[UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 344-Commentary: Strong youth ministry aids 'the call'

[NewsDesk]

Commentary: Strong youth ministry aids 'the call' 

Aug. 15, 2008     

NOTE: A photograph is available at  http://umns.umc.org. 

A UMNS Commentary 
By Bishop Robert Schnase* 

Driving down the interstate the other day, I pulled into a roadside rest
stop. As I stepped from my car, a long bus pulled up with a sign that
ran nearly the length of the vehicle. It identified the group as a
United Methodist church from North Carolina. A herd of youth poured out
and headed for the restrooms as exhausted, sunburned sponsors joked and
bantered with the young people. They were returning from a mission trip
and still had many miles ahead of them. 

I'm always deeply gratified to see the commitment, hard work and love
that so many adult sponsors pour into the lives of young people to teach
them the faith and model how to serve, pray, give and treat one another
in the name of Jesus Christ. Sponsors and youth pastors like those I saw
on the road that day helped form me and shape me. Without them, I might
not now be a Christian, and certainly would never have discerned God's
call to the ministry.

A direct connection lies between strong local congregational youth
ministries and the call to ministry. Obviously, there are tons of other
benefits that result from strong youth ministries-lives changed, faith
taught, young people supported through hard times, ethical shaping,
community bonding in Christ, etc. Still, if your church wants to impact
the number and quality of future pastoral leadership, begin by having an
effective youth ministry, even if it's small.

Recently, our Board of Ordained Ministry and Cabinet studied the
ministry supply patterns for the Missouri Annual (regional) Conference.
We analyzed who is coming into ministry, by what channels and means,
into what status and order, at what age and for how long, of what gender
and ethnicity, and how they leave (transfer, withdraw, retire or die).
We learned much about the "streams" that flow into the river of
pastors-elders, deacons, local pastors, associate members and lay
ministers-who serve our conference. It was fascinating. There were some
hopeful signs, like the increasing number of younger pastors entering
ministry, and some cause for concern, like the huge number of pastors
eligible to retire in the next few years.  

As we talked about the streams that feed ministry and the channels by
which people discern the call, what do you suppose is the greatest
source and setting for people exploring the call at an early age?
Camping? Campus ministries? Parental influence? Conference youth
weekends? Mission experiences? While all are important, we identified
two major predictors of young people entering the ministry. The greatest
predictor is participation during the high school years in a
high-quality youth ministry in a local congregation. The second is
having a pastor/mentor during the high school years who encourages,
supports and interprets the call for the young person. Being part of an
active, positive youth ministry likely involves mission experiences,
camping, conference youth programs and may lead to campus ministries.
But the most significant common element is the local congregation's
youth ministry.

Want to assure that your church has positive, high-quality, committed,
effective clergy leadership during the years to come? The first and best
thing your church can do is have a great youth program-a ministry that
teaches young people how to worship and pray, grow in faith and feel
comfortable with Scripture, serve others and make a positive difference
in the lives of people, and give generously. A positive youth ministry
and an encouraging pastoral mentor make all the difference. 

As I got back in the car at the roadside rest stop, I wondered about all
those youth. Some will return from this summer mission trip and move on
to their next adventure with little gained or nothing learned. Some are
being formed by the spirit of God through this experience into people of
faith who will lead our churches as laypeople, community leaders,
service professionals and people of integrity and prayer.  For a few,
this summer may mark a turning point in their lives, a moment graced by
the spirit of God for special change and growth. And for a very few,
this summer may be the season when God tugs on their hearts toward the
high calling of full-time Christian ministry. 

How is your youth ministry doing? How are you doing at preparing the
soil for the seeds of the spirit to raise up a new generation of
Christian leaders?

*Schnase is resident bishop of the Missouri Area of The United Methodist
Church. His blog can be found at www.FivePractices.org. This commentary
was adapted from an article in "Leading ideas," the online newsletter of
the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, available free at
www.churchleadership.com. 

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk at umcom.org. 

******************** 

United Methodist News Service 
Photos and stories also available at: 
http://umns.umc.org 




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