DEADBOLT THE YOUTH ROOM DOOR

Dear Tim,
I’ve been reading and learning more about discipleship; however, it seems too many churches don’t really promote it or even have that much of a grasp on it. Do you have any tips for ways to go about it?
Dan, Illinois

Let me share an equation I use when quantifying the results of youth ministry (or any ministry). You measure what you value; you produce what you measure.
When I have the opportunity to consult with a church or provide coaching to a congregation, my first inquiry is always, “Please show me your youth in ministry.” I don’t ask about the building, budget, or broken down bus. What I really want to see is equipped young people actively engaged in doing the work of the ministry — their ministry. (If I don’t see youth in ministry, I already know the results.)

There is only one objective for youth ministry — for the whole church in fact. Discipleship. That same goal also defines the purpose of ministry clearly and concisely. It is the last word Jesus spoke when he commissioned his faithful few. It was his number one priority and our number one failure. Ironic.

How do you measure discipleship?
In order to assess the effectiveness of youth ministry for your church, there are two factors that require consideration: relationship and ownership. Those two words comprise the key elements needed to accomplish the primary objective Jesus gave before he ascended.

If you want to know what you value, just stop and consider what you measure. Most youth leaders calculate and count the wrong indicators. Numbers. (FYI: They are only following the directive or example of those to whom they report.) Please know that digits cannot indicate effective discipleship. They are a means of measurement, but what do they really determine in light of Jesus’ Great Commission?

I replied to Dan with a tongue-in-cheek answer that contains more than a hint of truth. “Deadbolt the youth room.” Sound drastic or just sarcastic? Listen closer: “If I came to your church and forbid you from planning, preparing, or programming another meeting for six months, what would your ministry look like?” Simply put, “What would happen if we would deadbolt the youth room door?”

Many youth leaders would be completely lost because meeting and ministry have become synonymous when in fact, one is usually the greatest obstacle of accomplishing the other. Here’s the truth:

Students’ lives are changed through relationships, and relationships that change lives take time.
If the majority of our time is spent getting ready for meetings, how much time do we actually devote to discipleship? The answer to that question tells a lot about what we have come to value.

This week, I encourage you to reconsider your role as disciple-maker. Start leaving the meetings to youth. Yeah, that’s right. Give them ownership of their ministry. They won’t ruin what you’ve built. Jesus gave his disciples ownership. Look at what they did. (BTW: They were about the same age as your young people.)

Now, take that new free time you have from no longer worrying about what Wednesday nights look like, and intentionally share your life in Christ with students. Focus your time on relationship.

Go ahead. Try it. You will find you have never been more effective in accomplishing the only objective Jesus gave when he called you to youth ministry. If you still need to measure numbers, look at how many more students have a real role in planning their own program. Then take a look at how many more minutes you have invested into young lives. Put that information in your next board report!
Ownership with relationship equals discipleship.