Recently Rick Lawrence of Group Magazine published the results of a survey of 20,000 plus teens answering the following questions:

• What would you like to do More of in your church’s youth ministry? (these results were published in the latest print version of Group)
• What is your biggest challenge in growing deeper in your relationship with God?
• What is your biggest regret in your relationship with God?
• What is your biggest hope in your relationship with God?
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I found the published results to the first question to be mostly bothersome and frustrating.  It seemed to me that there was too much emphasis on games and activities, hang out time, and other similar types of things.  What was encouraging was what came in at #1 even if only by a little bit…Learning about Jesus.  This isn’t the story though.  The story, in my opinion, is what is found in the rest of the survey published online here.

As a dad for the last 13 years I have slowly learned that what my child wants is much different than what that child needs.  Is it really surprising that students want to have more fun?  No, of course not.  What is surprising is the number of parents, youth pastors, and leaders that listen to this and go no further.  Teenagers are adolescent minds that have not fully developed.  This does not discredit their answers; it just means that those of us with fully developed minds (some more than others) should take this into consideration when reading these results.  Example:

• The #1 answer regarding what they want more of may be learning about Jesus, but Help in understanding the Bible (our primary source regarding Jesus) doesn’t show up until #12 followed by learning about the New Testament, sermons that focus on the Bible doesn’t show up until #36, a Bible study that focuses on a book of the Bible doesn’t show up until #38.

America has been blessed and teens in America have seen the blessing but not the cost.  Because of this and other cultural factors they often see what they want, but don’t realize what is required.  This survey brings this perception to the forefront.

The most significant question asked was “What’s the biggest challenge in growing deeper in your relationship with God?”  The answers were no surprise.  The top 3 answers can be boiled down to two:  schedule and parents.  Even busyness is a parent issue.  Parents model the importance of spiritual things by how they manage their time and it is the parents role to help students learn to manage their time.

There are many other significant observations that could be made.  I think this survey is important and should be read and gone over by every youth ministry professional that can get their hands on it, but I want to end by bringing things full circle.

Students may want to learn about Jesus, but don’t want to study the Bible, they want to go to church because it is fun or because their friends are there, but they don’t want to listen to good teaching.  Some may want to be more spiritual but aren’t willing to participate in spiritual disciplines.  The job of the Youth Pastor is to help students fall more in love with God.  That doesn’t mean we don’t do the fun stuff they want, but it does mean we often do things they need,  but don’t necessarily want.

So what?  Well, that is up to you as a parent, youth pastor, or youth leader.   As we think about our philosophy of ministry we could ask these kinds of questions:

• Am I giving students enough of what they need?
• Am I helping students understand what is required in order to get what they want?
• How do we give students enough of what they want (keeping it attractive) and at the same time make sure they are getting what they need?
• What is it that students need?  What is the most effective way to give that to them?

Drugs have become such a prevalent part of our society that we talk with our kids about them at a young age.  There are books all over the place about how to deal with dating and sex with children and teens, but what about homosexuality?

Elephants grow.  I know, it is obvious but sometimes I think we ignore a lot of issues and hope they won’t impact our lives or our students life.  Homosexuality was a fringe issue that, for the most part, could be ignored a decade or two ago.  Today it is a major issue in our schools connected to bullying, “safe zones,”  and teaching on tolerance.  It was a baby elephant not that long ago, but elephants grow and this is now a large animal that must be dealt with in our ministries and in our families.

The “tolerance” indoctrination started with my daughter when she was in kindergarten.  She was told everyone’s opinion is of equal value.  The homosexual indoctrination started when she was in second grade when she was told to do a family tree.  Part of the curriculum was that all family situations are of equal value:  two mommies are the same as two daddies or a mom and dad.

Pastors and leaders we need to talk about the elephant in the room in our ministries.  It isn’t going to go away and our students will fall for the deception because the deception started when they were very young.

Parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts, we must talk with our children when they are young, we must pay attention, we must teach them both Biblical arguments and non-Biblical arguments.  We must both immunize them from the false arguments they will receive in school and equip them to make good arguments so they can impact culture.

How do we do it?  As a parent I am always asking my daughter if they are talking about certain topics.  I may say, “Catrina, are you guys talking about homosexuality in school?”  It may sound weird, but I don’t care it’s my job as a dad.  As a youth pastor I teach on passages like Romans 1, Lev. 22, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, etc…  I bring it up with compassion and love, but I do not shy away from truth because “love rejoices in truth” (1 Cor. 13).

