the    sides

If you are a student pastor or work with youth - you must go now and read Greg Fess’s work on this article. It’s about youth ministry in the next 50 years.

Here’s what he says that just sums it all up for me:

Sure - there will be ministries on hype, built upon Jesus Junk and marketing gimmicks. But what you win them with is what you win them to. For the future of Youth Ministry - we need to rethink, rechange, transform youth ministry to actually authentic community of the Church being The Church.

What you win them with is what you win them to…

There is no better way to say that. One of the harshest critiques I ever gave to another youth worker was the phrase - “You get in what you put out.” He was talking about the lack of leaders, the lack of service. All his students ever wanted to do (and his parents) were go on trips and retreats and activities.

I asked him for one his calendars. Went through every month. No mission trip planned. No small group ministry to deepen and challenge students. Lots of lock-ins and retreats. Great worship event every week complete with lights, smoke, and pizza.

That’s when my phrase came out - you get in what you put out. I’m stealing Greg’s phrase from now on.

What you win them with is what you win them to. No matter what happens over the next 50 years, that won’t change.