Let me say this to all of the Bettys of the world: you are not too old to do youth work. You will never be too old!
Here are five reasons why all people of all ages can and should be involved with the youth work at their church:
- Because great youth work is actually really simple. Youth work is, in its very essence, building relationships with young people, and through those relationships communicating something of your relationship with God. That’s it. It really is that simple! If you can simply care about the young people in your church and get to know them individually – then you are doing youth work. There’s nothing more to it.
- Because the young people in our churches need great role models of faith. Research from America has shown that young people need five significant role models of faith in order to grow a faith that will last. If they have any chance of sticking out the whole church, Jesus, Bible thing into their 20s and adult life, they need to brush against people of all ages and backgrounds at church, to grasp the fullness and breadth and depth of the body of Christ. Your youth worker therefore cannot do a good job of youth work without you! However great a relationship might be between a youth worker and a young person, young people need to get to know four other people in the church, in order to feel that they belong. You may not feel like you can do much, but you can certainly be one of the five people that a particular young person comes into contact with at church – which may just make all the difference. In a time when young people are disconnected from older generations, and where many come from broken homes, a consistent and faithful presence in their life can be extremely powerful.
- Because there are many different tasks a youth worker needs help with. Signing up to help out with the youth work doesn’t mean that you will have to prance around at the front and dance along to high-octane music! Youth workers need people to serve tea, to do admin, to set up the youth group space and pack down, to bake cakes, to mentor and to offer wisdom and a listening ear. There are many different roles you can fulfil in a youth group setting, and there is something everyone can bring to a session.
- Because you can be involved in the youth work even if you don’t go to the youth group! The most important thing you could ever do for the young people in the church is pray for them.And you can do that from anywhere! If you are praying for the young people – make sure you tell them so. They will be amazed and touched that someone cares enough to remember them in this way.
- Because you will be blessed by the young people. Often when we serve in a church capacity, we focus on what we are giving. I’d like to bet that if you intentionally get to know the young people in your church, and maybe even attend a youth group session, you will leave feeling blessed! The teenage years are such an exciting and exuberant time of life, and it is such a privilege to be around people of this age. Sometimes the thought of heading to youth group after a long day at work doesn’t fill me with joy – but as soon as I arrive the room is alive with noise and energy and I leave with a smile on my face. And who knows? They may even teach you a thing or two about God.
Want to get involved with youth work but don’t know where to start? Join us at the Youth Work Summit on 20th June 2015 at the River Centre in Tonbridge – a dynamic TED style conference, packed full of ideas, case studies of great youth work practice and a chance to discuss the big challenges facing young people in the Church today. Find out more, and book your ticket at Youthwork Summit.
