I’ve only been actively involved in full-time youth ministry for about 10 years. It’s probably fair to say those that have been involved in some capacity longer than that should be writing this, as they would have a better take and reality.
Our culture has changed so much in the last decade or so that they have affected our local churches in huge ways. For example, it’s not too uncommon that I take a trip where we’re on a “media fast” that a parent tells me their child won’t go unless they can have their cell phone. Remember when we said we’d call a couple times while we were gone to check in so parents knew we were okay?
As media has increased and students take in more information than we know what to do, Tim Elmore in his book iY Generation notes that students today are the most informed of any generation in history and yet the most emotionally immature. They don’t know how to deal with this information that comes at them in levels incomprehensible to even me, just a generation before them.
That info has even changed how we approach teaching as well. They can’t pay attention as long and so we have to find creative ways to invite them into participation in the Kingdom of God. I’m not opposed to this at all as I love it, but in just a decade our world has changed in major ways through terrorist threats, devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, political upheaval, wars, and debates over family systems.
Chap Clark in his book Hurt would say that many of the people we help today during ministry have not had what he calls the necessary social capital to help them transition into adulthood in healthy ways. Those people are not just in churches, but everywhere we go. Social capital comes from a mom and a dad that give to their children what they need for this necessary transition.
In fact, doing this in ministry can feel very defeating at times, as it seems each class carries a greater burden into ministry than the one that preceded it. Angry kids, kids with the lowest self-esteem, fear over meeting parents expectations, a demand on grades to get into a “decent” college, and the list goes on and on. These kids go our churches every week.
Sometimes getting one more email or text message can put you on the brink of just wanting to quit and go somewhere else and start over. Yet that won’t do anything but delay what’s coming in the future.
The heartache I feel not just for students, but families, and strangers alike is what compels me to keep going. The depth of love I feel for these lives is addictive to the point that that one email or text could just be the starting point of a deeper relationship or connection to the hope that I have in Jesus.
This all came to a head for me sitting and listening to our Senior Pastor, Scott Daniels' sermon. He hits this head on and I’d recommend it if you’re interested here. (October 16, 2011) He addresses the importance of our role in helping students come to grips with an authority beyond themselves.
Whatever position you are paid or volunteer at, whether it’s in the church or the largest corporation in the world, take heart cause this brokenness is everywhere and we get to be a part of the restoration that Jesus is doing in our world.
As much as our hearts may break at the next news story or text message where you hoped a student wouldn’t make that choice, to the divorce that will spill into so many lives, allow this heartache to compel you where you are to keep going.
You’re loved.
