Abingdon Youth

By Mike Ratliff

Youth ministry is about being with youth, right? Although some youth leaders would say yes, this job description isn’t entirely accurate. Leading youth is as much about building relationships with other church members as it is about building relationships with teens.

Why should you reach out to more people when your job is arguably the most time-intensive ministry in the church? While building more relationships will consume more of your time, it will open the door to new ways of ministering to youth.

Here are a few reasons you should be involved with a broad spectrum of people from your congregation:

You’ll benefit from learning and growing in your faith with adults. Always being on the giving end as a youth leader will drain you. Balancing your life by associating with adults can replenish, challenge, and create growth in you. All of those effects will benefit your ministry to youth.

You’ll help establish a support base for your ministry. Adults of all ages want to support those with whom they have significant relationships. You’ll have people to turn to when needs arise.

You’ll create advocacy for youth and youth ministry throughout the congregation. The people with whom you have relationships will naturally begin to consider the needs of youth as they carry out their leadership roles. Who doesn’t want a church administrative staff that takes seriously the needs of your ministry? Such advocacy can significantly reduce your stress level.

You’ll integrate your ministry into the church’s larger ministry. Your relationships will help connect youth with adults throughout the congregation. Therefore, you’ll no longer be solely responsible for nurturing the spiritual growth of youth in your church but will share that duty with many.

You’ll find new youth workers. Some people in your church may not know they are called to youth ministry. The more you know about them, the more you can help them discover God’s calling.

You’ll create a strong youth program that will continue after you leave. Because others will have come to care about your ministry, they’ll have a stake in sustaining something meaningful for your youth.

Adding this dimension to your ministry does take time. But it also gets more people involved in the lives of youth and creates support for your personal and professional needs.

How can you make this possibility a reality?

· Make yourself available to all adults in your church. Even your presence in the gathering areas on Sunday morning can help you become involved with churchgoers. Become the best greeter in your congregation, not just with youth and their parents but also with everyone.

· Provide leadership in other areas of the church. Teach adult Sunday school classes. Lead worship services. Give voice to your thoughts and ideas throughout the church. Those church meetings we would rather skip are actually great opportunities to establish relationships.

· Be yourself. We all know people who offer “glad hands” to get what they want or need. This lack of sincerity shows through every time. So it’s better to build relationships with others by being genuine and caring. Those people will show the same attitude toward you.

Getting out of the basement (or wherever your youth meet) may take some effort. It may even seem like just one more thing for you to do. I still suggest you try it—you’ll find new fulfillment, new friends, and new leaders.

Mike Ratliff is the Associate General Secretary of Young People's Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. Mike has over 30 years of experience in youth ministry and most recently served St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Littleton, Colorado. He is the author of the books Sacred Bridges and Sacred Challenge.

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