By Ted Johnston
District Superintendent
Akron, Ohio
Over the past 30 years I've served in various aspects of teen ministry in the WCG.
Throughout these years we've had our ups and downs. Some things have been helpful, others have not. But one thing I've always seen is a remarkable commitment from the WCG toward serving its teens. They have always been, and continue to be, highly valued and loved.
But now it's a new day. And I have never experienced anything quite like Higher Ground--the second session of SEP 2000. What I witnessed there opened new understandings in my mind about teen ministry and its future in the WCG.
As camp chaplain for Higher Ground, it often seemed that my primary job involved observing the work of the Holy Spirit--noting what he was doing and then seeking to fan into flame the fires he was lighting among our teens and the staff that served them. The fire I saw ignited was manifested in two ways: a dynamic passion for Jesus and a deep commitment to enter his service.
Regarding the former, I saw (in session two) about 50 teens commit their lives to Christ for the first time (and about 40 were baptized during the session). Regarding the latter, I had long talks with several teens (as did many other ministers and leaders at SEP) concerning their strong sense of calling to personal involvement in Christ's service.
As witnessed at Higher Ground and elsewhere, I believe we are seeing a new focus and approach emerging for teen ministry in the WCG. That focus is not so much on ministering to teens as it is on teens being equipped so that they can minister.
We often say of teens that they are the future of the church. That, of course, is true. But, teens can be the now of the church. How? As caring adults, including older teen mentors, cooperate with the Holy Spirit to help equip teens for their own ministry (area of service) in Jesus' name. And by the teens hearing and heeding God's calling in their lives.
We began to enter into this process in a powerful way at Higher Ground. Many teens came to Christ for the first time during Higher Ground. Moreover, many more found a new level of commitment as Jesus' disciples.
We talked with teens about spiritual gifts. We discussed how these gifts are given for ministry in and through the church and how they can identify their own gifts and begin to use them in Jesus' service.
We talked with them about how to build their local congregations. Many deeply desire to make a difference back home, and we are seeking to help them do that.
Several teens and young adults are working to construct organizational and communication networks involving teen ministry leaders, with ministry teams composed of individuals who have passion, vision and availability. We are finding many of these folks already well distributed throughout the United States. We're looking for more.
New things--good things--are happening, and much of it is welling up from what we see the Holy Spirit already doing among our teens and adults with a passion for teen ministry. That is how it should be.
At Higher Ground I believe we have seen the future--and the future is now.
To all the teens in our fellowship, I say a new day is dawning. Teen ministry in the WCG is not going to be so much about what the church will do for you, it will be more about what the church will help equip you to do in the Lord's service. This is our commitment to you, and we seek your commitment to our Lord and to his vision for you.
Teens--are you interested? Then talk to your pastor--jump on board and stay tuned. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Feel free to drop me a line at Ted_Johnston@wcg.org
From left: Andrew Fredrickson, Rachel Kuhn, Lamont
Curtis, Steven Kuduka, Jonea Wunder, Anoria Wunder,
Scott Orban, Jeremy Griffin and Corrine Brunett. Bottom
row from left: James Egbert, Amy Ward and Mikey Kurts,
Nina Bregal, Delyse Center and Ben Zacharias.
Kristina Coltran and Cathy Deets
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2000