Just back from the Children’s Pastor’s Conference (INCM) that took place in Nashville, Tennessee. Patrick Snow (from SuperStart), Sean Sweet, and I did a preconference on preteen ministry, with my focus being, not surprisingly, the at-risk child or preteen. I was also able to give an additional workshop during the conference. I’ll be doing it again at CPC’s February conference in San Diego.
A few thoughts I shared during my workshops:
The stats we see for junior high/high school at-risk behavior are representative of life challenges that are likely already happening during the childhood/preteen years. To make an impact, we should act now, not later.
Our work and ministry to children and youth is most effective when we keep a pulse on the issues of today’s world and teen culture, especially in consideration of the individual and his or her personal questions and struggles.
Reaching the child, preteen, teen, or young adult involves caring about their family. We do that, at least partly, by developing a ministry philosophy that actively and practically nurtures the respect and communication between the members of the family, and nourishes the faith in that home.
In order to offer real purpose and hope to those we teach in our ministries or love in our homes and communities, we must daily go deeper in our relationship with Christ through prayer, reading God’s words, and intentionally living out what he shows us.
More to come, but I invite your thoughts. Let’s keep the dialog going.
