Currently at NHC we are going through 40 Days of Purpose. This is our second time, the last time was about 5 years ago, and we have had many new members since the first 40 DOP so we are doing it again.
Part of 40 DOP is to read through The Purpose Driven Life, each day is a devotional reading. Today I read Chapter 29, Accepting Your Assignment; this week's focus is all about ministry. Due to some lack of teaching by the church in the past, or incorrect teaching, many people have this institutionalized view of the church and that the "minister" is the pastor. The church isn't an organization the church is an organism. In this view of the church being organic each member is a minister.
I especially liked this paragraph from page 231:
The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible study. They already know far more than the are putting into practice. What they need are serving experiences in which they can exercise their spiritual muscles.
Dads and moms, what are you teaching your teen about ministry? Do your words match your actions? Do they see you going to Bible study after Bible study and putting what you are learning into action? What ministry are you involved in at your local church? Remember more is caught than taught. Your teen needs to see your sleeves rolled up and serving in ministry.
I'm pretty stoked because at NHC we have many students from our youth ministry serving in ministry in the church. I think we will see many more catch on in the near future as they see their friends growing spiritually because they are striving to be spiritually healthy and balanced by using the gifts God has given them in service. Parents, what are you doing to encourage your teen to discover and use the gifts God has given them as believers? Ministry is a vital part of discipleship, following Christ.
Some churches teach that students are the future of the church. I believe they are the church in the here and now and because of that they need to be serving and using the gifts God has given them. When we hinder students from using their gifts we hinder their spiritual growth.
3 comments:
Well said Andy! There are several of the NHC youth serving in the Jr. Wave Riders ministry, and the kids really enjoy building relationships with them. What a great inspiration it is for the younger ones to see them worshipping God in word, in song, in life. Thank you NHC for getting “it” and allowing all parts of the body function and grow!
as a POT (parent of teen) I'm thrilled that NHC allows teens to get involved and learn to minister while they are young. Too often, they are locked out because it takes a little (ok, a lot) more effort to steer them and produce an independent worker, but I think it's well worth the effort.
George Allen, the head coach of the Redskins back in the 70's was famous for his quote: "The future is now".
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