Investing in “NextGen”
My first role on staff was as a worship leader when I was 18 years old. Since then, I have been a student pastor, collegiate student pastor, associate/administrative pastor, and lead pastor. Since 1988, in every church (EVERY church) I have ever served, one of our greatest challenges has been to recruit enough volunteers to lead kids’ ministry. We want “NextGen” to hear about Christ and learn to follow him, but we always think “someone else” will do it. However, the vast majority of church members never step into that role, even for a single semester. And that generation of kids NEEDS adult leadership. Always has; always will.
We’re preparing to launch another service, which means adding additional ministry times focused on kids. However, we still need two dozen leaders. I’m going to share a secret: when I hang up the mantle of pastoring someday, I will take on the mantle of a kids’ volunteer! How do I know I’ll do that? Because right now, most Sundays when I am not preaching, I’m in a classroom with kids, seeking to lead this next generation to know Jesus and feel like they can approach their pastor. (And if you hear a dull roar of laughter down one of the hallways during that time, that would be me!)
Speedbump Warning: The average person will often think someone else needs to step up, but a sad statistic nationally is that a very small percentage of people in America’s churches do more than fill a space in a worship service.
When I was in high school, I felt that God deserved my service, and I wanted to give it. I felt the same way in college. When Kelly and I were engaged and attending church together, I stepped into leading a class. Whether I was working a job driving a truck, managing an office, working in a library, or shuffling resources for a law firm, I never considered the possibility of NOT serving.
The challenge is too big for us to sit on the sidelines.
The opportunity is too grand to miss out on being “in on” the blessing of seeing lives transformed.
The command of Jesus is too bold and clear for us to think it’s about “someone else.”
So I’m asking every person to do what should be NORMATIVE activity for any believer:
Dare to pray and ask the Lord what HE wants YOU to DO.
I never could do that and just sit on the sidelines.
And I doubt you can either.
THE GOOD NEWS:
Kids have grown up around me over these decades, and they remember those days in the classroom, on a trip, or in a conversation where I gave my time. The benefit to my own soul has outweighed every ounce of the investment I made. I can’t imagine missing out on those faith journeys.
Honestly. . . can YOU?
You can take action today and fill out a quick form if you wish to serve.