By Mel Walker, Vision For Youth, Inc.

 

Frankly, I’m alarmed. Please understand me; I am not a pessimist. I am very encouraged about much of what I see in today’s youth ministry. It seems as if God is at work in the lives of this generation. But I see a trend developing that is somewhat discouraging to me. It is what I call "youth ministry arrogance."

I don't believe that this is a conscious or premeditated attitude of pride or haughtiness, but a subtle and insidious inclination toward overconfidence in one's self or in one's own abilities to handle ministry. I see it developing in all of us. And to be quite honest, this arrogance is rearing its ugly head in almost all areas of youth ministry.

I feel somewhat self-conscious writing about this arrogance because I wonder if I have been infected with it as well. I hope not. My prayer is that I will always look to the Savior for His sufficiency and to His Word for answers. I also pray that I might have the God-given humility to seek advice when I’m confused and to ask for directions when I am lost. I have learned (although the lessons haven't always been easy) to cry out for help when I am in-over-my-head and to lean on someone else when I am unstable or unbalanced.

I admit it -- there are tons of times when I need help. Many times I don't know what to say or do. During those many occasions I need to cry out to my Heavenly Father for His assistance. I am also in the process of learning that I need fellow youth workers as well. I need their counsel and advice. I need their help, their abilities, their talents, and their input in my life.

            Each year the Lord gives me the opportunity to be involved in a variety of seminars, workshops, and conferences. Some of them are regional in scope and I’ve also had the great privilege of participating in some of the most significant youth ministry conferences and conventions in this country. I’m always so thankful for the times of instruction and fellowship with these other youth pastors and youth workers. The attendees range from "kids" in their early twenties to "seniors" in their late seventies. It’s always a blast to reminisce about the good old days in youth ministry, but also thinking and dreaming about goals and plans for the future of working with students.

I am trying to talk myself into believing that this "youth ministry arrogance" is just my wrong perception of what is happening. I like to believe that today's youth workers see the need for training and for input from others, and perhaps they do see that need. I apologize profusely if I have offended anyone by making these far reaching observations. However, it seems as if many youth workers today are caught up in this spirit of arrogance.

Readers may disagree with my premise, but I have noticed some startling and discouraging characteristics in many of today's youth workers. It often starts with what I call "the Superman Syndrome." Some youth workers have the mind-set that they can do everything themselves, that they don't need anybody's help. They don't seek help from volunteers or other lay helpers, and they act as if youth ministry is a one-man show. They believe they can do everything themselves -- from running youth activities to developing relationships with students. They handle all of the teaching, administration, and worship themselves and rarely involve others in leadership.

            I want to give other youth workers the "Albert Einstein Award” because they act like they have all the answers. These youth workers do not seek advice from elders, senior pastors, or other leaders. They are the ones who don't read books on youth ministry and who don't attend youth ministry conferences. They're also not going back to seminary or grad school for further training. They think they know what to do, what to say, and how to run a youth ministry, so they do not seek input from anyone else.

            Let me ask you a personal question: do either of these two facetious descriptions sound familiar? Are you acting like either Superman or Einstein in the way you are trying to do youth ministry?

            If so, it's time to confess that self-sufficient arrogance and move on to a more realistic and balanced approach. We all must learn to be totally dependent upon our Heavenly Father and, let's face it, we all need input, advice, and counsel from trusted mentors and teachers as well.

            That being said let me share some simple, yet practical suggestions to help youth workers deal with “youth ministry arrogance.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            As I mentioned above, I feel somewhat self-conscious writing about this trend because I know that I have been infected with it more than I want to admit. I must confess this arrogance to the Lord and then work on some specific solutions and safeguards. I not only need the Lord's guidance and loving-kindness, I need the influence and training from others as well.

            Please pray for me about this. I'll be praying for you, too.