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Autonomous (capable of independent function) Youth Ministry –Part 1
August 18, 2009 ~ 11 comments

Autonomous (capable of independent function) Youth Ministry -Part 1

What would youth ministries look like if our goal was to give our ministry away? I'm talking about literally trying to work ourselves out of a job. At first blush this sounds like a kamikaze mission. I can hear the protest now, "If I work myself out of a ministry then what will I do?" So let's think through this together.

When a missionary goes to an international field, the goal is to build an autonomous ministry that can reach people with the gospel and disciple them in the faith. We plant churches in this country and around the world with the goal of giving the ministry away so the process can be repeated. So why can't we approach youth ministry this way?

In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul challenges young Timothy with transferring his faith to others. He changes the ministry equation by throwing down the challenge of reproducing reproducers. Notice this is not a concept limited by chronological age: it is meant to be the accepted Christian standard.

Maybe the connectivity is obvious but consider some practical applications to the principle. I am going to simply list these and develop them further in the next three blog entries.

1.     Students - Obviously our goal is to reach students with the gospel but are we just as committed to developing them to the point of embracing an autonomous faith that is contagious?

2.     Leaders - Are the youth leaders in your church babysitters, enforcers, clone-reproducers or disciplers capable of functioning autonomously thus multiplying ministry and influence?

3.     Parents - Highly effective youth ministries also have a parent ministry focus. Would it be revolutionary or prudent to help Christian parents become the spiritual mentors in the home?

As the apostle Paul said, "Think on these things," and let me know what you think. In Part 2 we will develop the concept of autonomous students.

Autonomous Youth Ministry: Part 2

Discipleship, Parents, Students, Leadership, Youth Ministry, Example
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11 comments
Author: Brian Baker - August 18, 2009
Awesome concept! Can't wait to read part 2!
Author: Nathan Shoultz - August 18, 2009
Giving my ministry away sounds scary. But it seems like a lot of Biblical concepts run contrary to what I naturally think (saved by faith, first shall be last, etc). But that's the great thing about living by principle and not by experience. Even though living by principle feels like going out on a limb sometimes, it's always safer. I think the idea of "doing to give away" is a Biblical concept we ought to be using to apply in all sorts of areas in our lives
Author: Pete Steele - August 18, 2009
thank you for writing this...as I was on my morning prayer walk I was praying for churches of our association and the need to be developing people for ministry so when the Lord makes changes in leadership the ministry will continue, not just get by. youth ministry is not just about the students and I love how you have been used of God to make the ring in my heart!
Author: Clay Conry - August 18, 2009
We are definitely working toward all of this this year in our student ministry! It will be process because we are working against a super-star mentality (former yp!) but it is a mandate!
Author: Brandon Collins - August 19, 2009
I think youth workers think, "I signed up to work with youth, not adults." So they resist this kind of "train other adults to work with students rather than spending all your time on the students themselves" philosophy. But really, are out to work with students or actually make an impact on them? If the first, we will want to avoid working parents and leaders and only work with students directly. If the second, then we'll want to adopt the philosophy that you are beginning to describe.
Author: Mike Calhoun - August 20, 2009
I appreciate all of the insights from those of you who have commented. I plan to address the idea of building adult leaders as I continue this post.
Author: Brenda Arnold - September 2, 2009
I teach the Senior High Girls Sunday School class. One Sunday morning when I was sick, my husband, John went to the class and informed the girls that they needed to attend the general senior high class that day. After he left, the girls closed the door and quietly "continued" with their "own" class. I was horrified when I found out. They informed me that they DID pray, and even discussed Scripture (Adam and Eve!) The story was quite humorous. Since that time, I have realized that the girls moving out of that class can be trained. Two weeks ago, when I was out of town, a youth leader sat in as one of my graduates led the class. I look forward to the rest of the articles on this subject. When I can "give away my ministry", I feel like I am doing what God intends. Thanks for sharing your wisdom once again.
Author: Greg Fletcher - August 24, 2010
Hey Mike, Great Post! What I find most frustrating about this concept is that the "norm" has become so revolutionary! But...are you allowed to apply missionary methodology to the "home" ministry? :-) I've known pastors who would rake their missionaries over the coals for not making their ministry "autonomous" -- as you mentioned. However, they never stopped to think if they were building a "superstar kingdom" at home. Hmmm...I wonder why youth ministers often have a similar mindset...
Author: Mark S - August 24, 2010
Mike, I agree with you for the most part. Your title struck me at first, though, because a ministry should not stand alone and functioning as an alternative to church -- it should involve and direct those it ministers to, to involvement in a Bible believing and teaching, local church. It is in the church where we have ministry of Word and sacraments, where we have accountability to pastors and elders, and one another. Parent and student ministry needs to be an integral part of the local church, not autonomous from it. Likewise, we're not releasing students to be autonomous in their faith. Christ built and builds His church as a body, not as independent limbs (nevertheless, while a hand cannot operate without vascular and nervous system function, it needs to be able (at times) to function independently of a foot or the other hand in doing tasks, if the body is to work efficiently). That is to say, we ought to be discipling children and youth to where they can be witnesses for and of Christ without direct "hand-holding" (by us, that is!). That's a growth process. Also, we want students to be and to see themselves as redeemed by Christ, not as going to church and claiming the title of Christians because they live in America, or because their parents and grandparents are Christians. Nevertheless, though the elect are made alive in Christ unto faith individually, it still is the faith of our fathers and the faith of our forbears. We live in Christ, in community with the Saints throughout all time. We learn from Paul, Augustine, Luther, Calvin and so many other saints before us. I am not suggesting you are saying otherwise, only that we must be careful in using terms like autonomous when culturally it may have the ring of "independence."
Author: Mike Calhoun - August 24, 2010
Greg, I think your observation is insightful that the norm has become revolutionary. I began to laugh when I read your observation of some pastors and then caught myself because it is more tragic than humorous. We all have a tendency to hold others to a higher standard than ourselves. Thanks for sharing.
Author: Mike Calhoun - August 24, 2010
Mark, thanks for challenging my thinking. You are correct in saying that the youth ministry must be on program with the overall church. Too many youth ministries have become a "church within the church" and this is not healthy. This is not what I am suggesting.

I am trying to challenge those of us in youth ministry to refuse to be the spiritual crutch for our teens. We need to teach them how to feed themselves spiritually and to own their faith. Thanks for helping me clarify the concept.

I will be interested to hear your observations on the next three parts of this post.
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