“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10, NIV
The vision NHCBC Catalyst youth leadership is casting is one where youth participating in our program are empowered to lead like Jesus. But what does this really mean and what could it look like for our NHCBC congregation? The hope is that students gain a better understanding of who Jesus is and how he conducted his ministry which first and foremost involves relationship building. Wait, hang on – doesn’t that mean education and theology? Actually, before we can ever make progress in teaching teens we have to connect with them. That means getting to know their likes and dislikes, their quirks and tribulations, where they do life, and who they do life with. If you do not lay down this foundation of investment, teens will not see that you care about them and isn’t that what Jesus’ ministry was all about? Jesus cares deeply for each and every one of us, he heals us and has compassion on us, he celebrates and spends time with us. If we do not do the same with our youth ministry then how will students know who Jesus is and that they are a valued part of this world and our congregation? When teens understand they are loved and valued they will want others to know the same and this is where leadership is born.
It is important for us all to understand what our youth ministry is working to accomplish. Our weekly youth group time is intentionally built to allow teens to connect, participate in faith formation, and follow Jesus’ call to uplift the underserved in our communities. It is not game night, random events, and menial labor. Each meeting time is carefully planned in advance with a great deal of thought, time, and creativity to make space for God to weave through our gatherings. What you may see on any given Sunday is planned months in advance, working with the existing church calendar and leader and student schedules. What we are striving to build with our Catalyst Youth program is a community of acceptance, bravery, trust, and one where students know their leaders will stand by them no matter what storms blow their way. When youth meeting spaces and times are not acknowledged as crucial to youth faith formation, the church connection is eroded. NHCBC, it is time for us all to participate in the stewardship of our youth.
Share your skills and wisdom with our youth by joining us for a meeting to demonstrate a skill or share your testimony or wisdom. Transport teens to and from events or be a chaperone. Make a tasty homemade snack for one of our youth nights or events. Assist with a fundraising event. Become a youth mentor and take them out once or twice a month so they know other adults in our congregation care for their well being and spiritual development. Ask a youth after church how their week was. Create a hobby group. Discern where God is calling you to get involved with any one of these suggestions or one of your own. It is our responsibility as a congregation to create an inclusive space where our youth desire to come back to time and again because they are seen and heard. Stop by the table at the back of the sanctuary and add your name to become a valued steward of our youth – there is no better invitation than to walk alongside those who are growing to lead like Jesus.
Blessings,
Christine O’Neil, Director of Youth Ministries