God of the Gaps.

I studied science in a previous life, and encountered the topic of evolution my second year. Our lecturer, who didn’t strike me as a real happy camper, proceeded to inform us that science was able to explain everything except the origins of DNA (which strikes me as rather important). It was in this gap that we could put our God if we had one.

But he had a warning…God was getting smaller.

Now that is something that we are used to in youth ministry isn’t it. GAPS. There never seem to be quite enough people around for what it is you want to do, or for what your ideal structure would be. So what do we do with our GAPS?

The tendency we have is to try and plug them with people, any people, friends, family, people who owe you a favour. These folks are well meaning and really want to help you, but the short term gain can rapidly come undone. Your people will tire and become frustrated as they may be in roles that are not bringing out their best. Try to hold back the desire to seek to fill gaps with anyone who able. Instead begin with your people, and design the roles to suit them rather than squeeze them in. In our ministries we need to spend time placing the right people, in the right places, at the right time, for the right reasons.

The good news is we will always have gaps. If we don’t there is a real danger that we think we can pull it off, with our program, our system, even our leadership structure.

We need to always leave room for the wonder and the recognition of Gods Spirit, who is the ministry of our programs.

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts a person plans their course

But the Lord determines their steps.

God has ways in our ministry that are far beyond ours, and his delight is when we offer our plans, with our gaps and allow him to establish them

What is youth ministry?

One of the questions I keep asking myself is “What is youth ministry?” At first, it may appear a little strange, however, this is one of the most vital questions we should be asking ourselves. Vital because we have a limited time to make a maximum impact and it is so easy for us to gently drift off course into unhelpful and unfruitful waters.

I’m not sure whether the answer to the question changes but here, for what it is worth, is my current response…

…Are you ready?

Youth ministry is the following of Jesus in the presence of young people.

I am finding this revelation, remarkably refreshing and sustaining. It reminds me that the most important and precious relationship we have is not with our young people but with Jesus. It moves the focus of my attention away from what do I need to do and towards whom do I know. It drives us back to the greatest gift we have to offer and we can rest knowing that we serve in Christ’s ministry and not our own.

It, unwittingly, gives us a clue to what sustains the folks who have been around a while.
Their source of enthusiasm, joy, ideas, love and grace is Jesus and the work of His Spirit. We must take care of our relationship with Him and He will take care of everything else.

Lovely,
Pete