Lessons learned in youth ministry

Spring 2020 has had its challenges, and I am reminded of a statement one of my first pastors often used in reference to ministry: "Be flexible and fluid." This philosophy has proven quite helpful to me and my wife Angela as we have ministered to youth over the years, and now it is more important than ever.

What we’ve always done

There is often a temptation to do things in a way that seems familiar to us, or that is most comfortable, especially in ministry. While we should always build our ministry on the foundation of discipleship, the details can and must change.

We have done our best to follow Jesus in His command to make disciples; in doing so, we have sought ways to be most effective.  It is interesting to look back and see how pop culture, as well as our approach to youth ministry, has changed over the years. We have truly been blessed with years of memories, stories, laughter, tears, many late nights and heart-to-heart Gospel conversations. We have seen our methods change as different seasons of students and leaders have grown up with us and moved on.  The generational needs can be different.  We have been grateful for each other and our children and each season of students.  Both our son and daughter have grown from babies to teens and are now college students who willingly serve with us in youth ministry.

If there were some staples that we have always leaned on in youth ministry, they have been Crosswalk, YEC and our fall retreat.  These gatherings would fall into the "this is what we've always done" category.  Circumstances may have changed our plans, but the command remains the same: "Go, and make disciples!" Methods may change, but the goal is always discipleship.

When the choice of “how to” Is gone

 Momentum always helps. If you have ever tried to push a car that has stalled, it's tough in the beginning, but once it starts rolling, it seems to get more comfortable. The vehicle is the same, and the weight is the same, but it’s moving forward. Momentum in sports can be the same way – it motivates players to give that extra effort that can lead the team to victory.

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we lost momentum. It seems that everything that we were moving forward in as a church and as a youth group suddenly came to a halt.  For the first few weeks, the only decisions being made involved cancellations. College students were returning home suddenly with just a few days' notice.  Students of all ages began schooling at home.  Sports came to a screeching halt. There were no awards ceremonies, celebrations, graduations or proms.  We fantasized for a moment about how awesome it would be to continue to do youth ministry the way we always had, only without the distraction of sports practices or extra-curricular activities, but we still would be unable to meet in person.  Our "go-to" "how-to" was gone.

After we got past our frustrations and led our first Wednesday Night Youth Group via Zoom, we were encouraged.  We had our new "how-to." We decided, like many other youth ministries, to go to a 90% virtual youth group and Bible studies using Zoom, and the additional 10% would be the door-to-door prize drop-offs, check-ins and socially distant visits.  We have successfully mastered virtual games and the "Wheel of Winning."

Embracing the mission

We are embracing our new online venue for Crosswalk and the possibilities about what may happen in the future. Yes, discipleship can happen, and we have recognized that it was God putting us in this position!  We have been creative with groupings and what happens in our meetings. The focus has been to meet all students where they are.  The goal is not to impress students with our cool presentations (although we try our best!) but with a message that is still effective even across screens: the message of the Gospel! 

We have found a lot of encouragement in 1 Cor. 9:22: “To the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some.”

This verse has always been the motivation for us to be on mission, but now it is our motivation to continue to minister well. We are grateful for the awesome privilege of serving students in New England and will continue to be “flexible and fluid” as we follow God’s lead!

Rob Morzella serves as pastor to youth and young adults at Friendship Baptist Church in Litchfield, CT.