Convictions

By Doug Franklin May 31, 2012

I believe that it’s very important for leaders to have convictions, especially when talking about their ministries. Too often we lead from a title not from commitment of heart. People want to follow leaders who have deep convictions. When followers know our convictions and what we stand for they can invite friends to join our ministries because they know what they are inviting people into. Convictions are powerful. Think of a leader you have followed, what was their level of conviction and how did that level affect the results in the ministry?

I want to challenge you to write out your youth ministry convictions. What do you believe about youth ministry? This are my convictions, let me know what you think.

My convictions about youth ministry:

1. Youth ministry is the ministry of students to their world
Church paradigms must change. Churches with ministries to students must transform and become student led ministries to their world.

2. Youth workers are leaders
God has called us to youth ministry and placed us in his church. He has also given us everything we need to finish his mission in that church. I believe each youth worker can have confidence that God is by his or her side. With that confidence we should lead students, adult volunteers, parents and church leaders in the completion of God’s work.

3. Adult volunteers are key to youth ministry
The size of a youth ministry is determined by the number of adults who are in significant spiritual relationships with students. Butts in seats don’t matter, relationships do. I believe we must spend significant amounts of time and resources equipping and training our adult volunteers.

4. Parents are the primary faith influencers in students’ lives
I believe parents are to take the lead role in the students’ spiritual growth. The youth worker is to come along side the parents to help them and provide resources to assist them in students’ growth. If students don’t have parents who are Christ followers (Or parents who don’t care) then the youth worker takes the lead.

5. Students can lead now
If we continue to treat students like participants they will continue to leave the church after high school and not return. If we allow them to lead they will become owners and will see how their giftedness benefits the body and brings joy to their lives. Students are not the future; they can lead now.