This evening I tried to set before the gathered families a Biblical analysis of youth ministry.
I grew up along with the culture of youth ministry—read all the books, tried all the methods. But I came to realize that the rise of programmatic, age-segregated youth ministry in the mid-twentieth century was actually a new invention in the history of the church. For the first time in history, trained youth ministers have been recruited in order to put the young people of the church in the hands of so-called experts. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, churches are shelling out millions of dollars on programs, buildings, and entertainment for youth. The focus of these churches has been shifted from evangelism to entertainment under the name of evangelism and church leaders are setting aside the commands of God for church and family life in order to grow the church.
This philosophy and practice of comprehensive, age-segregated, programmatic youth ministry is indisputably unbiblical in pattern. There is no evidence that this practice ever did or should exist among the people of God. It is even contrary to the ministry patterns of Christ. As one brother recently pointed out to me, modern youth ministry can be destroyed by just one verse of the Bible, Proverbs 13:20: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Modern youth ministry is also inherently destructive in its impact. It divides the church by creating generational division and multiple cultures instead of a unified “body.”
By rejecting youth groups, we are not rejecting ministry to youth. On the contrary, we wholeheartedly embrace and promote generous investments in teaching Scripture to the youth of the church. But we must do it in God’s way! What are His commands and patterns? Every Christian is charged with making disciples of all nations including their youth.
God-honoring marriage is the most important means of youth ministry. When husbands love their wives, the children get a picture of what Christ does for His bride. Fathers ought to teach their children the law. Proverbs in particular, because it contains the wise instruction of a father to his son, should always be included in ministry to youth.
I hope that we are now at the end of this 50-year failed experiment. We now have almost three generations of children who had no father who walked beside them but a youth group instead. It is obvious that half a decade of youth group does not produce young people who are passionate about the church.
Youth ministry is a weed that gained root in the church and has grown for a long time, wrapping its roots around almost every area.
What should our response be to this 50-year-old weed? It is time to root out and replant. In the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “…I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” We must root up the weed, pull down the house of inventions and replace it with God’s beautiful plan for youth ministry. Will you join with me in putting your hand to this task?
There is one reason for this action and one reason alone—it is not ordained of God.
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