Youth Ministry Rethink Part II - A Question of Success

What is success in youth ministry? Is the successful youth program the one with the most kids in attendance? Is it the one with the flashiest show and best band? But what happens when they graduate? How do these ideas have a lasting effect on students? How can you tell if they do? I like Doug Fields' idea: Students growing on their own, when they graduate high school and can't find a church they like, they are equipped to start their own. (para-phrase) I think the most recent statistic is that 88% of students graduate from their faith when they hit college, that is not the definition of success to me. That means that if I graduate 100 students from my program that 88 of them will turn away from their faith. Sorry but that makes want to puke. If 88 students turn from their faith, what do the remaining 12 have in common? Smart money goes on genuine relationships with a spiritual mentor, parents, youth pastors, youth group volunteers... Here is where I believe most people get scared off and won't get involved in youth ministry: too much responsibility. "You're asking me to change a kids life!" WRONG. I am asking you to connect with two students and be an example to them. Don't just tell them how to be like Jesus, show them how to be like Jesus. It's not about a program or curriculum it's about living out your faith and taking some kids along for the ride. I believe that successful youth ministry will happen inside a church that doesn't have a youth program. It will happen when true discipleship is preached from the pulpit, lived out by the members, and demostrated for the next generation. When Christians decide to live their lives with a Biblical worldview they will know that this course of action is not a suggestion, it is a mandate. Does the term "As you are going make disciples." sound familiar to you? It should. Is it evident in your life? Is it evident in your church? It is the definition of success - If the members of our congregations are actively engaged in making disciples of the next generation we will see change, we will even see revival.