The elephant is growing, it’s time to deal with it!

These are non-youth ministry podcast I listen to almost every week, and some of them every day.  I have found them to be helpful in life, faith, and ministry.  Perhaps they will be beneficial to you as well.  You can find them all on iTunes:

• Stand to Reason is a radio show with Greg Koukle.  Greg is great on issues related to apologetics, morality, and does a pretty good job with theology as well.  He takes phone calls as well as delivers comments related to current news.
• The White Horse Inn is an excellent program dealing with reformed theology.  The host Michael Horton is a prolific author.
• Wall Builders is a podcast dealing with faith, politics, and culture.  This podcast is useful in many ways, but perhaps it is most helpful in its presentation of American history as it relates both to culture and politics.  I learn more American history listening to this podcast than I ever did in school.
• Mars Hill Church:  Mark Driscoll Audio is a great resource for solid biblical preaching.  Though I don’t listen to this one as often as some of the others his preaching is solid.
• Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast This leadership podcast is practical and insightful.

I would love to hear what your favorite podcast is.

Perhaps these will not be new ideas to you, they weren’t to me, but they were encouraging.  The following is the result of listening to Scott preach, watching the students I brought, and listening to their comments in response to Scott’s style and content.

First some observations about Scott and his preaching style.

• Scott was not especially energetic.  That is not a put down in any way, I just didn’t see Scott running and jumping on stage.  He didn’t wave his arms incessantly, dance, or yell.
• Scott was not that funny.  Again, not a put down.  He was funny at times and he certainly wasn’t dry either.  When he was funny, it fit with the message and often made a point.  It didn’t seem like he got up on stage with the focus of making everyone laugh the whole time.
• Scott taught Biblical truths.  As I sat there and listened I got the feeling that he was more concerned about the content then he was about the delivery.  He did a good job with his delivery, but the content of his message carried with it a depth and simplicity that made it accessible to everyone and yet he preached deep theological truths important for every believer.
• He didn’t use movie clips, lyrics from secular songs, or some other form of secular media.  Granted I didn’t hear every one of his messages, so it is possible that he did this once or maybe twice, but it wasn’t a theme.  I don’t remember a single instance of any of these things.  Scott did tell some stories and use good illustrations.

My general impression of Scott’s teaching is that he really didn’t try that hard to be relevant.  Yet I think he was exactly that!  Perhaps some observations about the students I brought and their response to Scott will explain things.

• The students I brought took notes.  I know that seems crazy, but for the most part they were writing things down.
• These students seemed like they wanted to hear the word of God.
• They were seeking to hear how they could apply God’s word in their day to day life.

After the sessions we would often have some small group time where we would talk about the message and how it applies to us.  I love how my students responded to the messages.  Not only were they willing to be open and honest about their own struggles, but they showed a desire to understand more clearly what God’s word said.  They said a lot of good things about Scott and the other speakers, but the one that I most remember is, “he makes God’s word so…relevant”  followed by agreement from the others.

What made Scott great wasn’t his delivery (though he was technically solid), his familiarity with pop culture, or his energy.  What made Scott great was his desire and to teach the word of God, bring out the theological truths found in it, and explain those truths in a way that helps students apply that truth.  It has been my belief for a long time that we don’t have to make God’s word relevant; all we have to do is explain it and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.  Greg Koukle puts it this way, “preaching is reading and explaining.”  As ministers, teachers, and leaders in the Kingdom of God we don’t have to make Scripture relevant to people, we instead need to help people realize how relevant it already is.

It is not as if the church has intentionally led anyone astray in what it has taught about Christmas; instead what has happened is the church has simply not taught a lot of the details regarding Christmas and as a result people have drawn certain conclusions by listening to well intentioned Christmas music that was not accurate or watching TV shows and movies that portray the Christmas story in some kind of mythical way.

I’m not being a Grinch although I do have that tendency from time to time.  I am not saying we shouldn’t buy gifts, decorate, trees, or watch our favorite Christmas movie.  I am suggesting that we should know what is done because of tradition and for artistic purposes and what the actual facts are.  That way when someone presents the facts the faith of our students is not shaken.

