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A Fresh Look at New Life Youth Ministry – by Pastor Chandler

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We recently studied Mark 8. There, Jesus questioned his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” His disciples answered, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” Then, Jesus asked them specifically, “What about you? Who do you think that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ!”

Here in Mark, Jesus paused for a moment to evaluate the situation. He asked the disciples to do the same type evaluation. He essentially asks: What’s going on in the world? What’s going on in your heart? In ministry, I think pausing, as Christ did, to assess the situation can be a helpful practice. Recently, I sat down and asked myself: What is Youth Ministry? What is Youth Ministry at New Life?

With those questions in my mind, I formulated a refreshed mission statement for the Youth Ministry at New Life. That mission is as follows:

Together with the church and with parents, the New Life Youth Ministry exists to see students surrendered to the authority of Jesus, transformed by the gospel of Jesus, growing up into Jesus, serving the church and community for the glory of Jesus, and prepared to stand firm on Jesus.

Let me briefly touch on two of the points listed in that mission statement. First, the statement, “together with the church and with parents,” addresses the reality that the Youth Ministry cannot be divorced or separated from the mission of the entire church. We are all the church including the 7th grader and the 10th grader. Students must plug into the greater church body through Bible study, service, worship and fellowship. In this way, when students graduate high school they should already feel as if they are part of the church and not just part of the Youth Ministry. This statement, “together…with parents,” also touches on the fact that I see parents as the primary disciplers of their students. Parents, the Youth Ministry should not be serving students alone. It should be serving you as well. I will be developing this part of the ministry in months to come.

The second statement I would like to touch on is the final statement, “Prepared to stand firm on Jesus.” This declaration reveals the preparatory goal of the ministry. Parents, do you realize that when your student graduates high school he or she will more than likely, according to the statistics, leave the church and, maybe, the faith altogether? Many reasons play into this startling fact. College often forces students to disconnect from the church body. Professors and peers challenge Christ-followers in new and complex ways. The list of difficulties that your student will face in the world and at university goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on.

At New Life, we want to prepare students to meet such challenges. We are doing this through thorough Bible training. We teach exegetically, digging deep into verses to show how God’s Word is alive and well. We train systematically to help build biblical foundations and guide students toward orthodox doctrine (i.e. Biblical Foundations Class). We address worldview issues to help frame your student’s mind through the Scriptures.

The Youth Ministry at New Life will continue to operate by the Spirit’s lead to meet this newly developed goal statement. I expect you noticed that the statement is all about Jesus Christ. He is the only hope for me. He is the only hope for you. He is the only hope for students.

Also, shameless plug, the Youth Ministry continues to meet throughout the summer. Our Summer Ministry Kick-off will be a Wiffle Ball game held Wednesday, May 31st, at 6 pm at Alliance Church of the Valley. The rest of the summer, I, Pastor Chandler, host Youth Ministry at my home each Wednesday at 6 pm. Please contact me if you need the address. If you have middle school students (7th-8th) or high school students, they are welcome to join us throughout the summer.

Chandler

Categories: Ministry Highlight

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