Youth Ministry Institute of Pacific Life Bible College

Quick Book Review of Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries

Just read this book last night.  It's a quick read and basically instructs the local church to place youth ministry as high priority and to fund/staff it properly.  It also emphasizes that the local church needs to be patient as long lasting fruit takes time to develop.  This book is a good book for a Sr. Pastor or Search Committee to read as well as a rookie youth pastor (hopefully avoid some common pitfalls).  Another thrust of the book emphasizes proper structure and prioritization.  It's worth a read, but isn't life changing.  3 out of 5 stars.

Article by Tim Eldred: "DEADBOLT THE YOUTH ROOM DOOR"

Used by Permission.

DEADBOLT THE YOUTH ROOM DOOR

I want to share a great question I received from a youth pastor.

Dear Tim,

I've been reading and learning more about discipleship; however, it seems too many churches don't really promote it or even have that much of a grasp on it. Do you have any tips for ways to go about it?

Dan, Illinois

Let me share an equation I use when quantifying the results of youth ministry (or any ministry).

You measure what you value; you produce what you measure.

When I have the opportunity to consult with a church or provide coaching to a congregation, my first inquiry is always, "Please show me your youth in ministry." I don't ask about the building, budget, or broken down bus. What I really want to see is equipped young people actively engaged in doing the work of the ministry -- their ministry. (If I don't see youth in ministry, I already know the results.)

There is only one objective for youth ministry -- for the whole church in fact. Discipleship. That same goal also defines the purpose of ministry clearly and concisely. It is the last word Jesus spoke when he commissioned his faithful few. It was his number one priority and our number one failure. Ironic.

How do you measure discipleship?

In order to assess the effectiveness of youth ministry for your church, there are two factors that require consideration: relationship and ownership. Those two words comprise the key elements needed to accomplish the primary objective Jesus gave before he ascended.

If you want to know what you value, just stop and consider what you measure. Most youth leaders calculate and count the wrong indicators. Numbers. (FYI: They are only following the directive or example of those to whom they report.) Please know that digits cannot indicate effective discipleship. They are a means of measurement, but what do they really determine in light of Jesus' Great Commission?

I replied to Dan with a tongue-in-cheek answer that contains more than a hint of truth. "Deadbolt the youth room." Sound drastic or just sarcastic? Listen closer:

"If I came to your church and forbid you from planning, preparing, or programming another meeting for six months, what would your ministry look like?" Simply put, "What would happen if we would deadbolt the youth room door?"

Many youth leaders would be completely lost because meeting and ministry have become synonymous when in fact, one is usually the greatest obstacle of accomplishing the other. Here's the truth:

Students' lives are changed through relationships, and relationships that change lives take time.

If the majority of our time is spent getting ready for meetings, how much time do we actually devote to discipleship? The answer to that question tells a lot about what we have come to value.

This week, I encourage you to reconsider your role as disciple-maker. Start leaving the meetings to youth. Yeah, that's right. Give them ownership of their ministry. They won't ruin what you've built. Jesus gave his disciples ownership. Look at what they did. (BTW: They were about the same age as your young people.)

Now, take that new free time you have from no longer worrying about what Wednesday nights look like, and intentionally share your life in Christ with students. Focus your time on relationship.

Go ahead. Try it. You will find you have never been more effective in accomplishing the only objective Jesus gave when he called you to youth ministry. If you still need to measure numbers, look at how many more students have a real role in planning their own program. Then take a look at how many more minutes you have invested into young lives. Put that information in your next board report!

Ownership with relationship equals discipleship.

- - -

Timothy Eldred is the Executive Director of Christian Endeavor International and author of Pray21. While he travels extensively teaching principles of relationship-based and youth-led ministry, he continues to serve as the Teaching Pastor of New Beginnings Christian Family Fellowship. Tim resides in Michigan with his wife their two sons.

Schedule Tim to train your church in relationship-based student-led ministry this year. Call 989-427-3737 or send an email today.


