Joe, a youth pastor, at Grace Church decided that he would build the best youth ministry that anyone had every seen. He determined that it would be the biggest, most talked-about youth ministry that had ever been planted and grown in that area - in fact maybe even in the whole world. He was willing to spare no effort in the attainment of this goal. As he started to get the youth ministry up and running he chose the best venue for the group to meet in at the church, he had the room painted out with bright colours and placed attractive posters on the wall that youth would love. He arranged for the best catering facilities to ensure that the young people would be well served. He gathered the best programme activities for the first few evenings - confident that his programmes would be an instant hit with the young people. He launched the first programme and the response was excellent. All his hopes had been realised - when people told him how great the event was as they left the venue, he knew that he had a good thing going. Soon, he reasoned his would have the grandest youth group in the city. But suddenly the wheels started to come off. He found that he was battling to handle all the demands placed on his shoulders and was starting to feel irritable and drained. When people came and asked for advice and direction in growing spiritually he found that he had little to offer them. After all he was hardly going anywhere spiritually himself - how could he, he was running this great youth ministry! He had been so busy taking care of all the arrangements and programming details that he had failed to take care of his relationship with the Lord. He realised that it was some time since he had time in his day to spend time with the Lord. He was so busy following up new contacts and gathering even better programmes that he had forgotten to do the things that. although they are not seen or applauded by people, would ensure he would stay connected to the Lord and go the distance in youth ministry. If only he had taken the time to build into the unseen parts of his life - his relationship with the Lord - maybe he would not have resigned only six months into what was supposed to be the greatest success story in youth ministry that his town had ever see.
Any strategy for ministry or model of ministry will depend to a large extent on the spiritual state of the youth pastor and youth leaders. In order to minister effectively among youth, a youth pastor needs to keep growing spiritually. This is done through:
1. Having Daily Devotions
There must be some time set aside EVERY day to meet with the Lord - to read God's Word; to reflect on how it applies to one's life; to journal thoughts, impressions or resolutions; and to pray. Youth workers cannot hope to lead people into a deepening relationship with Christ if they neglect the basics of an intimate relationship with Him.
2. Practising God's Presence
While a regular daily devotional time is essential, it does not replace the need to commune with God throughout the day. The discipline of continually turning to God in one's mind and heart is crucial to sustaining a vital and growing relationship. Clement of Alexandria said: "All of our life is a festival, being persuaded that God is everywhere present on all sides, we praise Him as we till the ground, we sing hymns as we till the ground, we sing hymns as we sow the seed, we feel His inspiration in all we do." What a challenge to integrate our relationship with God into even the most mundane of earthly activities. Reading the Christian classic by Brother Lawrence, entitled The Practice of the Presence of God" will help in the development of this discipline.
3. Taking Spiritual Retreats
While daily devotions and practising God's presence are crucial for maintaining intimacy with God they do not replace the need for regular extended times alone with God. A weekly time away should be carved into the schedule - a time where there is silence, soul-searching, prayer and reading.
4. Dealing with Sin
Nothing will hinder a relationship with God quicker than sin that is allowed to take root. Youth workers must make it their aim to keep short accounts of sin. A regular discipline of confession is needed to ensure that nothing blocks communication of God. Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline, suggests that confession involves (a) an examination of conscience; (b) sorrow at having committed sin; and (c) a determination to avoid sin.
5. Creating Space for God
The previous four steps will never happen unless youth workers make space for relating to God. It has been said: "If the devil can't make you bad he will make you busy." Even being too busy doing "the Lord's work" can be a hindrance to intimacy with God.
6. Developing Spiritual Friendships
A sure way to success in the spiritual life is to find a few spiritual friends who will keep one accountable and motivated in the area of spirituality. Gordon MacDonald says: "Never before have I been more convinced that adult Christian need to form personal friendships with those who share our commitments and values. Just like a pit crew we are called to help one another win, inspect one another's types for wear and tear and check fuel level for running low!" Henri Nouwen added: "I now realise that I need regular contact with a friend who keeps me close to Jesus and continues to call me to faithfulness." The need for mentors is at the heart of Christian leadership.
7. Doing Practical Service
Finally there is a need to express ones' spirituality in acts of service, as Charles Ringma says: "Spirituality is not simply an inward disposition. It is not only a peaceful state of mind. Spirituality must come to expression in acts of kindness, deeds of love and thankful service."
A wise youth pastor set out to build a youth ministry. Before he started to gather programme resources or choose the best venue, he spoke to other youth pastors who had been in ministry for many years. He asked them about the kinds of activities that he needed to engage in to ensure that he would stay close to the Lord while building a ministry that would lead other to Christ and into a ever-deepening relationship with Him. For weeks he sought advice. Then he went to the Lord in prayer and through extended times of spiritual retreat he sough God for guidance; he laid his motives before the Lord and prayed that God would purify them - his prayer was: "Not to me, but to your name be glory". Eventually, convinced that he was operating correctly he began to set about building the kind of structures that would make for a successful youth ministry. He recruited people who would share the burden of leadership; he encouraged people in the church to pray for the ministry; he made a note of people who would be able to help in times of crisis; and above all he determined that nothing would interfere with his own personal relationship with the Lord. Very soon, the ministries were growing and goals were being reached. It took a bit longer to get things going, but there was a sense that he would be around for many years to come.
Recommended Reading: The Life God Blesses by Gordon MacDonald, Nashville: Nelson, 1994 (click the title to order online from Amazon.com).
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