Something for Emma

Group, May/Jun 2003 by Lawrence, Rick

My answer to his question became a "Youth Ministry Minute" column (November/December 1998). Now, with a new baby in the house, I can't resist this opportunity to take a whack at a question like Perry's: "When your daughter is a graduating senior, what impact do you dream her youth group experience will have had on her life?"

1. She'll have a heart for the poor and hurting. I mean, she'll have the heart of Jesus-who spent almost all his time and ministry energy on desperate people. Her youth group's DNA: Youth groups that are passionate about welcoming strangers and outcasts teach kids the heart of Jesus. About 90 percent of this is accomplished through modeling-if your leaders (adult and students) are fanatics about it, the whole group will slowly adopt what they see as a core value.

2. She'll know how to communicate with God intimately. Prayer at its best is akin to breathing-when you look back on your day you realize you've had a running conversation with God that includes "formal prayer," but only as a sliver. Her youth group's DNA: If prayer is simply a bookend at the start and end of your regular activities, you may be teaching kids to compartmentalize it. Conversationalize prayer by treating God as a physical member of your group-you ask for his input and participation as often as you do others in the group.

3. She'll be a veteran workcamp and outreach participant. The more research we do into how kids grow into a deeper faith commitment, the more we hear them saying workcamps, mission trips, and outreach projects have transformed them from ministry consumers into ministry owners. Her youth group's DNA: I think the best way for youth groups to regularly participate in outreach of any kind is to sign up with an organization that does the logistics well. For example, our own workcamp program (www.groupworkcamps.com) does a great job with the grunt work, so your kids are freed to minister and grow.

4. She'll know how to shoulder real ministry responsibilities. The more kids you have involved in teaching or leading, the more kids you have learning at a deeper level. Her youth group's DNA: Is it possible for a youth group to have half its members involved in leadership of some kind? Sure. With your current leaders, brainstorm all your needed leadership functions. Then figure out how to plug half your kids into the list somewhere.

5. She'll have many memories of her parents' involvement in her youth ministry activities. Research proves, over and over, that parents' impact on their children's faith is dominant. Her youth group's DNA: Once you buy into your parents' potential for the deepest impact, you'll be motivated to serve and equip them for ministry to their own kids (a good way to start-use our free, downloadable "Home Page" as your parent newsletter).

6. She'll understand biblical basics well enough to defend her faith. Today's kids are experiencing God often and well, but they're not very good at thinking through the rational reasons for their commitment. Her youth group's DNA: For ideas on how to make the basics foundational to your kids, check out "Back to the Basics" in our March/April 2002 issue-in the Back Issue Archive at www.groupmag.com.

7. She'll be captain of her ongoing relationship with God. She won't depend on church activities, or even her parents' input for her growth. Her youth group's DNA: Emphasize training in personal, spiritual disciplines rather than church-driven activities.

8. She'll be clearly "in the world" but "not of it." I mean, she'll be so used to thinking with biblical filters that it will be impossible for her to listen to an album or watch a film without her "gospel truth" filter kicking in. Her youth group's DNA: Youth leaders who use popular culture as a ministry hook are building culture-influencing Christians. We've put conviction behind our rhetoric by building our Ministry and Media Web site (www.ministryandmedia.com) from scratch. Use it to start biblical discussions using films, songs, news, and TV shows.

Rick Lawrence has been editor of group Magazine for 15 years.