Youth Ministry
Developing Your
Youth Group By Bob Myers
G
rowing up with a father who was a carpenter taught my brothers and me some important lessons. We used to marvel at the care he demonstrated in his handling of tools and how each tool was used for its designed purpose. (He was not a guy who would use a fine chisel for a screwdriver or as a pry bar to open up a can of stain.) We admired the solidly crafted cabinets, staircases, and homes that resulted from his work. Over time, Dad’s tools were passed down to his sons. In the church we have been given tools, too, and we likewise want to become seasoned in their use as we interact with our younger brothers and sisters in Christ. We try to figure out how best to pass down the faith once delivered.
H I G H E R T H I N G S __ 20
My experience is with a small church, with a relatively small pool of young people, but hopefully some of these thoughts will be of use and serve to encourage those who would like to start a youth group. Not all of the youth here are “cradle Lutherans.” Some are new to the Lutheran faith and are in the process of catechesis. And yet all of them, just like the pastor, the vicar, and the youth leader volunteers have the same needs: forgiveness, life, and salvation. All face the same enemies: the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh. So we don’t treat the youth necessarily as some special needs group—they are our
brothers and sisters in Christ, brought into the church in God’s way of doing things, called by the Holy Spirit, washed in the waters of Holy Baptism, strengthened by His Gifts, absolved by His Word of forgiveness. They are younger in the faith and so rely on adult leadership to listen to them, to guide them and to show them the way. Our leaders are the pastor, a vicar (when assigned), and volunteer lay leaders. The training of a pastor and vicar is pretty much a given, and we rejoice in the men that the seminaries prepare, but it is important that lay volunteers spend time in their own theological education as well. Guided and taught by the pastor, lay
