Youth work is easy at times, but other times it’s like driving a Flintstone’s car uphill, in the ice. It is easy to be a youth minister to kids that are consistent in their attendance of Bible classes and devotionals. We have the parent(s) to thank for that. The hard times come when the kids don’t see the Church as a priority, or have so many other things going on that we think they don’t prioritize their faith. However, the young people play a role in the evangelistic effort of the Lord’s church. As more mature Christians, we should acknowledge that fact, and aid them in their desire; and yes, there is a desire there. Our jobs are to help them see that desire (Prov. 22:6, Mat. 28:18-20, 1 Tim. 4:10-12).
As adults, we encounter people every day. We see them at work, on our lunch break, at your kids’ activities, and even sitting in the pews you frequent…who are not members of the Lord’s church. As kids, they also encounter people every day. They see them at school, at work, their extracurriculars, and even in their own houses…who are not members of the Lord’s church. Matthew 28:19-20 is label as the “Great Commission”. That’s a Christians duty; go make disciples. How are the young people you see around you going to learn that if we don’t take their desire seriously? Now, I will say they may need “mule blinders”, “training wheels”, or a swift kick in the backside to get them to see it, but they cannot paint the picture of growth through evangelism by themselves (Acts 8:31).
In conclusion, my viewpoint of evangelism is that as members of the Lord’s church, we cannot ignore the much more energetic, spry, and able- bodied members who have the same desire as our elders, deacons, and ministers. Every one of them have the desire to grow the number of souls added to the Lord’s church. We have to understand that it takes a village to do so. The kids are kids, and they will be unruly and think it’s not necessary because “I can do it later.” We have to show them that they are the future of the church, yes. They are also the church of the present, so I encourage you to not make them think otherwise; for we have work to do.
Logan Baldwin