"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
- Isaiah 43:18-19
I find comfort in this verse. I need scriptural reminders not to dwell on the past. While I am grateful for the lessons and experiences of the past, it can sometimes hold me back. It's human nature to look fondly on the "good ole times."
A quote that I have come to love is by author Thomas Friedman from his book, The World Is Flat: "Does your society have more memories than dreams or more dreams than memories?" My senior pastor regularly asks our staff, "Do we as a church/ministry have more memories than dreams or more dreams than memories?" What about you? How would you answer this question in light of your life and ministry?
God wants to do new things in our youth ministry, but He needs to do new things in our lives first. So let me ask: When was the last time that you made (or allowed God to make) deep essential changes in your life or ministry? When did you last experience a paradigm shift?
I've experienced some paradigm shifts over the last few years. Here are a few:
- I've realized that "campus ministry" is much more than just grabbing lunch with kids at or near their campus. Effectively partnering with school administration is campus ministry as well – and usually provides greater outlets for reaching more students on campus and within the larger community.
- I see the value in recruiting adults from my church for ministries outside of the "church" – even other youth ministries!
- I've come to understand that there is no such thing as the "social gospel." God's heart for the disenfranchised is clear throughout Scripture. The gospel is show and tell.
- I've even given myself permission as an Evangelical to have an Independent political affiliation.
Recently God's been blowing a fresh wind of change in our youth ministry. Over the last year, He's impressed on my heart the importance of not having a one-size-fits-all youth ministry. He's challenged me to lead a missional youth ministry instead of a consumer-driven youth group. While our church still enjoys many youth ministry traditions, we are done with the "cookie cutter" approach to youth ministry.
This move of the Spirit hasn't been easy for our teens, families and staff. But if you and I are going to experience the new things God has in store for us, here are a few non-negotiables:
1. We have to guard against the fear of the unknown, fear of criticism, and fear of failure.
Walking with God down new paths means we might not have a clue about where He'll eventually decide to take us. When He does begin to reveal His plans and purposes to us, not everyone will be on board with this "new direction." We will receive criticism, but we have to understand that criticism is okay. Surround yourself with wise, godly counsel and forge ahead. We'll also need to come to the realization that we will make mistakes along the way. Don't let the fear of failure paralyze the work of God in and through you.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
- 2 Timothy 1:7
2. We have to set aside our personal agenda, pride and control.
We can be pretty selfish and stubborn people. Whether you lead a small youth ministry as a volunteer or a large organization with dozens of paid staff, it's hard not to feel like "I'm the boss!" There is comfort in control. My friends, God will pop that bubble sooner or later. HE is the boss! In order for God to do a new thing in our lives and ministry, we'll have to lay all of our goals, plans and strategies at His feet. He may ask us to pick some of them back up, or He might not. It's His call. You have to be willing to step aside to let Him work.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight."
- Proverbs 3:5-6
3. We have to look forward to change and not resist it.
It is funny how I still to try and play mind games with God. I pray "Thy will, not my will, be done," yet in my heart I add caveats and conditions. I feel at times that I could give God some good advice on why one course of direction is better than another. Do you ever feel that way? The truth is, many of us still resist the changes God desires to make in us, both personally and professionally. It's been said "you can't back into change." Let's commit to finding some friends who won't allow us to back out of some of the new things God wants to do in and through us. And let's also stop trying to put God in a box or limit Him to the places in our lives and ministries that He's "allowed" to mess with.
"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'? Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?'
- Isaiah 45:9-10
Some of you may be thinking, "Things are going really good in my ministry, I'm not sure if I need God to do a new thing." It's exactly when things are going great that we need to be thinking about where God is headed. You've been given favor and resources for a reason. Besides those students and volunteers that show up to your regular programs, who else can you bless?
High attendance and activity can lure us into believing we've "arrived." Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines, has said, "The day you believe you're successful is the day you stop being successful. The hallmark of the truly successful organization is its willingness to abandon what has long made it successful."
So, again I want to ask, when was your last paradigm shift?
God wants to do a new thing in your life and ministry. Are you ready to let Him?
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Will Babilonia has served alongside teens and their families for 16 years. He is the youth pastor of the Aurora campus of Colorado Community Church. He currently serves on the NNYM Ministry Council. He loves snowboarding, watching Da Bears, and spending time with his wife, Sabrina, and their two sons.