Sometimes, we have clichéd ideas about ministering to young people. We think of our youth department leaders as party planners and entertainers. Their job is to keep the kids interested in church until they are old enough for the “real work” of ministry. These ideas are promulgated by innocent phrases such as, “We love our youth; they are the church of tomorrow.” Sometimes, more mature members can be critical of young people. How often have you heard someone say, “In my day. . .” about something the youth were doing or not doing?
We must understand and acknowledge that growing up in America today is more complicated than for any previous generation. Our young people have to navigate unique challenges, and they need a church family that accurately understands and supports them in their quest to embrace their faith in a way that gives meaning to their lives.
According to a report by Virginia Commonwealth University, mortality in the United States for young people aged 10 to 19 rose by 20 percent from 2019 to 2021, representing the most significant increase in fifty years (VCUnews, March 13, 2023). The gains achieved through clean water, sanitation and modern health care were lost in one fell swoop. Our children are now less likely to reach adulthood than the two generations preceding them. The culprits are complicated and intertwined. A global pandemic, the unique pressures of growing up in a digital world, and adverse childhood experiences are the unholy trinity that many experts cite as the root causes that are killing our kids. These are the sources of homicides, suicides, overdoses, and risky behaviors.
We must change the way we view youth and the way we minister to them. We must stop calling them the church of tomorrow and give them the keys to the church today. Instead of expecting them to fight in our armor, we must mentor and support them as they fight in their own armor. That means that those of us who have led the church for years must be comfortable moving into a counselor, confidant, and consultant position.
Empower youth ministry and, instead of entertaining youth, realize that real youth ministry is ministering with young people, not for young people. They need to feel that their church is engaged in what they care about and is making a real difference in the world today and for eternity. Jeremiah 1:7 (NASB) says, “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am a youth,” because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak.’ ”
The youth directors and educators around the Atlantic Union, from local churches and schools to the administrative leaders around our territory, need our support. We need to hold up their hands as they create a youth-focused, youth-inclusive movement in the Atlantic Union that follows the clarion call: “United we go to grow God’s Kingdom!”
I am very hopeful that our new education hub in Lancaster, Massachusetts, can find creative ways to understand and address the root causes that are taking our young people. We need to minister with an understanding of the unique pressures that our young people are experiencing today and help them find Christ amid chaos. I have buried too many young people; I don’t want us to bury them anymore. May God help us in this endeavor; we cannot afford to fail.
