Youth ministry values and mission
By Ted Johnston
Akron, Ohio, district superintendent
As we proceed with a process of strategic planning for youth ministry in the Worldwide Church of God in the United States we are asking three key questions:
1. Why youth ministry? (What are our core values?)
2. What should youth ministry be? (What is our mission?)
3. How should youth ministry be conducted? (What is our strategy?)
Through much prayer and discussion during the last several months and in meetings in Pasadena over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 to 4, we are sensing new answers to these important questions.
In particular, we sense God leading us to understand that youth ministry in our fellowship is to be grounded upon the following core values and directed toward the fulfillment of the following mission.
Youth ministry core values
We sense God leading us to base all we do in youth ministry on the following essential beliefs about God, God's will and the church's appropriate response:
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God deeply loves all youths.
It is the appropriate response of the church to value and cherish youths.
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By God's design, youths are relational beings.
It is the appropriate response of the church to provide a relationally based youth ministry.
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The Holy Spirit is drawing and gifting youths for lifelong, personal relationships of devoted service to Jesus Christ.
It is the appropriate response of the church to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in actively evangelizing and discipling youths.
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God is the Creator of families and often draws people to his Son working in and through families.
It is the appropriate response of the church to work with youths in partnership with their families wherever possible.
Youth ministry mission
Grounded firmly in these core values we feel led to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in pursuing the following two-part mission for youth ministry:
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Create an environment in which youths are exposed to the gospel and brought into the presence of Jesus Christ.
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Prepare, equip and release the youths for ministry in their congregations, their communities and in the world at large.
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