“Youth Ministry According to John Wesley: a message for today's church"
As part 1 and 2 convey, youth ministry can be difficult to describe, define, and predict. However, in looking at the history of its impact on culture and society, we now turn to one of the greatest Practical Theologians who connected society and religion through which we will understand how the church is to adapt to today’s progression of ministry to youth.
Wesley’s teachings and foundational truths move churches beyond traditional ideas of developing programs and planning activities to addressing topics such as authentic discipleship, authentic worship, teen and adult connections, community building, faith development, and equipping youth to live as Christian disciples in their everyday lives. Wesley does not stop there, but suggests that a complete ministry to youth integrates them now (while they are still young) into the body, or what some call ‘adult church’.
Below are key elements to a ‘Wesleyan’ Youth Ministry.
A Wesleyan influenced Youth Ministry is one that:
- Reverberates Discipleship
-It is a “lifelong” process.
-Challenges the pastor means of equipping, ongoing spiritual growth, and support for laypersons who engage in discipleship ministries with “all” ages.
-In addition to hearing the Bible preached, seekers and Christians come together to study the Scripture, and support one another in living out the insights they discover in God’s Word. - Is a ‘church as first family’ model that believes youth are essential to the body of Christ and intentionally integrates students into the overall life of the church.
- Teaches them spiritual disciplines in order that they may discover individually how to find God (this is in line with Wesleyan theology that says it is the grace of God, which makes possible our salvation)
- Is Missional--Creates a method of witnessing to adolescents…regularly exposing them to other Christians who are radically living out their faith and allowing them to participate in the life of the community.
If one looks at the progression of youth ministry, they may see many ministries that are moving away from old gimmick models, the latest trends, and quick fixes in getting students to their youth groups, because they realize long-term, these ways does not work. Moreover, with a culture of students that literally has everything at the edge of their finger tips (MTV, Internet, etc.); along with the busyness of life (Athletics, Extracurricular activities, church events, and the like); in addition to the socio and domestic issues (prejudices, self-esteem, violence, divorce, etc.)…churches, pastors, and the like, have to realize that they are also very spiritual, longing for depth and authentic community. One example is looking at the influences and resources that are now ‘relevant’.
Willow Creek, Saddleback, Youth Specialties, Group, etc. are all implementing strategies and curriculum emphasizing small groups, discipleship, and student led ministry guides, and the like. Thus, reiterating and supporting John Wesley’s foundational and practical truths in training, teaching, and reaching students to belong to a community that shapes one to become more like Christ, and emphasizes in bringing others along.
A Wesleyan youth ministry is a holistic ministry that takes our students on the holistic spiritual journey that does not just last them a couple of years, but an entire lifetime!
Questions:
1. How does Wesley’s teachings influence your view on ‘how to do’ youth ministry? What is that view?
2. Do you think that in today’s progressive society, Wesley is the ‘right’ model (or good model) in basing one’s youth ministry? If not, what is?
3. How does one integrate students into the overall body of the church? Do you think this is this even important?
4. Is youth ministry becoming more compartmentalized or more holistic?
5. Scenario: If Wesley was presenting a lecture on the state of youth ministry in the church today, and already being aware of his teachings on the subject, what questions or concerns would you address?
I welcome your engaging thoughts, insights, and experiences.
(note: some info. taken from Wesley’s Works, Wesley’s Sermons, and Creating an Authentic Youth Ministry-Fashbaugh II)
5 comments:
i am positive that wesley was right. but i do not think that this pertains just to teens. i think in most churches today it is not just teens that leave the church. now we can state that there is a a huge percentage that leave after high school. with adults it is just a different stage. maybe divorce, disagreement with the pastor, disenchantment, loss of connection, see some hypocrisy. whatever it might be, there is less commitment and persaverance in the whole of the church today.
you asked the question. Is youth ministry becoming more compartmentalized or more holistic?
it seems the holistic christian life is lacking. sometimes the only way to become holistic is to compartamentalize it, and tackle it one part at a time.
I think that community is the key to any minsitry youth or otherwise. People want to feel connected, heck, that's why there are so many of these freakin' blogs out there. I think discipleship is part of this. Or this is part of discipleship. You get accepted into a community then you will become like those in the community. Not that you loose your individuality but you take on the character of the leader. We are all taking on the character of Christ. I think that smaller groups are key to the success of a ministry. People will still come for the large group teaching, but change is made in one one one discipleship, teaching others to go out and teach others or somethign like that.
I don't think there are very many evangelical churches that would say, "discipleship isn't important." Or that would disagree with anything that Wesley said. And yet, I havea feeling Wesley might be disappointed with the masses of youth and young adults leaving the church. I'd like to hear your thoughts on what practical ways we're misrepresenting Wesley's vision for youth. You touched on it in reference to integrating youth into the life of the church. I just want to hear more!
Jer - good writing man...I really concur with the conclusions of the necessity of it being student led. I see how my students tire of anything that is mandated to them by those older than they are. Just like their tv, they want reality. They want to see how the Bible deals with everyday life, their life. However, I am also currently caught in the tension of realizing that I cannot simply give them what they want all the time...AHHH!!! maybe I just need to think...What would Wesley do? Ha!
Thanks for saying Wesleyan "influenced" versus a "Wesleyan Youth Ministry." The label (if any) needs to be kingdom based and not just denominational.
That said, I'm not sure anything you wrote couldn't also be true in another setting. As I see it, these are non-denomational principles that can be heard at any YouthSpecialties seminar or in Group magazine.
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