The following points came up during the four two-hour sessions:
1. The Goal of Ministry
Throughout the weekend I had to continually remind the delegates that the goal of youth ministry is involving young people in ministry - ie. service, evangelism, missions, discipling others, leadership, etc (according to their spiritual gifting). Someone asked whether everyone should move through the process and reach the Minister level, or whether it would be okay for a Christian to stay at the Believer or Worker Level. I suggested that we should be careful about forcing people to move through the levels either too quickly or when they need time at a level to be thoroughly grounded. When youth have been through trauma (as in family breakdown) we may need to be sensitive and allow them some time to return to a "lower" commitment level and be ministered to rather than be expected to serve as normal.
2. Cell-based vs Programme-based Ministry
There were a number of delegates in the session who are from cell churches or youth groups that are functioning with a cell strategy. I found them to be the most thrown by the philosophy of youth ministry that I was exposing them to. When I was getting them to link each programme they are running with a specific commitment level they initially said that their cell groups covered all the levels. They were saying that the cell handles evangelism, follow up, discipleship, and equipping for ministry. On closer inspection they realised that their congregation and celebration gatherings were also a part of the strategy. Celebrations are the equivalent of Connect Events in the model as they are an opportunity for new people to be included and evangelised. I stressed that those working in cell churches still need to work out what the flow of ministry is, ie. Where do people enter the process, where are they evangelised, where are they followed up, etc. They also need to identify the process of discipleship and not just think that all the levels will be adequately handled in the cell groups generally. Many cell youth ministry are running with a combination of programme events and cell events. In this case, the Friday group meeting plays a vital role in reaching unchurched youth with the gospel and Teen church may play a role in grounding youth in the key doctrines of Christianity. Then the cell groups can focus on caring and equipping youth for ministry.
3. Teaching People the Model
In teaching the model I realised that they need to identify the following four elements: (a) Purpose - they must see the importance of discipling youth from Matthew 28:18f; ie. To make contact with unchurched youth; build relationships with them; share Christ with them; ground them in the faith; grow them to spiritual maturity; equip them for service and ministry both in the group and in the community. (b) Process - they must identify the commitment levels they will target from ‘irreligious student to fully devoted followers of Christ' (to steal Willow Creek's mission statement). They need to also write a mission statement that reflects this process. It is important to write a profile of each commitment level and identify their specific needs. (c) Structure - here they must identify the ministry structure they will be using. If it is a cell or programme-based structure, this is the point at which it is considered. They need to draw a flow chart or other type of diagram that will graphically represent their ministry structure. (d) Events - now they need to take each commitment level and identify what programmes they have aimed at each level and design and plan to implement new events or ministries for levels that are not adequately targeted.
4. Multi-Level Events
One more than one occasion I was asked where a certain type of event fits in on the commitment levels. For example, someone asked at which level a camp, or a Bible study would function. My response was that it depends on what the event is trying to accomplish - or, at which commitment level the event is aimed. A camp could be aimed at each of the six commitment levels - a ‘sports camp' for Pre- Christians; a ‘discover Christianity' camp for Seekers; a ‘basics' camp for New Converts; etc. Where events are found to target more than one level the leaders should identify the primary level that it is targeting and then list the secondary events. All events will always including more than one level because the target audience and the ministry leaders are both discipled in the process of offering the event.
5. Foundational Programming Principles
In teaching the programming section I stressed the following foundational points: (a) Put Programmes in Context - I strongly advised the leaders to resist the urge to grab for a programming ideas book before they have considered their ministry purpose, the process of ministry through the commitment levels; their structure for ministry. Then they are ready to identify the commitment level that they are targeting; the needs that people at that level have; and then design a programme that is appropriate. (b) Create Space for God to Move - we had just come out of a plenary session where someone had spoken on helping young people fit God into their lives. We could have sung a song, prayed and gone to tea but a YFC director got up and allowed space in which God was able to break through into the lives of the leaders. All our programming must include a sensitivity and practical opportunity for the movement of God by His Spirit. (c) Permeate Programmes with Relationships - I stressed the need to allow time at the beginning and the end of the programme in which leaders are free to develop meaningful relationships with youth through significant conversations. Then we need to ensure that the actual programme time is done relationally - activities should encourage the development of relationships and interaction between youth and ministry leaders.
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