The Godbearing Life

Although I haven't had much free time lately for leisure reading, I have been making slow but steady progress through an insightful book called The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry. In the chapter titled "Sharing the Mantle: A Community of Colaborers," the authors remind those of us who are student ministry leaders of the importance of partnering with our students. Consider this excerpt: "By and large, adolescence provides a gold mine of leaders waiting to be asked, waiting to be gathered for God and to share the load in God's plan of deliverance. Not only does their inclusion freshen our perspectives and inject vital energy in our undertakings, but it also creates an atmosphere of mutuality in ministry. Godbearing youth ministry does not abandon its responsibility 'to' youth and 'for' youth, but it is always conscious that ministry exists 'with' youth as well. We are Godbearers to youth so that they may become Godbearers in their own right."

Yesterday morning, the seniors and juniors in our youth group who are family group leaders - students who have accepted the mantle of leadership and facilitate student small groups each Wednesday night - taught all of our youth Sunday School classes. For the past four weeks, these dedicated students have stayed late after our Wednesday evening worship services to be trained to teach a lesson on 2 Timothy 3:14-17. The students were enthusiastic - and a little nervous - about their assignment, but they rose to the challenge, and the feedback I have received from students and adult leaders has been overwhelmingly positive. Undoubtedly some of these students will go on to become church leaders as adults - as clergy and layleaders - but in the meantime, they are already leading well in this congregation.

Thanks, family group leaders. You certainly made me proud. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).