As I was placing an order on the The Youth Cartel website, I saw a new book had recently been released : What’s Right About Youth Ministry. It was on sale (I think) and I had already qualified for free shipping, so I thought, “Why not? I’ve been trying to do more reading and it looks like a good read.” It was.
The book was authored by Mark Oestreicher (Marko). He has been a part of the youth ministry world for a number of years and has served in a variety of capacities. He has a unique perspective as both a volunteer in his church’s youth ministry, a trainer of youth workers and a recognized speaker.
Kurt Johnson, Junior High Pastor at Saddleback, wrote responses at the end of each chapter. I found what he wrote to be helpful. He sometimes underscored what was said and other times provided a different perspective on the issue.
I’ve never met either of these men personally, but have read other works they’ve written, listen to them via video or audio recording and have heard them speak live and in person. I value their experience and passion for youth ministry and appreciate the insights they have. While the book is fairly short (just over 100 pages), it contains some great thoughts and challenges for youth workers.
There were a few things that stood out to me. I love this “equation” or “magic formula that Marko gives for a great youth ministry. He shares in the book that he was speaking to a group of Spanish-speaking youth workers and felt compelled, with all the other information he was sharing, to kind of simplify things. He said there are three things necessary for great youth ministry: 1) You Like Teenagers 2) You Are a Growing Follower of Jesus 3) You Are Willing to Live Honestly in the Presence of Those Teenagers You Like.
I thought that was so helpful and a good description of my small group leaders and volunteers. Marko then kind of expanded it to say this:
A grace-filled caring adult who’s willing to be present with teenagers
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A small-ish group of teenagers
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The power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus
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Fantastic youth ministry!
While there is no much we need to know about youth culture and helping students in crisis and relating to parents and communicating well and managing details and staying organized, I thought this “equation” was right on.
I’ve been in full-time youth ministry for nearly 30 years, yet still can fall into the comparison trap where I look at what others are doing and see how I measure up. Whether you are brand new to youth ministry or have been doing it for decades, it’s something we all can find ourselves doing. Marko’s encouragement is for everyone.
God isn’t calling you to be just like the youth ministry from that other church, even if that youth ministry is fantastic; God is calling your youth ministry to discern and embody the unique contextualized expression of youth ministry he has dreamed up for you.
Bigger isn’t necessarily better and smaller doesn’t trump bigger. Being faithful to where God has placed you and knowing the context in which you serve are important elements.
In an earlier chapter Marko also talked about the importance of keeping the course and not just changing up programming to get a different result. I think this is connected with the idea of being who God has called you to be. He talks about the misplaced gorgeous value of patience and the mundane way of steadfastness. I agree that we need to modify our methods as culture changes, but there is also the reality that we should be steadfast and consistent in our ministry to students. Many of my leaders have great relationships and influence with students because they have been steadfast and consistent.
As youth ministry as a profession has changed over the last few decades and, as some have said, has gained legitimacy as a career path, it has led to so many different voices and resources available for youth workers. I love the fact that I can read a blog, subscribe to an email list, join a Facebook group or watch a video that provides training and information I couldn’t get as easily before. It has opened the door for other voices that you would most likely not have ever heard from before. Kurt Johnson, in one of his responses, talks about this very thing and offered a great insight: But, just because somebody has a voice doesn’t mean you need to listen to what the person says, nor does it mean that person’s insights are as valid as somebody else’s. These days almost everybody has something to say and thinks he or she is the person to say it.
I found that to be helpful and echoed what I found myself thinking when I would read something someone wrote. Just because I have some kind of platform (like a blog perhaps?), doesn’t mean I necessarily have the wisdom or insight a particular situation or issue requires. Sure we can all disagree on issues (just look at the comments on any Facebook group you are a part of), but I think we need to be discerning in the voices we listen to and ideas we adopt.
What’s Right About Youth Ministry was encouraging to me because it affirmed some of the things we’ve been trying to do, but also provided some challenges as we move forward. I found it to be helpful to me and think it would a good read for other youth workers.
Thoughts from a Hoosier Fan in the Buckeye Land 