I was a youth pastor for just about seven years, but I worked with youth and young adults for a lot longer, and once, a long time ago I was a youth. In my life, I have had the privilege of hearing solid theology from God-honoring pastors and have also heard some of the worst inch deep preaching you could imagine. When it comes to youth ministry there seems to be a sneaky infiltration of the idea that youth cannot handle good theology.
Unfortunately, it has had widespread acceptance in evangelicalism. This idea comes off sounding rational to adults but in reality, it is detrimental to the spiritual growth of our young people. The ramifications of this have been widespread, lasting, and devastating. In evangelicalism today we are hearing a loud lament about our young people leaving the church when they head off to university or college. So, what does happen when we think that our youth cannot grasp solid theological teaching?
Youth groups that are not built on a firm foundation
First, our youth programs drift away from teaching and quickly motor towards entertainment. I call this glorified babysitting. Busy moms and dads can get a couple of hours away from their teens by dropping them off at church so that a young, energetic youth pastor and a couple of volunteers can watch those youth. At least at the youth group, they will be safe. Yes, they may play gross games that get their clothes all messy, but what is a load of laundry for two hours of peace? They are relatively safe and they are with their friends. How is that a bad thing?
The second thing that happens when we believe that youth cannot grasp solid theology is that we lower the bar to the point where youth are thought of as less intelligent than kids in our children’s ministry. I remember when I was in Awana. It was thought that children with the right motivations could memorize large quantities of scripture and that this memorization would help them later in life as they lived for Jesus. It would seem reasonable then, to expect that an older child or youth would be capable of even more. However, in many youth groups today there is no expectation that a Jr. High or Sr. High student can memorize or even think deeply about their faith. In fact, we act as if they are barely literate; not expecting them to bring or read their bibles on a regular basis.
No Root in Faith or Church
So, what are the results of such youth ministry? The natural consequence is that young people have no root in their faith or in the church. They float along “acting” like good Christian children until they blow it morally, or they graduate, head to university, and leave it all behind with a lingering affinity for church but nothing else. No solid foundation. On the other hand, they may become just what we are teaching them to be…little moralist automatons. They develop a sense of moral superiority that convinces them that they are better than other young people and they become very adept at judging others based on their own standards, which are so high that they are unattainable even for themselves.
Deep, Solid, and Theologically Sound Teaching
Now, you might be reacting to this article at this point. I know, I know. It’s the parent’s responsibility to care for the souls of their children. Don’t worry, I believe this wholeheartedly. However, if you are a youth leader, you have made the decision to speak into the life of young people. This means that it is your responsibility to walk with them in the truth of God’s word. You owe the young person, and their parents deep, solid, and theologically sound teaching. Help students reach and grow. Instil in them a love for the Word of God. Help them to thirst for Him. How do I do this?
First, go deep yourself. You cannot teach what you don’t know, so learn and love the Word. Read it daily and not just token reading. Learn how the bible fits together. Figure out how the New Testament interprets the Old Testament. Learn, learn, learn. Never stop.
Secondly, endeavor to teach appropriately, and deeply. It always amazes me that if you set the bar high your students will reach for that bar.
Third, don’t forget to be fun. This is what I struggled with. Sometimes when you aim high you forget to still be fun. Play those gross games, connect with your youth. Don’t sacrifice this for that, find the middle of the road and stay the course.
Pastor Jonathan Welch