It' All About Relationships. © 2001 - 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Are Adolescents Really Just Young Adults?

http://www.ysmarko.com/?p=4711

Marko (Youth Specialties) posted a neat entry in response to a discussion group:

"professor darwin glassford posted a provocative question on the youth ministry 3.0 facebook group:

'I just finished reading YM 3.0, overall I found it a delightful experience. After reflecting on it, I am left with nagging sense that no matter how well we understand the life issues and culture we will still be frustrated. In education speak one of the primary questions is, “What is your understanding of the learner?” I wonder what would happen if we abandoned the social construct of adolescence in our churches and ministries and saw young people as young adults who are to be mentored into adult roles and responsibilities? I believe that...[MORE]'"

Journal of Psychology & Theology - A Good Resource

The folks over the Rosemead School of Psychology (Biola University) publish a great journal that often includes very relevant articles for youth ministry.  Their most recent Journal, Winter 2008, has two good resource articles on Masturbation and another one on Religious Doubt and Identity Formation: Salient Predictors of Adolsecent Religious Doubt.

Check them out at www.biola.edu/jpt

Apply Lessons from Million Dollar Research

Mr. Youth is an ad agency in New York that specializes in engaging the next generation with  the purpose of selling a product or service.  Their research and observation of the next generation can carry some application to ministry.  Download their most recent article called Consumer 2.0 .

Youth & Parent Retreats - YFC/Youth Unlimited

Youth For Christ / Youth Unlimited in Mission, BC has developed adventure retreats designed to help a mom or dad talk with their youth about important subjects (like self-esteem, puberty, communication, etc.).  Youth & Parent get to getaway for a night and through activities and guided discussions, relationships are strengthened and youth are built up.  Anytime youth workers can resource and support parent-youth relationships good things happen!

Go to http://www.adventureretreats.ca/ and watch the video.

Great Message from John Piper: Imparting a Passion: A Challenge to Youth Workers

We just came across this message from John Piper and found it very powerful.

Imparting a Passion: A Challenge to Youth Workers, November 8, 2002
Author: John Piper
Topic: Youth Ministry

The main battle in youth ministry is in the ministers' hearts, not the kids.

Download it here:
http://www.pacificlife.edu/ymi/John Piper - Imparting Passion - A Challenge to Youth Workers.mp3

Listen to it online here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/2648/Audio/

Phone Interview with an Adolescent Psychologist

From Fuller's Center for Youth & Family Ministry
Brad Griffin interviews Kelly Schwartz, adolescent psychology specialist, on understanding the adolescent brain. Kelly discusses risk behavior, decision-making, video games, and allowing kids to experience and process their failures. Good stuff for any youth worker or parent!

Editor's Note:  Listen through the whole interview, there is some good information that will be helpful to how you understand and therefore minister to youth.

Download the MP3 here.

Can Youth Marketing Strategies Shape Youth Ministry Styles?

mryouth.com has published a free five rules to engage a new breed of consumer (i.e. our youth).  We'll let you make the connections.

Consumer 2.0 explores The Five Rules To Engage a New Breed of Consumer:                          

1. Authenticity Trumps Celebrity - Consumer 2.0 responds to honest, relevant messaging from peers over marketing speak and celebrity endorsements
   
   
2. Niche is the New Norm - Consumers 2.0 do not form a mass market. They relish in choices and look for products and services that speak to them personally
   
   
3. Bite-Size Communication Dominates - Consumer 2.0 digests short, personal and highly relevant messaging in bulk while growing increasingly adept at blocking out noise
   
   
4. Personal Utility Drives Adoption - Consumer 2.0 chooses to consume what they find useful in their lives over manufactured marketing needs
   
   
5. Consumers Own Brands - Consumer 2.0 will speak about, re-purpose and associate with your brand as they see fit

Segment Idea - "Things in Slow Motion"

Introducing special segments into your programming can do a few things:

1) Creates variety (breaking the the routine feel of weekly programs)
2) Allows for people with various "giftings" to be included
3) Creates new excitement with youth

Finding and integrating new segments works for Ellen, David Letterman, and SNL is built on it!  We've heard of some youth ministries integrating the following segments:  "Will it blend?"; "Will it float?"; "YouTube Clip of the Week"; and one ministry will be starting a new "Things in Slow Motion" segment (download video below):

Download slap_in_slow_motion.wmv