Mark Oestreicher is writing a new book on youth ministry called Youth Ministry 3.0, and he wants input. Over the next couple of weeks he is going to be giving us excerpts from the book, and he wants people to comment on it. Mark calls it “an attempt to name where and how we’re missing the mark in youth ministry, and what needs to change in order to more truly live into our calling as youth workers.” I think with Mark’s influence in youth culture as acting president of Youth Specialties, this book will get a look from many youth pastors. I encourage you to go to Mark’s blog and give input.

Mark touches on two points: Doing less, and getting small…

Let’s be honest about youth ministry: the demands of teenagers lives, parents needs, planning, preparation, communication, and everything else that comes with the turf is overwhelming. And it is absolutely never, ever done. Never completed. There will always be more teenagers who need you. There will always be more parents who would benefit from time you spend reaching out to them. Your teaching could always be a little better with more prep time. Your pastor and church board would always like more communication (or acquiescence). So, adding more gets you nowhere.

When it comes to “doing less”, first and foremost, let me say that I agree completely. And in no way do I think that Marko is saying that programs are useless and need to be removed.

With that said, I think one of the “problems” that arises with some ministries is that by doing less they “do nothing”. Maybe the “doing nothing” comes out of burned out youth pastors? Maybe they feel under staffed? I think that less programs is the way adolescents are leaning, but I do not think they don’t want anything. In my opinion, in the process of “doing less”, we need to “think strategically”. I don’t think we can just throw stuff against the wall to see if it sticks. And I don’t think we can complete remove all programs. Many groups are run by volunteers who are just as busy as the students and families, and need help in building those relationships with kids. So, if done well, there can be benefits to “programming” small groups, mentoring, large group events, etc. What is your experience with this? How do we know when we have too many programs? At what point do programs compete with relationships?

Mark also talks about “getting small”:

Smallness is both a value and a practice, though the value has to precede and continue on through the practice. Smallness values community where teenagers can be truly known and know others, rather than being one of the crowd (even if it’s a really fun crowd). Smallness champions clusters of relationships, rather than a carpet-bombing approach. Smallness waits on the still, small voice of God, rather than assuming what God wants to say and broadcasting it through the best sound system money can buy. Smallness prioritizes relationships over numbers, social networks over programs, uniqueness over homogeneity, and listening to God over speaking for God

While I agree that smallness values community where teens can be truly known, the biggest implication is that this will require way more “adult” involvement in the lives of teenagers. My question is: Is the church ready for this? Do we have enough adults willing to take this step? Most churches, it seems, are begging adults just to go to a weekend of camp, or teach a class. What is it going to take to motivate adults to truly mentor students?