In my previous articles, I suggested that the dynamic of youth ministry revolves around the encounter between God and your young people in Scripture. I have suggested that young people need a voice in youth ministry to enable them to be able to work through questions, struggles and doubts. But what of you, the adult? What is your role in youth ministry?
Some models of youth ministry elevate the young people so much that the adult must be verbally absent. I am not saying that, although I have suggested it may be that we need to stop and listen more. Other models put the adult in the place of God as His mouthpiece - there is an element of that in preaching as there is external revelation to be communicated. But I would suggest that is not the key dynamic. This can often lead to the adult being the all-knowing guru, the sage on the stage, which can bring dangers of spiritual abuse and hero worship.
A fellow-pilgrim
The main dynamic the leader must take is one of fellow pilgrim. We are to be those who are still working out how to follow Jesus, still wrestling with questions and still plumbing the depths of the mysteries of the gospel. This means that we are doing what the young people are doing, we are just further ahead. We can warn them of issues that we have already faced. We can encourage them with how we persevered through the troubles they are facing. We can share the mistakes we made, where appropriate, in the knowledge that they are facing similar challenges.
What makes a leader? Reflections from the Conservative Party Conference
I am writing this article on the way back from the Conservative Party Conference, where most of my time was …