A long time ago in a galaxy far far away . . . Like the intro to the epoch movie Star Wars, I started my first gig as a youth minister at the turn of the millennium. It was the year 2000. I was young and naïve, but somehow God used me to begin and then build up a youth group (that’s what we called it then). I have learned since that youth groups are social clubs like FFA, 4H, and ball teams. Youth ministries serve their world, their communities, their schools, their church, and each other. Youth groups are about themselves. Think games and pizza. Youth ministries are about loving and serving both God and others. Think missions!
As terminology and the profession of youth ministry evolved, I did as well. For many years, I resisted the notion of attending seminary. I did not see the need for it and God was blessing my ministry. But after much prayer and encouragement from others, I finally gave in. A letter from a Pastor in Macon, GA stuck with me as his written words kept ringing in my ears . . . “a call to the ministry is a call to be equipped for the work of the ministry.” So I called Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in 2005 and asked what they had to offer for training in youth ministry. They told me the closest track they had was called Christian Education and that the plan was to unveil a degree offering for youth ministry in the near future.
Even though SEBTS had no degrees for youth ministry, I decided to enroll and go for my M Div. in Christian Education since I also shared a passion for working with youth in a Christian school setting. After working some in a Christian School and then graduating from SEBTS in 2009, I began working as a minister of children, youth, and education in 2010. I had to wear many hats, but my main emphasis was leading Youth on Mission or building a missional “student ministry” (notice the name change again). Now by this time, SEBTS had lived up to their word and were offering M Div.’s in Student Ministry. I worked full-time until the end of 2013, but near the end of my tenure, I felt God saying “family ministry.”
Being missional was still important, but I knew more than ever, God was transitioning a movement in His Church from “student ministry” to “family ministry.” Ministers like Timothy Paul Jones, Brian Haynes, Jay Strother, Steve Wright, and others were found promoting the family-equipping ministry model.
Around the beginning of 2015, I began my advanced studies at SEBTS in next generation ministry. Next generation ministry was more than “student ministry” and it was more than “family ministry.” NGM was the best of both worlds and more! Students were defined in terms of more than just children or youth and family ministry was essential. Silos were broken, leaders were valued, and disciples were made.
I can attest to the difficulty of working as a youth minister in my early 20’s and working with silos in my early 30’s. After all, it is difficult for a 20-year old to relate to parents and a person of any age to break down silos. Next generation ministry is different than youth or student ministry in that it requires a leader who is experienced in both ministry and life.
I was watching a next generation sport today called soccer (I know its an old sport but its catching on like fire in the USA). An advertisement from today’s big game, the UEFA Champions League Final, stood out to me and may be an ad you remember while watching a football game. The ad was a beer commercial and it said, “it takes 15 years to be a Heineken brew-master.”
That’s the way I feel about being a next generation pastor. To be able to work well with young adults, parents, leaders and students requires someone at least the age of 35 or someone who has about 15 years experience. 20-year olds should still be given the opportunity, like I was, to minister to youth. But youth ministry is not the same as next generation ministry. Youth are part of the next generation, but youth ministry is just one part of the whole in the big picture of next generation ministry. Next generation pastors must be strong in ministry to preschool, college, singles and married young adults as well. I have been a next generation pastor for over two years now and “am still learning” as the commercial went on to say. Youth ministry . . . student ministry . . . family ministry . . . next generation ministry . . . what lies beyond the final frontier? Only God knows . . .