From Fear to Calling: Stepping Into the Mess of Youth Ministry

I have been praying and considering what makes youth ministry feel so leprous?  Why does it seem so scary?  I can speak for myself, that I would never have considered serving in youth ministry until my daughters were old enough to join and I stepped forward with the hopes of nurturing their own spiritual growth while also being able to be present for trips and events which appealed to my paranoid side.  When I really consider why I never would have chosen to do youth ministry before this, I think it’s because teenagers are honestly kind of scary.

Teenagers are famously erratic. They are going through every transition imaginable, physically, emotionally, socially, academically.  Everything is high stakes in their minds, and relationships can change overnight, leaving them feeling insecure and uncertain. Many of them have divided families, unstable homes, and might not even know where their next meal is coming from.  Speaking of meals, the current average American diet is super unhealthy, affecting hormones and overall well being in the majority of our kids. School shootings are becoming common place as our kids are killing their own classmates.

The CDC reports 40% of students in America have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.  Over 20% have a diagnosed mental health condition.  The average teenager spends 8-9 hours per day on their phone.  They have countless contacts across various social media platforms but lack genuine connection and deep conversations. 

With all of this in mind, I get having some timidity and reservations in serving this segment of the population.  But do you know what I realized as I have been praying and considering this for the past few weeks? Satan sure has pulled one over on us. We just accept and expect that teenagers are hard and awful and to be avoided like the plague. At this pivotal point in life, where God could use us to press in and encourage these kids and show them who they were created to be and introduce them to the Creator God who made them and loves them and has a purpose for them right where they’re at, we shy away and allow the enemy free reign to dismantle their identity, to turn their affections to things that will destroy them, and to keep them running in circles seeking validation and acceptance everywhere but where they would actually find it, in Christ.

Can you imagine what it would look like for each youth in our midst to have at least 3 adults in their corner?  I mean really and truly be invested and care. What if instead of turning our face away and rejecting them in their mess, we sit with them and walk with them through it? What if we could have a part in teaching them the scriptures so that it is hidden within their hearts and when they face a situation that would lead to pain and hardship, they would have the wisdom of God at hand to lead them away? What if we knew these kids so well, that we were able to see their practical needs and provide tangible help?

What if we stop seeing our youth as our greatest problem and start seeing them as our greatest opportunity?  If you look back on those years in your own life, did you have any adults that were either life giving or life taking? I used to babysit a lot, and I remember several moms that just poured into me and were so kind to me during really hard times.  You know I can’t remember what they said, but I remember just feeling like they liked me. At a time when I was really messing up and getting into a lot of trouble and doing some really bad things, just having some adult in my life that seemed to not hate me or judge me was so impactful. Someone that wasn’t related to me, not obligated in any way, but just chose to spend some extra time talking with me, make me a hot chocolate and chat, I still remember it years later.

 “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” 
Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:7-8

This is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture.  So much here theologically. But what stands out the most to me is Isaiah’s immediate reaction to his salvation. Isaiah came before God a sinful man, falling to his face in fear as he realizes his state before the Holy Living God. But he was purified at the altar, and immediately God calls for a missionary and immediately Isaiah obeys.

I don’t know who God is calling to serve our youth, but I know that while we hesitate, Satan is at the door ready to devour them as we stand on the sidelines and watch it happen. What an amazing opportunity we have before us, whether you serve youth in an official capacity or not, consider ways you can encourage and lead the youth among us to Jesus.