" Tip of the Month"

 

A WORD TO YOUTH WORKERS

 

The crazy thing about discipling teenagers is we don't always know when those "real ministry" moments are going to occur. We expect them to occur after the emotional youth conference appeal but they are just as likely to occur after the annual baby oil/shampoo slip and slide contest (I'm not making this up; this really happened to me). Perhaps the best programming is that which creates moments for meaningful experience and conversation. If your experience is anything like mine, your favorite "real ministry" moments may have been facilitated by a certain programmatic event but are ultimately memorable because of the parents, adults and other members of the community of faith who shared the moment with you. Try this exercise to test it out:

 

Make two lists:

 

First, write down all of the sermons, lessons and devotionals you remember that had a deep spiritual impact on you as a teenager.

 

Second, write down the names of all the people you remember who had a deep impact on your spiritual journey as a teenager.

 

Question:

 

Which list is longer and/or do you consider more influential in your present spiritual journey?

 

I suggest that an evaluation of traditional youth ministry practice reveals our unintentional tendency to undervalue the role of parents and adult volunteers as well as support the separation of age groups at church.

 

To be fair, many parents and adult leaders seem to prefer and support this type of segregated youth ministry practice. They prefer opportunities to participate in classes and worship services specifically targeted to their own adult interests while someone else is "watching" the kids. However, the answers to the above questions illustrate the key role adults, parents or otherwise, play in the spiritual formation of teenagers.

 

So What?

 

Given the important role adults play in the life of teenagers, let me suggest the following:

 

* Take the spiritual influence of adults seriously. Whether good or bad, teenagers really do watch and follow the spiritual lead of adults. So, encourage adults to give them something to follow.

 

* Employ adult volunteers in ministry programming. Not just parents of teenagers, look for adults who are spiritually mature and represent all ages of believers.

 

* Make the most out of spontaneous moments of spiritual formation. If you give quality time, you will eventually find yourself in meaningful conversation with a teenager. Don't force it, that is awkward for everyone!

 

Check out Dr. Fraze's full article SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT: Revisiting our Definition of Family at The Fuller Youth Institute at www.fulleryouthinstitute.com.

 

                                                      

David Fraze, D.Min-Director of Student Ministries at Richland Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas.

  

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