Every year we do a Christmas game night which includes all kinds of fun Christmasy types of things.  Included in this game night every year is some kind of trivia competition.  Some of the questions are just for fun and some of them reveal the truth about the history and facts surrounding the Christmas story.  Not only does this make the learning fun, but the facts are presented in an innocent non-threatening way.  I have included a power point trivia that we have used in the past as part of our celebration.  Feel free to use it, but be prepared for some argument from the students.  Here is the file:  Christmas Trivia

Here are some sites you might find helpful in finding facts about Christmas:

• http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm
• http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/videos#history-of-the-christmas-carol
• http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story.htm

When creativity trumps content the results are often:

• bigger crowds
• more excitement
• momentum
• a lack of Biblical vision
• confusion about what the gospel is
• a redefining of God
• etc…

It’s not that creativity is bad, as I stated earlier I envy those to whom creativity is natural.  Movie clips are often less helpful then people think.  Sometimes in an effort to prove to students that we are engaging in their culture and that we are relevant we stick movie clips in where they don’t belong.  So how do you know if you have allowed creativity to trump content?  Asking yourself a few simple questions might help:

• What is the message you are trying to communicate?
• What affect will this form of creativity have on the students (I have found that movie clips actually cause students to shut down their thinking rather than promote it)
• Will creativity help clarify the message or confuse it?
• Why do you need a creative element for that message or lesson?
• How much explaining will the creative element take?

The answer to these questions will help you to think through what you are doing and why you are doing it.  If you are satisfied with the answers go for it, be creative until you can’t stand it anymore.  If you are not satisfied with the answers, then sacrifice the creativity for the message.

Too often in today’s culture happiness is associated with some kind of euphoric feeling, pleasure, or ego boost. Ecclesiastes seems to give the most complete treatment of happiness. Consider these verses:

• Ecclesiastes 2:26

“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.”

• Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.”

• Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”

• Ecclesiastes 7:14

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.”

• Ecclesiastes 11:9

“Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.”

There are several things to note regarding Solomon’s treatment of happiness. First, when happiness is positive, it seems to be a gift of God. It is not something we find or achieve as much as it is something given to us by God, a gift that we should appreciate, but not one we should take for granted. Second, true happiness seems to be the result of pleasing God and not ourselves. Storing up wealth does not lead to happiness (this from a man who had Bill Gates kind of wealth). Third, there will be happy times in life as well as times that are not so happy. Both the happy and the unhappy times come from God. Fourth, we will be judged for what we do to make ourselves happy.

In a world where immediate gratification is championed as the ultimate purpose in life we must strive to help students see that a deeper purpose in life, namely a life committed to Jesus, is the only thing that can bring lasting and true happiness. Again consider the words of Solomon:

Something to Think About:

• What happens when you promise that Jesus will make students happy, and hard times come?
• If you use “fun” to attract students, how will you keep them? (I’m not suggesting we don’t use fun, just that we need to think about this)
• When you share the gospel, do you emphasis a life of happiness or purpose?
• As you teach the word of God, how do you help students develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be happy and how do you help them understand that happiness comes from God, not things or experiences?

All quotes from the Bible were taken from the NIV

Perhaps you read the quote of Spurgeon and you began to be defensive in your own mind.  I know I did.  I love to preach the gospel!!  Jesus death on the cross and His resurrection are the center piece of all of scripture.  Yet in youth ministry we get sidetracked by how many of our kids smoke pot, have sex, or do other things that are not approved of.  While it is true that these things do not honor God, it is also true that without a commitment to Jesus there is no spiritual reason for any person to avoid such behavior.

Love is one of those words that brings all kinds of different thoughts to mind.  Sometimes I begin to think about Beau Jo’s Pizza and how much I love it.  Other times I think about my wife and kids, they are amazing!!  I also think about the ultimate message of love found not in what Jesus said, but in what he did.  Too many people look for words of love when they should be looking for deeds of love.  What Jesus did in coming to earth, dying, and then going to Father to be our mediator (Hebrews 9, Phil. 2) is what defines true love.  How could we as ministers of the gospel not preach of such love?

Ephesians 4 speaks of the calling which God has placed on people’s life.  I am not gifted like Billy Graham, and I will likely never see thousands come to Jesus they way he did, Spurgeon did, or many of today’s evangelists.  I do not believe I have that gift, certainly not in that measure.  On the other hand the most loving thing I can do is tell people of the love of Jesus.

