This post was inspired by a question asked to me by one of my long term friends and fellow youth workers, Joel Lusz - Youth Pastor, Sun Tree UMC. "In your opinion, what must youth ministers do in order to create deeper youth ministries?" Here is how I responded:
- Having an expanding but clear Biblical definition of "depth" is a healthy starting point. What defines depth for one person may feel like the shallow end to another - depending on the age and im/maturity. Does depth demand a growing orthodoxy (thinking)? A genuine orthopathy (experiencing)? A compassionate othoproxy (doing)? Every community pool in America is legally required to label the depth around its edges so it is evident to everyone. There is a standard for where the shallow end begins and the deep end begins. It would be deadly for the shallow end to be incorrectly labeled. The same may be also true of the spiritual life. When we have a strong working definition of what depth actually is, then we can know what it takes to foster it potential in our own lives as well as those we have been asked to lead. When we have a poorly defined understanding of "depth" we may be asking students to dive head first into the shallow end.
- Depth can not be manufactured nor microwaved. It is a gift from God that we are not entitled to experience (ever) just because we desire to walk deeply with God.
- Depth is more visible in youth ministries where; a) God's greatness is continually put on display front and center.
- Youth leaders are personally spending extended time alone with God (seeing and savoring Him in His Word and His World).
- Students are consistently taught how to read the scriptures for themselves and are taught how to pray boldly.
- Students and leaders are both actively committed to sharing God's greatness with the next generation (locally and abroad).
- Humor and vulnerability are both celebrated.
- Forgiveness is an action word.
- Parents are being actively discipled. This one is critical.
- The youth minister is not the only adult influencing depth but there is a growing community of adults whose lives are a working definition of depth regardless of circumstance and most often depth takes place because of it.
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