Definition of a youth ministry
It is a grouping that is age restrictive and has a common objective in its operations. The youth ministry is guided by a common faith upon which its believers source their togetherness. The sole aim for the formation of the youth ministry is to encourage the young people to learn more about their faith and engage themselves in spirituality. It is also aimed at reaching out to the big population which has never had an opportunity to hear the gospel. The organization also enhances youth integration where open activities in recreational avenues are enjoyed by the participating members. All these objectives are entitled to the creation of strong bonding among the young people in society.
The ministry has a difference in meaning depending on the denomination it falls into. The protestant churches regard the ministry as the service extended by the ordained ministers or pastors. Ordained clergy, lay leader, or a volunteer person can also initiate the ministry’s operations in the case of youth. On the other hand, the Roman Catholic Church believes that youth ministry is not a clergy membership but a function of the church. Therefore, the term youth ministry leaders are more exhibited other than the youth minister. This difference in leadership terms gives the extent of the church’s control over the ministry.
In unitary universalism, youth ministry involves a large congregation formed by members from a vast region. For instance, we have the young religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) which is ranked as one of the largest youth ministries in the world. The objective of such ministries changes with time to suit the prevailing issues in the youth departments. Some of the core objectives include youth empowerment, partnership, and the implementation of educational programs.
The purpose of youth ministries
The ministry objective can therefore be generalized to be an educative one. This is because it is through such ministries that the young generation acquires spiritual and personal growth. The already acquired knowledge is further used in the advancement of Christianity among the people of the world.
The participation of the youth ministries in the extra curriculum activities assists in the realization of talents among the youth. This is because they give the young people a chance to show what they are capable of delivering, which is later cultivated into a career. A good example of such is the promotion of the upcoming musicians who later tend to be very prominent in the music world.
The ministry advocates for integration among different communities in the world. Different ideas from different people are therefore exchanged in the process. It is, therefore, true to say that the establishment of the youth ministries encourages diversity amongst people.
Youth Ministry also provides the parental role; this is where support programs are initiated to ensure a morally upright upbringing of the young generation. This role is aimed at ensuring prosperous and well-disciplined individuals in the future. The ministry also contributes to medical and financial aids to needy people in society. The move is directed towards alleviating poverty amongst the communities.
Who are the youth leaders?
Youth leaders are persons who regulate and coordinate the activities within the youth ministry. In most cases, such persons act as role models to the rest of the young people in the group. A youth minister is held accountable for the actions and the activities of the group as he or she is assumed and also mandated to be in charge. In the case of protestant churches, such leaders may consist of ordained clergy or members of the church while in the case of the Roman Catholic Church, the leaders ought to be just members of the church but not the clergy.
Who are youth ministry learners
Youth ministry learners are all people under the age prescribed by the ministry’s constitution. To be more specific, the youth learners are all the subscribed members of the youth organization. However, it also includes everyone else who falls under such categories because the youth ministry is entitled to ensuring effective and productive life among the young generations regardless of their registration status. Since the activities of the youth ministries touch the hearts of all people regardless of their age, it can be concluded that a youth ministry learner can be everyone in society.
Qualities of a youth minister
For a person to qualify as a youth leader there are certain leadership characters or qualities he or she needs to possess. The first quality of a youth leader is that he or she should have a God-centered heart. This is because he or she will be obligated to lead people from different origins and of different behaviors. It does not mean that one has to possess a lot of knowledge to be a leader, but it is important to have a basic understanding of the faith he or she believes in. Such faith will enable him or her to demonstrate a close relationship with God as it will be practically impossible and to guide others on what he/she, as a leader, is not capable of doing. As a leader, more time should be devoted to reading the bible since it is the source of wisdom (DeVries, 2008 p.12).
A leader should have a servant’s heart; this character enables a leader to devote more time to serving the people below him or her. The extra time will also be directed towards ensuring a smooth flow of activities in the ministry. A big shoulder is also an important character that a youth leader should possess. This is because; very many young people will come over to seek help from him or her. Leading a young generation of people who are faced with a lot of difficulties in their daily activities requires him or her to have empathy for the followers. The availability of the youth leader should be guaranteed at all times since he or she might be needed at any time and hour of the day.
A great sense of responsibility and authority should be a requirement for a youth leader. Considering the diversified operations of the organizations, i.e. in the entrepreneurship and investment activities, accountability and responsibility will be highly valued in his or her duties. As a leader, exercising authority should be obvious while the followers are also supposed to adhere to their leader’s decisions. Wise and responsible decisions therefore ought to cultivate from this youth leader. It is also significant for a leader to have a positive attitude towards life because many people will come seeking motivational encouragement, otherwise, it would lead to frustration. Moreover, the youth leader should therefore give hope whenever one of the followers needs it.
Purpose of a youth minister
The most essential function of the youth minister is to coordinate the activities of the ministry. A youth minister should also act as an example, both in behavior and character. This is because he or she will be the ministry representative and his character will portray what is required from the group. A youth minister will also chair the meetings within the ministry and will also need to be fully equipped with all the relevant information concerning the group and the scriptures.
Who are youth ministers?
Youth ministers are all selected leaders in the youth ministries who may comprise the clergy, lay leaders, senior pastors, youth coordinators, and other youth workers. A youth minister can also consist of any other person who assists in the delivery of the ministry’s agenda to the members or the general public. The youth minister though is required to possess the youth interests at heart. This is because all the actions that he or she might extend should be aimed at improving the welfare of young people.
How are Youth Ministers responsible for attending to personal spiritual development? Acting, as an example for his or her followers, will greatly contribute to the growth and development of the followers. Since they have the authority over their subjects, they should advance corrections and proper advice to the followers thus assisting them to grow spiritually.
What should the Youth Ministry Learners, learn
The youth ministry learners should learn all the positive attributes which will help them to develop spiritually, mentally, psychologically, and physically. The learner should also learn more about his or her faith and should undergo theological training where the bible and philosophy will be exhaustively tackled. The learners should learn and understand the purpose and reason for their creation by God (Fields, 1998 p.12).
What is the method for teaching and learning
Group discussions where each group will handle a specific topic should be encouraged to include the diverse members’ contributions. The internet or website question and answers technique can be used to educate the interested parties.
What kind of environment is conducive to Youth Ministry
A comfortable environment should be created, for instance, such meetings should be held in the learning institutions and areas of work. This is because such places possess high concentrations of the young population which the group targets. The ministry should take its message closer to the target group. The use of information technology in the ministry’s activities like website and internet facilities will greatly boost its operations as many people will be reached through such modes (Robbins, 2004 p.276).
How is this environment created?
Such an environment is created through proper coordination with the institution’s and firm’s management. Proper time coordination should also be emphasized be done to enhance high attendance.
References
DeVries, M. (2008). Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn’t Last and What Your Church Can Do About It. New York, Intervarsity Press. Web.
Fields, D. (1998). Purpose-driven youth ministry: 9 essential foundations for healthy growth. New York, Zondervan. Web.
Robbins, D. (2004). This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure. New York, Zondervan. Web.