Rev. Skip Seibel

 

I believe a church’s ministry to children and youth must be guided by three ministry truths:

• Children and youth are relational beings in need of unconditional love, respect and acceptance.

• Most commitments to faith are made before the age of eighteen, most often during middle and high school years.

• The greatest influences in the lives of our children are their friends.

 

Elementary School Years

If our children are to be involved in the life of the church as adolescents, the habit must begin in elementary school. During the elementary school years we must be thorough in our efforts to build a strong, positive relationship between the church, our children and their friends. We must be diligent in establishing relationships of unconditional love and acceptance between our children, their friends and key adults. Our children’s ministry must include a weekly gathering, special events and summer activities. Children’s activities must be enjoyable. Teaching should be focused on the stories of the Bible. Every child must experience the unconditional love of God through caring adults.

 

Middle School Years

The middle school years are crucial.  During middle school the foundation of faith will be established. If the foundation is strong, faith will flourish. If the foundation is weak, faith will crumble. Students will make key life decisions. Becoming or not becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ will be one of those decisions. It is crucial that our children have the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to respond.  Weekend retreats and summer camp experiences are critical. These can be transformational events. During the middle school years our youth will forge their identity; who they are and how they will live, what they believe and what they will do. One of the greatest influences that will shape our youth is their friends. It is imperative that the church not only minister to our youth but also to their friends. The activities we plan must be attractive. The relationships our youth have with their youth leaders must reflect God’s unconditional love.  We must work very hard at winning the right to be heard. The foundation of faith will be built during these years.

 

High School Years

The church’s high school youth leaders will build on the foundation of faith established in the middle school years. The focus of the high school years must be discipleship. Our goal in the high school years must be the development of a faith that is solid, anchored deep and able to guide our youth through their high school years, college years and beyond.  We must be diligent in our efforts to turn the immature faith forged in the middle school years into a deep, lifelong, abiding faith. The focus of our ministry must be on small discipleship groups and personal ministry. If our youth are to be part of the church in the junior and senior high years, they must have a ministry of their own and a rock solid relationship with caring adults and peers. Each student must be given the opportunity and the encouragement to experience personal ministry and develop a strong devotional life.