I don't program for apathetic and disinterested students. I don't program to fill the time of bored teenagers. I don't throw events "to get them off the streets."
Really, how could I possibly create a church program which will interest the disinterested?
I started off stating my position strongly partly for shock value, but mostly because I'm very serious about this. Let me be clear who I'm talking about. I'm NOT talking about dis-interested non-Christians. I'm not talking about people who are going through a crisis of faith. I'm talking about people who have heard the truth, claim to believe the truth, but are simply lukewarm towards the faith.
Yesterday someone asked me who's responsibility are the disinterested students. I would say that they're responsible for themselves. Depending on your theology, it's dependent on an act of their and/or an act of the Holy Spirit. The problem with the alternative position is that it leads to a place where we're not only responsible to preach the gospel, we're also responsible to force people to respond. Scripture seems to clearly put that responsibility on the Holy Spirit.
There are, of course, things in place to connect disinterested kids. And it's not that I don't make any effort to connect students who are disconnected. It's good to have some leaders who have a heart for disconnected kids. What I can't do is program to engage them. I can't make it my job to motivate kids who simply won't be motivated.
Here's the problem: There are roughly 2,000 teenagers in the area I'm responsible. If statistics hold, only about 400 of them regularly attend church. That leaves 1,600 teenagers I need to reach. If I'm going to reach the 1,600 I can't dedicate my resources and time to reach a handful of church kids who have been reached but who have chosen to be lukewarm towards the faith.
Adults don't have anyone dragging them to church (well some passive men do). Adults have to choose to be an active part of the body and an obedient disciple. I can mobilize and equip a bunch of teenagers who are choosing to be part of the body and follow Christ. I can't mobilize a bunch of kids who show up each week expecting to be entertained.
If someone has some ideas for what a good program for disinterested church kids would look like, I'm open to the idea.
What happens when committed parents in the church with apathetic children want a place for their youth? I like this post but I'm curious about the parental factor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading.
ReplyDeleteDefine "place for their youth"?
Do they want something fun to keep their student entertained? I have a hard time viewing the role of the pastor as merely an entertainer.
Do they want a program where their student is forced to go learn scripture which they simply won't put into practice? In that case, Matthew 7:6 comes into play.
Matthew 7:6
Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
The problem is that they don't really want a place for the youth. What they want is their youth in a loving and serving relationship with Jesus. If someone knows the Truth but is still lukewarm, I'm not sure of any program which can provide what they want. A fun program which caters to the lukewarm will only produce a new generation of "Christian" consumers looking for the latest and most fun ministry.
The way to reach someone who is lukewarm isn't a program but through relationships. The parents shouldn't look for a church with a student ministry which can fix their kid. They need to find someone able to mentor their child.
Good, it sounds like part of the challenge of a youth ministry is educating parents. I think from an outsider's point of view that what tends to derail or hold back youth groups is parents. "My kid has to be allowed on that trip" or "My kid doesn't like your youth group. Why isn't my church helping me?"
ReplyDeleteThis might be a good sermon topic for parents, because it might be a radical idea for them.
My youth pastor growing up, Bobby Pruitt, once said the three biggest challenges of youth ministry are parents, parents, and parents. You have bad parents, "fix my kid" parents, and "I've got a suggestion" parents. With the last two, those aren't necessarily all bad, but they can make things difficult.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you're onto something. In fact, I've had, ""My kid doesn't like your youth group. Why isn't my church helping me?" thrown at me almost word for word.
Student ministry is a lot easier when working with parents who fully understand and agree with your philosophy of ministry.