Have you ever noticed that the majority of people describe the weekly youth pastor’s presentation as being a “lesson” or “talk” to the students? Often even the Youth Pastor is reluctant to call his presentation a “sermon” or “preaching”. People tend to see a big difference between what the lead pastor does on Sunday morning and the youth pastor does on Wednesday night. The question is, “Are they different?” The problem is that you can’t go chapter and verse to find a description of what a Youth Director is to do. However, you can go chapter and verse to see what a Pastor is to be. There is no description of a “director” in the early church age that organized pizza parties for the youth. But, there are plenty of descriptions of pastors who shepherd their flocks of people, and that is what we are! We are spiritual shepherds of teenagers. The most important flock that teenagers can belong to is a believing family. The second most important flock is the church as a whole. Then, I would say that the flock of the church youth ministry comes third. We must see our shepherding responsibility in light of the bigger picture. We are in a sense under-shepherds to parents and senior pastors.
If we are shepherds of teenagers, then all the verses pertaining to pastors pertain to us. We, as youth pastors, love to preach 1 Timothy 4:12 -16 to our youth because of the “Let no one despise your youth” phrase. However, Paul is not writing to teenagers, he is writing to a young pastor.
1 Timothy 4: "11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul’s words here relate much more to youth pastors than teenagers. What is the theme in those verses? First, we are to set an example in “speech, conduct, in love, in faith, in purity”. Second, we are to devote ourselves to the public reading of scripture. We are to use the scripture to “exhort” and to “teach”. It also says we are to “guard the teaching”. As youth pastors, we are called to place the word at the center of who we are, and what we say to the youth. Though a youth sermon may look different than a Sunday morning all age inclusive sermon, it must not be any less dependant on the word of God. Apart from the word of God, we have absolutely nothing to say that carries any power. If we are just giving “talks” or “lessons”, we need to sit down and be quite. However, if we stand and proclaim the words of God, then we will save both ourselves and our hearers.
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4 comments:
What a great post. Every youth "director" needs to read this, but more importantly every pastor needs to read it because pastors are the ones who guide and lend advice when hiring the youth director's position. We need more youth guys preaching to our students, giving them a love for the God of the Bible. I think you should continue to think further on this subject, Adam, and maybe put together a pamphlet on the role of the youth minister.
I have a question for those of you who have opportunities to speak to youth as well as a wider audience. In what ways might your sermon for Sunday morning for an all inclusive audience be different than a youth sermon on Wednesday night?
In response to Adam's question of how the Sunday sermon should differ from the youth sermon... I think one of the obvious ways is in specific, practical, application. The preacher who addresses both groups (much like a missionary) must carefully think about the "world" in which his audience lives.
For instance, a 7th grader probably won't apply a message on honesty by thinking through his business ethics. Instead, he is probably dealing with cheating on tests, etc.
The beauty of this situation, however, is that both audiences deal with the same truth, just in different arenas.
I agree with scott in the fact that while the bibilcal truths should always be the forefront of every message.... when protraying this message to young people it must sometimes come in a differnet package. It must meet them where they are.... in their culture... just as missioniaries do. (also in scott's thoughts) I think that where most churches fail in this area is that alot of them don't see the youth of their church in this way. They see a group of kids that need to be harnessed and entertained. It is not our job as a youth pastor or pastor to do the actual binding..... but it is our job to saturate them with the word of God.... knowing that His word will not return to Him void. I have found this to be very challenging in my short time in the ministry..... and the reason is that at my age right now... the world has in a sense slowed down a bit.... but it is the complete opposite to them.... every day they are hit with a new temptation... a new challenge that they have had yet to face... thus their lives are at such a different place than mine, making it much harder for youth pastors to find their needs and ministering to them. - Great thought adam.... i always enjoy when someone puts thoughts i have had into words. thanks again.
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