Comments on: The Failure of Youth Ministry http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:43:17 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Catholic Youth Ministry Blog » February, 2008 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-194207 Catholic Youth Ministry Blog » February, 2008 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:00:20 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-194207 [...] Tuesday, February 19, 2008 STUFF THAT MATTERS David Fitch weighs in on the goal of youth ministry here He is "convinced the challenge of youth ministry to keep ‘making disciples’ as the [...] [...] Tuesday, February 19, 2008 STUFF THAT MATTERS David Fitch weighs in on the goal of youth ministry here He is "convinced the challenge of youth ministry to keep ‘making disciples’ as the [...]

]]> By: sojourner http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-170024 sojourner Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:23:49 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-170024 Mike said, "If we want to see the church survive, we need to rethink youth ministry. What does that mean? I don’t have a clue. But my hunch is that if we want to see young people have a faith that lasts, then we have to completely change the way we do youth ministry...." Adam said, "Focus on the REAL needs of your youth and you’ll find that you’ve made a real difference." Hamo said, "I’m not sure who you are talking to Adam, but i’d suggest you are preaching to the converted heremate." All God's people said............ Mike said, “If we want to see the church survive, we need to rethink youth ministry.
What does that mean? I don’t have a clue. But my hunch is that if we want to see young people have a faith that lasts, then we have to completely change the way we do youth ministry….”

Adam said, “Focus on the REAL needs of your youth and you’ll find that you’ve made a real difference.”

Hamo said, “I’m not sure who you are talking to Adam, but i’d suggest you are preaching to the converted heremate.”

All God’s people said…………

]]> By: Hamo http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-169938 Hamo Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:08:11 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-169938 I'm not sure who you are talking to Adam, but i'd suggest you are preaching to the converted heremate I’m not sure who you are talking to Adam, but i’d suggest you are preaching to the converted heremate

]]> By: Adam Easterling http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-169919 Adam Easterling Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:36:46 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-169919 I know I'm coming in late to this discussion. Random late night blog browsing led me here, and maybe someone will read it and find interest. Youth ministry is a failure because of your measure of success - converts. That's all you really care about. What does it matter if a kid finds shelter from a troubled family if he dies unsaved? What does it matter if a lonely kid finds community if he dies unsaved? What does it matter if you did everything right and made a serious positive impact on a kids life if he didn't get saved? You might get kudos from Jesus, but the kid's soul is still lost, so what does it matter anyway, right? That's the problem. Granted, it's not a problem with you in particular. Rather, it's a problem of the theology itself. The problem is with this idea that the -point- of youth ministry is to bring teenage sheep to believe in a particular set of cosmological propositions that have no more or less evidence than any other religion's beliefs. It's ridiculous and it is serves as a disservice to teens. You hurt teens when you value their opinions on what exactly happened to a man who lived and died twenty centuries ago over the countless other serious problems in their lives. That's why your ministry fails. Focus on the REAL needs of your youth and you'll find that you've made a real difference. I know I’m coming in late to this discussion. Random late night blog browsing led me here, and maybe someone will read it and find interest.

Youth ministry is a failure because of your measure of success – converts. That’s all you really care about. What does it matter if a kid finds shelter from a troubled family if he dies unsaved? What does it matter if a lonely kid finds community if he dies unsaved? What does it matter if you did everything right and made a serious positive impact on a kids life if he didn’t get saved? You might get kudos from Jesus, but the kid’s soul is still lost, so what does it matter anyway, right?

That’s the problem. Granted, it’s not a problem with you in particular. Rather, it’s a problem of the theology itself. The problem is with this idea that the -point- of youth ministry is to bring teenage sheep to believe in a particular set of cosmological propositions that have no more or less evidence than any other religion’s beliefs. It’s ridiculous and it is serves as a disservice to teens. You hurt teens when you value their opinions on what exactly happened to a man who lived and died twenty centuries ago over the countless other serious problems in their lives.

