Foundations for youth and family ministry

"Youth ministry demands an authentic community, perhaps now more than ever. What does this mean?
That context comes before content."

• Youth ministry is fundamentally relational ministry.
• Youth ministry has an evangelical purpose.
• Youth ministry is congregationally-owned.
• Youth ministry is contextual.
• Youth ministry focuses on faith formation.
• Youth ministry demands an authentic community.

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First things first. Youth and family ministry needs to be fully integrated into the life of a congregation, and directed outward toward witness and service to the community and world. It must also be deeply rooted and grounded in God's Word and the proclamation of the Christian gospel. This happens best when:

1. Youth ministry is fundamentally relational ministry.
   How we relate is more important than what we do. Relationships, rather than programs, are the primary vehicle for youth ministry. Programs are fine -- in fact, they are needed -- but should be directed at building and nurturing caring, trusted personal relationships. Congregational youth ministry can help build and nurture relationships with God, with self (personal growth) and with others (all generations).

2. Youth ministry has an evangelical purpose.
   The purpose of youth ministry is to tell about God's grace, the good news of the gospel -- that God has loved us with an everlasting love whose name is Jesus; that God has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves, namely, claim us and grace us with a forever love. Youth ministry is centered in the life and way of Jesus, driven by the Great Commission, and focused on growth as disciples.

Read Matthew 28:16-20. Tell one another how you first heard the good news about Jesus.

The goal of youth ministry is to nurture the next generation in the faith -- passing on God's story as a living Word -- inviting young people to come and see, come and follow, and go and tell. And because youth ministry is about following the way of Jesus, we are challenged to listen and be open to ALL people -- especially those who are not represented in our congregation.
 

3. Youth ministry is congregationally-owned.
   It is not compartmentalized or a nice "side show," but is an integral part of the whole congregation's mission and ministry. While it should be integrated in all ways, it often can be seen in the worship life of a congregation or by youth representation on the congregational council.

How is youth ministry integrated into the everyday life of your congregation?

Another way in which youth ministry can be congregationally-owned is for leadership to be deliberate and team-oriented. In other words, teams of caring, trusted adults and responsible, committed young leaders are intentionally gathered and trained. The roles and responsibilities for each person are determined by their gifts, interests, passions and skills for working together in ministry.
 

4. Youth ministry is contextual.
   Youth and family ministry means knowing your audience -- the who, what, when, where, and why of your audience. This means paying attention to, observing, and listening to:
   1. the cultures in which young people live and which so profoundly affect them;
   2. the general state of youth; in other words, "What does it look and feel like to be a young person today?";
   3. the particular youth who are a part of the community and congregation to which you belong.

Think about your congregational setting -- where you are located, what is around you, etc. What do you consider a unique or particularly important characteristic about your congregational setting or context? How can that characteristic be used to strengthen your ministry?

Although knowing your audience certainly leads to understanding, it begins with attending, or the practice of deep listening. Being present to another in this way, by deeply listening, honors the other person with whom one is communicating. Simply put, it builds trust; and trust is the centerpiece of genuine, healthy relationships. Finally, genuine, healthy relationships are key to building authentic community. For postmodern young people, authentic community is vital to generating effective ministry. (see #6)
 

5. Youth ministry focuses on faith formation.
   This is about helping young people grow in the grace, faith, and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), and deepening and strengthening their relationship with God. Where does faith formation happen? There are a number of places in addition to the congregation -- such as, home, school, outdoor ministries, and work. In particular, a strong partnership between the congregation and the home is critically important in faith formation.

Give some examples of how faith formation is happening in your life, or through your congregation, in some of these places. How are people growing in their relationship with God at home, school, work, or on a more personal basis?

How does faith formation happen? By the power of the Holy Spirit! There are also a number of practices through which our faith can be strengthened or deepened -- Bible study, prayer, servant opportunities, and allowing spaces for conversation about life and faith.

Tell about some of the ways through which God works to strengthen and deepen people's faith in your congregational context.
 

6. Youth ministry demands an authentic community, perhaps now more than ever.
   What does this mean? That context comes before content. This is not to diminish the value of the content of the Christian faith. It is simply to suggest that in a postmodern, post-Christian setting, many young people need a particular context in which they can hear the content of God's story and the gospel message. For many, there is a process that must be honored in first hearing God's story and then believing the proclamation of the good news about Jesus. That context is an authentic community.

   What makes for an authentic community? It is a safe, open place where people can come as they are and be seen and heard. Questions are expected and welcomed, and the asker would rather have no answer than a pat answer. It is real -- people can speak their mind and tell their truth without being judged -- and the conversation, especially the disagreements, are civil and mutual and respectful. Safe, trusting, respectful relationships are highly valued.

Discuss the six foundations presented in this Help Sheet, perhaps with another congregational team. Which ones would you keep? Which ones would you replace? With what would you replace them? What are your congregation's own combination of six foundations for youth and family ministry?

Contributed by Rev. Nathan Frambach, Ph.D. (rev. 06/16/08)