Journals @ Awaken This HeartThe musings of Pastor Corey Gibson on leadership, ministry and life.

This was originally written and posted by Pastor Micah Berteau here…

Healthy is not a sexy word in youth ministry. If we are ever asked about the status of our youth group we would love to use words like “growing,” “powerful,” “massive,” “explosive,” “game-changing” and then end that sentence with a humble brag like: “but praise God because He’s the one sending the masses of kids to hear me preach!” Don’t flatter yourself. Humility is the breeding ground of revival. Is that one of those one-liners with no truth behind it? False. Think about it. The Bible clearly states how the humble will be exalted. God is moving in places where he gets all of the glory. God is into promoting purity over pride. Which makes it clear that Humility is a strong indication of spiritual health

The word “health” is most likely not our favorite word to describe our impact on culture. The reality is, we get caught up with size instead of health. We must redefine the metric in which we measure a thriving youth group, or any ministry at that. Numbers without health will not sustain. On the other side, healthy ministries cannot and will not stay without growth. Health does not mean taking a picture at that one angle for social networks that make your youth group look like 2,659 students. Health is being huge in spirit before you are ever huge in number. It is the foundation of prayer that starts with the youth pastor. It is reading the Bible for more than just sermons. It is keeping Jesus as the main focus of our entire operation.

What is one of the most effective ways to build a healthy youth ministry?  Copy everything you see on Instagram from other churches. Joking. It’s DICIPLESHIP. Discipleship is showing this young generation the reality of Jesus in their every day lives. Discipleship is replicating who you are. Discipleship is dirty. Discipleship is time consuming. Discipleship is the ultimate Jesus model.

Jesus took 12 nobodies and turned them into some of the baddest people to ever walk on earth. Talk about #SquadGoals. How did Jesus do that? Matthew 4:19 (NLT) states, “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” In this verse we learn the Jesus model of discipleship in three steps.

1. COME. Allow the students to come as they are, not as you would like them to be. The greatest leaders aren’t born they’re formed.
2. FOLLOW ME. Students need a man/woman of God to follow as they are on their journey with Christ. Someone to text, call, or message at any time of the day for prayer and guidance.
3. I WILL SHOW YOU HOW. Our young people no longer need to hear about how they should live, but SEE someone living it out in front of them. Discipleship is more illustrative than it is verbal. Show them how to read the bible. Show them how to worship. Show them how to pray. Leadership is more caught than taught and these young people need to see what a righteous walk looks like.

Understand that everyone you disciple may not make it. Even Jesus had a runaway: Judas. However, do not lose heart because though you may not see the temporary impact, discipleship produces eternal impact.

 

Micah Berteau has grown up in the house of God.  Micah, along with his wife Lindsey, are the youth Pastors of Heart&Soul and Stadium Youth & Young Adult Ministries at The House in Modesto, California.  Micah influences hundreds of young people on a weekly basis.  He has led events with over 2,000 people in attendance and has had the privilege to see thousands of people saved.  Micah is a dynamic, powerful, and enthusiastic speaker. He carries an anointing to speak not only to the youth, but to all generations. His passion and love for God is refreshing and contagious.  Micah has a heart for evangelism and a desire to see the youth and young adults of this generation intimately know Jesus and boldly make him known.

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