What if I was faithful in telling others of the love of Jesus and never saw anyone come to saving faith?  Then I would be a faithful worker whom God has gifted to other things besides preach.  Being called to the ministry is not about putting out a good effort; it is about whether you are designed to do God’s work in that specific context.  It is about whether you would bring more honor to god by doing something else.  How should we measure our calling in this area?  Here are a couple of thoughts:

• If a person is called, they must be able to clearly and effectively present the gospel.
• If a person is called they should understand the purpose of preaching is spiritual.  Though there are times to deal with drugs, sex, and rock n roll in a message, those should be dealt with as an application of a spiritual and biblical truth, not as the primary purpose of a message.
• If a person is called they will see people come to Christ as a result of their ministry.  I don’t know how many, and it would be presumptuous of me to throw out a number.  It may not be every time they preach and it may not be every other, but it should be noticeable and regular.
• If a person is called they should have a desire and even a passion to see people come to Jesus.

What if you are not called?  If you are not called, figure out what God has gifted you for and go do that whether it is in or out of the church.

Teach This

“In the second place, combined with the earnest desire to become a pastor, there must be aptness to teach and some measure of the other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor.”  -Charles Spurgeon, Lectures To My Students

I remember the first time I walked up on stage at church to do anything.  I had done virtually no public speaking of any kind.  All I had to do was get up and read some scripture.  I was in high school, and to be honest I don’t know why I was asked.  I thought I was going to be really nervous, but as the time grew closer I grew more confident not less.  There were no butterflies, sweaty palms, or anything.  I went up there and read the scripture and sat down.  Over the years I have absolutely been nervous from time to time, I have messed up, I have done well, and everything in between.  Nervousness is not a measure of a person’s talent when it comes to teaching, there are many factors of which this may or may not be one.  For me though it was one of the clues that maybe I could teach and preach some day.  There have been several clues over the years.  Some however think they can teach when in fact they should not.

Over the years I have heard a lot of people who thought they could teach but in reality could not.  I have also heard some people who thought that they were not very good at teaching or preaching and still do a good job of that very thing.  Perhaps there is much more to determining our own ability to teach than our own thoughts and feelings about the issue.

I have watched the first couple shows of American idol for the last couple of seasons.  I always wondered why some of those people who were trying out didn’t first sing for a friend who would be honest with them about their own ability to sing and perform.  Perhaps it would have saved them a lot of trouble.  Sure it is entertaining for us, but I would think it is embarrassing for them.  Some of them just think the judges (especially Simon who is actually my favorite) are stupid and don’t know a good thing when they see it.  Maybe some of them go away and realize they are not as good as they thought they were and find something more productive with their life.

Scripture makes this demand for those who would be elders or “overseers” in 1 Timothy 3:2.  Of course a person can develop their ability to teach, but this is an important part of determining calling.  So how do we measure that?  I don’t know that I have a definitive answer, but here are some things to consider:

• Is the person able to understand Scripture
• Can this person help others understand scripture
• Can this person help others apply scripture in their life
• Humor and storytelling doesn’t necessarily make someone a good teacher
• Can this person keep the attention of the audience

Prayer is one of those spiritual disciplines that most of us struggle with. This is especially true for those of us who seem to always be “plugged in”. Our lives are filled with noise from our cell phones, computers, TVs, radios and so on. Over the past 15 years I have noticed a significant decline in the number of students who are capable of praying, much less praying in front of other people. So how can we help students learn to pray? I will address this on two levels, what am I doing with my own kids, and how we can help students learn to pray.

Every night we read scripture as a family. Currently we are reading through the book of Judges. it is a little grousome at times, but it gives us opportunity to talk about God in some interesting ways. When we are done we simply ask each other who each person is going to pray for. My ten year old often prays for her friends and our family. My three year old boy also prays. Lately he has been praying for lisey, one of our volunteer staff who is raising money to go over to Germany to work with youth. His prayers often go like this, “Dear Jesus, I pray for Lisey that she gets money.” My daughter is a little more detailed in her prayers, but they are learning to pray and to do it outloud in front of other people.

So how do we help High School students learn to pray? Here are a couple small steps:

• Model it, but don’t make your prayers all glorious and majestic. Keep the prayers simple and achievable.
• Ask students who are comfortable to pray publically to do so.
• Ask students (probably in small groups) who they would like to pray for and have them pray simple prayers just like my kids do.
• Take opportunity to teach through the Lord’s Prayer
• Do a concert of prayer where the students are able to pray in an interactive way that is less intimidating.