That’s why your ministry fails. Focus on the REAL needs of your youth and you’ll find that you’ve made a real difference.

]]> By: Lana http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-122954 Lana Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:28:03 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-122954 In Australia, having worked in youth ministry for over five years I have found it to have an incredible lasting impact on thousands of young people. I myself was saved at a youth event and discipled through a youth ministry where my parents weren't attending any regular church service. It changed my life. I now work in youth ministry, am a chaplain in schools, through incredible youth leaders inputting their time into me I am a whole person again who can make a difference in the lives of others. We have a thriving youth ministry in Perth, WA, where our young people are committed to God, not only when they're in the building but every day during the week. We constantly hear reports from parents and school teachers of what examples their students are. I think it's a very big statement to make, that youth ministry is ineffective, if it was not for youth ministries I would not be where I am today. I was broken and searching for answers in all the wrong places. In the Bible it speaks about how someone plants a seed, someone else waters it, but in the end it's God that brings the increase. I believe that by investing in young people through youth ministry we may be sowing seeds, we may be watering, but eventually - at some stage of their life, it will be God that brings the increase. The word of God doesn't return void but accomplishes that for which it is sent. Keep going youth pastors - you never know who's life you're speaking into. In Australia, having worked in youth ministry for over five years I have found it to have an incredible lasting impact on thousands of young people. I myself was saved at a youth event and discipled through a youth ministry where my parents weren’t attending any regular church service. It changed my life. I now work in youth ministry, am a chaplain in schools, through incredible youth leaders inputting their time into me I am a whole person again who can make a difference in the lives of others. We have a thriving youth ministry in Perth, WA, where our young people are committed to God, not only when they’re in the building but every day during the week. We constantly hear reports from parents and school teachers of what examples their students are.

I think it’s a very big statement to make, that youth ministry is ineffective, if it was not for youth ministries I would not be where I am today. I was broken and searching for answers in all the wrong places. In the Bible it speaks about how someone plants a seed, someone else waters it, but in the end it’s God that brings the increase. I believe that by investing in young people through youth ministry we may be sowing seeds, we may be watering, but eventually – at some stage of their life, it will be God that brings the increase.

The word of God doesn’t return void but accomplishes that for which it is sent.

Keep going youth pastors – you never know who’s life you’re speaking into.

]]> By: San Diego Youth ministry http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-121412 San Diego Youth ministry Sun, 17 Feb 2008 02:32:15 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-121412 Its a worthy struggle! Enjoyed your article! God Bless! Its a worthy struggle! Enjoyed your article! God Bless!

]]> By: Alex H http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-120592 Alex H Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:56 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-120592 I reckon I'd take the cake for the uncoolest youth ministry in the city. We had four kids on our first night this year (I'm approaching 40, maybe that has something to do with it). We just don't have the people resources. What it is allowing me to do is build some relationships with the young guys particularly. Have a couple of 16/17 year olds lined up to lead communion and stuff like that (first one a couple of weeks ago). That, for me, is where the significance will lie, at least for now. I reckon I’d take the cake for the uncoolest youth ministry in the city. We had four kids on our first night this year (I’m approaching 40, maybe that has something to do with it). We just don’t have the people resources.

What it is allowing me to do is build some relationships with the young guys particularly. Have a couple of 16/17 year olds lined up to lead communion and stuff like that (first one a couple of weeks ago). That, for me, is where the significance will lie, at least for now.

