Part 3: Perceived vs. Real Needs

There are three major constituents you have to ask about what the purpose of any youth ministry is. First you ask the students who are in it, Second you ask the parents, Third you ask the church leadership. More often than not you will get different answers from each group. Students might say fun, friends and great activities. Parents will probably say safety, Jesus and good friends. The church depending on where you are at will have a variety of definitions of a "good" youth ministry all the way from "babysitting" and "keeping the kids occupied" to "drawing in parents." The main similarity in all these ideas though is that most of them are "felt needs".

Probably the best way to look at any youth ministry is exactly what Don thought when he put together this list. Ultimately what we really want to have happen in any youth ministry is to graduate students who love Jesus and are prepared to make the transition to their faith being something that leads/directs their lives during their 20's. We want them to know how to find a church, why it is important and how to make their faith something more than just a pizza party and a camp.

Don hits it on the head though when he says that perceived needs get them in the door. Any good youth ministry is aware of the felt needs of students and parents and works to meet those needs. That's why we offer safe fun activities that students would want o invite their friends too. It's why we have camps, missions projects and Core group. Ultimately though these things are just ways of connecting with students as we hope that they draw closer to Jesus.

Part 1. Parents can either be your best friends or worst enemies.
Part 2. You won't like every kid and every kid won't like you.

Comments

[Don]

The biggest struggle I find, and I think this includes all ministry and not just youth, is how to get people to feel the need for the stuff they really have a need for? How do we get people to agree to engage their faith? How do we get people to engage God? When so often, they're only dealing with their felt needs... Particularly, those of us with kids and busy schedules - how do you convince me that I need to learn my bible or articulate my faith? Or SERVE?!?