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 I attended the Covenant Partners’ Town Meeting on January 18th. I was impressed with the openness with which members of WHC were able to express concerns to the staff and overseers. It was a beautiful example of what it means to live as a community of believers.
One area of discussion that particularly interested me was youth ministry. Being a mother of three, I take a huge interest in what effects the children and youth of today. Obviously since the next generation is the hope of the future Satan would like nothing more than to wage warfare on the ministries that effect our youth. Satan would love to bait young people with hooks that lead to destruction instead of to Christ.
It occurred to me during the meeting that Woodland Hills’ pursuit of racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural reconciliation attracts even more warfare directed at the younger generation. Bridging the wide gamut of attenders that are drawn to WHC from the urban, suburban, and the inner city can present challenges in ministry. Reaching out and meeting needs of such diverse youth can be nothing short of a challenging endeavor.
When I left that meeting I began to wonder how it was that Jesus, especially in the time period when he lived on earth, could reach out and reconcile a wide variety of people that otherwise would never have socialized? How did Jesus fulfill his vision of bridging gaps and modeling love to the people? Jesus successfully brought together Jews and Gentiles, men and women, prostitutes and tax collectors. Not only did he bring them together but they actually lived and walked in love with one another. As I read through the Bible I found the answer to my question. Jesus FIRST demonstrated unconditional love and acceptance before he ever taught it to his followers -- he served them first, meeting people where they were at, before calling them to follow. This gave me a new hope for the diversity that can and must flourish within the church just as it did with Jesus' ministry.
As I thought about the discussion at the town meeting I began to realize that we, the parents of youth, are called to demonstrate Christ's love through our sacrificial actions of serving where help is needed. Parents of youth -- if we want to see an effective youth ministry that reaches out to the hurting world, without excluding our own children in the process, then our kids need EACH OF US to be involved. Parents, we need to be praying for our children, the youth ministries, and staff. Parents, we need to volunteer by assisting in areas for which each is gifted as the Lord leads. Parents, we need to be an encouragement for the leaders and staff because the warfare can weary the soldier. Yes, parents WE are the backbone to an effective youth ministry! We are the soldiers that need to stand up in the front lines and stand firm on behalf of out kids.
If we want to see an effective youth group then we as parents must be encouraging diversity by finding channels that can assist in bringing together rather than driving apart. It could be through holding sporting events, encouraging the performing arts of music, dance, and drama, planning outreach activities, or whatever it will take to emphasize working together for a greater good. WE as parents need to unify and work as a team to bring about hope for the next generation of disciples.
piece by Sheri Rosencrantz
e-mail her at sherirosencrantz@msn.com
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