The Fountain of "Youth"

I remember taking general Bible classes at Kentucky Christian University alongside students preparing for youth ministry. In the classes that focused on specific books of the Bible, ministry, or teaching, there was a common phrase used to refer to a certain type of youth minister. This person was in ministry just for the fun trips, games, and lock-ins—essentially just to be the “fun guy.” He was referred to as “Peter Pan.” He was defined by shallow Bible teaching, lack of preparation, and immaturity. We were taught to be different than “Peter Pan.”

Youth ministry is often reduced to the image of a young guy planning a few events or taking kids on a trip or two. People visualize post-game pizza parties, lock-ins, and attempts to get high schoolers to a flagpole thirty minutes before school starts once a year. They see the youth minister as someone who occasionally fills in for the senior minister when he is out of town. However, youth ministry should play a vital role in a healthy congregation.

My father, Rase, has worked with many churches over the years that have reached what he refers to as “the point of no return.” These churches have become shells of their former selves, reflecting only on when the seats were full. This is church death. In conversations with elders and leaders about the “glory days,” they often try to figure out where things started to decline. Decline usually begins when the church becomes more focused on serving those already in the seats than winning souls to Christ. Many of these leaders ask for steps to return to health. I would argue that one of the most important steps in maintaining church health is actively teaching, training, and building relationships with the next generation of church leaders—the youth. That starts with the youth minister, the youth group volunteers, and the programming offered to younger ages.

As a young parent, I often talk with other parents who are seeking churches specifically for their children’s programming. Many declining churches ask, “What can we do to reach the young people of our area?” The answer may be to focus on children rather than trying to target young adults directly.

Another vital aspect of youth ministry is the parents’ role at home. I have seen instances in ministry where parents blame the youth minister for a child’s lack of growth in their faith. On average, a youth minister spends only a couple of hours a week with a child. Because parents spend considerably more time with their kids, follow-up at home is just as important as the youth minister’s role in a child’s faith development. This is why it is essential to train parents and get them engaged as well. As the saying goes: “The church, at its healthiest, is multi-generational.”

We began by noting that the youth minister is often viewed as a “sidekick” to the senior minister. However, the youth minister plays an equal part in the health of the church, especially while navigating an ever-changing youth culture. He must understand what is “in” and how to capture a child’s attention in a world that is constantly trying to steal it. We also understand how children are so impressionable at a young age and what a vital role a youth minister can play in positively influencing a young person. Some children may go through something an adult sees as minor, but to that child, her world is falling apart. This is just one of the many calls of a youth minister.

A youth minister must also teach kids to study Scripture instead of becoming “AI Theologians.” In other words, some kids rely on AI algorithms such as ChatGPT to determine their views on Christianity. Because ChatGPT combs the entire internet—both good and bad sources—to “learn,” kids expose themselves to good and bad theology as ChatGPT doesn’t know sound doctrine from false doctrine. Without guidance and foundational biblical teaching, more kids may be led astray by AI than any other media source because it feels easy, cool, and fast.

A common refrain these days is that the youth are the future of the church. Considering this reality, I acknowledge that serving as a youth minister is not easy. It is a demanding role, but it is also one of the most important jobs for the future of the church.

Christian Martin is a 2018 and 2021 graduate from Kentucky Christian University and currently works in his home area of Portsmouth, OH, and fills in preaching/teaching in the area.