Four Main Aspects of Our Youth Ministry
By Nic Cass
At the beginning of this month, on the 4th of July, Americans celebrate their liberty. On Independence Day we take time to remember that which we often take for granted: our freedoms. While this day is set aside to remember the freedoms we have as Americans, we should also remember the freedom that we have as Christians. In Acts 13, we see Paul preach, “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39). Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are set free from sin, death, and the devil and are called to live lives of service to him. This message of Jesus’ sacrifice for our freedom is the Gospel–the Gospel that we as a church seek to preach, teach, and live in our daily lives.
In youth ministry we share in the mission of the church and work though that mission to equip youth for life in Jesus Christ. Going forward we look to accomplish this through four main aspects in our youth ministry. These four aspects are regular gatherings, fellowship events, outreach events, and service opportunities. All aspects are important to a healthy ministry and accomplish different goals within our ministry. Let’s take a look at each of these aspects:
Regular Gatherings
The goal of regular gatherings is to instruct youth in the word of God. These gatherings will be designed for youth who are connected with the church that have a desire to learn more about their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. This has already been taking place through “Faith & Friends” and High School Sunday School between the services. Going forward we will be establishing a similar program for our middle school youth. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Fellowship Events
The goal of fellowship events is to foster community among youth who are connected to the church. Within a youth group, relationships among peers are important. A comfortableness among youth will lead to deeper studies and a willingness to share our lives with each other. Fellowship events can take on a wide variety of forms from a movie night to a beach day to an overnight retreat; all of which can be structured and changed depending on the age and size of the group. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Outreach Events
The goal of outreach events is to provide a space where all are welcome and relationships between Christians and non-Christians can be built. On their face, outreach and fellowship events may look very similar. The difference lies in the purpose behind the event and the audience we are targeting. Outreach events provide great opportunities for youth who are already connected to invite their friends. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Service Opportunities
Service opportunities provide youth with the chance to serve God by serving others. These opportunities can range in scope from a couple hours with Feed My Starving Children to a week-long international mission trip. In all cases, service opportunities provide youth with chance to put the word of God they have been studying into practice. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40).
All four of these aspects work together to equip youth for lives where they know and can share the freedom that God gives to us through his Son, Jesus. This is our mission as a church and as a youth ministry: Glorifying God by spreading the Gospel.