]]> By: Chris http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-120017 Chris Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:14:49 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-120017 Hi Lesley. That's a really important point I think. People working locally with kids locally, in whatever way seems approprite is probably best. Obviously we learn from each other. However just inventing the next model of youth ministry that everyone adopts will probably end up with Mike Yaconelli lamenting that one as well! Instead, trusting that God will be at work through our pretty shabby efforts as we try and do our best is about all we can hope for. Thanks for reminding me that God often saves people outside of the process we set up to take care of it! Hi Lesley. That’s a really important point I think. People working locally with kids locally, in whatever way seems approprite is probably best. Obviously we learn from each other. However just inventing the next model of youth ministry that everyone adopts will probably end up with Mike Yaconelli lamenting that one as well! Instead, trusting that God will be at work through our pretty shabby efforts as we try and do our best is about all we can hope for. Thanks for reminding me that God often saves people outside of the process we set up to take care of it!

]]> By: Lesley http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-119936 Lesley Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:32:46 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-119936 This is a tricky one , in the church where I go our youth group has collapsed for a number of different reasons , but even whilst it was operational we never actually saw anyone come to christ. Kids were happy to come along and be entertained, go on camps , even go along to christian youth events, but as soon as they turn 17 and have their license they are off. I guess one can only hope seeds have been planted in their hearts. When I was a teenager I went along to a youth group mainly to be out of the house and with friends. My friends and I really gave the youth leader a hard time sometimes, but low and behold at the age of 26 god in his mercy chose to reveal himself to me. Also yesterdday my daughter who is 17 came home from school and shared with us how 2 girls who she doesnt even know came up to her and started asking all sorts of questions about God. She said they were not being smart or anything they genuinely wanted to know some things. Who can work out the ways of our God, he is able to change things with the blink of an eye and take all of us by surprise. This is a tricky one , in the church where I go our youth group has collapsed for a number of different reasons , but even whilst it was operational we never actually saw anyone come to christ. Kids were happy to come along and be entertained, go on camps , even go along to christian youth events, but as soon as they turn 17 and have their license they are off. I guess one can only hope seeds have been planted in their hearts. When I was a teenager I went along to a youth group mainly to be out of the house and with friends. My friends and I really gave the youth leader a hard time sometimes, but low and behold at the age of 26 god in his mercy chose to reveal himself to me.

Also yesterdday my daughter who is 17 came home from school and shared with us how 2 girls who she doesnt even know came up to her and started asking all sorts of questions about God. She said they were not being smart or anything they genuinely wanted to know some things. Who can work out the ways of our God, he is able to change things with the blink of an eye and take all of us by surprise.

]]> By: Andrew R. http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html/comment-page-1#comment-119324 Andrew R. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:42:29 +0000 http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/02/the-failure-of-youth-ministry.html#comment-119324 I think one of the issues facing youth ministry (and I guess I have to say, the bulk of my experiences with youth ministry are outside the environs of the church) is that, at least from my perspective and from what I have observed, most of it takes place in the church with kids from Christian families. There is a cultural expectation placed upon these kids to perform in a particular way and to engage in particular activities - "youth group" being one. Now my experience really is limited, but I have found youth outside the church ("unchurched" if you like) to be incredibly receptive to the Jesus stuff when it is offered through a relationship built on trust and is also lived in a genuine and public way outside the church meeting hall. The challenge then is finding ways that don't include inviting kids to church run events (which are kinda just "youth" versions of the Sunday morning service anyway) in which genuine, trusting relationships can be grown. If anyone's interested I have some ideas. I think one of the issues facing youth ministry (and I guess I have to say, the bulk of my experiences with youth ministry are outside the environs of the church) is that, at least from my perspective and from what I have observed, most of it takes place in the church with kids from Christian families.

There is a cultural expectation placed upon these kids to perform in a particular way and to engage in particular activities – “youth group” being one. Now my experience really is limited, but I have found youth outside the church (“unchurched” if you like) to be incredibly receptive to the Jesus stuff when it is offered through a relationship built on trust and is also lived in a genuine and public way outside the church meeting hall.

The challenge then is finding ways that don’t include inviting kids to church run events (which are kinda just “youth” versions of the Sunday morning service anyway) in which genuine, trusting relationships can be grown. If anyone’s interested I have some ideas.

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