Minister with youth, not to them
With no regret I can say that not every congregation in the Diocese can have a large youth group. Now that the air is cleared and the truth is out there, a more important question remains: what can every congregation, in particular small congregations, do to have a vibrant youth ministry?
As Jason Beschiniski, Diocesan Youth Ministries Coordinator from Virginia, noted, a distinction needs to be made between “youth groups” (regular meetings of youth from one congregation) and “youth ministries” (all that we do to encourage and enhance the spiritual, emotional, and physical development of young people). Freed of a narrow definition of youth ministry, the creative spark and unique gifts of all our congregations, with no, few, or many youth, can be called upon to lead the way into new youth ministries.
The Rev. Jane Nelson-Low faces an even more challenging situation, but her desire was not discouraged by the lack of youth in her congregation. She told me that, despite the lack of young people in her church, in addition to supporting Ugandan youth from Nambirizi, she hopes to grow Holy Trinity’s youth ministry by offering scholarships to Camp Cross to community children. Ideas like these should inspire us all to tackle youth ministries in new ways and be bold in crossing generational barriers to serve and be in community together. Her advice on youth ministries: “use your imagination!”
In addition to looking outside our churches for ministry opportunities, we all agree it’s essential that congregations provide for their own youth, even if few in number. The Rev. Percy Grant, Assistant to the Bishop for Youth Ministries in West Virginia, emphasizes that being an acolyte, reading, volunteering, and being a delegate to convention—fuller involvement in a small congregation—provide the experience of meaningful involvement in a community that youth programs are built to emulate in larger congregations.
The question for small congregations is not how to build a program for the youth for its own sake, but how to include the youth more fully in the community, while welcoming, mentoring and guiding them so that they may participate in a deeper and more meaningful way.
In a time where everyone I talk to encourages me in my work with youth, I ask you not to be discouraged by the demographics of your congregation. Identify those in your community who are passionate about youth ministry and ask them to be creative, think outside of the youth group model, and see what they come up with. The ideas that come from your congregations will have excitement and support behind them that will surprise you. A few congregants from St. Paul’s in Kennewick certainly surprised me when they talked to me about their starting a “Guitar Hero Jam Night” (Guitar Hero is a popular video game). This wasn’t a crazy idea from some video game obsessed youth, it was an amazing idea from some folks who were creative, open minded and excited to try something new.
Do not let your passion be stifled by a one-size-fits-all model. Look to the needs of youth in your community, the gifts of your congregation and the calling of the Spirit. Share your ideas and energy with other congregations around you, and share with me so we can spread together the growing passion for Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Spokane.
