I am sorry for the lack of blog posting, in my opinion there has not been a significant need to post anything that has been going on in youth ministry...
UNTILL NOW.
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| PASSION! EXCITEMENT! Allllright, calm down. |
SO.
The youth pastor and I are finally doing a Youth Ministry Session in our church to bring awareness to how important youth ministry is, and what positions we still need filled in youth group.
Both the youth pastor and I know that most of our youth leaders will be leaving us by April (they are in college and that's when their classes are done, so more than likely they will be heading home or wherever to work for the summer). THUS, we are having this Youth Ministry session to find leaders before the departure of our college volunteers, and to finally have volunteers that are already attending/invested in the church to begin with.
Why is this an important thing, you may ask?
Aside from finding volunteers within the church being a more stable investment practically, its something that people within the church should be doing to begin with.
"What are you talking about Holmes?"
I'm talking about people contributing their gifts and abilities to the Church and not just sitting in on a Sunday service and occasionally throwing money in the offering plate.
Ooooohh, did I struck a nerve? Seriously, this really should not come as surprise. After all, Paul only talks about people who say they are believers of Christ and part of the Church SHOULD BE DOING STUFF.
1 Corinthians 12:12, 27-31
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church, first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, them miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, or guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
(I KNOW that 1 Cor. 12 is really dealing with Jews and Gentiles within the church and understanding how the gifts of the Holy Spirit function in the proper setting; but I THINK [personal opinion] that this chapter can also be applied in a setting where people are uncertain where and how one can offer their gifts in ministry within the church) However, I'm NOT saying everyone in church should jump into youth ministry. Something like that would be catastrophic and cause many other ministries within churches much distress and frustration.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Really, there is no excuse for merely attending the church service, putting some money in the offering plate/bag (if you even do that) and head out on your merry way thinking you've done the christian thing. No. Paul would verbally slap you for thinking such a thing.
If anything, I hope what I am saying to my fellow Christians is encouraging, even if it is a bit harsh. This means that, if you are a believer and follower of Christ, then you have a PLACE WITHIN THE CHURCH. You are not just some attendee at a function, YOU ARE NEEDED, YOU HAVE GIFTS AND SERVICE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED YOU WITH TO ENCOURAGE AND EDIFY FELLOW BELIEVERS.
Okay, rant over.
I need something from you, dear reader. Your prayers.
Pray for this Youth Ministry Session would bring out the right people within the church of Hillcrest so that youth ministry would be done right by the guidance of God.
Pray for Youth Ministry within churches everywhere. That sleepy and apathetic believers would wake up and realize they need to contribute more than their money and attendance to church services. Pray for the Church (as a whole) that we would realize we are not just a socially constructed institution, but a witness to the world and a servant of one another - each possessing a gift and service, through the Holy Spirit, that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with to encourage and edify one another as we wait for the return of Christ.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we need to be discipling one another, youth especially, to be followers of Christ. It takes time, dedication, and godly character to disciple a generation. Let's do this with the strength and guidance of Christ.
~To God be the glory
ps., I will be sure to post about how the Youth Min Session goes.
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