In two weeks I turn 42 years old. It is not a huge deal, but it has caused me to reflect a little. I am not in some mid-life crisis where I am going to sell all I have and get a new sports car or move to Tahiti. I would like a nice fishing boat, but that is more of a wish.  No, I have been reflecting on what I have been doing with my life. I started in youth ministry when I was 19 years old at a little store front church in South Florida. I had no idea what I was getting my self into, but I have felt called and driven to continue in ministry ever since. Basically I have spent myself in youth ministry in every type of capacity for longer than I have done anything else. It has become more than a calling. It is who I am. In all those years, I made so many mistakes. We were young and stupid when we started out and it is by the grace of God I didn’t kill anyone. I have been a part of ministry in the church, outside the church, stateside, and overseas. I have worked with urban kids, suburban kids, rural kids, and third culture kids. I am not trying to set myself up as some kind of expert, but after 23 years I think I am finally figuring out what effective youth ministry should look like.

We have heard the alarming statistics over the last few years about students leaving youth ministry. There are books and conferences that address the issues. We have more resources available to us than ever before. We have all realized that programs are not the answer and that in current economic times we all have been asked to do more with less. Programs are important to get them in the doors and decent budgets make it a little easier, but what is the outcome we are looking for? I know we say that the goal is to make disciples of teens, which is the correct answer, but what does that look like? Measuring effectiveness in youth ministry has always been a struggle. It is not only about numbers in our programs and classes, but how what we are teaching is translated into a teen’s life as a follower of Christ. I believe after all these years it is all about role reversals.

Think about the process of ministry. As youth pastors and leaders we start out by leading a crowd of students. The students don’t know you and you don’t really know them yet. The students are watching what you do, waiting to see if thing is worth investing in. At some point you start inviting students to not just sit and watch, but to be active participants. Now you are doing ministry with students instead of doing it for or too them. It has become a partnership. Then one day that student begins to lead out on their own. The student is doing the ministry. They are reaching out to their friends, using their gifts, and are actively serving. At this point you and I become part of the crowd that is cheering them on. We become the first part of Hebrews 12:1; “Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” We have reversed the roles and basically have worked ourselves out of a job with that student except to be their biggest cheerleader.

What would happen if we approached every student with this mind set and strategy? We would need to look at each student as one who had all the potential in the world. It would not be the same with every one and honestly we will not always succeed in taking a student from the crowd to leader. It would mean we would have to be willing to let go of some ministry and create environments that would foster this growth. This is not about budgets or programs. This is not an 8 week series or a small group class. This is a philosophy and approach to ministry that will work you out of job in some cases. It is doing ministry the way I believe Jesus did. Didn’t he invite a group of rag tag followers to watch what he did, then do it with him, and finally sent them out to change the world? To me, this is what discipleship of students has to look like and the only way we will truly be effective.

Every week I step on multiple high school campuses and run into students waiting for hope and for someone to give them the chance to shine. They are a generation that genuinely wants to change their world and make a difference. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are kind of scary and many are just plain scared. After 23 years I still feel overwhelmingly called to youth ministry. Even with all the negative statistics I believe whole heartedly that we can and will make a difference.  I hope you will work yourself out of job and the student that we have led, that now lead others will change the world. That is something I have no problem giving myself away too for the next 23 years.

Tony Hevener