48 hours and a few insightful comments later, and I'm still chewing on the question. My new conclusion may not be much more profound than my first, but I think it's more accurate. Could it be that the current state of healthy junior high ministry and the future state of junior high ministry really look pretty much the same? I've always said that junior high ministry is simple:
JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT + CARING ADULT = GOOD STUFF
That formula has worked for the past twenty years or so and I can't see it changing anytime soon. Sure, the caring adult may be ministering in the context of big programs, small groups, missions trips, ministry teams etc; all of which will morph and change with the times, but the need for a young teen to have a caring adult loving them unconditionally and pointing them towards the Father will always be the foundation of a good ministry to young teens.
Parenthetical note: Of course judging by the picture above, our ministry could benefit from a bit more cultural diversity!
4 comments:
I totally agree with that. I have seen it with my own former youth group kids and see how my relationship with "my" current Jr. Highers (well...the new batch that have moved up I have been with since they were 3rd graders) is playing out into one that will mean 1:1 discipleship and care. heck, one of the 6th graders calls me her 2nd best friend! Can't get much better than that.
"Parenthetical note: Of course judging by the picture above, our ministry could benefit from a bit more cultural diversity!"
Ruh roh. Did you hear me griping about that recently?
That's a funny bit of code.
That was me leaving that comment above.
To many red heads?????
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