“We’re at war!” declared Phil Arsenault. As an evangelist for the Boston Church of Christ who has served and led the teen ministry for over twenty years, Phil delivered the opening salvo lesson for the 2007 International Youth Ministries Conference. These were four action packed days of powerful preaching and hands on workshops that provided not only the sobering youth ministry challenge before the church today but also an inspiring vision for where our youth of today can take God’s kingdom tomorrow. The combination of high winds, low temperature and ominous precipitation that dominated the earlier part of the week was forecasted into the weekend as participants from literally all parts of the world began their arrival into the historic city of Boston, MA. Needless to say, God has a way of showing us all that He alone gives the “true” forecast as He rolled out a series of “picture perfect” spring days just in time for the conference entitled, “The House on the Rock. As alluded to in the spiritual parable, the storms of life are going to hit and depending upon the foundation of the structure, the outcome will be devastation and destruction or a monument to strength and wisdom. Such is the challenge for all of us who are concerned with the future of our teenagers, pre-teens and youths of today. Melody and I are inexpressibly grateful for the opportunity we had to return to the city of our spiritual roots for such a life changing and visionary conference. We will attempt to succinctly convey highlights and convictions that we pray will mobilize us as God’s people to rise to what we feel is the greatest opportunity and challenge before the kingdom today.
I. We are at War!
Our youth of today, particularly our teenagers, are facing a spiritual onslaught of challenges via the media and communications, peer pressure, drugs, societal expectations, sexuality – all at a internet generation pace of life. Along with these challenges are the inherent body and biological changes as well as the search with in and with out to define one’s self, both in the crowd and apart from the many. What a phase of life! And that is if it’s a stable home. Did you realize that the revenue in the pornographic industry as a whole exceeds that of all professional sports combined? This same industry specifically targets and markets males from the ages of 12 through 17, having identified them as life long customers once hooked on its goods. Such startling facts and true horror stories were shared in order to bring some sobriety to the challenge we are facing. Yet, these years can be the most exciting times and be the spring board to an incredible life of purpose and meaning…if the right foundation is laid. First, we must accept the fact and believe that we are at war.
II. Spiritual Parenting is the Secret Weapon
One of the advantages that attendance at such a conference is identifying shared challenges. One of the most common is the fallacy that “an awesome youth ministry can baptize my teenager”. Unfortunately, whether actually voiced or expressed in deeds, this can be no farther from the truth as evidenced in scripture above:
“…when you sit at home…when you walk along the road… when you lie down… when you get up."
Who is this “you”? It is us as parents. Where is this “when”? It is during those thousands of opportunities through out childhood that we have to show them the love and discipline of God, to teach out of His word and to share our lives and listen to theirs. As parents, God has given us the inside track for the longest Bible studies we will ever be involved. As parents we must have the deepest conviction like Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”. Every one else and every other ministry may be a resource, but the sole responsibility for our children’s spirituality rests with us as parents. Far too often we as parents can place this responsibility on our youth ministry workers who cannot and should not fulfill this role. As one father at the conference described this at the turning point for his conviction, “I went from being a ‘drop-off’ Dad to a ‘drop-everything’ Dad”. Isn’t this the heart of God? Would God expect anything less from us?
III. The Victory is in Family
During the conference there were many thought provoking challenges posed to question the “norm” of our churches today. We necessarily have structures in place for our worship services, church organization and administration. These structures facilitate healthy operations that support the spiritual community. Yet at times the norms of our church structure can present a challenge to new areas of potential growth. Although we have different ministries to meet the particular needs of the demographics of the congregation (i.e. singles, teens, pre-teens, young marrieds, married with kids, etc…) we can develop a degree of insulation between these ministries and the building of congregational family. Sometimes it is hard for us to break through the commonality of schedule and lifestyle of these ministries to reach out and be involved in the other parts of the family. Yet, this is one of the greatest strengths we have in the church. Paul talks about this powerful spiritual chemistry in 1 Corinthians 12 when he uses the analogy of the human body and the church. We are all part of one another and bring very special and very different “gifts” to the family. Singles and campus provide a wonderful role model for our teens and pre-teens, and they also have profound impact on our younger children when they serve in children’s ministry. Even during this time once a week over a six month period fosters relationships that spiritually influence these “little” lives. How much more can this potential be tapped outside of the context of Sunday services! Single mothers having dinners with young marrieds…singles helping out with teen car washes or other teen events…the possibilities are inspiring. We’ve heard this old adage a thousand times, but it is no less true in its wisdom: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Lastly, there was a focus on the importance of the “Big Three” in youth ministry – that is the full time ministry staff, the youth ministry workers and the parents. The quality of these relationships cannot be overstated, for it directly translates into the quality of our youth ministry. Unity, mutual respect, mutual appreciation and even adoration are critical elements of the relationship that must be forged through love, grace and healthy communications. The “Big Three” must continually find ways to take this relationship higher and deeper. I believe we are very fortunate and blessed to have full time staff chock-a-block with heart, faith and talent – as well as just being “cool” (“Can I still say that?”). Those “most awesome” brothers and sisters who serve in our youth ministry, particularly the Teen and Junior High School ministries are owed a debt which cannot be paid in this lifetime. You have invested your hearts, time and energies into our kids, and we as parents cannot thank you enough. Yet, there are not enough. We need so many more of us to find it in our hearts to serve in the youth ministry and seize the opportunity to mentor and serve the future spiritual leaders of tomorrow. The foundation is being built upon every day for the generation who will continue the mission of Jesus until He returns. Let none of us miss our individual calling to fulfill whatever role we can to ensure that the foundation is built on the Rock!
- Walt Channel
Melody, Phil and Walt at Boston Church Sunday service after IYMC
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” - - Deut 6:6-7