Defaithing Spiritual Property

The role of a youth minister is undefined. "Teach my children about God," "plan activities for our teens." Even, "establish and facilitate an atmosphere within the ministry that encourages youth to grow passionately for God." - I don't know. All I can remember on my contract was 'take students to ACU or OCU high school day' and 'host a VBS at a smaller church.' Neither of which I do. I can say this much, youth ministry is NOT about a bunch of events that get's kids in the doors - (it's statisticly proven that quit working in the 80's); to me, ministry is about bringing people to a more intimate relationship with God and developing a faith that sticks.

Family-centric ministries

"Teach my kids about God." That is a good thing to want from your child's youth minister. I would hope that he or she would be teaching God. It's a good 'job description,' but what was Gods commands to begin with?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 talks about parents taking the opportunity to impress God’s Word upon the hearts of their children. In a sinless, flawless world, there would be no need for the youth minister position within the church; for all parents would be following this Deuteronomy 6 model. Sadly, not only do we (parents and the church) fail at this principle, many folks who send their children to a church don't even understand vs. 5 & 6 themselves. "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today."

Parent's, if you aren't committed to living a life that loves God with all your heart, soul and strength, then under what rationale would you think your child would have that Godly commitment?

Oh.... the on-staff youth minister! I'll guarentee that I will always do my best, but I only have your kids in my class for, maybe, 40 hours a year. The "over-achievers" will come on Wednesdays, but I have yet to meet anyone with perfect attendance in a teen class. 40 hours in the youth center learning about God as opposed to 100 hours a year working algebra problems. Let's not forget all the extra-curricular activities, other homework, dances, sporting events, friends, tv, computer time, the many hours a week spent texting... and the list goes on...

And such is life. I'm too am engrossed within. And alas, I am not a parent, so what I study I'm not yet able to put into practice; but it has become abundantly clear to me, as a future parent and minister to students, that for a child faith begins in the home.

Unfortunately, many people rely on the preacher, Sunday school teacher, or youth minister to be the primary spiritual influence for our kids. The problem is we only spend, at most, four hours a week at church. What about the other 164 hours?

I don't think many, if any, parents read my blog, so I hope to save this until I become a parent. I'll need some good reference material.


my prayer: to show God in my life at home to my children