Dr. Larry Maxwell
There is a tremendous need for dynamic youth ministry in every church and every community.
The significant number of teenagers in our communities, the unique struggles and challenges they face, and our Lord’s command to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15) compels every church to develop a dynamic youth ministry that reaches out to teenagers.
Some of the most important decisions in life are made during the teen years.
One survey found that more than 85 percent of those who trusted Christ as Savior did so by the time they reached the age of 18.
Another survey of full-time Christian workers discovered that most of them committed to full-time ministry before the age of 25.
My first ministry position was with teens. I believed that youth ministry was important and I knew it would change lives.
Now, many years later, having worked with hundreds of youth leaders and thousands of teens, I am convinced that youth ministry is absolutely essential and that it can be very effective if proper principles of youth work are learned and applied.
Ministering to teenagers can be one of the most productive, life-changing ministries in which you can be involved. You can experience the joy of helping teens make the transition from childhood to adulthood. You can help lead and guide them in a positive way as they make decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives.
To minister effectively to teens, you must…
- Learn how to understand teens (the world has changed since you were a teen).
- Understand the Team Ministry concept and how to work with parents and other youth leaders.
- Learn how to develop Christian character in the lives of teens.
- Learn what to teach and how to teach teens.
- Understand how to conduct a youth meeting.
- Know how to plan and carry out meaningful youth activities.
- Implement a practical and exciting Christian service program for teens.
You can develop a dynamic youth ministry that ministers to the total teen and produces fruit in their lives which can last for eternity.
Related articles…
- The Importance of Ministry to Teens
- Understanding the Issues Teens Face
- Developing Christian Character in Young People
This article by Dr. Larry Maxwell has been excerpted from his book Becoming a Dynamic Youth Leader. Permission granted to copy, forward, share, post and reproduce everything in this article, please include this link Source: ChurchGrowth.org, CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE
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3 Comments. Leave new
After “Storm Debbie” in 2012 small town of Live Oak Fl (population 4000 or 5000) our young people did not return, we were not large as it was, about 10 faithful. We had services in a fellowship hall of another ministry for a while. When we were able to get back to our church the youth did not come. I guess my question would be how do we get the youth? How do we witness to them? Or help them want to be a Christian.
Hello Connie, you don’t know me, but I would like to do what I can to encourage you. I have been working in Chaplaincy at a state-run facility for youth now for 14 years (it’ll be 15 in September…Praise the Lord). I work with a different type of young people than you. All of the youth I work with are between the ages of 13-17 and have been diagnosed by the state of TX as having some kind of emotional or psychological challenge. Many of our kids have gone through various types of trauma and, as such, they have had multiple occurrences where their faith (if they had any to begin with) has been marred. For some of them, situations at home with family members has turned sour and the seed of faith that the Lord is trying to plant within them is under attack (be it from birds or weeds or their parents never watering the soil)
From the sound of it, the youth you work with have been severely traumatized as well. It may even be the case where their parents have been hurt by the events of the storm and have become so bitter that they don’t want to bring to their youth to church. First off, I would encourage you to try to reach out to the youth that you had in the past. Try to minister to the youth and the families that you had and see if you and the Lord working together can bring them back into fellowship. The families that were with you before are going to need a lot of encouragement and they will need a lot of help, but nothing is impossible with God.
Second, I would encourage you to find new youth to minister to. The fields are white for the harvest (John 4:35), and I would be willing to wager that there are many in your community who would welcome your support.
Finally, I would encourage you to be steadfast in your efforts. The Lord knows your faithfulness to Him and I am a firm believer that as you are faithful to sow the seed and faithful to tend to the ground that He has placed in your care, He Will bring the increase.
Connie, the fact that the Lord keeps bringing to my mind is that as much as I love the kids that I minister to, and as much as I want them to know the love of Jesus and the forgiveness and newness of life that He has to give; His Love and and His Desire for them to know far overrides mine. Continue in the work of the ministry. Stay faithful to the things He calls you to do. Ask the church members that you have now to be praying that God would draw His people into fellowship with you. He is always faithful to do His part, I just have to be faithful with mine. 🙂
Need copies of the teens monthly articles. You are doing a great job, well done.