At the youth ministry course tonight we looked at purpose driven youth ministry: knowing why you’re involved is as important as doing it. We must have a passion for what we’re doing that is evident to all around. As suggested by Aristotle, youth ministry is about a phronesis category of knowledge involving discernment and practical wisdom in whatever situation we find ourselves. Following an Action-Reflection model, shaping experience through discoveries, and taking time to reflect and learn.
By sending His son Christ to dwell among us, He found a way to talk and communicate with us in a manner that made sense: JOHN 1 V.14 “the Word became flesh”. Christ accommodated himself to the culture and language and culture, using metaphors they could relate to, and meeting with them in their situation, addressing them with compassion and genuine concern. He comforted the disturbed, and disturbed the comforted, tuning outcasts into icons. Youth ministry is Educational, Evangelistic, and Pastoral, with the most important resource being ourselves: be empowered by God. As youth pastors, we need to be accountable to ourselves, and the ministry we are called to work in.

The minister this morning at our harvest service, Rev. Hyndman, spoke on Ezekiel 22 vs. 23-31, outlining how the harvest of souls was of more importance to God than the physical harvest of crop we celebrate. The passage examines the terrible state of spiritual depravity that the people of Israel had gotten themselves into, where they didn’t care, wouldn’t share and they didn’t dare. Society today faces a similar crisis point, and Gods call to the people of Israel has relevance to his people today. God states he is looking for v.30: “a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I will not have to destroy it.”. And sadly He states conclusively “but I found none”. Today God is looking for Christians who will stand up for Him in places of great need, people who will fill the Gap. And to fill or bridge “The Gap” you have to be in touch with both cultures, applying the truths of Gods word to the situation you have been placed to minister.

We have to realize the mess we are in, in our sin dead lives before we can truly appreciate Gods gift of grace, and Christs gift of salvation, and as a result allow God to craft and mould our lives into the perfect character of Christ. If we don’t see the need for Christ in our lives, then He will never become Saviour of our lives, and the central focus of our very being. While we are caught up in ourselves, and don’t see our need for Christ because we are so “well off”, or so we think, then really what place is there for Christ in our lives?

Life’s a fragile thing, and as quickly as we come into this world, so we leave it also. And none of us knows when that moment will be, and its totally out of our control, nothing we can do will alter that. I guess that’s why so many people fear death, its something they cannot control. And in our self-obsessed, control freak society today, the thought of not being in control of our destiny is a sobering thought for many people. But as Christians, where we have the assurance of Gods plan for our earthly lives, and when our time here on earth is done a perfect life awaiting us in heaven, are we living our earthly lives as such. Are we living it up for Jesus here and now, grasping every opportunity to share our faith with a passion, telling others of the faith that means so much to us. Are we making an impact on this world we are living in while we dwell here, living daily for Him, or are we caught up in ourselves, letting this life we have slip away, merely existing? Are we lacking that passion for our Lord that was so evident in the life of Christ, our role model in this life? Some things seriously worth thinking about.

Where do we stand at present in our relationship with God? Our relationships best show the inner state of our soul. If we are fully aware of Christ’s agape love for us offered unconditionally, then nothing he can ever ask of us or place in our way can break our relationship with Him. If we set about restoring our relationship with our Lord and Savior, then our character will be truly reflective of Christ, and this can only be achieved by spending time with Him, and allowing him to mould and change us from the inside out. Then the Word will truly become flesh as we bear a daily witness, and reflect Christ’s character to all who we meet on a daily basis.