Sadly, many churches do youth ministry because they feel like they should, not because they are passionate about it. They push people who have no love for teenagers into leading their youth ministry. Which causes them to have floundering, poorly attended youth ministries that are not sustainable. Things go alright for a couple of years and then it eventually comes to a screeching halt and no one understands why.
They think we just need another pizza party. Kids don't need more pizza parties. They need the gospel, lived out in a community of people who love them, are invested in them and who truly care about them. They need adults who are willing to pour into them, disciple them and point them to Jesus Christ.
If you're not passionate about it, then please don't do it. If you're not truly invested in these teenagers, they know that. They're a lot smarter than we think.
It saddens my heart when we do youth ministry the wrong way. These teenagers deserve our best, unto the glory of God.
Although, I admit we don't do it perfectly we do love young people at Collide Youth Group and are committed to loving on them for the glory of God. Our greatest desire is that they would experience Jesus Christ within our midst and be forever changed by His love.
