“Meaningful Youth Ministry – Context Is King“
About the four sectors of meaningfulness in a teen’s life: Cultural, Personal, Religious/Theological, and Family.

It can be easy to stay within the confines of the Church. But, meaningful Youth Ministry is present where teenagers live. Meaningfulness is intentional, relevant, and relative to the setting that youth live in. Much of ministry is just showing up and being incarnate. Not expecting students to understand our Church world and setting, but, that we would understand their world and setting. To be wherever the students are. Will you be a part of their world?

“Is Youth Ministry Ready To Lead The Next Great Awakening?“
About the difference between Program-based and Presence-based Youth Ministry and which one could impact The Next Great Awakening.

We must prepare this generation to lead The Next Great Awakening in modern America.
The American Youth culture is in desperate need of a spiritual renewal. This should be one of the most exciting times for the Youth Leaders and the Youth of the Church in our country. At a time when the hearts of young people are failing, it is a great time for spiritual Youth Leadership. Here are 2 principles we must understand if we are going to prepare teens in the American Church to lead The Next Great Awakening.

Unhealthy Youth Leaders

There is a difference between ‘busyness’ and ‘business’. When Youth Leaders are busy, they burn out. Because they spend more time in programming and gaming than they do in relationships and study. When Youth Leaders are about the business of the Church, they burn on. Because they spend more time in relationships and study than they do in programming and gaming.

An unhealthy Youth Leader will produce unhealthy students, and ultimately, an unhealthy generation who will lead the Church into an unhealthy future.

Mono-Strategy For Reaching A Diverse Student

Image: Stuart Vivier

Most Youth Ministries are able to function in 1 or 2 of these. Maybe a good youth service and a few outreach events. Or, capable small groups and weekly visits to the campus. Each Youth Leader will have a core competency in one or even two of these strategies, but, the Youth Leader who can become proficient in 2 or 3 or 4 of these models can have an opportunity to reach more students. And that requires that Youth Leaders have varied skilled and multiple gifted leaders around them.

It takes all kinds of people to reach all kinds of people. And it takes all kinds of models to reach all kinds of men.

An Unwillingness To Be Teachable

There are innumerable presentations, articles, and books being written on the subject of the Millennials and the Church. These angles include the Church’s lack of connection with the Millennials and the Millennials lack of interest in the Church. Or, more specifically, the approach recently presented in an article by Joe Hepler in Vital Magazine, “Four Ways To Connect With College Students In Church.” While reading this article, I find simple insights that could assist the Church to see from the collegiate Millennial’s perspective. The author is recently out of College himself and offers a unique look at the topic at hand.

The reason for the article is stated clearly in the title, the intent being to connect with college students “in Church.” The practicum offered by Hepler in the first point of his article is on point. It makes sense that if college students are studying at a College or University near a Church of choice, they have some level of interest in academics and growth. Capitalizing on that interest to increase their spiritual formation is noteworthy.

Image: Inbal Marilli

In the last point that Hepler makes concerning involving college students in leadership positions or roles in the Church, the structure and phrasing of the paragraph is a bit ambiguous. I sensed he had much more to say on this point but the article was rushed at this point. Still, his point is a good one. He uses the statement, “Many will give their hearts and souls to the churches they attend during college, and still many more may stay long after they have earned their degrees.” There are many avenues to developing young adults to lead in the local Church, including those that can be used with a transient crowd such as college students. Hepler seems to be leaning toward patience in discipleship, waiting before involving them. This is definitely the safest way to assure that they are quality leaders of integrity and understand the mission of the Church once they do get involved and lead.

Reviewed by Jeff Grenell

Read the full article: https://vitalmagazine.com/Home/Article/Four-Ways-to-Connect-with-College-Students-in-Church/

Veteran Youth Pastor, Jeff Grenell, introduces five keys for mentoring young leaders.

“The reason I have been able to see as far as I have been able to see in my life is because I am standing on the shoulders of great men before me.”  This is a more recent adaption traced back to an Isaac Newton reference from the 12^th century. Nevertheless, it is one of my favorite quotes and has been used by many people in regards to vision and mentoring. It is on the shoulders of giants that we have a better perspective. If you want to do something you have never done, you must find someone who has been there and done it. And giving others the perspective from our shoulders can be the fastest way to successful Youth Leadership.

Here are 5 key elements for mentoring and developing potential leaders around you:

Education – My personal reading, attendance at seminars, and seeking personal coaching places me in the right condition to lead youth and others. Youth Ministry is not simply about swallowing gold fish, playing GaGa ball, or creating great flow in a youth service. Education removes lids. Education enlarges capacity. And education insures that I will have something of depth to say to those around me. Having a university in your life is elementary to leading others where they have never been. And, reading all of the millennial findings, one of the most common characteristic traits of this generation is achievement and academic endeavors. Giants must be made.

Inspiration – Inspiring others is another element of Youth Leadership. It can come in the form of relational inspiration, reward for achievements, storytelling, or even public and private verbal encouragement. Inspiration is a funny thing. It is like fuel to a teenager. I have often said, ‘If you love a teenager, they will do anything for you.’ Look at the many uses of inspiration: athletic teams jamming to music in a locker-room before a game, or listening to a coach’s halftime speech, music scores in a movie, and even worship songs associated with marked spiritual growth moments in a teen’s life. Never underestimate the value of inspiration in a young person’s life. Giants must be bigger than life.

Modeling – It is important to example what you want to see in the life of your followers. When it comes to relational attitudes, personal standards, work ethic, and discipline in other areas as well, we are reaping what we have sown. The most important relationship in your life is you. Present your followers with as healthy a leader that you can. One of the least emphasized areas of leadership is self-leadership. We must become focused upon becoming who God has called us to be. The stakes are high. Because teenagers are watching. They are drawn to ICONS in music, Hollywood, athletics, and society. That is why it is vital for youth leaders to present themselves as models to this generation. Giants must be respected.

Apprenticeships – Mentoring can take place in the office or a coffee shop. But, there is another setting that assures an even greater return from mentoring. An apprenticeship is the next step beyond the mentoring relationship into the setting of the mentor. This happens when mentoring is taken to the ‘live’ setting of the mentor. Beyond the office and into the church service or outreach. Beyond the coffee shop and into the board meeting or the pulpit. It becomes more operational where the teen is functioning within the duties of the mentor. By taking time to disciple, mentor, and coach people in an intimate setting, you prepare them for the public setting much quicker and duplicate yourself by creating greater leaders by experience. Actually standing upon your shoulders. Giants must lay down.

Creativity – We have no choice. For 2 reasons. First, the scriptures demand creativity. From Genesis to Revelation, the history of God is in larger than life moments. And our greatest example of creativity is the Lord Jesus Himself. From His parables, stories, and humor, came this larger than life impact. From His birth through His death Jesus’ life and mission was undeniably creative. Even the miracles and the supernatural wonders were part of the way He operated. And second, the culture demands creativity. From the social media and marketing and advertising explosion, there is a multi-dimensional special effect of the digital generation setting a new way to communicate. Using the scriptures and the culture can create special moments in the mentoring relationship of others. When we use historic cultural events, appear in the tragedy or crisis of the mentee, master storytelling, or simply even change the setting of a meeting, the dynamic of the mentoring relationship is enhanced. These all become greater teaching points. Giants must live a story.