The Importance of Holistic Youth Ministry
This semester, I took a course taught by Dr. Virginia Ward on "Holistic and Compassionate Youth Ministry" at Gordon-Conwell. The class opened my eyes to what youth ministry could look like within the overall scheme of church ministry and challenged me to view ministry holistically.
Let's first define the terms holistic and compassionate. A holistic approach in church ministry addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical, and social needs of individuals and communities, recognizing that all aspects of life are interconnected and essential for overall well-being. A compassionate approach in church ministry involves showing individuals deep empathy, care, and kindness, meeting their needs with love and understanding, and providing support in times of struggle and joy.
10 Steps of Youth Ministry
Professor Dean Borgman, who has devoted his life to youth ministry in and out of the urban context, proposes this 10-step outline for a holistic youth ministry within your church.
Building support
Research
Networking
Contact Work/Discipleship
Activities
Counseling
Sharing the Gospel
Nurturing Young Faith
Mission Trips
Managing a growing program
Professor Borgman highlights that most churches tend to shove youth ministry into steps 5, 7, and 8. We can’t have effective youth ministry focusing only on activities and disregarding key factors such as counseling or discipleship! These ten steps work together to create a ministry that focuses on the student's spiritual health and their mental and emotional health.
Building support is essential when establishing any kind of ministry. There must be a united vision for the ministry and full support from the head pastor to the members. This could be financial support, a member opening up their home for events, or support in prayer.
Next, we research existing resources and materials relevant to the youth ministry. Organize the resources into categories such as Bible study curriculum, cultural enrichment activities, leadership development materials, and outreach.
Networking with other local churches is very beneficial for students and youth leaders. Joining other youth groups for events and services can help students build Christian friendships outside their local church, strengthening their social and cultural awareness.
Focusing on Step 4: Contact Work/Discipleship is key to holistic youth ministry! As leaders, we might assume this simply means to mentor a student, but it goes much deeper than that. In a family ministry context, discipleship involves building intentional relationships and providing mentorship and support to parents and students. One-on-one mentoring, small group discipleship, and relevant discipleship materials address the specific challenges and questions families face. By walking alongside families in their faith journey, we help them develop a deeper understanding of their identity in Christ and empower them to live out their faith with confidence and purpose.
Activities are everyone's favorite part of youth ministry, but we often host activities that lack depth. This step is meant for students to gather and find community with one another. This can be in the form of a retreat, beach day, or even a sleepover, but without following the steps, we are left with fun events that happen to mention Jesus when He should be the focus.
Through Counseling, we will assess the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of youth through conversations and observations. We identify common issues or challenges that may require counseling support, such as family conflicts, peer pressure, mental health concerns, or spiritual questions. By equipping leaders with basic counseling skills such as active listening, empathy, confidentiality, and referral processes, students can be assured they are safe with their leaders.
Evangelism without a relationship is hard. As leaders, we must emphasize the importance of relational evangelism and challenge students to build authentic connections with their peers. But for them to share the Gospel, they must first understand the Gospel. By facilitating small group discussions and role-playing activities during youth group, students can practice sharing their faith with their peers in a comfortable and supportive environment. This will equip them with practical tips and conversation starters for initiating spiritual conversations and sharing their personal faith journey.
Nurturing students' faith at a young age is very important because it will be what shapes their spiritual life. Form small discipleship groups based on age, interests, or spiritual maturity among the youth. Assign trained mentors or leaders to facilitate each group and guide discussions on topics such as Bible study, prayer, and Christian living. Provide resources and practical tools for cultivating spiritual disciplines, discerning God's will, and navigating life's challenges with faith and resilience. Consider pairing youth with mature Christian mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability in their spiritual journey.
Mission trips are an amazing way to train students to be leaders while also serving an under-resourced people group. When selecting destinations, consider factors such as local needs, cultural context, safety considerations, and logistical feasibility. Organize pre-trip training sessions for mission trip participants to prepare them spiritually, culturally, and practically for the experience.
And finally, managing a growing ministry is a blessing that requires faithful stewardship. At this stage, leaders are encouraged to circle back to step one and reflect. Has the vision been nurtured and developed? Is there clear growth in the spiritual lives of students? Has Jesus been the center of our ministry? There might be no’s to some of these questions, but there is grace! Following these steps will help leaders take steps in the right direction.
At the core of youth ministry lies the recognition of these young individuals as members of God's kingdom. I am always drawn to 1 Timothy 4:12-14 when thinking about youth ministry:
“12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”
As leaders, we must remind our students of this truth and encourage them to utilize their gifts in all contexts. Youth ministry is a heavy burden, but all God requires is our faithfulness.
To learn more, the following books are great resources:
Foundations for Youth Ministry: Theological Engagement with Teen Life and Culture by Dean Borgman
City Lights Ministry Essentials for Reaching Urban Youth by Scott Larson & Karen Free
Elizabeth Gezehagn is currently pursuing a Masters in Christian Ministries at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She serves in youth ministry at her local church and loves seeing the next generation on fire for Jesus. She serves part-time as the BCNE’s Youth Assistant.