Guest Post, Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, Student Ministry, That'll Preach Sayings, Worship & Prayer
Guest Post: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Discipleship, featured, Healthy Ministry, Heart & Soul, Jesus, Jesus Focused, Micah Berteau, Pastor Micah, Pastor Micah Berteau, Stadium Youth Ministry, student ministry, This Changes Everything, Youth Ministry
Leadership, Reflections & Introspection, Worship & Prayer
The BIG Question: Numbers
I always get asked the question… You know, the “Does Numbers Matter?”, or “How do I increase our SM numbers? or even “Spiritual Growth over Numerical Growth” questions. A few months ago, I address this during a quick Q&A session I did on Twitter and my blog. Decided to repost since these questions are some of the biggest things Youth Pastors are wondering…
Phillip C. from VA asks: “Hi, I am a Youth Pastor in VA. I have a quick question… What do I do when the attendance starts to dwindle down? Like, we usually average about 75 students weekly but our ministry team has notice that has decrease to about 40-45 students. Any suggestions?”
— PRAY, COMPEL & PREACH…
- PRAY hard & specifically over the youth ministry, the leaders and that the vision goes forth the way God desires. Invite your leaders/staff to Pre-Service prayer to pray over the service and ministry that’s about to go down that night. Often times we neglect the importance on consecrated prayer. The only thing we can control, are the actions that we put forth.
- COMPEL the students who have frequently missed to come back. Maybe taking time to call them or visit with them would be beneficial. It’s little things like this that make a huge impact. Make adjustments based on feedback, if necessary. This compelling is also and somewhat more important is to COMPEL others (new visitors/guest, and/or lost students) to Jesus and the ministry. I am reminded of the story in Luke 14:15-24 talking about the Master having a banquet and none of the guest he originally invited (students who left) wanted to show up for the party (church). So the Master tells his servant to go out in the streets/city and “compel” the sick/needy/lost (new people) to come in for the party. With this said, have concern about those who are missing, but focus on the ones who are there while compelling the ones who don’t know to join in.
- PREACH Jesus… Regardless if 1 show up or 1,000s, preach Jesus!!! “Preach to the 12 as you would preach to the multitudes.” This is exactly what Jesus did, faithfully!
Don’t get discouraged if the numbers are low… don’t get cocky/arrogant when the numbers are high. Everything has a divine season.. a time of reaping and of sowing. This maybe your ministry time of sowing… sow well! Praying for you and the ministry as you accomplish the vision set by God. Blessings!
Alex T. from TX asks: “Numerical Growth vs. Spiritually Growth.. What’s your take on it, biblically?”
– BOTH… We need both. Jesus calls us to grow spiritually and numerically. When we grow Spiritually as a church/ministry, we have no choice but to grow numerically. God believes in both wholeheartedly growing together. What good is it to be physically strong (large church/ministry) but mentally (maturity/knowledge) weak/depraved OR to be physically weak and mentally strong. One is the “dumb jock” while the other is the “skinny nerd.” There needs to be balance and this is what it means to have healthy/thriving church/ministry. Regardless if you are called to minister to 15 or to 15k people… you’re still fulfilling your purpose GOD has given you. The reward is equal, the risk is equal, the faith and work is equal. Never allow anyone to diminish what God is doing in your ministry and never try to be something you are not. Jesus preached to the multitudes, then he preach to the 12, then he preached to the 3. He even preached to the 1 at times. If you grow spiritual, you have no choice but to grow numerical. (Luke 2:40,52; Act 2:42-47, 4:4, 5:14, 6:1, 6:7, 9:31, 11:21-24; 3 John 1:2)
Compel, Do Numbers Matter, God, Healthy Churches, Healthy Ministry, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Luke 14:15-24, Numerical Growth vs. Spiritually Growth, Prayer, Purpose, Spiritual Growth, student ministry, youth pastor
