight of its purpose of outreach. Evangelism is hinged on discipleship, while youth ministry should be ideally concerned with the development of that discipleship. It is the young person's participation in evangelism that helps him grow in his own understanding of the scriptures, its promises and claims. When engaged in evangelism he has come the full cycle if he has been properly discipled. He has been reached, taught, and trained, and is now reaching out to others telling them of the life Christianity offers.

A discipleship program is essential so that the cycle of reaching, teaching, and training other young people can continue and so that the youth are prepared for a lifetime of victorious Christian living.

Counselling

Counselling services are important and necessary when working with teens. Before counselling can be effective however, the counsellor must have established a trust relationship with the teen. The teen must know that he will be accepted as he is and can be honest with the counsellor. He should know that he will in turn receive honest answers that will aid in his discipleship and give him answers to life's problems. He must be able to trust the counsellor with confidentiality knowing he will not be repeated to others.

In turn the counsellor should not be shocked by what he may hear. He should be well-educated, approachable and have a listening and willing ear, welcoming calls and visits.

Youth are the church of tomorrow, therefore it is important that they be properly trained to develop a strong Christian leadership for the future.

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